McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

The McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens are on the north side of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park campus and the Sundial Bridge and feature over 200-acres of native and non-native trees and plants.

Owned and operated by Turtle Bay Exploration Park, the gardens are central to its mission, offering educational experiences in sustainable horticulture while inspiring a deeper connection to nature. The gardens serve as a living classroom for school field trips, free monthly guided walks, Discovery Camps, and community events. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, every ticket and membership directly supports the care and continued growth of this beautiful 10-acre landscape.

A man and a young girl walk on a dirt trail in a park or garden, surrounded by green trees and bushes, with a clear blue sky overhead.
Close-up of a dense cluster of gray-green, small, oval-shaped leaves on thin stems in an outdoor setting.
A park scene with a wooden bench, rocks, and lush green trees and bushes.
A woman walking her dog along a garden path surrounded by greenery and tall trees.
Close-up of a branch with small white flowers and green leaves, blurred natural background.
A stone water fountain with a small stream of water spouting from a central jet, surrounded by greenery and trees in the background.
A dirt pathway surrounded by greenery and trees, with a modern, white, curved structure visible in the background against a partly cloudy sky.
Purple flowering plants outdoors with trees and blue sky in the background.
Pink flowering tree branches in a park with green trees and a dirt path in the background
A peaceful forest scene with a dirt pathway, wooden benches, various green and flowering bushes, and large trees with sprawling branches in the background.
A field of purple flowers with a butterfly perched on one of the flowers.
Sign on a black metal gate directing visitors to botanical gardens, children's play area, and an off-path area for exploration, with trees and a pathway visible in the background.
A nature trail in a forest with a sign at the start of the path and trees on either side. The sky is overcast and there are autumn colors on the trees.

Garden Admission

Open Daily | 8am - 4pm
Free for Members
$10 for adults, $6 for seniors (65+) & children (3-15), Free (ages 0-2)
Included with Museum Admission
Gardens are accessible only at the East Gate/Sundial Bridge entrance. 
The West Gate will be closed

Features To Explore

A park trail surrounded by trees and bushes, with a sign at the beginning of the path.

Arboretum

The McConnell Arboretum is over 200 acres of native trees and plants. A one mile walking trail loop surrounds the Arboretum and directly links to the rest of the award-winning Sacramento River Trail.

A man and a young girl walking hand in hand on a dirt path surrounded by green trees in a park on a sunny day.

Botanical Gardens

The McConnell Botanical Gardens is comprised of 25 acres of mediterranean-climate display gardens, a children’s garden, a medicinal garden, and two beautiful and unique water features and a large seasonal pond that is home to many animals.

Colorful mosaic fountain with a spherical top situated in a park with pink and green flowering trees and pathways.

Children’s Garden

The Children’s Garden is home to Mosaic Oasis, a whimsical and fun water feature that includes a drinking fountain, ornamental fountain, and play structure designed by local mixed media artist Colleen Barry. The Children’s Garden and Picnic Grove areas are full of fun and interesting plants from around the world.