Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden
Rate this placeNearby: Spaulding Field Dickson Plaza
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
The Mildred E.
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Summary
Mathias Botanical Garden is located in Los Angeles, California, and is a beautiful and diverse garden that hosts over 5,000 species of plants from around the world. This garden is managed by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and is one of the city's most popular attractions.
There are many good reasons to visit the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden. The garden has a variety of beautiful plants and flowers, including rare and endangered species. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the garden, learn about different ecosystems, and appreciate the beauty of nature. It is also a great place for photography, picnicking, and taking a leisurely stroll.
Some of the specific points of interest to see at the garden include the Desert Garden, the Mediterranean Garden, the Tropical Greenhouse, and the Native Plants Garden. The Desert Garden features cacti, succulents, and other plants that thrive in arid climates, while the Mediterranean Garden showcases plants from the Mediterranean region. The Tropical Greenhouse features exotic plants from tropical regions, including orchids, bromeliads, and palms. The Native Plants Garden displays plants that are native to California, including sagebrush, chaparral, and coastal scrub.
Interesting facts about the garden include that it was named after Mildred E. Mathias, a renowned botanist and UCLA professor who helped establish the garden in the 1950s. The garden is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, butterflies, and lizards. Additionally, the garden has been used as a filming location for movies and TV shows.
The best time of year to visit the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden is in the spring, when many of the plants are in bloom. However, the garden is open year-round and visitors can enjoy different plants and flowers during different seasons. Admission to the garden is free, and guided tours are available for groups with advance reservations.
Overall, the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden is a beautiful and educational destination that offers visitors a chance to appreciate the natural beauty of plants from around the world.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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