The 8 Best Gardens in Orange County, Orange County

May 1, 2022 Milan Banda

Beyond its epic theme parks and perfect weather, Orange County is celebrated for outdoor dining, entertainment and beach-bound adventure. Treat yourself at South Coast Plaza for the finest in luxury shopping and superlative restaurants. Spend an afternoon aboard a whale watching cruise in Newport Harbor, or cast a reel from the Huntington Beach Pier. Stop to smell the flowers at the Sherman Library and Gardens, or explore Laguna’s vast variety of boutique shops along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Restaurants in Orange County

1. California Scenario

Park Centre Drive, Costa Mesa, CA +1 714-384-5500
Excellent
59%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 46 reviews

California Scenario

This sculpture garden by Isamu Noguchi interprets California.

2. Sherman Library & Gardens

2647 East Pacific Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, CA 92625 +1 949-673-2261 [email protected] http://www.thesherman.org/
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 296 reviews

Sherman Library & Gardens

Horticultural retreat that features a museum of living plants, walking paths, bubbling tile fountains and a library devoted to the study of the Pacific Southwest.

Reviewed By Buzzard100 - Santa Cruz, United States

This is a find in the midst of urban sprawl, strip malls and LA regional traffic. It is a horticultural oasis and a hidden gem! The gardens are lovely and while we did not eat at the restaurant, it has excellent reviews and outside-seating. The library focuses on the history of the Pacific Southwest and has an amazing collection of historical City Directories. The collection of art is small but interesting. This garden and library is named after the founder, Arnold Haskell’s benefactor, M. H. Sherman the founder of the Los Angeles Railway System and namesake of Sherman Oaks. A charming piece of history and garden beauty. I highly recommend.

3. Hortense Miller Garden

22511 Allview Ter, Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1547 +1 949-497-0716 http://www.hortensemillergarden.org/
Excellent
71%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
14%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Hortense Miller Garden

Hortense Miller built her mid-century modern house in 1959 and started to garden in the two acre property the same year. Tours of the garden and house must be arranged through the City of Laguna Beach Recreation Dept.. Tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday throughout the year.

4. Fullerton Arboretum

1900 Associated Rd, Fullerton, CA 92831-1659 +1 657-278-4681 [email protected] http://www.fullertonarboretum.org
Excellent
57%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 220 reviews

Fullerton Arboretum

26 acres of beautiful gardens, the Fullerton Arboretum offers plant and produce sales four days a week, weekly cooking, fitness, and botany classes; and more!

Reviewed By jezebelthewombat - Anaheim, United States

Every time I go to Fullerton Arboretum, I see new wonderful areas I seem to have missed before. Maybe because it's a different season brings other things to bloom. The turtles around the pond, and the off beat plants for sale are always a favorite. The cactus garden, natural wild southern ca. areas, community gardens, flower borders and jungley sections are among our favorites. Don't miss the Drs. house. (there are tours, but even outside, it's a lovely place to hang out) It is a great half day of wanderings.

5. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens

415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672-5233 +1 949-498-2139 [email protected] http://casaromantica.org/
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 228 reviews

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in San Clemente, CA is south Orange County's major cultural institution. We are enhanced by our location in a 1927 Spanish Colonial Revival registered historic landmark, the home of San Clemente founder Ole Hanson. Casa Romantica has developed a reputation for wide-ranging cultural programming, including music, art, dance, theater, horticulture, and a lecture series that bring international talent to south Orange County. Casa Romantica's estate, gardens, and exhibition galleries are open to the public daily during our normal hours. Onsite parking is FREE.

Reviewed By AllyT43 - Murrieta, United States

For only $5 you can tour the home of Ole Hanson, the founder of San Clemente. The home's design is a perfect match for the landscape. The rooms are bright and open, the pocket doors in the courtyard let in the sea breeze. Ole's office has great views of the ocean and the pier. There are historical displays of neighboring cities like Venice and Huntington Beach, the history of surfing and Indiginous People history. It was all very informative and interesting. A great way to spend an afternoon.

6. Arden Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens

Lake Forest, CA +1 949-923-2230 [email protected] http://ocparks.com/historic/modjeska/
Excellent
67%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Arden Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens

Reviewed By oDrJo - Lake Forest, United States

Helena Modjeska was a Polish actress specializing in Shakespeare in the late 19th Century. She came to the California in 1876 with a group of friends intending to establish a commune, but the project failed and she returned to acting. Her Queen Anne style home was designed by the noted architect Stanford White and she lived there from 1888 until her death in 1906. It passed through several hands until 1986 when it was purchased by the County. It's a long trip top get there, but very scenic, and well worth it.

7. Oso Creek Trail

24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92692-2740 https://cityofmissionviejo.org/departments/recreation/parks-city-sites/walk-hike-bike-mv
Excellent
79%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Oso Creek Trail

Reviewed By ritatayenaka - Mission Viejo, United States

This trail has been done so nicely. There are paved trails as well as walk amongst the woods trails. Back on the non-paved trail is a maze that is fun for kids! The trails are nicely landscaped and groomed. Great place to get away without having to go far.

8. UCI Arboretum

Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92660 +1 949-824-5833 http://arboretum.bio.uci.edu/index.cfm
Excellent
25%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
50%
Terrible
25%
Overall Ratings

2.5 based on 4 reviews

UCI Arboretum

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