Above: Rhododendrons in April | photo by Mendocino Drone
Visiting Hours & Ticket Info
The Gardens is open daily during the hours listed below, with the exception of the first Saturday in September, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Hours and admission prices will vary during Festival of Lights and on the first weekend in August for our annual summer fundraiser, Art in the Gardens (8/2 and 8/3/2025).
SUMMER HOURS (April - October):
9:00am to 5:00pm daily
WINTER HOURS (November - March):
9:00am to 4:00pm daily
with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Map of the Gardens | Mapa de los Jardines en Español
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For daily admission, you can purchase tickets online or at the door. We strongly encourage you to purchase tickets in advance if you plan to attend one of our special events, workshops, or walks. Discounted tickets for guests of MCBG Members can be purchased in person at the Gardens.
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The Gardens is dog-friendly with the exception of a handful of special events. Dogs are not allowed at our annual summer fundraiser, Art in the Gardens, or our holiday event, Festival of Lights. Please read and follow our Canine Guest Policy to ensure a safe visit for your dogs. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times!
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The Gardens feature over 4 miles of trails made of hard-packed fine gravel. The main pathways are approximately 4 feet wide, with some narrower secondary trails branching off. Please note that garden trails may have uneven surfaces. View more details on Access California.
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Parking is free but limited. Please carpool if possible! Riding to the Gardens? Bike racks are available outside the main entrance. The Gardens does not have Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, there are several options nearby – EV Charging near MCBG.
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AHS Reciprocal Garden Network and ROAM Reciprocal Members receive free admissions with proof of current membership.
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The Museums for All discount provides individuals and families presenting an EBT or WIC card with deeply discounted admission – $2 per guest for up to 4 guests per card.
- Groups with 15 or more guests are required to schedule a group visit or guided tour with our Administrative Coordinator at least 3 weeks in advance.
- To ensure guest safety and preserve the tranquility of the Gardens, we enforce a no-drone policy. However, during select major events, a licensed drone pilot contracted by MCBG may capture images for the nonprofit’s promotional use.
Admission
Admission tickets are available at the main entrance. For a more leisurely and less crowded stroll, consider coming before 11AM or after 2PM. Plan for at least a 1.5-hour visit if you wish to see the entirety of our 47-acre botanical garden which includes 4 miles (6.44 km) of trails. It is about a half-mile walk to the ocean and a half-mile walk from the ocean back to the main entrance. We recommend comfortable shoes and reusable water bottles to fully enjoy your visit. All tickets are non-refundable. Proceeds directly benefit our nonprofit botanical garden and its mission is to engage and enrich lives by displaying and conserving plants in harmony with our Northern California coastal ecosystems and to preserve public access to the coast.
General Admission Rates*
$23.00 Adult (18 and older)
$18.00 Seniors (65 and older)
$8.00 Juniors (age 6 to 17)
FREE Children (age 5 and younger)
Discounted Admission Rates*
FREE Members of the Gardens
$10.00 Member's Guest – MCBG member must be present
$10.00 Local – Residents of the MCRPD district
$12.00 Military – present Military ID
$2.00 Museums for All Program– present EBT or WIC card
FREE Educational Organization Group Admission (must schedule in advance)
FREE AHS Reciprocal Members – present proof of current membership
FREE ROAM Reciprocal Members – present proof of current membership
*Fees apply when paying with credit card.
Visiting Guidelines
We ask our guests to follow these simple guidelines to ensure that everyone at this garden by the sea has an enjoyable experience.
- The Garden Store and Nursery are open daily. Rhody's Garden Café is open seasonally from April through October. There is never an admission charge to shop or dine.
- Dogs are welcome and enjoy free admission. Please clean up after your dog and keep them leashed and close to you at all times. Please note, there are a handful of special events at which we do not allow dogs, such as but not limited to, Art in the Gardens and Festival of Lights. Please do check event guidelines prior to bringing your pup.
- Groups visiting with 15 or more guests must schedule a visit at least 3 weeks in advance. Please CLICK HERE to read the Group Visit Guidelines and complete a request form to schedule your visit.
- We have a number of electric carts for guests with mobility issues. They are available to rent ($10 rental; free for members) on a first-come-first-served basis and are not available by reservation. For your safety, electric carts are not available on wet/rainy days. Weight capacity is 400 lbs. A cart rental agreement must be signed in order to rent an electric cart.
- Regular admission and entry procedures apply for non-commercial filming/photography that is intended for private use as long as the session does not impact the grounds or visitors. Examples include but are not limited to, garden/nature and portrait photography. Please complete our Photography/Filming Request form prior to your visit. Commercial sessions, including amateur or professional images that will be sold or used in promotional material, must email marketing@gardenbythesea.org to schedule a session.
Membership
Purchase a new Membership . Renew your Membership
Gift Certificates
Membership to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens gives you free admission to the Gardens for individuals or the household (depending on membership level), discounted admission for guests of members, discounts on workshops, discounts in The Garden Store and Nursery, invitations to special member events, free or discounted admission at more than 360 other public gardens (find participating gardens), and more. CLICK HERE for full details.
How to get here
- Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is located on the west side of State Highway One at 18220 North Highway 1 between Fort Bragg, California and Mendocino, California. CLICK HERE for directions.
- Parking is free, but limited, please plan to carpool. Overflow parking is available for RVs and oversized vehicles just south of the main entrance. You will see signs directing you to the overflow lot off of Ocean Drive.
Groups, Tours, and Weddings
- Group Visits: Groups visiting with 15 or more guests must schedule a visit at least 3 weeks in advance. Please read the Group Visit Guidelines and complete a request form to schedule your visit. For more information about scheduling a visit, please call 707-964-4352 ext. 10 or email administration@gardenbythesea.org.
- Educational Organization Group Visits: Educational/student groups of all ages receive free admission if scheduled at least 3 weeks in advance. Please complete this questionnaire to submit your group's visit request. For more information about scheduling a visit, please call 707-964-4352 ext. 10 or email administration@gardenbythesea.org.
- Private Events: The natural splendor of our coastal botanical garden offers a gorgeous backdrop for special occasions, whether you are celebrating an anniversary or throwing a company picnic. For more information about hosting a private event at one of the Gardens' outdoor sites, please complete our Weddings & Private Events Questionnaire to provide our Event Coordinator with the necessary details.
- Wedding Ceremonies: We are here to make your day special. We encourage you to take a tour of the Gardens and discover the variety of sites available for wedding ceremonies. More information and pictures of our most popular sites. Please complete our Weddings & Private Events Questionnaire to determine availability and receive details.
Contact us
If you have any questions about visiting the Gardens call us at 707-964-4352 ext 16 or email info@gardenbythesea.org.
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