Ventura Botanical Gardens

This is a huge project — both in size and scope, and the dreams of the organizers. We’ve attended fundraisers for the garden in the past. We took a hike up the canyon to see the work in progress with our grandson. Ah, youth & energy!
It took time for them to be able to purchase this property. Now the work of building the pathways, planting areas, retaining walls, signage, and much more is underway. It will be interesting to see how people power and Mother Nature come together.
The views of downtown and out to the Pacific are fabulous.

Beautiful views. We went more for the hike rather than the plants. The hike was fairly easy with nice areas to rest and enjoy the beauty around you. Bonus points for the free parking.

This isn’t really a regular botanical garden. It’s spread out into hiking trails, so you have to be willing to hike and you need to bring your attire for it. It was disappointing since I was imagining this place more like the Wrigley’s Memorial Botanical Gardens on Catalina Island.
This place is near the Main Street, right behind the Civic Hall. It’s more like an uphill battle, it’s steep to get up there, even if you walk or drive.
My main problem is that there aren’t signs to lead you to this place or to Grant park, so it’s very confusing and hard to find it. Usually, everything in Ventura area is well marked.
The views from up there are of the ocean, the Buenaventura pier and seashore are beautiful. On a clear day, you can see the Channel islands. It makes the effort worth it. This was the plus of our little adventure.
I’d say, this place is more for locals who want to hike, there are many trails (some a bit steep) to choose from and navigate the gardens up and down and check out some plants (mostly cacti). This is the place where local teens like to come, park their cars, smoke a joint, make out while looking at the nice views.
If you’re a tourist, be prepared to hike, because that’s what this is.

A work in progress, the Ventura Botanical Gardens is becoming a real gem in the area.
One of the many things that makes Ventura one of a kind is that the city has preserved the hillsides. Instead of acres of concrete and houses covering the hills, you can turn, look up, and see nature. How Ventura has done this, I don’t know. Perhaps their citizens just know that once lost, it can’t be returned.
Anyhow, part of the hills are now a growing botanical gardens open to the public. Parking is easy, the walk can be short or long, depending on the preference. The path winds amongst different types of plants and is both a lovely walk and convenient for people who need to bring a stroller. Dogs are welcome, too, and ours love it here.
It is definitely worth the walk to the top. The views are amazing. On the clearest days, you can see up and down the coastline. You can also see the Channel Islands. In the spring, I’m sure that the wild flowers will be stunning.

It’s a good trail for people looking to get light — medium pace walk. Amazing views.

Oops, I’m the current duchess of this place because I enjoy the uphill walk and the views from the trails, but I have yet to review this work in progress gardens. The all weather trails are perfect for a work out, and you can make a variety of loops around the hill. The Chilean planting corner is taking shape now and blooming and there has been a lot of clean-​up. It’s a nice addition to the Serra Cross area and you can’t beat the view, but don’t expect a Botanical Garden like Santa Barbara’s for a few years.

Great views, but lot’s of trash.
People also cut through and cause erosion and rock slides.
The views are nice.

I can’t really say that this place is good or bad… But I can definitely say that it is not really a Botanical Gardens, at least not yet.
Apparently the city has been working on this place for a while. There is a nice path that runs through it, giving visitors a few miles of nature walk from the bottom to the top, over looking the houses in the valley. Keep in mind though that this is all up hill. There is also a road to drive 75% of the way to the top to a parking lot overlooking Ventura and the ocean. You can then walk from this lot to the top if you want.
I say this is not a garden because there are no plants here, at least, nothing that was not growing here naturally anyway. The signs show how the place will be divided in climate zones with different plants, but they need contributions from visitors like you to make it happen…
Behind the City Hall in Ventura, there is a hill with a parking lot at the top of it. This is the «trail head» for the walking path to the top. There are a couple of other roads that will drive you straight to the top, just follow the signs for the park.
Another interesting note, there is a live ammunition training center for the police here, which is a horrible location next to a walking path. As such, there are restricted areas you cannot drive to, but could still easily walk into. Just watch out for the signs saying DO NOT ENTER as you could get fined. Or shot. Bad day, either way.