What to Expect
Explore a living museum of unique plants from all over the world through one of our guided experiences!
Discover the diverse flora and fauna that live in our urban oasis and hear fascinating stories about the Garden’s past, present, and future. Standard tours typically last from 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Our education and outreach programs are funded entirely through generous donations from the wider UCLA community. Although tours and field trips are always free, please consider supporting the Garden’s mission through Gifts and Membership. Your tax-deductible donation helps us provide free educational programs, stay open on weekends, and maintain our renowned living collections.
Please note that your visit is not finalized until you have received a confirmation letter by email from the Garden. Tours may be canceled or rescheduled in the event of rain, extreme weather, or COVID-19 restrictions.
First Saturday Public Tours
The Garden offers free public tours on the first Saturday of every month from 1-2pm!
Tours begin at the La Kretz Garden Pavilion and are led by one of our fantastic Garden Educators.
Please RSVP here to guarantee your spot.
Group Tours
The Garden also offers free scheduled tours to UCLA students/staff, community groups, and other parties of 10-50 people.
These tours are subject to availability and must be scheduled at least a month in advance. To request a tour, please fill out the form below.
Please note, UCLA courses that also wish to utilize our outdoor teaching spaces should visit our Outdoor Classroom & Laboratory page to book their reservation and/or tour. For K-12 visits, please scroll to the form at the bottom of the page.
K-12 Field Trips
***We are fully booked for the 2022-2023 academic year. Currently taking reservations for the 2023 – 2024 academic year.***
The Garden is happy to be part of your teaching curriculum! You can book any of the following by filling out the interest form below:
Self-Guided Tour
Bring your students to explore the unique collections of the Botanical Garden with your own self-guided experience. You can book your self-guided tour Wednesdays or Fridays anytime from 9 am to 3 pm. Please note that you MUST make a reservation to guarantee no conflicts with other schools or events happening in the garden. Failure to make a reservation can result in being in being asked to leave.
Garden Guided Tour (45 MIN)
Explore the wonderful world of plants on a 45-minute guided tour through the UCLA Botanical Garden. During their visit, students will hear fascinating stories about the plants and animals that call our living museum their home. You can book your guided tour Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 am or 11 am.
Garden Guided Tour + Activities (2 HRS)
Students receive an age-appropriate garden tour and participate in two activities selected by their teachers. These field trips can only be booked for Wednesdays and Fridays (field trips start at 10 am and end at noon). The following is a list of activities we currently offer:
- Early California History: Basket Weaving- Students use plant material to create a basket using a technique taught to our Garden staff by Lorene Sisquoc, a descendant of the Mountain Cahuilla and a member of the Fort Sill Apache tribe. With this activity, students will be better able to understand the practical and ceremonial importance of baskets and basket-making to indigenous peoples.
- Drawing from Nature: Botanical Illustration- Students create their botanical illustrations using the Garden as inspiration. At the end of this activity, students will be better able to appreciate how art plays a role in scientific discovery.
- Botanical Specimens: Framing Nature- Students interact with press plant material collected from the Garden. Students then mount their chosen pressed plant, resembling an herbarium specimen. At the end of this activity, students will be better able to understand what a botanist is and why they study plants.
- Plant Biology: Flower Dissection- Students get familiarized with the anatomy of a flower by dissecting a flower. This activity allows students to be better able to identify the different anatomical parts of a plant and their functions.
- Wild Adventures: Carnivorous Plant Encounter- Students get up close and personal with our Carnivorous plants! By the end of this encounter, students will be better able to understand the interdependence of organisms.
Schedule Your Visit
The Garden can accommodate a maximum of 45 students per visit. Please note that your group must have one teacher/chaperone for every 5-10 students.
For questions about K-12 field trips, please contact the Garden’s Manager of K-12 Education Programs, Chantal Ochoa-Clark, at cochoaclark@ucla.edu.
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