Gardens of the
Pacific Coast Highway

California Poppies. Photo by Grace, www.sxc.hu

For plant lovers the Pacific Coast Highway is the road to some of the best gardens in the United States. The variety ranges from the lush gardens of the Pacific North-West to the desert blooms of southern California.

Here's a list of gardens along the west coast of the USA, which are on or near the Pacific Coast Highway. The worst driving diversions you'll have to make will be to navigate cities like San Diego and Los Angeles, to get to spectacular gardens like Balboa Park in San Diego or the stunning Huntington in San Marino, in north-east Los Angeles. Both are well worth the diversion.

No practical information on opening hours and prices is given here, because hours can change with the seasons and all the gardens listed have websites. Click on the link to visit the website and get driving directions and learn if there are any special garden events while you're in the area. The Pacific Coast gardens are listed alphabetically within each State: Washington, Oregon and California.

Washington

Bainbridge Island
The Bloedel Reserve

Bellevue
Bellevue Botanical Garden

Federal Way
Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection

Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden

Lakewood
Lakewold Gardens

Seattle
Dunn Gardens

University of Washington Medicinal Herb Garden

Washington Park Arboretum

Washington Park Arboretum Japanese Garden

Woodland Park Rose Garden

Tacoma
Point Defiance Park