There’s something about being in nature that lifts us up, lets us breath more deeply, and inspires us. If you need a little TLC from Mother Nature, you don’t have to search the ends of the earth! Here in North County, San Diego, there’s plenty of inspiring gardens to explore while taking in the sights, the sun, and the smells. Here are a few places you need to visit soon:
Self-Realization Meditation Gardens
Encinitas, CA
[image by Wonderlane]
The Self-Realization Meditation Gardens in Encinitas are connected to the Self-Realization Fellowship, an organization founded by Paramahansa Yogananda that aims to achieve peace and spiritual connectedness through meditation and yoga.
[image by Wonderlane]
The meditation gardens are free to visitors and offer beautifully manicured grounds with flowers, a koi pond, and an ocean view.
[image by Wonderlane]
The gardens are also a silent space, where visitors are asked to refrain from loud talking and noises. If you’re looking for a quiet space to relax, meditate, or do some thinking, the Self-Realization Meditation Gardens could be just the place.
[image by Wonderlane]
San Diego Botanic Garden
Encinitas, CA
[image by Bovlb]
Formerly Quail Botanical Gardens, the San Diego Botanic Garden features gardens with plants from around the world. From the Australian Garden to the Tropical Rain Forest to the Undersea Succulent Garden, the San Diego Botanic Garden features almost 30 different areas with unique plant life that represents a certain area or plant type.
[image by Bovlb]
The garden also features the Hamilton Children’s Garden, a fun area where kids can play in a jungle canopy tree house, see live quail, or play in a mountain stream.
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The San Diego Botanic Garden offers classes, tours, and special events throughout the year, so take a look on their website to see what is happening in any given season.
[image by Daderot]
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
Carlsbad, CA
[image by Erin Pettigrew]
These are the gardens for those who love spring and the bright flowers it brings. A seasonal attraction, The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are not to be missed! The Carlsbad Flower Fields feature 50 acres of awesome color from the Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that are grown there.
[image by Akaporn Bhothisuwan]
Enjoy an antique tractor ride around the perimeter, wander in the fragrant sweet pea maze, and see a giant American flag made of flowers… whatever you do at the Flower Fields, you’ll be surrounded by spring beauty.
[image by T.sujatha]
The 2014 season for the Carlsbad Flower Fields runs from March 1-May 11; visit soon or you’ll have to wait another year!
[image by Akaporn Bhothisuwan]
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Escondido, CA
Most visitors associate the San Diego Zoo Safari Park with all of the amazing exotic animals that can be spotted there. However, the Safari Park also features wonderful landscaping and garden areas for visitors who want to take in a little plant life too.
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The Grove area has a fragrant herb garden that hosts over 30 varieties of herbs for guests to stop, smell, and explore.
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For those seeking a little peace and tranquility, try strolling through the Bonsai Pavilion, where you can marvel at the leafy canopies, gnarled trunks, or springtime flowers on these tiny Japanese trees.
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To see some “life-sized” trees, visit the Conifer Arboretum, an area with over 1,000 plants that represent 400 conifer species, including one of the few North African cypresses left in the entire world.
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If you’d rather feel closer to home, the San Diego Safari Park also has a Nativescapes Garden, where visitors can appreciate over 1,500 plants and 500 unique species that are native to the Southern California landscape.
Peace and relaxation, colors and fragrances, water and greenery… the amazing gardens of North County have it all. Just be careful… you may get the urge to dig up your backyard, throw in a water feature, and revamp with some landscaping after you get home!
