Great gem of a garden tucked away in the hills of Vista next to Moonlight Amphitheater. Kid friendly. Plants and ponds. Garden art. Whats not to like?

Beautiful place, hidden away. Wear comfortable shoes so you can see the whole place. I wore cute shoes and was tempted to burn them when I got home.

Loved this place! We had such a great time exploring. Next time, we will come right when it opens and be sure to wear our workout clothes/shoes so we can really enjoy this place. Lots to do and to see...really feels like youre in the woods and away from civilization. At some parts, we felt like we were on the set of the walking dead (minus the walkers, of course) so this is definitely a good place for you to practice post-apocalyptic survival (:P). The best part of our adventure was the lake - youll have to go off the path to get to it since its blocked.

Nice area in Vista. Hidden in Brengel Park. There is a 5 dollar donation charge to walk around. But there is plenty of room to roam around and not be close to others. Great inclines and downhill walking. Bring the sunscreen, water, and snacks. Also, keep an eye out for the wild life!

A nice little gem in Vista. Plenty of room to walk around and TONS to see!

Located on Vale Terrace Drive in Vista, the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens are a lush green space comprising several distinct cultivated areas.Many plant species in the gardens are native varieties, including cactus, agave, and aloe, but others are from similarly arid climates across the globe, including Africa and the Mediterranean region.The gardens are great places for a relaxing morning or afternoon stroll, and they’re full of contemporary art from local artists.Throughout the year, the facility hosts a variety of live entertainment and special events, including music, guided yoga classes, and food, wine, and art festivals

Great lil hidden place located in the Heart Of Brengle Terrace Park. My nieces and i came on this beautiful late morning, great timing too bcuz we witnessed some turtles swimming in the pond they have here. I encourage those who R sitting on the sofa while there kiddos are on the IPad or playing video games etc, to take em ouT and breathe the freshness of California beautiful Parks.

Beautiful, tranquil gardens. Great day to explore for a few hours enjoying mother nature. Located in a residential community. The gardens are very well kept and great little trails to explore. Definitely recommend if you love flowers. They also have 1 free entry the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Be sure to book online for those tickets. Make sure you go early or expect to park in the neighborhood and stroll over. Overall, my family had a fun experience seeing what nature offers.

Pretty area to walk around. There were almost no blooms today, it was hot, packed with people and had no accessible water fountains. Its beautiful, but we are immensely grateful to live in a beautiful place, so I think I would prefer to hike near our home- we were really hoping to see blooms.

Pssst, there is a place in Vista that is wonderful, but nobody knows about it. Alta Vista Botanical Gardens is one of Vistas well kept secrets. Heck, I lived in Vista for at least 15 years before I had heard of it. It is kind of a magical little hillside garden with lots of wonderful art that is nestled on top of a hill in Brengle Terrace Park. There is plenty of parking, restrooms, picnic tables, walking trails, interesting plants and a few ponds. And of course being on top of the hill the views are great. It is terrific for a family outing with the kids since there are play areas complete with dinosaurs and dragons. And, its a beautiful place to take a date. With all of the nice little nooks it is also a terrific place to have some portraits taken, but if you are a professional photographer wanted to do that they do have a required fee, so ask at their office. The gardens are on city property, but they unfortunately do not receive funds from the city. So, fees for photography and a $5 admission goes towards paying for the expenses it takes to keep up this beautiful section of the park.

The kids and I had so much fun exploring the gardens here . It was beautiful .

Very nice. Good place for a walk.

Really nice place to visit in vista, the botanical park is well taken care, and it is really nice to walk around. Nice view as well.

Mom moved into Alta Vista in January and it’s felt like home since day one. Mom wasn’t all on board for the move but it was necessary. Everyone there welcomed her and our family as if we were their family. The transition was so easy for mom. She told me that they don’t treat her like work but as a friend. I’m so grateful for each and every caregiver/staff member! Thank you all!!!!

Thank you for all these reviews! AVBG is on city property, being developed and is run by volunteers. Entry is $5 for adults and family membership is only $60! Enjoy the plants, the water features, the flowers, and the sculptures. A good hike to the bottom of the hill and back up! altavistabotanicalgardens.org will give you information on programs and events.

Small and cute botanical garden. However there can be better maintenance

Had a great time at descanso today, saw many beautiful flowers, trees, plants, and a lovely little lake . Great for a morning walk exploring the garden, make sure you dont visit on a very hot day.

Great location with view and landscaping is wonderful. The garden is still in the development stage, but its great to watch it grow. Theres still much to see and do. The childrens music garden is our favorite. We come here every other week, our kids love smelling the different flowers and herbs, running around and making music. This is a hidden gem of Vista.

You have to spend a little time here. You wont regret it.

Beautiful place, in a beautiful state, with perfect weather!

If you are a plant lover this is a must for you to visit. Check out the pictures, a vast variety of plants to smell, see, enjoy

The gardens cost money but are truly a treat for all. Explore the whole garden including the pond, dinosaur sculptures & the Zen maze.

Nice assortment of plant life from various regions of the world. Theres some interesting sculpture to be found as well. If you have kids take them to the area where you can play instruments, theyll have a blast

Very unique place for those who want a new environment. There is a good chance it might not be your thing, but I recommend trying it if you are the adventures type. This might become your new favorite spot.

Nice childrens garden. Peaceful place.

We went to this place every day when we were back home for awhile. Seems like a dog park would be a welcome addition buuut no go so until then you gotta walk around and enjoy the scenery

Beautiful park, great venue for outdoor party or wedding. Fun area set up for kids to play & learn. Special place!

I love this garden more than any large one, lovely and exotic. A wonderful place!

Part of Brengle Park. Top of the hill, limited close parking. Donation requested, honor system.

Definitely Alta Vista . Gorgeous views down into the valley. Gardens are beautiful. Must be a hiker to go up and down hills.

I love taking my family! Beautiful scenery & the staff is so kind!

Nice place to walk around and have a little picnic

Very entertaining walk. Lots to see.

Great place to take the kids, take pictures, family bonding, or a day off to enjoy nature and the view. Its very beautiful! You can even rent it as a reception. Id recommend it to anyone

Every event for the community has been pleasant! I enjoyed teaching Family Brain Education Classes! Also, a the events that bring North County families and friends together at this beautiful place! The Gardens are taken care of beautiful and friendly caregivers of Alta Vista Botanical Gardens!

This is great spot. Lovely gardens. Lots of art and features to discover. A $5 donation in requested which you place in a lock box. I believe the garden is not government funded and is volunteer run so Im happy to contribute to the upkeep. There are a lot of art features which I really enjoyed. I think this would be a great place to bring kids and also nice for a picnic. This is a place to amble along the walks that take you to lovely vistas and different gardens. It is easy to spend an hour or so just walking the trails.

It’s a calm, centering, and inspiring place to visit, with garden paths, artis both whimsical and reflective, aesthetically powerful and gently humorous. Amazing Members to bring together this place and the people.

So fun! Great array of different types of gardens, super fun kids garden. Will definitely go again.

Nice garden! Its a very pretty walk with lots of shaded trails. They are dog friendly (leased of course) and it was nice to have the mix of shade and sun. The $5 is worth it! The flowers, trees and sculptures are a lot of fun to see.

What a pleasant surprise!

Such a great place to take your kids! Lots of fun! $5 for entry.

Well-maintained and quiet

Beautiful place to visit. Great for the whole family. Wish we would have packed a picnic lunch.

Come out and see the beautiful gardens tended by volunteers and kids groups. Leave a few dollars in the donation slot to help promote the love of gardening in our historical growing region! Thanks

Very fun childrens area, appealing to artists, and pretty areas for walking.

We went up here to do prom pictures and it was beautiful! What a hidden little gem.

I love just parking here and looking at the view while reading.

So much has changed in the past 18 months since I last visited! Much more to see and do. My 6-year old enjoyed himself and I was glad to see new construction started, too! Great job and keep up the good work!

Gorgeous well maintained gardens. Very pleasant to visit.

Good for all ages. Nice place to get away and relax. Many beautiful gardens and ponds.

You get the feeling youve discovered a secret gem when you visit this garden. First off, its completely run by volunteers so its not polished. Entry fee of 5 dollars for adults is by the honor system. Its a huge place with a delightful and beautiful collection of plants in many different themed gardens. Not to mention thrilling views (alta vista = high view). The childrens/music garden near the entrance seems to be the most popular with scheduled activities and learning experiences. Facilities can be rented for private parties and events.Few of the plants are labeled but theyre starting to do a better job. Theyre making improvements to plantings and infrastructure too. There are many wide, accessible hard-surfaced pathways but lots of inaccessible ones of uneven dirt or rocks. Art is a thing here and there are many outdoor sculptures from local artists. In fact, some of the paving and built-in benches are works of art as well. Parking is ample and free. The place looks better every time I visit and memberships are available online.

Beautiful gardens. Great walks.

Beautiful. Worth the $5

Love this place. Sometimes no one is around to collect the $25 fee. They have so much amazing things and structures for kids. The ambiance is tranquil and relaxing. Listening to the birds and just enjoying the breeze in the trees. If you are looking for a place to de-stress, this is it. Plus! Big plus, if you are going to a theater show at night go up early to walk around and watch the sunset from the hilltop. Love love love this place!

I love the scenery!! The garden is absolutely beautiful!

Its a great place to walk around and to learn about plants, herbs and the medicinal properties.

This place is truly a gem in Vista.Amazing area for children, with a music garden, human sundial and interactive discovery trail. There are level and slightly slopped pathways to explore the 13 themed areas of the Botanical Gardens. Interesting sculptures throughout the Gardens as well. A must see for the entire family.

Came here a few weeks ago for the Meading at the Garden festival. Absolutely beautiful location to showcase all the vendors. The flowers and pathways are wonderful, I only wish there were more shady trees for sunny days.

Its fun to go walk and enjoy the sun

Beautiful gardens and worth a visit more than once! Lovely to walk or sit and even let the kiddos play in kids garden.

This place doesnt seem to come up in most CA botanical garden listings. But it should be near the top. I think I actually saw it in Edible San Diego. Anyway, this beautiful sanctuary of a botanical garden is a must see. I took a back route from Encinitas. Almost no freeways involved. Up through winding roads into the cute little down of Vista. And up a hill into a space that makes you wonder if theres actually a botanical garden at the top of the drive. There is. Oh, there is.

The Gardens are taken care of beautiful and friendly caregivers of Alta Vista Botanical Gardens!

Love a nice day in a nature park? A little elevation change and dirt rocky paths. Enjoy the natural aloe vera plants, desert flowering plants that bring butterflies. Lovely trail walk.GET OUTSIDE AND ENJOY LIFE!!

Beautifully maintained botanical garden! Family friendly. Themed areas throughout. Gorgeous art with fun, interactive things to do along your journey.Very peaceful and quiet atmosphere. Very tranquil.Great for photo-ops and photographers as well as nature enthusiasts, and those who practice wellness and holistic techniques.Good for meditation and yoga, as well as getting your daily steps in.Would recommend protection from sun: sun-screen or layering clothing to protect skin from UV exposure.Also, recommend bringing water (bottle/Camelback). There are water fountains provided. However, it can get hot. Stay hydrated!

Very beautiful and well cared for!

Such a beautiful venue. This place has grown into a wonderful spot for events.

Such a beautiful and precious place. My two-year-old daughter and I have our picnics there very often, and we absolutely love it. Thank you so much to the people who created the place, and who maintain it.Dont forget to donate money each time you go, or become a member.

Great little spot for family adventure. Met a lovely volunteer in the kids zone.

A beautiful spot in Brengle Terrace Park. Our neighbors memorial service was held there. Beautiful.

Great place! would highly recommend.Very educational

Beautiful garden. Went on a 2nd date here for a stroll after brunch. Gorgeous views! Had a great time. Ill be back during the seasonal bloom and to catch the sunset :) Next time Ill plan a picnic!

It was pretty interesting. I wish we had more time but we got there kind of late with the sun going down early because of winter and daylight savings time and they actually close the gates at 4:30 and not 5. Google maps here originally suggested 5PM for the closing time.Plan to do some hiking and give yourself a couple hours to experience everything. We enjoyed it, I just wish we could have stayed longer.The place did feel like it could use a bit of touch up work. But they dont have anyone manning the doors to ensure that eveyone pays the admission. There is place to deposit the money when you enter and its an honor system. We saw lots of people just waking in, Ill give them the benefit of the doubt ane maybe they are lifetime members of donors.The view of the city is quite spectacular in some spots too.I would love to bring the family again when we have more time.Feel free to bring your pets if they are social and well adjusted I saw lots of pet owners walking their pets on a leash and one dog was roaming loose but was very polite :)

Beautiful!

Beautiful place to take family pictures!

Had my sons professional photo shoot at this garden that Ive been coming to for years now and its nice to see the growth and how beautiful the volunteers have it they sure do an amazing job

Such a lovely underrated garden. Go and show your love!

Neat place!!

This place is amazing, lets keep it nice, make sure that everyone cleans up after each other! This a wonderful hiking spot and great for kids too.

This is a nice, beautiful gardens to visit!

Beautiful scenery yet the bathrooms where we were had no lights.

Awesome place really to be and just relax, enjoy the day

Very nice

Great place to take young kids for an afternoon lots of interactive toys to enjoy and beautiful plants to enjoy

Wonderful visit. Everyone should der this place

My kids loved it even under the hot sun!!!

Its a beautiful walk, but there are some areas Im not sure what is going on. The sculptures are pretty sweet, and the kids area is pretty fun.

It was a great first time there had fun amazing things to look at

Such a nice little botanical garden..awesome for a nice short nature walk. Even has a learning area for kids...

A little dry but pretty gardens

Very nice. Hidden at the top of Brengle Terrace park. We attended a wedding there and it was a great venue for that.

Interesting plants, good views of the surrounding countryside. The only minus is a lack of signs, so if you dont recognize a plant you have to ask or try to figure it on your own.

This place is stunning. Very good for kids and adults. Nice walk for exercise.

It was much too early in the season so by summer it will be beautiful

Love take my 2 year old here.

Lush Tropicals, Beautiful Calming Breeze, Trails, Pond, Kids Hands on garden..These are just a few of the Experiences you will find here..There are literally hundreds of different species of plants.I often spend my lunch hour sitting by the pond to unwind.I highly recommend this Visually Gorgeous Garden .

Love this place. Great place for young kids. So beautiful and unique. Donations requested.

Nice place to stay with the kids

Beautiful garden

Very beautiful and peaceful place to enjoy a sunday

Lots of trails to walk. Beautiful garden and fun things to see. We like to look for the turtles in the pond. Pack a picnic and stay for a while.