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All 129 Santa Barbara Attractions »

Lotusland

695 Ashley Road, Montecito, Santa Barbara, CA
805-969-9990
5.0 of 5 stars 62 Reviews
Type: Gardens
Owner description: This 37-acre botanic garden, the former estate of opera singer and socialite Madame Ganna Walska, includes exotics, a butterfly garden, a cactus...... more » Owner description: This 37-acre botanic garden, the former estate of opera singer and socialite Madame Ganna Walska, includes exotics, a butterfly garden, a cactus garden, a topiary and more. Visitors are limited to preserve privacy of the gardens as well as the unusual and endangered species. « less
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62 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Santa Barbara, California
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 24, 2012 NEW

One of the most interesting gardens I have been to anywhere in the world. Make time to enjoy this special place. You must reserve in advance but it is well worth the trouble if you are botanically minded. More

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See 10 more reviews by pinkabeille for Santa Barbara
Ventura, California
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2012

We went in summer of 2010. The property is absolutely beautiful and there are many neat plants and gardens. We had a tour that lasted about 3 hours and it was just wonderful. More

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Palo Alto, California
Top Contributor
58 reviews 58 reviews
Reviews in 28 cities Reviews in 28 cities
25 helpful votes 25 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 14, 2012

reservation only, there is always something in bloom. it's worth the challenge to get in. the docents enliven the story of the property. a must see if you're into flowers, plants. amazing blend of asian and cacti/succulents with unique specimen plants thrown in! take your camera! More

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See 15 more reviews by dapinca for Santa Barbara
Federal Way, Washington
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 6, 2012
2
people found this review helpful

This garden was worth a trip to the Santa Barbara area. The tour was informative and the gardens breathtaking. Not to be missed--even if you're not a garden lover. More

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Denver CO
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
30 helpful votes 30 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 28, 2012
2
people found this review helpful

We went to Lotusland on a beautiful sunny April day. It's beautiful, exactly what everyone else says. Here's what I have to add. Wear good walking shoes and take a bottle of water. If you're really into plants or design or photography this is an amazing place to spend a day but if had it do again I'd take the... More

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Tacoma, Washington
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 27, 2012

For a gardener this is a delight. Especially interesting to me were the highly unusual plants from all over the world. Interesting back story, and a great docent to tell it. Beautiful grounds. Don't miss it if in Santa Barbara. More

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Los Angeles
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 27, 2012

These famous, historical gardens are not to be missed. The tragic story of Madame Walska, and her love of both exotic jewelry and exotic plants makes the visit magical. She was a femme fatale in every way. Plan to spend several hours to view comfortably. More

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See 3 more reviews by AliLosAngeles for Santa Barbara
Bradford England
Senior Contributor
34 reviews 34 reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
44 helpful votes 44 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 25, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

You have to reserve a tour of Lotusland in advance, you cannot just turn up, and it is on the expensive side! I must say I was expecting the person who showed us round to be a gardening expert (a plantsman) however the lady who showed us round knew a great deal about the woman who had created the garden,... More

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See 3 more reviews by prettybullet for Santa Barbara
Ventura, California
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 24, 2012

I have visited Lotus Land three times and plan to go again. It is an amazing garden of acres of redwoods, cactus, roses , lotus and many more varieties of plants divided into separate gardens The tour guides are knowledgeable and talk about not only the garden and where many of these rare plants came from but about the interesting... More

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Sacramento, California
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 24, 2012

very peaceful place. Glad people can experience nature in a city setting. More

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