Visitor Experience |
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A visit to the Botanical Garden should be engaging, inspiring - and fun!
Interpretative programs will enhance the visitor's understanding and
appreciation of the natural world. Welcome to the world of
Mediterranean climate plants!
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A Walk Through the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden
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Entry |
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Before entering the Garden, you'll get an enticing view
from Highway 1 - a bank of Mediterranean herbs, a show of seasonal blossoms
and fruit of the Mediterranean regions. As you drive along the stately
cypress allee you'll pass through the entry grove into the parking area
screened with a display of hedges and arbors. Pools of water, gentle
fountains and running rills lead you through the Chumash Circle - a gathering
place - to the Visitor Center and Garden beyond.
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Visitor Center |
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Inside, a giant globe of the world highlights the
history, plants, climate and people of the five Mediterranean
regions.
You will discover exhibits displaying key themes of the Garden; a multimedia
show will set the scene for your visit. You'll note the gift and plant
shop - a must before you leave. Outside, relax at the café on the
mosaic-tiled Mediterranean Terrace - a large gathering area with an overview
of the Signature Landscapes and departure point for exploring the
Garden. Notice an adjoining building - it houses laboratories,
classrooms, library, herbarium and administrative offices.
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Gardens of Exploration
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Surrounding the Visitor Center are gardens where you
have the opportunity for experiences in understanding the various uses and
adaptations of Mediterranean climate plants. The gardens are divided by
theme such as horticultural therapy, ecology, biology, cultural influences and
home landscape demonstrations.
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Signature Landscapes
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On to the main areas of the Garden, to view the flora of the
Mediterranean climate regions of the world - Australia, Chile and South Africa in the
Southern Hemisphere, California and the Mediterranean Basin in the Northern
Hemisphere. These five Signature Landscapes feature plants displayed in
plant communities as if they were in their natural habitats. As you
stroll, or take the electric tram, you will note an interesting feature - a
bank of chaparral-type shrubs from all five regions creating the
"equator."
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The Amphitheater
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Our venue for theater and concerts and what a romantic setting for a
wedding! Take a seat and enjoy the view of Cerro Romualdo from this
restful spot, located in a protected cradle on a southeast-facing slope.
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Interpretive Stations
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Throughout the Garden, paths lead you to a variety of protected areas for
focused learning about each Mediterranean climate region. Discover the
importance of water in the Mediterranean climate, learn about biological and
ecological adaptations or investigate the cultural influences on adaptation
and change. Transport yourself to other Mediterranean
regions of the
world - to southwestern Australia, to central Chile, to the Cape Province of
South Africa, to the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.
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