Mildred E Mathias Botanical Garden

This is my second favorite to spend time alone (the first being the sculpture garden)
It can be a little creepy when there’s no one else in the garden but it’s a solid place to bask in solitude. Hard to believe California is in a drought when this place is always so green. Also hard to believe that a place like this exists amidst all the buildings and construction. It can get better loud when there’s heavy traffic since its next to a road but usually very peaceful.

Great place to see different plant and tree species. They have an extensive cacti section and have turtles in a pond toward the middle of the garden. It’s quite lovely.

This is one of my favorite places on campus. It’s very quiet and serene (despite the construction sounds) and there is a ton of shade. There aren’t too many places to sit, just a few chairs and benches randomly scattered but there are a bunch of picnic tables just above the garden on the north west side of it.
This isn’t a huge garden and it’s more rustic than refined, but there is a lot of variety of flora in the small space that it occupies. Also there are tons of signs that say not to feed the fish and turtles, but we didn’t see either of these guys when we visited today on 7÷17÷15. The water was really murky.
I don’t think anyone who doesn’t work at or attend UCLA would know of this place or seek it out, but I recommend those who do take a little 15 minute walk around this place.

A little piece of nature hidden in the heart of the city. Very nice place to relax, read a book, meditate or have your lunch. Small stream. Short trail. Benches.

The botanical gardens is one of my favorite spots on the UCLA campus. As an outdoor enthusiast, the city is missing a lot for me, but the gardens are the perfect spot to bring a picnic, kill time between class, or just sit and watch the trees and flowers. I love that I can I can hear the birds chirp and escape from the city. The only downfall is its location on campus, right in between a busy road, Hilgard, and the health school which is under construction so there is a lot of background noise. The gardens are maintained very well and there’s a really great variety of plants from around the world that are grouped together nicely so you can get a little taste of the different ecosystems.

Amazing escape in the middle of the city. This garden has it all in a tiny package: shady areas with streams with turtles and ferns, all the way to arid areas with a fantastic array of cactus and succulents. One of our favorite things about this garden is that so many of the plants are labeled. But my favorite thing is the two comfortable chairs next to a waterfall. Perfection.

These botanical gardens are a great escape from the surrounding chaos of LA. It’s a relaxing stroll on stressful day and a fun run when trying to shed some calories after eating at in n out or 800 degrees. I only ended up finding out about these gardens because there is a geocache hidden by the entrance. Love to see all the nature and wildlife that inhabits this park. We need more of them in the city.

It’s so peaceful here, and it serves as a nice little get-​away from the chaos that lab can sometimes be. I love just walking through under the canopy of the trees. At the bottom, there is a little stream and pond in which there are turtles and koi fish. I was told that the water here is not cleaned in any artificial way. Everything gets cleaned and recycled naturally. I like that concept, but the water looked a little dirty, and I’m not sure if that is the best for the wildlife, but it’s supposed to be self sustaining. I really hope people don’t come to feed the fish and turtles because that would dirty up the water even more. All in all, it’s a perfect place to relax in a quiet atmosphere that is still on campus but away from the hectic university life.

This is a great place to visit, not just for UCLA students.
If you’re looking for a place to read, meditate, write, or just spend time alone, this place is a great respite from the chaos of the city. It’s conveniently located on the border of the UCLA campus, making it easily accessible to the public. There are places to sit, or you can walk around and explore the various plants.
I’m particularly a fan of the bamboo forest.
And look for the turtles in the water!
It can become overpopulated at times, just as a heads up.

Had a few extra minutes on my lunch break so decided to walk through the botanical garden. It’s a great respite from the crowded campus, but not quite serene since you are still able to hear street traffic and construction noises. Almost every bench in the garden was taken by someone napping or eating their lunch when I passed through at about 1pm.
It seems like it could be better maintained, but there was evidence (buckets and yellow tape) of work currently going on.
May venture back on future lunch breaks since it seems to be the place to be.

Kind of hidden away, but a very beautiful place to visit and have a peacful moment.

I took a walk here while visiting the UCLA campus.
Very nice little garden, but keep in mind that it is very small. It took around 15 minutes to walk the whole thing.
This is a nice place to get away from the heat since all of the greenery creates a nice cool microclimate and the trees provide good shade.

I’ve been to the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden a few times now. This is the perfect place to be surrounded by greenery and take in the smells of various species of plants. In this botanical garden, you will find trees, vines, shrubs, cacti, and succulents.
For the record: There are some benches for sitting in the garden. Some of the trails here are wheelchair accessible, while others aren’t. Dogs on leash are welcome. Free entry.
Note: There are some turtles and coy fish in the streams here.

This place is nice, it might be a great place to do a semi-​hike, but not really. It was a nice and cool shady day when you walk around. The place is really nice to just relax and walk around. Maybe it was too hot the past month because there was rarely any flowers around. This place may take about 30 minutes to explore, its not as big as it looks on the map.

I can see why students and UCLA employees would like this. It’s nice, cool and quiet for studying or eating lunch. If you don’t live within walking distance I wouldn’t bother. Parking is a bit of a hassle and it’s metered. I was looking for an interesting place to bring my dog since I’m new to the area but it wasn’t worth the drive for me. I have parks that are closer. A lot of people complained about the squirrels in reviews but I only spotted one just before I left. I was actually hoping to see more for entertainment for my dog.

It’s bigger than I thought for a garden on the real estate crowded Westwood campus, but ultimately the park is not big compared to other botanical gardens. They don’t waste space with a compact design that is nicely arranged, split by a man made creek with many turtles, and packed with plenty of different species. Due to the density of well developed trees, the canopy prevents much growth of plants on the garden floor. Consequently, it is more of an arbor than a garden. There are still some bromeliads and cycads, but the strength of the garden are the specimens from Australia.
If visiting Westwood Village in the morning or afternoon and have an hour to spare, this is a good stop since it is within walking distance of the Village (and saves on parking twice). For guests of the W Hotel or Hilgard House, the garden is only a block away and it’s hard to beat that it’s free.

Nice spot for a morning walk near campus and the W hotel.

UCLA’s best little secret… well kinda of.
We’re so blessed here at UCLA and in Westwood to have this lovely dose of all that nature has to offer in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives.
Whether you’re a stressed out student in the midst of finals or a stressed out employee wanting to escape the piles and mound of work you must attend to, the botanical garden is your perfect escape.
Even if you just come here for a few minutes, for a ten minute stroll even, the breath of fresh air will not only open up your lunges, but your mind as well. Take a deep breath and walk along the beaten path.
I always find that i discover something new here every time, although small, there is so much packed within this little garden including benches to just sit and think. Bring a book, pack your lunch, and just take in the beauty that is nature.
Honestly, how often do we get the opportunity to experience such peace during our busy work/​school lives?
Do yourself a favor: if you’re ever near your tipping point, drop everything and just come take a walk. Listen to the birds, watch the water flow, and enjoy the cherry blossom tree that is in full bloom now. It’ll be worth it.

Pretty nice place. What makes the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden excellent is that it’s all so natural, unlike other botanic gardens that might be too perfectly pruned. The paths appear initially monotonous until you take the time to read the signs of the various plants and the different geographical regions that you’re walking through. We took our 9-​month-​old son here for a walk yesterday and he loved it. And I didn’t even have to fistfight any squirrels. (Picture a 1930’s boxer with his gloves up)
Would be nice if they had a parking lot, but we easily found street parking on a Sunday afternoon. Look forward to checking it out again in the springtime.

What a wonderful little hideaway in the midst of Westwood!
My husband and his friend came across this place whilst going for a wander when we moved to the neighborhood. Seriously — what a hidden gem!
I’ve come here several times now and for sure, this place will put you at peace. Wonderful little benches and places to sit are scattered throughout the Gardens, making it an ideal place to grab a snack, read, or study for the afternoon (if you’re a student).
Sure, Hilgard runs along the east side of the Gardens and you can occasionally hear traffic, but immerse yourself enough in the Gardens, and you’ll be relaxed instantaneously.
I’m not a plant lover or anything like that, but I really enjoyed seeing all the different types of trees they had, and enjoyed squirrel watching. (The squirrels are very used to humans!)
Such a cute little spot to enjoy nature in the midst of a city!