In Santa Barbara, the rocky peaks of the Santa Ynez Mountains soften into lush coastal hills. Throughout the area, diverse plant life abounds: rose gardens, lemon groves and palm-filled oases are not uncommon. While the A.C. Postel Memorial Rose Garden (often referred to as the Mission Rose Garden), which blooms from April to November, is free and open to the public, many of Santa Barbara’s best green spaces require advance reservations.

We loved the gardens at San Ysidro Ranch. If you’re not staying at the hotel, I highly recommend visiting for dinner and taking a stroll around the property. We also had high hopes to see Lotusland, a sprawling exotic garden in Montecito, but the limited tickets sell out months in advance.

With mild temperatures and plenty of year-round sun, it’s no wonder that gardens thrive in Santa Barbara. Here are three of our favorite places to experience the local flora.