Founded in 1961 by Ernest Schoefer, his wife Betty, and their friend Stan Ledarsky, the Gardens grew from a shared vision into a hands-on labor of love. Ernest, a retired landscape nurseryman who once operated the largest nursery in the San Fernando Valley, spent years searching for the ideal site before assembling five parcels along the Mendocino Coast. He chose the location for its rich soil, ample water, and temperate coastal climate, ideal for rhododendrons and other ornamental plants. Working long days, often more than twelve hours, he transformed the rugged property with windbreaks, irrigation systems, and miles of trails decorated with floral landscapes.

When the Gardens opened to the public on May 6, 1966, the experience was simple and personal. You would have signed in beneath a bright yellow umbrella, with hand-drawn arrows guiding you toward the cliff house overlooking the ocean. Admission was $1 for adults and 50 cents for children.

A few years later, the gift shop was completed. Betty curated a thoughtful collection of art, imports, and locally crafted goods that helped sustain the Gardens and restore the farmhouse where the founders lived. Known for her wide-brimmed hats and warm presence, she helped shape the experience from the very beginning.

Attendance quickly grew from 4,000 visitors in the first year to 18,000 by year four as word spread about this unique “flowerland to the sea.”