The Gardens of the World
The Gardens of the World
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Gardens of the World is privately owned and operated by the Hogan Family Foundation, Inc. The Gardens exist not only as a cultural contribution to the community, but as an educational tool. Volunteer docents lead guided tours and assist with school tours throughout the year.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
259 reviews
Excellent
145
Very good
77
Average
25
Poor
6
Terrible
6
ricefluff
Malibu, CA40 contributions
Sep 2019
What is not to like? It's a very pretty and small botanical garden that is lovely and walk~able or roll~able and if you're in the area and have time it's a calm quiet place to visit.
Written September 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
slr_7
Thousand Oaks, CA150 contributions
Nov 2019
The park is right in the heart of the city. It was a gift from the Hogan family who owned Pleasant Holidays. It consists for about 7-8 landscaped gardens from Japanese, Mission, French, etc. The grounds are very well maintained and clean. There is a parking lot and also off street parking in front. There are numerous restaurants within 100 yards of the Gardens.
Written December 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steve f
Liverpool, NY722 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
We heard about this place from my wife’s cousin and we are so glad we checked it out. What an absolutely gorgeous place. We were so happy we stopped by the office to ask about photography. After checking with the office, we were given permission to take photos of the gardens at will. I shot the photos with my phone instead of my camera because of the “rules”. This place is so beautiful and it is right in the middle of downtown Thousand Oaks. Amazing!
Written October 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CptCluster
Pasadena, CA38 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
This place is free, and you get what you pay for.
Please do yourself a favor and don't come here with children. You will be hunted and harassed like you're in "Predator" by this garden's obnoxious docents.
It started right when we parked. We have small kids and it naturally took us a while to get the kids out of the car and everything arranged. I looked over and saw 2 ladies in green glaring at us, which was already weird and a bad sign.
Then one of the green ladies stopped us at the entrance and gave us a really painfully long spiel about their rules, including about staying safe through social distancing (which was funny, because she wouldn't stop yapping right at our faces and probably was not 6 feet away). Side bar: we fully believe in covid precautions and respected them the whole time in the gardens.
We were there for about 15 minutes and my wife took a breather while I walked around with one of our kids. One of the green ladies stalked my wife like a cheetah and then basically harrassed her with passive-aggressive (and some aggressive) comments until she left. The rest of us went with her.
What an unpleasant experience! Why is this garden even open?
I get that this is a privately owned park space, but it is supposed to be for the public. Are we intruders, not visitors? We were certainly made to feel that way.
This park is probably a good time for local retirees. For anyone else, don't bother.
Please do yourself a favor and don't come here with children. You will be hunted and harassed like you're in "Predator" by this garden's obnoxious docents.
It started right when we parked. We have small kids and it naturally took us a while to get the kids out of the car and everything arranged. I looked over and saw 2 ladies in green glaring at us, which was already weird and a bad sign.
Then one of the green ladies stopped us at the entrance and gave us a really painfully long spiel about their rules, including about staying safe through social distancing (which was funny, because she wouldn't stop yapping right at our faces and probably was not 6 feet away). Side bar: we fully believe in covid precautions and respected them the whole time in the gardens.
We were there for about 15 minutes and my wife took a breather while I walked around with one of our kids. One of the green ladies stalked my wife like a cheetah and then basically harrassed her with passive-aggressive (and some aggressive) comments until she left. The rest of us went with her.
What an unpleasant experience! Why is this garden even open?
I get that this is a privately owned park space, but it is supposed to be for the public. Are we intruders, not visitors? We were certainly made to feel that way.
This park is probably a good time for local retirees. For anyone else, don't bother.
Written January 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanne R
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Friends
Beautiful park to visit, but it is missing the mark on so many levels. A beautiful gazebo that is not used for anything. The docent we talked to said they have 2 concerts there a year. This would be a gorgeous setting for weddings or family pictures. Concerts would have a lovely venue in which to perform. The mission house and the Japanese cabana would also be fabulous places to hold concerts or lectures about a multitude of topics. I also noticed there were not many signs showing the names of the plants and trees. What a great opportunity for scouts and civic organizations to give back to the community! Also noticed many of the flowers needed “deadheading” as well as weeding. The main house had beautiful quilts displayed, but would also be a great place to have lectures or classes. One thing we missed was a gift shop and a small snack bar. Picnic tables are available if you bring in your own food, but only for small groups, and not many trash bins were seen around the park. There is a large parking lot out in front but there was a no parking sign posted. So much potential missed!
Written June 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RedwolfCalifornia
Santa Cruz, CA183 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
If it were possible to give a place zero stars, that's exactly what I'd do.
I had a truly distressing experience at Gardens of the World last weekend and, after some thought, I decided that I just can't let it go.
I visited the gardens on Sunday, May 6, at around 3:00 p.m., with a group of others who were in Thousand Oaks as part of an Irish language immersion weekend. The behavior of volunteers coordinator Linda {----} toward us was just so incredibly condescending, humiliating, and hurtful, I really don't think I can keep silent about it.
It all started when three of us, having arrived before the others, asked politely if there was any additional parking available, as the parking lot behind the main building was full. Instead of offering suggestions, Linda treated us to a very stern and, frankly, condescending and officious, lecture about how we should have called ahead. I understand now, having read the fine print on the website, that it's preferred that groups of more than six people call ahead (we didn't know that at the time, and we weren't a particular large group), but I really don't think that lecturing us as if we were a bunch of poorly behaved and not very bright toddlers was a reasonable way to address this confusion.
After making it very clear that our group really wasn't welcome, and that we clearly presented a real problem for her, personally, she then proceeded to lecture us about "appropriate" behavior in the gardens (because, clearly, a small group of language learners between the ages of 30 and 70 weren't likely to behave appropriately!), including informing us that taking any pictures of with people in them was strictly forbidden (I've since looked at the photography guidelines on the website and they say nothing about photographs of people other than that they can't accommodate professional photography sessions. Seriously...why is it OK to take a picture of a rose, but not a picture of someone looking at a rose?). She told us sternly that we were in someone's "private backyard" and that we had to "behave." To be honest, it was humiliating and, had I not been part of a group, I would have left right then and never, ever, come back.
We had just started to relax and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the gardens when Linda confronted us again. We'd been speaking in Irish, of course, as the Irish language was the reason we were in Thousand Oaks that weekend. Linda accused us of running a private tour, accused the person who was speaking at the time of using an amplification device (she wasn't), and then delivered the line that made me absolutely livid"
"We can't have you speaking another language, because we don't know what you're saying."
As a proud speaker of a minority language that has been oppressed for centuries (and that, ironically, would have been the language the Hogans' ancestors spoke), I was saddened and angered. But as an American, who has been embarrassed again and again by stories of officious "'Murican" people saying "This is America...we speak English here," I was and am embarrassed and positively infuriated. There is absolutely no excuse for anyone in this country to say this to ANYONE. None whatsoever. It's just beyond inexcusable. I've written a letter of complaint to the Hogan Foundation, and I hope they take it seriously.
As for me, I'll never be back.
I had a truly distressing experience at Gardens of the World last weekend and, after some thought, I decided that I just can't let it go.
I visited the gardens on Sunday, May 6, at around 3:00 p.m., with a group of others who were in Thousand Oaks as part of an Irish language immersion weekend. The behavior of volunteers coordinator Linda {----} toward us was just so incredibly condescending, humiliating, and hurtful, I really don't think I can keep silent about it.
It all started when three of us, having arrived before the others, asked politely if there was any additional parking available, as the parking lot behind the main building was full. Instead of offering suggestions, Linda treated us to a very stern and, frankly, condescending and officious, lecture about how we should have called ahead. I understand now, having read the fine print on the website, that it's preferred that groups of more than six people call ahead (we didn't know that at the time, and we weren't a particular large group), but I really don't think that lecturing us as if we were a bunch of poorly behaved and not very bright toddlers was a reasonable way to address this confusion.
After making it very clear that our group really wasn't welcome, and that we clearly presented a real problem for her, personally, she then proceeded to lecture us about "appropriate" behavior in the gardens (because, clearly, a small group of language learners between the ages of 30 and 70 weren't likely to behave appropriately!), including informing us that taking any pictures of with people in them was strictly forbidden (I've since looked at the photography guidelines on the website and they say nothing about photographs of people other than that they can't accommodate professional photography sessions. Seriously...why is it OK to take a picture of a rose, but not a picture of someone looking at a rose?). She told us sternly that we were in someone's "private backyard" and that we had to "behave." To be honest, it was humiliating and, had I not been part of a group, I would have left right then and never, ever, come back.
We had just started to relax and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the gardens when Linda confronted us again. We'd been speaking in Irish, of course, as the Irish language was the reason we were in Thousand Oaks that weekend. Linda accused us of running a private tour, accused the person who was speaking at the time of using an amplification device (she wasn't), and then delivered the line that made me absolutely livid"
"We can't have you speaking another language, because we don't know what you're saying."
As a proud speaker of a minority language that has been oppressed for centuries (and that, ironically, would have been the language the Hogans' ancestors spoke), I was saddened and angered. But as an American, who has been embarrassed again and again by stories of officious "'Murican" people saying "This is America...we speak English here," I was and am embarrassed and positively infuriated. There is absolutely no excuse for anyone in this country to say this to ANYONE. None whatsoever. It's just beyond inexcusable. I've written a letter of complaint to the Hogan Foundation, and I hope they take it seriously.
As for me, I'll never be back.
Written May 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sally M
Los Angeles, CA694 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
The gardens are beautiful. The trees, plants, flowers too. Well kept and manicured.The fountain cascades and Getty-esque maze are spectacular. Loved the section dedicated to California Missions. Free entry is a plus. The roses were almost burnt out but still lovely to see and smell.
That said:
I was treated horribly by a bearded male docent. Such an awful experience.I can't even believe he is allowed to talk to people the way he did. Additionally, I witnessed a strange interaction with a female docent and a young family that were taking photos. She appeared out of nowhere telling them that you have to call a week in advance and make reservations in order to take photos of humans at the Gardens. HUH?
Lovely place but way too uptight and unwelcoming to those of us who would like to enjoy our day in peace.
That said:
I was treated horribly by a bearded male docent. Such an awful experience.I can't even believe he is allowed to talk to people the way he did. Additionally, I witnessed a strange interaction with a female docent and a young family that were taking photos. She appeared out of nowhere telling them that you have to call a week in advance and make reservations in order to take photos of humans at the Gardens. HUH?
Lovely place but way too uptight and unwelcoming to those of us who would like to enjoy our day in peace.
Written May 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoveToTravel
Los Angeles400 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
First of all, Paul the grounds docent, was absolutely fabulous, personable, and knowledgeable.
The gardens are well kept, not too big, but a nice place for a lunchtime walk. Very well manicures grounds.
Here's my problem: I counted MORE than 100 signs that say, Do Not...do this, or that...DON'T.... You can't even take photos !!!??? Seriously? That's stoopid.
They also need signage that says what the different plants are. Not more signage that says don't do this or that. Not a very welcoming place.
The gardens are well kept, not too big, but a nice place for a lunchtime walk. Very well manicures grounds.
Here's my problem: I counted MORE than 100 signs that say, Do Not...do this, or that...DON'T.... You can't even take photos !!!??? Seriously? That's stoopid.
They also need signage that says what the different plants are. Not more signage that says don't do this or that. Not a very welcoming place.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tuigim W
1 contribution
May 2018 • Friends
If you get the right docent, this is heaven. Lately, it has some insane change of focus that disrespects people. We encountered the docent from hell who accused us of being professional photographers. We are not. Of using amplification. We did not. Who lectured us as if we were naughty children. We were not. Who, and this is the worst part, said we should not talk in our own language. I used to love this place but whoever is in charge of the docent program needs to understand the depth of this problem.
Written May 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
loliver315
thousand oaks, ca11 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
As many have said, it's too bad that this "gift to the residents" from a private family has so many strict rules that it prevents you from enjoying it. They train the employees to watch you like a hawk and follow you. Heaven forbid you want to snap a picture of a beautiful flower! No pictures allowed! No water bottles! I understand them not wanting to host large wedding party photos, but they don't let you take a single picture on your cell phone. Wanted to take 1 picture with my 93 year old dad, and was told immediately "you need a permit to take pictures". We got back in the car and left. Very unwelcoming feeling, like you're doing something wrong. Won't ever be back.
Written April 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there an entrance fee? I see nothing listed.
Written October 3, 2015
There is no entrance fee. The facility is funded by a foundation. There is a donation box, if you would like to contribute, but there is no pressure to make a contribution. In addition, there is no charge for parking either!
Written October 5, 2015
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