Niguel Botanical Preserve

Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. Please treat both businesses and trails with the utmost respect. We here at Hidden California follow the 'Leave no Trace' mantra, meaning whatever you bring with you comes back with you. If you see trash on a trail, please do your part to help remove it. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Happy adventures!

29751 Crown Valley Pkwy,
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

33.529791, -117.708511

Kid-Friendly: Yes Dog-Friendly: Yes

Admission: Free Website Open: Daily sunrise-sunset

Make sure to check out our list of hidden gems in Orange County!

About the Niguel Botanical Preserve

The Niguel Botanical Preserve began in 1981 as a community vegetable garden. Since then it has been an on-going project of love from volunteers at Friends of the Preserve coinciding with city of Laguna Niguel

The purpose of the 18.2-acre botanical garden is to display garden-worthy plants appropriate to the Southern California region, collected from five areas of the world with similar Mediterranean climates.

Personal Experience: Niguel Botanical Preserve is a total gem, not only because it’s free, but because it is so spacious! We spent at least a solid hour here combing through the different areas.

While you’re in the area, make sure to visit Treasure Island Beach nearby!

There are labyrinths, rose gardens, native and succulent sections, butterfly gardens and so much more! Obviously these types of places are best visited in the spring when most plants are in bloom, but I imagine it’s a special place to visit all year long.

We visited during the peak of Covid when most areas were closed. This spot stayed open and we had the entire place to ourselves almost. Even then, it is spacious enough that if there were other people there, you could easily keep your distance.

There’s something so pleasing being in a garden. It has the ability to touch on all senses and is an easy way to connect with nature. I never get tired of visiting them.