Plan Your Visit
Expect the Unexpected
Plan your visit
Recognized as one of the most iconic public gardens, Lotusland is celebrated for its extraordinary history, avant-garde landscape designs, sustainable practices, and mystique. Spanning over 37 acres, Lotusland proudly stands as home to many of the rarest, most fascinating plants in the world. Explore the awe-inspiring estate through a captivating Docent-lead tour, or experience the Garden at your own leisure.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Contact
Office Hours
805.969.3767
monday – Friday
9:00 a.m.. – 5:00 p.m.
Reservations
805.969.9990
monday – SATURDAY
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Admission
Please keep in mind, Lotusland is located in a residential neighborhood and faces a series of restrictions issued by Santa Barbara County that limit the number of visitors and vehicles per day.
- Since Lotusland has a daily capacity limit, walk-ins, and same-day or next-day reservations are not available.
- Advance reservations are required for all visitors. We recommend booking your reservations three weeks in advance.
- All visits are self-guided unless a Docent-guided tour is requested in advance (subject to availability).
- Admission fees are non-refundable if canceled less than one week before your reservation.
Know Before
You Go
Excuse the disruption. As part of our ever-changing Garden, we have begun renovations to our beloved Pavilion that delicately divides the Main House from Madam’s Pavilion. Construction will continue throughout the Spring and may produce noise during tour dates. Parts of the Main Lawn will be unavailable. We appreciate your understanding of our working garden.
Lotusland’s 2023 season will be one of the most iconic to date. Enjoy extravagant events, stunning updates to a selection of gardens, and new experiences around every corner.
Reservations: The Garden is accessible from mid-February to mid-November by advance reservations only. Reservations are available Wednesday through Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.. Please plan on arriving 15 minutes prior to your reservation time. All visits are timed and subject to 2 hours. All guests must exit the Garden at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., even if you have a second reservation for the afternoon. Entrance and exit times for special events may vary.
Please note: Occasionally, Lotusland will close during regular hours of operation for special events. If you are planning a trip to visit on a particular day, please contact our Reservations Department to confirm and book your reservation.
Gate times: Rain or shine, Lotusland’s gates open 15 minutes prior to your reservation time and close 15 minutes after your reservation time begins. Plan to arrive on time as late arrivals may not be permitted (no refunds or reschedules). If you are traveling from LA, please plan for traffic delays.
With your reservation, you have the option to choose between a self-guided or docent-led tour.
For your self-guided visit, we welcome you to experience the Garden at your own pace. Self-guided visits are a wonderful way to enjoy the delicate details of the Garden and take in nature’s symphony of bird calls. Throughout the Garden, self-guided visitors can learn a wide variety of details by utilizing our Garden QR codes and interpretive signs.
Docent-led tours are offered at no additional cost and provide an engaging way to learn about Lotusland’s fascinating history, horticulture, and vast plant collection. This unique opportunity is highly recommended for first-time visitors and plant enthusiasts. Walking roughly 2 miles these tours take up the entirety of your two hour visit. ADA/wheelchair tours are available. Docent tours start promptly at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and based on daily availability. We recommend arriving at 9:15 a.m. / 1:15 p.m. as late arrivals may not be accommodated and will be subjected to self-guide instead.
One of the major attractions of the Garden is its dramatic landscape design. Wander from a sea of blooming cacti to lush gardens brimming with blushing bromeliads, down to our treasured Lotus Pond. No matter the time of the year, there is always something spectacular blooming at Lotusland. You can find more garden highlights by month here.
Our beautiful Garden Shop is located near the visitor’s parking lot and is open to attending guests during our regular tour hours and some special events. We sell a variety of plants from our Garden and other specialty gift items created by local artists. We pride ourselves on an ever-changing selection of items, so stop by the shop and say hello. While the Garden Shop is only open to guests on site, no reservations are required to visit our online Garden Shop.
Food/picnicking is not permitted (includes parking lot) and food is not sold at Lotusland. Water is encouraged. Water bottle filling station can be found at the Visitor center, drinking fountains are located throughout the Garden, and bottled water is available for purchase in the Garden Shop.
Personal photography within our photography guidelines is welcome. Outfit changes, tripods, drones, and additional photography equipment are not permitted. Photography must be conducted without disruption to Lotusland operations. Please be mindful that your photography respects the needs and privacy of other visitors and does not distract staff or volunteers from their primary duties. Lotusland reserves the right to withhold and/or withdraw permission to photograph or videotape on its premises if it is a disruption and/or is perceived that it endangers others or the collection. Please tag us on Instagram: @lotusland_gannawalska and use our hashtag #lotusland.
Artists are encouraged to create art inspired by the Garden. We respectfully ask you to contribute 20% of artwork proceeds to Lotusland. Please contact the Lotusland Marketing and Communications department for more information at marketing@lotusland.org. Self-guided visitors may choose to pain or sketch in the Garden during their visit. We ask that you stay on the turf areas and pathways while keeping access clear for other visitors. Please notify reservations if you plan on painting/sketching on your visit.
Lotusland is committed to creating a Garden that is accessible to all visitors. Since we are a historic estate, some of our paths are not ADA-compliant. Be sure to request an accessibility map at the Visitor Center for the best paths and routes to enjoy the Garden. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for loan at our Visitor Center at no charge. You may request to borrow a wheelchair at time of booking.
2023 Ticket Release Dates
Tickets are released at 9:00 a.m. PST on the date listed for the corresponding months. (Example: Tickets for September will be available to the general public on August 1st at 9:00 a.m. PST.) Dates subject to change.
Member’s Pre-Release
February – April
January 17, 2023
May – June
March 21, 2023
july- august
May 16, 2023
september – November
July 18, 2023
Public Release
February – April
January 31, 2023
May – June
April 4, 2023
july- august
May 30, 2023
september – November
August 1, 2023
Memberships
Memberships at Lotusland make all the difference. Our valued Members help preserve some of the rarest plants on earth, promote sustainable horticulture practices, and fund environmental education programs. As a Member, you will receive many benefits, including free admission and Garden Shop discounts. Learn more or become a Member here.
Address
and Parking
Visitor Entrance
Lotusland’s Visitor Entrance is on Cold Spring Road, near the intersection of Sycamore Canyon Road. Use the directions included in your tour confirmation.
Parking is free, but limited.
As a guest, one vehicle is complimentary with your reservation. Please add a “complimentary vehicle” ticket along with your guest tickets when booking online. Since Lotusland is located in a residential neighborhood, we are limited by the County on the number of reservations and vehicles per day. Additional vehicle tickets are available for purchase at $25 and based on availability. Car count may not exceed the number on reservation or subject to turn away. Neighborhood parking is strictly prohibited.
A bike rack is available at the Visitor Center. Please note you are arriving by “bike” on your reservation.
Arriving by taxi/rideshare app? Plan to get dropped off by 9:15 a.m. / 1:15 p.m. depending on your reservation time. We suggest calling your ride at 11:15 a.m. / 3:15 p.m. to be picked up by 11:30 a.m / 3:30 p.m. Please inform your driver to pick up/drop off at the visitor entrance at Cold Spring Gate (off Cold Spring Road). Note: Gates close and all guests must exit the property by 12:00 p.m. / 4:00 p.m.
Policies
Please keep in mind, Lotusland is located in a residential neighborhood and faces a series of restrictions issued by Santa Barbara County that limit the number of visitors and vehicles per day.
- Since Lotusland has a daily capacity limit, walk-ins, and same-day or next-day reservations are not available.
- Advance reservations are required for all visitors. We recommend booking your reservation three weeks in advance.
- We do not keep a wait list. All canceled tickets are returned to the website.
- Reservations are confirmed with a Reservation number and a confirmation email. It is the guest’s responsibility to verify everything is correct on the confirmation email. Please contact the Reservation office if you find an error or don’t receive a confirmation within 24 hours.
As a guest, one vehicle is complimentary with your reservation. Since Lotusland is located in a residential neighborhood, we are limited by the County on the number of reservations and vehicles per day. Additional vehicles are $25 and based on availability. Car count may not exceed the number on reservation or subject to turn away. Neighborhood parking is strictly prohibited.
For the health and safety of our guests and Garden, Lotusland has a no-pets policy. However, we welcome trained ADA Service Animals. To avoid delay at check-in please contact our Reservations Department to receive pre-authorization. Note, pets including emotional support/comfort animals, are not permitted on the property and may not be left in a vehicle. Vehicles with pets will be subject to turning away without a refund or rescheduling.
Lotusland is committed to creating a Garden that is accessible to all visitors. Since we are a historic estate, some of our paths are not ADA-compliant. Be sure to request an accessibility map at the Visitor Center for the best paths and routes to enjoy the Garden. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for loan at our Visitor Center at no charge. You may request to borrow a wheelchair at time of booking.
To receive a refund, notification of cancellation must be received via email or phone call at least one week before the original reservation date. Reschedules and modifications can be made up to 48 hours before the reservation date. No reschedules or refunds are given with notice less than 48 hours before the reservation date or rescheduled more than three times. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours will be considered forfeit and for applicable members this includes complimentary visits and guest passes. Lotusland is open rain or shine, therefore, we do not offer refunds or exchanges due to weather.
Reschedules are based on availability, only valid within the current season (cannot roll over reservations or credits to the next season), and a rescheduled date is required when rescheduling otherwise not guaranteed.
To cancel or modify your reservation, please call Reservations at 805-969-9990 or email visitorservices@lotusland.org.
Personal photography within our photography guidelines is welcome! Tripods, drones, and additional photography equipment are not permitted. Outfit changes are not permitted. Photography must be conducted without disruption to Lotusland operations. Please be mindful that your photography respects the needs and privacy of other visitors and does not distract staff or volunteers from their primary duties. Lotusland reserves the right to withhold and/or withdraw permission to photograph or videotape on its premises if it is a disruption and/or is perceived that it endangers others or the collection. For information on portrait, engagement, wedding, or commercial photoshoots.
We ask all visitors to kindly respect our collection by staying on designated paths at all times. Collecting or touching any plant material is strictly prohibited. Any removal of plant material or harm to the collection will result in your visit being terminated and asked to leave the property. Lotusland is a no-smoking environment, including all parking lots.
Map
Spanning over 37 acres of lush gardens and winding pathways, Lotusland is an unforgettable experience. If you are new to our Garden, we suggest reviewing our map or downloading it for later.
Current Weather
at Lotusland
Live weather feed from Lotusland’s on-site weather station.