We’re planted in a pretty special corner of the world. San Diego and the Baja California Peninsula are home to thousands of unique species, all closely intertwined. Native plants are the foundation of our shared ecosystem: they save water, support wildlife, and make our communities healthier (and prettier!) places to live.
The Nature Trail, our outdoor exhibition and native plant garden, introduces visitors to the beautiful and beneficial native plants that make this place so full of life. Explore the pocket gardens and interpretive trails surrounding the building to learn how these living displays of native and low-water plants provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. The Nature Trail is a free amenity for all Park visitors and serves to connect locals and visitors to the nature around them.
Gateway for Garden Explorers. A trail connecting the fig tree lawn with The Nat’s building introduces people to our region’s high biodiversity and the benefits of native plants. Signaling the transition from coastal San Diego to the desert, the trail culminates in a boulder gathering just outside the Museum’s north doors.
Low Water Wonders. This intersection at the northwest corner of the building is a beautiful place to land when approaching the Museum. Drought-tolerant plants inform visitors about water conservation, while large boulders offer informal seating and space for nature-based activities. Learn how you can save water with native plants in your own outdoor space here.
Sky-Island Showstoppers. The giant planters along the Museum’s east side contain species from San Diego’s “sky islands”—mountain peaks that rise more than 5,000 feet. These cooler, wetter places create isolated environments that are home to plants you won’t see in the lowlands below, such as the Cuyamaca cypress and San Pedro Mártir cypress.
Birds, Bees, and Biodiversity. Our region is home to a mind-boggling variety of pollinators that rely on native plants. Sun-loving blooms create a joyous riot in this colorful garden that features plants with flowers, fruit, and seed pods. Bees, birds, and bats love this pitstop in the Park—and people do, too. This pocket garden is situated in a highly visible location near the iconic fountain. Learn more about creating your own pollinator paradise here.
No Garden Too Small. It’s hard to contain your enthusiasm when you look inside a planter and find a tiny world buzzing with activity. This space illustrates how even the smallest gardens, like those in pots and planters, can support biodiversity—a key ingredient for a healthy planet. Containers featuring changeable displays of our regional flora activate the southwest corner of the building. Want to build your own container garden at home? Learn more here.
Indigenous Innovation. Native plants have been held sacred by Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial. This story is told on the west and northwest side of the building in collaboration with Indigenous advisors. Tactile and fragrant species line a meandering pathway, with information that describes the Kumeyaay Peoples’ relationships with and deep expertise of plants. While Kumeyaay plant names and uses are woven throughout the entire garden, this quadrant specifically focuses on how Kumeyaay People use plants for food, fiber, and medicine. Learn more about their plant knowledge here.
Climate Resilient Refuge. Just across the lawn from the historic Moreton Bay fig tree, this lush garden along the Museum’s accessible entrance features plants that can adapt to drought and flooding. This corner demonstrates the value of resilient plants as food and shelter for wildlife, especially important in the face of extreme weather events. Garden explorers are inspired to take action to preserve the climate for wildlife, plants, and people. Learn how to make your garden well-suited for wildlife here.
The garden is a gift to the community that marks our 150+ years of commitment to nature in San Diego. We aim to connect more people with the natural world, even if they never step foot inside the Museum. Because we believe nature is the greatest exhibition of all.
The Nature Trail extends our mission outside the museum walls, greens our city, and inspires visitors to plant waterwise gardens that support local wildlife. This project is made possible through private philanthropy and partnerships with the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, Spurlock Landscape Architects, and plant and garden advisors throughout the region. You, too, can make a difference for plants and pollinators with a gift to the garden. Interested in making a pledge to help this free amenity thrive? Please contact Eowyn Bates at 619.997.1793 or ebates@sdnhm.org.
To continue learning about nature in our region, buy a ticket to the Museum to explore our exhibits.
The Nat welcomes all backgrounds and abilities to the Museum and Nature Trail. The approximately .2 mile trail is fully ADA accessible with decomposed granite paths and/or concrete sidewalks throughout the pocket gardens. The trail circulates the perimeter of the Museum in the heart of Balboa Park. Find more resources to plan your visit.