Santa Barbara’s spectacular botanical garden Ganna Walska Lotusland was the former estate of Polish opera singer Ganna Walska and is considered one of the top ten botanical gardens in the world. The 37-acre (15 ha) garden contains over 3,500 different plants from around the world, many quite rare. Similar species are grouped together to form beautiful mini-gardens throughout the property, with a surprise around every corner.

We visited during a Hamilton family gathering in Santa Barbara earlier this year. Botanical gardens usually aren’t high on our list of attractions, but we really enjoyed this one. We’ve never seen so many fantastic and unusual plants.

Below are highlights from February 14th through 16th, 2026. Click any image for a larger view, or click the position to view the location on a map. And a map with our most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps.

2/14/2025

Courtyard Santa Barbara Position: 34°25.64’N, -119°42.63’W View to the pool from our room at the Courtyard Santa Barbara for a visit with family.

SIFF Position: 34°25.49’N, -119°42.38’W We’re in town during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The city has a surprisingly large number of theaters, most participating in the festival with red carpet entries and crowd control barriers.

Sandbar Position: 34°25.03’N, -119°41.75’W A relaxing drink on the terrace at Sandbar overlooking Santa Barbara’s wonderful State Street. The road is mostly closed to traffic and lined with restaurants, bars and retail stores.

Palm Frond Position: 34°25.72’N, -119°42.72’W Large palm fronds are on the ground everywhere in Santa Barbara after a recent storm. They are reasonably heavy and could do some damage if they landed on someone.

2/15/2025

Agave attenuata Position: 34°26.47’N, -119°39.49’W An Agave attenuata at Santa Barbara’s spectacular botanical garden Ganna Walska Lotusland. The 37-acre (15 ha) garden was the former estate of Polish opera singer Ganna Walska and contains over 3,500 different plants.

Metallic Rock Position: 34°26.48’N, -119°39.44’W One of the eclectic items at Lotusland in Santa Barbara is this lodestone, a naturally magnetic rock. Here a paperclip stands on Jennifer’s hand due to the magnetism of the rock below.

Abalone Shell Pool Position: 34°26.53’N, -119°39.47’W The magical abolone shell pool at Lotusland in Santa Barbara is lined with abolone shells and features a fountain crafted from giant clam shells.

Topiary Garden Position: 34°26.60’N, -119°39.41’W The topiary garden at Lotusland features a horticultural clock, a boxwood maze, and over thirty topiary fashioned as animals and other objects such as chess pieces.

Lotus Pond Position: 34°26.55’N, -119°39.50’W Ganna Walska converted a former swimming pool into a water garden, that in the July season is thick with lotus. Visible on the far side of the pool is the cypress alley.

Cactus Garden Position: 34°26.62’N, -119°39.43’W Lotusland’s impressive cactus garden features over 500 plants from all over the world.

Japanese Garden Position: 34°26.49’N, -119°39.50’W The Hamilton clan at the Japanese Garden in Santa Barbara’s Lotusland. To James’ left are his uncles Neil (center) and Gord. And to Jennifer’s left is Neil’s wife Jacky and Gord’s wife Karen.

M Special Brewing Co Position: 34°25.13’N, -119°41.85’W The Hamiltons enjoying a refreshing beer and tasty tacos on the terrace at M Special Brewing Co in Santa Barbara.

Free Poems Position: 34°25.29’N, -119°42.11’W Free poems, written on demand, at the Saturday Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market on State Street.

The Andersen’s Position: 34°25.36’N, -119°42.20’W Enjoying a glass of wine on the terrace overlooking State Street at The Andersen’s Danish Bakery in Santa Barbara. We sure love the weather here and the ample outside seating.

Paseo Nuevo Position: 34°25.12’N, -119°42.02’W Colorful tiled stairs leading up from street level at the Paseo Nuevo pedestrian mall in Santa Barbara.

Bouchon Position: 34°25.44’N, -119°42.36’W A wonderful evening with the Hamilton clan at Bouchon in Santa Barbara.

2/16/2025

Gym Position: 34°25.62’N, -119°42.60’W Getting in our morning workout at the gym in the Courtyard Santa Barbara. One of the reasons we picked this hotel is their well-equipped 24×7 gym.

Poolside Breakfast Position: 34°25.63’N, -119°42.62’W Ready for a poolside breakfast at the Courtyard Santa Barbara before our flight back home to Seattle.

Click the travel log icon on the left to see these locations on a map. And a map of our most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps.