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Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens
Categories: Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Arts & Entertainment Botanical Gardens Venues & Event Spaces, Botanical Gardens [Edit]
Garden St & Arellaga StSanta Barbara, CA 93105
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
22 reviews for Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens
22 reviews in English
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Review from Erica B.
9/17/2011 4 photos
This really is one of SB's hidden gems. Take a blanket and a picnic and it's the PERFECT place to spend the afternoon.
I agree with some of the reviews, it's not much of a tourist stop. But it's a VERY beautiful park to just relax in. Take a nap to recharge from the hectic sight-seeing. =) It's a botanical garden, so if you love gardens, this spot is a must see. It's beautiful, free, and incredibly peaceful.
My favorite part of the park is the Butterfly Garden. -
Review from Karen C.
7/1/2011 1 photo
Stopped by here during Santa Barbara's Summer Solstice Festival. Beautifully park that's well maintained! I really thought the pond with the turtles was cute, having a red-eared slider of my own I made note of this sanctuary. I have been meaning to release my turtle into the "wild" since it's getting to a beastly size...
It's a great place to visit in the afternoon/evening as the warm sunlight filtering through the tree leaves makes this a magic place. A group of hippies was sitting on a grassy mound across the pond signing and playing various music instruments. What really impressed me was number of quartz singing bowls they had, one looked to be about 24" in diameter! O_O Never seen one that huge. Traditionally used in Buddhist meditation I think the group was just using them for sound healing. As I wandered off to explore other areas of the garden I heard one of them say, "All you need is love and light, LOVE and LIGHT!" =)
I do like how in there is a informational board displaying the park map that names all the flora and fauna. This is most helpful because you can learn what each plant was and give yourself a little botany tour. I was super happy when I saw an "Edible Fig Tree" on the map. In true Yelp fashion leading the way with my stomach, I had a great time hunting down this tree. After a good 10-15 minutes... Eureka! But to my dismay the figs were not ripe... till next time tree. =p -
Review from Sandy D.
8/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
This park/garden is incredible. Downright gorgeous. A must see during a trip to Santa Barbara.
One tip: Try to avoid visiting during lunch in the summer. Lots of summer camps use the park for a lunch spot (which is brillient) and it gets REALLY loud. I'm not even a curmudgeon and I feel this way. You've been warned. :) -
Review from Steph C.
9/8/2010
I know it's human nature to see buttons and press them, but do not give in when entering these gardens. That enticing little button activates a speaker that goes on for minutes on end loudly explaining the already apparent charms of the Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens. Sure, you could listen for a second then walk to the other side of the park, but you might disturb the group of middle-aged white folk doing tai chi on a nearby lawn.
Other than the obnoxious recording, I can find no fault with this place. It's a free attraction, and relatively empty, and it's absolutely lovely. The gardens are filled with hundreds of varieties of plants with flowers in every color. There's even a directory that purports to list them all. There's a sundial, in case you care what time it is. There's a pond, and there's a tiny island with a bench, on which cute old people sit and enjoy the beautiful views. The pond has dozens of swimming turtles, and you can spend time spotting the horny ones - turtles in heat flap their claws with uncharacteristic vigor. When turtles are mating, the world is right, and that's the feeling you get at this gem of a park. -
Review from Shoshanna L.
WA
11/21/2007
Turtles, a gazebo, hidden paths, koi, and people getting married. I also saw a huge owl here once.
AKA Alice Keck Park Park, since the lady's full name was Alice Keck Park. Good thing it wasn't Alice Keck Conveniencestore or Alice Keck Minimall, because then we wouldn't have this nice park. -
Review from Jade H.
8/22/2010
See it, Touch it, Hear it and SMELL IT!
When you walk around and push those audio boxes, you get a great lesson in the plants around the box. You don't just get to look, but you get to touch and smell! I was so surprised at some of the strange smells from the plant's leaves! The lamb's ear was so soft and so much like a lamb's ear. The sounds of water splashing around was so relaxing. This is a fun garden for botanist, ecologist and me, someone who just wants to touch and smell things.
There is also a pond just brimming with turtles and koi - the giant kind of koi. It was a beautiful experience. -
Review from Vee C.
West Hollywood, CA
9/2/2007 1 photo
This is one of the City of Santa Barbara's most beautiful public parks, and I'd dare say, one of the loveliest in the entire state. A hardworking corps of volunteers keep the gardens and gorgeous koi pond in tip top condition. The best "seat in the house" is to be found within the rustically charming gazebo, which gives you a ringside view of the "show", consisting of some pretty darned enthralling interspecies antics between the resident carp, turtles and ducks.
Watching the humongous goldfish, lazy amphibians and frisky quackers going at it has to be the best entertainment value in this vainglorious playground of the rich and famous. Heck, it's worth the current price of gas to see the critters going at it in blissful oblivion.
Another highlight of the park is the winding walkway which meanders about, connecting various areas of specialty plantings, that feature many lovely species. Many of them hit the double jackpot by also being appropriate for xeriscaping. Each varietal has been chosen to thrive with minimal watering. The gardens are not only aesthetically pleasing but go to show that beauty need not consume mass quantities of precious water.
If you are a photographer, you will love the opportunity to add to, or commence your floral portfolio, as well as grabbing some great candids of the denizens of the pond. Alice Keck must surely be smiling from the Great Beyond to know this park that is her namesake, provides so much happiness to so many.
A visit there is always on my To Do List when I am in Santa Barbara, and you should plan a visit there as well. (Be forewarned however, you aren't allowed to feed the animals, so save your old crusts for making bread pudding instead).Listed in: Natural Selections
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Review from lemonjelly l.
Santa Barbara, CA
Alice Keck PARK Memorial Gardens (the name entered for this garden is incorrect) is the best public garden in Santa Barbara. It is not only beautiful to walk around and laze about on the numerous grassy knolls, but is horticulturally stimulating as well. The Environmental Horticulture students from the local college come here to study plant names and Brooks photography students are often at the park taking photos.
Wednesdays are my favorite days at the park for two reasons. First, because of Circus Wednesdays. From 5:30-ish onwards, hula hoopers and poi spinners gather on the grass near the pond and play around. Anyone is welcome, there are usually extra hoops to share. Sometimes stilt walkers appear, and sometimes someone brings a croquet set for a game or two.
Second, up in the center of the park, an Old Time band jams. It's wonderful to listen to.
The circus group only meets when daylight extends into the evening. I imagine it's the same for the old time band. Pretty much spring, summer and most of the autumn. I uploaded some pictures of a hooper at the park, and the band.
Give the Gardens a visit and come play! -
Review from benito d.
Los Angeles, CA
7/29/2008
I used to live across the street from here and it was where I would escape to when I needed to get back in touch with the 3D world after editing all day long.
There's Koi, turtles and lots of different birds for the bird watchers. But the main thing here is the different types of plants and trees that are kept pristine by the city and volunteers.
Something the other reviewers haven't mentioned is that it is completely organic, they don't use pesticides. So take in a deep breath and soak in one of the best parts of Santa Barbara. -
Review from Jennifer F.
Oxnard, CA
6/18/2011
A must see while in SB. The turtles and ducks and blooming lotus flowers...what a little piece of paradise.
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Review from Janelle S.
Ventura, CA
I always have a special place in my heart for this park, because of all the turtles! I come here on dates with my boyfriend....pack a lunch, and eat it on the grass, or come here to finish our frozen yogurt from Mc Connells. Great for a romantic stroll if you are in Santa Barbara!
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Review from Mari K.
Ventura, CA
1/21/2010 3 photos
I left the house in a hurry and discovered, as the bus was rocking down Hollister, I had brought the camera but forgot the memory chip. That left approximately 12 pictures of internal memory. When the bus arrived downtown, I walked away from the station and I could feel my feet adjusting to my old shoes, I could taste the throbbing in my back from yesterday's boat ride, and I kept thinking about my 12 pictures.
During my pissed-off walk I saw a park and a sign that read Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens. I saw a little lily pond and took a picture (11) saw an overgrown path (10) sat down on the bricks of a bridge that ran over a small pond and took a picture of the classic-looking gas lamps that were nestled into the wild growth (9), the old man under the tree reading from a textbook (8) the couple laying in the grass, kissing (7) interesting flowers (6)(5)(4)(3)(2)(1).
I felt the wind come through and watched as a couple of monarch butterflies were stirred from their hiding place. Then the white flower petals above me fluttered like confetti to the ground.
It's a beautiful little place to sit and study, contemplate the mosaic of your life, or just enjoy natural beauty in the middle of the bustle... even if you fart, the scent is gently caressed into the air. -
Review from Brian U.
Sylmar, CA
8/1/2011
This is a nice little garden full of plants, walkway bridges, and a pond with ducks and turtles. The park is great for locals and I would love to have a place like this in my neighborhood, but it's not really a tourist destination for out-of-towners like me.
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Review from Lynette T.
Los Angeles, CA
9/6/2010 6 photos
(Post 1/5 on our "Get the heck out of LA for a day" road trip)
It was so hot here in the LA area that hubby & I decided to take a spur-of-the-moment road trip out of town. Heads, we go north. Tails, we go south. Heads!
First stop: Santa Barbara.
I Yelped SB to find someplace that would be lovely to look at (and free).
Someplace cool and relaxing.
The Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens fit the bill perfectly.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
It's a lovely family (and dog)-friendly park! The locals are friendly. Even the park rules are friendly! We've been to some gardens where we've had "to stay on the designated paths". There were quite a few people lounging on the grass and taking in the sun.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
There's informational audio stations here and there to tell you about the flora in the immediate area. Interesting fact- The garden was planned with water conservation in mind.
Plenty of benches and sitting areas under the trees to relax in.
A large koi-turtle-duck pond that branches out to become little streams in nearby areas.
A gazebo overlooking the entire pond area.
Some delightful pathways that could be easily missed unless you're taking your time wandering about.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
A large stone sundial that I couldn't figure out.
Many gorgeous Monarch Butterflies were flitting about!
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The fall foliage is beginning to show.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Right across the street is a play park for the kiddies.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I could imagine that many brides & grooms come here to take their wedding portraits. Photo opportunities are plentiful.
If you're a garden enthusiast, I'd recommend a visit!
Note: I read elsewhere and in Vee C's review that this 4.5 acre garden is maintained by local volunteers. Kudos! Your garden was much appreciated and we had a lovely visit!Listed in: Places to go, things to…
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Review from Maxi T.
West Hollywood, CA
12/27/2008
Santa Barbara does a beautiful job of their shared spaces, and this park features 251 species of plants. Located on 4.5 acres, the people watching is as fun as looking at the gardens. People lazing around eating baguette sandwiches and kids launching foot rockets and a couple of older guys smoking a joint in the park. The park even features interactive auditory information on these charming green metal boxes. You know I loves me some kind of a tour.
TIP: This is a great place for an outdoor baguette sandwich. And if you bring a book of poetry, you will look oh-so gentile and refined. No one has to know you were watching a Harold and Kumar/Stepbrothers marathon the night before. -
Review from Travis H.
Pasadena, CA
11/7/2009
Beautiful landmark in SB in the old victorian section of town.
Take a blanket and lunch for a good relaxing time! -
Review from Karla R.
Los Angeles, CA
12/23/2009
Oh this place is beautiful. I didnt' see no Koi sadly, but it is winter.
I saw one turtle, it was so cute.
Plenty of ducks omg. so many ducks.
Organic Garden.
Beautiful pond.
lots of little trails,
big trees. Leaves fall.
Lots of pretty flowers.
Go for a picnic here.
There is a Gazebo by the pond, and an lone bench on the across the pond of the gazebo. Omg. it's a romantic place. Seriously. A good engagement place.
Check it. -
Review from M B.
Goleta, CA
8/17/2011
One of my favorite Santa Barbara parks. As a photographer, it's a great location for photos, since it offers a broad variety of colorful background.
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Review from Steve R.
Yorba Linda, CA
9/20/2010
AWESOME!!! I couldn't believe that this park was free. It was a wide variety of different flowers, plants, ponds which are very relaxing to look at. I went here with my family and we really enjoyed ourselves. If your a photographer your going to love this place. It's a quick 30-45 min walk through you will enjoy. the only reason i give it 4 stars is because the speakers didn't work when you pressed the button to hear more about what you are looking at and their are no bathrooms there.
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Review from Nathalie M.
Santa Barbara, CA
12/19/2009
This place is very peaceful and relaxing. Whether you are an artist looking for a serene environment to paint in or a businesswoman trying to find a place to relieve stress on your lunch break, this park is excellent.
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Review from Mari C.
Traverse City, MI
11/16/2009
I love how the park has a lot of different features. The pond and gazebo and the little island are very peaceful. The koi fish are a nice touch too. The sensory garden's fun too. I second the fact that this park is a picnicker's dream. I like how this park is like the calming foil for the kid's world park across the street that can sometimes be chaotic, but both are lots of fun.
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Review from Kate W.
9/5/2008
this is one of the loveliest places in santa barbara. i haven't been there in 10 years or so, but all my memories of this place are fond. i remember laying around on the grass on sunny days, going on the swings, going at night with friends to drink wine and read tarot cards (santa barbara was lacking in things to do for People Like Us.) also the one and only time i dropped acid i went on the swings there and walked by the flowers, which was a beautiful and slightly scary experience. definitely one of the prettiest places to go in SB!
Listed in: enchanted
