Frequently Asked Questions

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Making a Reservation

How can I arrange a visit to Lotusland?

TOURS ARE AT 10 AM and 1:30 PM WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY BETWEEN FEBRUARY 15 and NOVEMBER 15. TO REQUEST A RESERVATION PLEASE CALL 805-969-9990.   RESERVATIONS ARE NOT CONFIRMED  UNTIL YOU HAVE SPOKEN WITH A VISITOR SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE, PRE-PAID FOR THE TOUR AND RECEIVED A WRITTEN CONFIRMATION.

Schedule a docent-guided tour at 10:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday by phone at 805-969-9990 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m..

Lotusland Members may schedule either a docent-guided tour or a self-guided tour.

I hear it takes a long time to get a reservation. How far ahead do I need to call?
Lotusland is more accessible than ever—sometimes space is available the next tour day. Saturdays are the first to fill up, but you may still be able to book on your first choice of days.

Why can’t I just show up and pay at the door?
Because Lotusland is a public garden operating in a private, residential neighborhood, advance reservations are required for all visits, and can be pre-paid by credit card or check.

Can I bring my children?
Children are welcome at Lotusland. Family Tours are provided for groups with children under ten. Children ten and older may come on regular tours.

In addition, Lotusland members can bring their families, with children of any age, on self-guided tours.

How much does it cost to visit Lotusland?
Adults 19 years and older are $35, children aged five to 18 are $10, children under the age of five are free. Members come free!. Free tours for Santa Barbara County residents are held two days each month. each year.

Is there a discount for Group Tours?
Group Tours are for 10 or more people arriving in one vehicle. Group tours cost $30 for each adult 19 years and older, $10 for each child age five to 18, and are free for children under five. Group tours require a 25% non-refundable deposit at the time of reservation.

What’s the cancellation policy?
Tour fees are non-refundable. However, if your cancellation is received prior to your tour dates, you may reschedule for a later date, as space permits, within the same calendar year with no additional charge.

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When to Visit

When is the best time to visit Lotusland?
Something is in bloom in the garden every week of the year! A major feature of the garden is its dramatic design, which can be viewed at any time.

When are the lotuses in bloom?
Though it varies slightly each year, lotuses are usually in bloom during July and August.

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About the Tours

How long is the tour?
Tours are approximately two hours long.

How big are the tour groups?
Tour participants are broken into groups of approximately ten.

Can I just walk around the garden on my own?
Self-guided tours are available only for Lotusland members.

After the tour is over, can I walk around on my own?
Self-guided tours are available only for Lotusland members.
However, you may visit the Garden Shop at the end of your tour.

Do you give tours of the house?
The house, where Lotusland’s administrative offices are located, is not a part of the tour.

Is the garden wheelchair accessible?
Yes, wheelchairs and walkers can be accommodated on a slightly modified tour. If you or a member of your party use a wheelchair or walker, please inform a Visitor Services staff member at the time you schedule your tour. Docents and Lotusland volunteers are not permitted to push wheelchairs.

Do you have cart tours?
There are no cart tours of Lotusland.

Do you have tours for non-English speaking visitors?
Tours are only conducted in English.

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Group Tours & Private Parties

Is there a discount for Group Tours?
Group Tours are for 10 or more people arriving in one vehicle. Group tours cost $30 for each adult 19 years and older, $10 for each child age five to 18, and are free for children under five. Group tours require a 25% non-refundable deposit at the time of reservation.

Can I have a private party at Lotusland?
Lotusland offers Enhanced Tours when visitors may enjoy a luncheon at Lotusland before or after a morning tour, or wine and hors d’oeuvres following an afternoon tour, for up to 40 people on the pavilion patio. Guests have celebrated birthdays and anniversaries, held wedding showers, or just socialized with friends. There is a use fee—contact ctentler@lotusland.org  or call 805-969-3767, extension 116

Members at the Garden Steward level may hold a private party for up to 60 guests and members at the Garden Champion level may hold a private party for up to 200 guests. Restrictions apply.

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Finding Lotusland

What is your address?
Directions to the Visitor Entrance are mailed to you, with your tour confirmation, after you make your reservation.

Lotusland’s mailing address is for the administrative offices at 695 Ashley Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108.

The Visitor Entrance is on an entirely different street, Cold Springs Road, near the intersection of Sycamore Canyon Road. This entrance has no street address.

Why can’t I use my GPS to get to my tour at Lotusland?
Do not use GPS, Mapquest or similar programs. They will direct you to the wrong gate. Directions to the Visitor Entrance, which has no street address, are included in your tour confirmation.

Why don’t you have a map or directions for visitors to Lotusland on the website?
Lotusland is a public garden operating in a private, residential neighborhood. As a courtesy to the neighbors, advance reservations are required for all visitors. Directions are included with your tour confirmation form.

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Contacting Lotusland

My tour is this afternoon, but I lost my confirmation and can't remember how to get there. How do I get the address and directions?
On Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., call 805-969-9990. On Saturday after 1 p.m., or on a legal holiday, call the entrance kiosk at 805-565-4489.

Tour Reservation Office: 805-969-9990, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Administration: 805-969-3767, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FAX: (805) 969-4423

How do I contact Lotusland's staff?

Our staff list can be found here.

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Pets, Photography, Picnicking

Can I bring my dog?
Only Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs are allowed.

Am I allowed to take photographs?
Yes, photography, including video photography, is encouraged, but for your personal use only.

Are tripods allowed?
The use of tripods causes tour delays, so they are not allowed on docent-led tours. Members may use tripods on self-guided tours.

Are food or drinks available for sale?
Water fountains are located throughout the garden and you may bring your own water. Bottled water and food are not sold at Lotusland.

May I bring a picnic lunch to eat after my tour?
Guests on tour are not allowed to picnic at Lotusland.

However, members at the Garden Cultivator level and above may bring a picnic for ten people one time during their membership year.     Private parties (Enhanced Tours), before or after your tour, for up to 40 people are available.

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Membership

Is Membership open to those who live out of the area?
Yes! There are Lotusland members around the world.

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Volunteering

How can I volunteer at Lotusland?
Interested in volunteering? Contact Volunteer Coordinator Kitty Thomassin, at (805) 969-3767, extension 112, or kthomassin@lotusland.org You can also print out a volunteer application, complete it and mail it to the address on the form.

When is the next docent training?
The next docent training class begins in February 2014 and runs through May 2014. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Kitty Thomassin, at (805) 969-3767, extension 112, or kthomassin@lotusland.org for more information.

Can children volunteer in the garden?
Volunteer positions are only available to adults aged 18 and older.

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Garden Shop

Can I drop in to shop at the Garden Shop?
The Garden Shop is only open to guests on docent-led or self-guided tours for shopping at the end of their tours.

Does Lotusland sell plants from the garden?
The Garden Shop sells a variety of plants seen in the garden, with around one hundred different species available over the year.

Can I order merchandise online?
Three books about Lotusland, Ganna Walska Lotusland: The Garden and its Creators, Lotusland: Collections & Horticulture and Lotusland: A Photographic Odyssey, are available online.
 

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