Gardens with a checked street address within 50 straight-line miles of the U.S. Census reference point for San Diego, California. Each result shows its own town; being on this page does not mean a garden is inside San Diego city limits. Distances are straight-line, not driving.
Within 50 miles of central San Diego. Checked September 28, 2026.
Historic lath structure in Balboa Park with more than 2,100 permanent plants, including cycads, ferns, orchids and palms, next to a lily pond. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A Japanese garden and museum in San Diego's Balboa Park. Open daily with paid admission.
Meditation gardens with koi ponds, quiet seating areas and ocean views, run by a religious organization. Open Tuesday to Sunday; closed on Mondays, some holidays and when it rains.
Campus-wide arboretum at Palomar College in San Marcos with themed gardens and trails. Entry is free and a paid visitor parking permit is needed.
A 37-acre garden in Encinitas with 29 themed gardens, 4 miles of trails and a large bamboo collection. Open daily except Tuesdays; advance reservations are strongly recommended.
A nearly six-acre demonstration garden in El Cajon with themed gardens and water-saving displays. Open Tuesday to Saturday with paid admission and free parking.
These are gardens we could check against their own official websites, not every garden in the area. “Free” refers to general garden entry, not parking, tours or special events. We do not show live opening status.
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