Group Visits & Tours

The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens welcomes charter tours, community organizations, educational organizations, and more to enjoy the beauty of our 47-acres garden by the sea. We do ask that you organize your visit with our staff at least 4 weeks in advance if you plan to visit with 15 or more guests. Groups of this size will be accompanied by a representative of the Gardens to answer questions and help guide you through the Gardens. We also offer guided tours at no extra charge.

To schedule a visit/guided tour, please read the guidelines below and complete our Group Visit Request form. Educational/student groups of all ages receive free admission to the Gardens if scheduled at least 4 weeks in advance with our administrative offices. To request free admission as an Educational Organization, please complete the Educational Visit Request form. For more information email administration@gardenbythesea.org, or call 707-964-4352 ext. 10.

GROUP VISITS & TOUR GUIDELINES
Educational organizations – see guidelines below

REQUEST A VISIT – Non-educational organizations

• GROUP SIZE: Groups of 15 or more guests are required to schedule a group visit or guided tour with our Administrative Coordinator.
  • The maximum number of guests is 60 people.
  • We require any group of 15 or more to check in with a Gardens Representative or Docent upon arrival. Guided tours are available but not required. In a guided tour, large groups are broken up into smaller groups, with 15 people or fewer per docent.
• REQUEST DUE DATE: Requests must be made at least 4 weeks in advance of the planned visit date.
• COST: The Group Admission rate is $20 per person. Special ticket prices are not available for groups of 15 or more guests (i.e., junior, senior, coast resident, etc…). The Group Admission Rates cover the docents and staff time. Full payment must be made upon arrival, in a single transaction.
• TIMES: 9AM – 11AM or 2PM - 4PM.
• LOCATION: All adult groups may enter and exit through the main entrance.
• CANCELATION: Cancellations must be made at least 4 days in advance. MCBG will not cancel for rain. We will cancel group visits and tours in the event of extreme wind events, smoky conditions, or extreme temperatures.
• PARKING: Up to 10 vehicles are permitted to remain at the Gardens during the group visit. Buses must park in the overflow lot.

Please note: If you would like your visit to occur outside of regular business hours, need access for motorized vehicles, special access, or set-up of any kind, this is considered an event, and a site fee may be necessary. Please let us know and we can put you in touch with our Event Coordinator.

EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION
VISITS & TOUR GUIDELINES

REQUEST A VISIT — Educational Organizations

• GROUP SIZE: 40 students max per day. Students will be broken up into smaller groups with at most 10 people per docent
• REQUEST DUE DATE: Requests must be made at least 4 weeks in advance of the planned visit date.
• COST: Tours for educational groups are provided at no cost. Donations are accepted for parents/chaperones.
• CHAPERONES: To provide an excellent experience for all, we recommend one or two chaperones for every ten students. Teachers will remain on the property and be actively engaged during visits.
• DAYS & TIMES: Monday through Thursday from either 9AM – 11AM or 2PM – 4PM. Groups may not arrive before 9AM. Schools choosing the morning option can stay for an additional hour (picnic lunch on the Event Lawn), but docents are only guaranteed from 9AM – 11AM.
• CANCELATION: If a group must cancel, we require at least 4 days’ notice. MCBG will not cancel due to rain. We will cancel group visits and tours in the event of extreme wind events, smoky conditions, or extreme temperatures.
• LOCATION: All educational organization groups enter and exit through the courtyard gate.
• VEHICLES: Up to 10 vehicles are permitted to remain at the Gardens during the field trip. Buses and additional vehicles must park in the overflow lot.
• DROP OFF/PICK UP: If your students will not be arriving as a group, but instead dropped off or picked up by parents, these plans must be communicated with MCBG Staff prior to the tour.