Spread across 47 acres, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (gardenbythesea.org; adult/senior/child $23/18/8), a true gem of Northern California, is home to a variety of themed gardens (including rose, succulent, magnolias and camellias), four miles of trails, oceanfront vistas and a whale-watching cottage. The succulent display alone is amazing, and the organic garden is harvested by volunteers to feed area residents in need. Primary trails are wheelchair accessible.
Feeling inspired by all the botanicals? The gift shop sells gardening gear as well as seeds gathered from the property. Rhody's Garden Café, near the garden’s entrance, serves coffee, lunch and ice cream (orange cream float!) with a flower-filled view.