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Arizona Garden: A Desert Oasis at Stanford

Discover a serene escape amidst a diverse collection of cacti and succulents at Stanford University's historic Arizona Garden.

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The Arizona Garden, nestled on the Stanford University campus, is a 17,000-square-foot botanical garden boasting over 500 species of cacti and succulents. Founded in the 1880s by Jane and Leland Stanford, this serene garden offers a tranquil escape with a diverse collection of arid-climate plants.

A brief summary to Arizona Garden

  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Visit during the early morning or late afternoon for the best lighting for photography and to avoid the midday heat.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Stanford Mausoleum and the Angel of Grief statue for a more comprehensive experience.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be walking on uneven dirt paths throughout the garden.
  • Check out the Stanford Shopping Center across the street for lunch and shopping opportunities.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Stanford Visitor Center, walk north along Palm Drive, then turn left onto Arboretum Road. Continue on Arboretum Road until you reach Quarry Road, then turn left. The Arizona Garden will be on your right, south of the Stanford Mausoleum. The walk is approximately 15-20 minutes. No costs are associated with this approach.

  • Public Transport

    Take the Caltrain to the Palo Alto station. From the station, transfer to the free Marguerite Shuttle, which connects to various locations on campus. Get off at a stop near the Stanford Mausoleum, and the Arizona Garden is a short walk south. Alternatively, VTA bus lines also run on Quarry Road near the garden. Caltrain fares vary depending on the distance traveled. The Marguerite Shuttle is free.

  • Driving

    From US-101, take the Embarcadero Road West exit. This becomes Galvez Street after crossing El Camino Real. Use the roundabout to turn right onto Arboretum Road, cross Palm Drive, and continue to Quarry Road. Turn left onto Quarry Road. Limited parking is available in the lots off Vineyard Lane. Weekday parking requires payment via the ParkMobile app. Campus parking is free on weekends. Parking costs approximately $1.25 per 4 hours.

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Discover more about Arizona Garden

Located on the Stanford University campus, the Arizona Garden offers a unique glimpse into a desert environment. This botanical garden, conceived by Jane and Leland Stanford and designed by landscape architect Rudolph Ulrich, was established between 1881 and 1883. Originally intended to be part of a larger garden adjacent to the Stanfords' planned residence, the home was never built, but the garden remains as a testament to their vision. The garden showcases approximately 500 species of cacti and succulents from both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. The Eastern Hemisphere section features aloes, jade plants, and other succulents from Europe, Asia, and Africa, while the Western Hemisphere displays cacti native to the Americas. Maintained until the 1920s, the garden fell into disrepair but has since been undergoing restoration since 1997. Visitors can explore the garden's winding paths and admire the diverse plant life, including columnar, barrel, and monstrose cacti, as well as aloes, crassulas, and rosette-forming agaves. The garden is open to the public daily and free of charge, providing a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and a unique educational opportunity. During the early years of the university, the Cactus Garden became the meeting place for many courting Stanford students.

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