Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

18220 North Highway One
Fort Bragg, California 95437
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Local Phone: (707) 964-4352
E-mail: info@gardenbythesea.org

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens was founded in 1961 by retired nurseryman Ernest Schoefer and his wife, Betty. Ernest's keen eye spotted the ample supply of water augmented by the mild coastal climate and quality soil essential to acid-loving plants like rhododendrons. The gardens opened in 1966 and by 1992 had been purchased with grants from the California Coastal Conservancy and transferred to the Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District.

The gardens are best known for their tender, fragrant and rare species of rhododendrons. Native to the cloud forests of Southeast Asia and the Himalayas, these gems are restricted in the United States to a narrow band along the Northern California coast, where they thrive in the foggy, coastal climate.

Don't leave your best friend in the car! Dogs are welcome on leash in the gardens.

What's in Bloom:
February, March, April: Early rhododendrons, camellias, daffodils, magnolias, cherries and Pacific Coast iris (spring whale migration also occurs during this time.)

May, June, July: Rhododendrons, heritage roses, perennials,cactus, succulents, lilies, heathers, coastal and forest wildflowers.

August, September, October: Perennials, dahlias, heritage roses, heathers, fuchsias and hydrangeas.

November, December, January: Late perennials, winter heathers, camellias and wild mushrooms (winter whale migration occurs during this season).

Check their website for hours, directions and reservations.

A pedigreed playground for your pup

Maya hiking at Noyo Headlands Park. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

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Open Air Dog-friendly Activities Perfect for Social Distancing

Mendocino Botanical Gardens

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Dog-Friendly Brags in Fort Bragg

MacKerricher State Park - Photo Credit: @mylittlemonchichi

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Bodie's morning run on the beautiful Mendocino Coast.
Photo Credit: Cathy Crnkovich

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Fetch! Photo: Colleen Proppe

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Sookie visits the Mendocino Coast. Photo by Luis Valencia-Medly

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Flower Power

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Photo Credit: Mark Cosy (CC)

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Moody Blues

Dogs on a bench at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens Not many botanical gardens come with a thundering ocean sound track in the background. The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg enjoys that distinction, along with a moody maritime climate that fosters its signature displays of rare rhododendrons native to the cloud forests of Southeast Asia and the Himalayas. Camellias, dahlias, heaths and heathers also thrive here, and a perennial garden is bright with color from spring to fall. more »

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Kayla the lab and Chuck the conductor prepare to board the Skunk Train

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Lots to Bragg About

What can you say about a town that has its own dog park mayor, an ice cream parlor that provides free licks for Fido, and a 47-acre botanical garden, known for its rhododendrons and dahlias, that not only welcomes dogs, but loans out mobility scooters to the physically impaired? "We're all dog-crazy here, and our weather is perfect for dogs year-round," says Johanna Jensen, co-founder of the Mendocino Coast Dog Owners Group. more »

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

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