https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/10/7-of-the-bay-areas-best-botanical-gardens-to-explore-right-now/ > Hiking has always been a popular Bay Area activity, but never more so than now, as we seek to socially distance and stay healthy during these pandemic times. National, state and regional parks offer a plethora of trail options — and so do botanical gardens. Here are seven of the Bay Area’s best. > Santa Cruz’s hillside Arboretum and Botanic Garden offers aroma and succulent gardens, a butterfly garden, a eucalyptus grove, collections of rare and threatened plants, and gardens devoted to California natives and Australia, South Africa and New Zealand flora. Admission is $2-$5, cash or check only. Open daily at 1490 High St., Santa Cruz; https://arboretum.ucsc.edu.