San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden

There are plenty of trails that will give you different sights, from mountains to glistening creeks that cut through valleys, with trails that wind through thick forests and ridges. No other trail in the state will give you what the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden Trail offers, and that will be a view of some of the most diverse vegetation life in the country in one place. 

Housed in the El Chorro Regional Park, the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden offers free parking, restrooms, water fountains, and benches. Across from the parking lot is where the trail leading through the botanical garden starts, with information kiosks and well-maintained displays. This dog-friendly dog area requires pups to be on a leash 6 feet or shorter while you're viewing the flowers, but offers dog bowls and clean-up bags around area.

This paved trail loops past different detailed displays offering views of flowers and lush vegetation from Chile, the Mediterranean, South Africa, California, and Australia. There's plenty of tall oaks and firs that grow in the botanical section, offering shaded sitting areas with benches and picnic tables.

The botanical garden has plans to expand its area, taking up nearly 150 acres of space in the future with miles of trails that travel through diverse areas. Other than the obvious views of flowers from the garden, you and Fido can see views of the surrounding desert and grasslands, along with bordering urban neighborhoods to the south. After an easy going walk that shouldn't take much more than 20 minutes, heading back through the exhibits to your car will be easy.

Flowers, bright sun, and lots of amenities for you and Fido will show you how much the people who run the garden care about dogs and will be sure to draw you back again for a walk among the bright wildflowers.