The Gardens of the World Reviews

A lovely place to spend a few hours and contemplate life. We visited our favorite koi spot and enjoyed the roses while in season. Music at night is a nice community touch.

I like wealthy people. I've read that there is an odd class warfare taking place in America today. However, every time I visit The Getty or The Gardens of the World, I am reminded, of how lucky we average folk are to be guests of generous, smart, kind, forward thinking individuals, like the Hogan Family. What a picturesque, lovely, green, living place, full of ponds, flowers, bubbling streams and fountains, art, and, occasionally, live music the garden is! Thank you for your generosity.

Worth the visit. The water works , lovely plants and the missions area provides a lovely experience.

Absolutely gorgeous, well maintained and great value for what you're getting. Convenient location too

If you get the right docent, this is heaven. Lately, it has some insane change of focus that disrespects people. We encountered the docent from hell who accused us of being professional photographers. We are not. Of using amplification. We did not. Who lectured us as if we were naughty children. We were not. Who, and this is the worst part, said we should not talk in our own language. I used to love this place but whoever is in charge of the docent program needs to understand the depth of this problem.

We really wanted to stroll the gardens but were stopped by the long list of rules.

One rule was no dogs. I can understand that one. We happened to have our dogs with us so that stopped us from going in.

Another weird rule that will stop us from ever coming back was no pictures, even cellphone pictures without prior permission.

We have actually been to gardens all over the world including Keukenhof in Holland as well as gardens in England, Spain, France, Brussels and Descanso Gardens in Pasadena to name a few. None of these gardens had signs not allowing cell phones pictures or regular cameras. A few had signs about professional filming, which I can see.

It makes zero sense to me that one has to get permission to take pictures at Gardens of the World. There can't be anything that spectacular.

This garden is not big, but cute and unique enough to make the trip! I enjoyed walking and bathing under the sun while experiencing different type of gardening style. Very cute place!

Unexpectedly delightful oasis worth spending a couple hours walking around the several garden settings.

Sample of different roses etc. okay for short stop. Nothing spectacular. Some reference to California missions - mural art only.

There is no doubt this place is beautiful but the photo policies are ridiculous in this day and age. I do not even think the docents understand the law regarding photos on a property that actively encourages people to visit at no charge. First off by disallowing photos of any kind their only lawful remedy is eviction from the property under the trespassing laws. Once you taken a photo they do not have any right to confiscate your camera or cell phone. They can only ask you to leave or risk a charge of trespass. Bottom line is if you want to come here and expect to take photos .. DONT! If management is concerned about people selling photos taken on the property, a better policy for them in my opinion would be not to allow photography for commercial purposes.

Spend some quiet time roaming the beautiful gardens right in the center of Thousand Oaks. This can be a short stroll, or you can spend a few hours with a journal and book. Very well maintained. There is also a gallery in the main building where local artists exhibit their work. I attended the jazz concerts held in August this year and will put this event on next year's calendar. It was excellent. Such a pleasant way to spend an evening.

Stopped here to "kill some time" during our summer family trip to California. We stopped during a weekday in July in 2011. Parked on the street and walked in...no one was there! Had the place to ourselves for the most part. Several garden areas, Italian, Japanese, etc. Can spend an hour or 3 hours if you so desire. Very well maintained. The generosity of the donors is incredible, and the community should be very grateful for such a treasure. Even if you are not into gardens, it is worth a quick stop and walk through. There is a building/office area with restrooms and some staff (probably to book events, etc.) There is also a large outdoor chess set that our two children absolutely loved. They played a full game for about an hour moving plaster chess pieces that were about 2+ feet tall. Flowers and hummingbirds everywhere. I can't say enough about the simple, serene beauty of the place.

It's a bit of a hidden gem this one because I lived here for over 2 years before someone mentioned this place.

It is lovely at all times of the year here and each season (as far as we have them here) changes the feel of the place.

We have just had a cold snap and there was tons of frost around less than a week ago. The whole feel of the place was delightful as a white frosting covered almost everything.

My family and I stopped by the gardens. They are small but really pretty. It won't take you long to visit but it is great if you have elderly family members. Just take your time, bring a book and relax.

Set in a rather odd place in the middle of Thousand Oaks Boulevard, this "offset world" is rather interesting botanical paradise and enjoyed by guests and visitors to Thousand Oaks. Across the street from our Civic Center and The Lakes where one can browse and dine.

I visited the garden on a weekday afternoon in may and there were only 5 other people in the entire garden. It was very peaceful and relaxing. The grounds are beautifully kept and the texture and variety is interesting. You can bring a lunch and eat in a picnic area but there is supposed to be no photographs that include people and there can be no 'events' including reunions, weddings, bridging ceremonies. Overall a nice experience.

It is small but beautiful. The gardens of the World is a little haven in the middle of beautiful Thousand Oaks. Don't blink because you will miss the entrance. My wife' and I love the Japanese Pagoda and the wonderful Koi fish, making the imagined trip to the island complete sans a view of Mt Fuji. Samples of French or English gardens, leave you with a feeling of being in Europe. A lovely get away if just for a few minutes.

My Husband and I love the Gardens of the World. It is a great escape from the hustle and bustle, plus being free really helps as well! We love to stop by a deli nearby and then head over to the koi pond area and just enjoy and eat our lunch. It's a wonderful place to go and relax and really stop and smell the roses :)

We heard about this place from my wife’s cousin and we are so glad we checked it out. What an absolutely gorgeous place. We were so happy we stopped by the office to ask about photography. After checking with the office, we were given permission to take photos of the gardens at will. I shot the photos with my phone instead of my camera because of the “rules”. This place is so beautiful and it is right in the middle of downtown Thousand Oaks. Amazing!

Each area of the garden is special. Liked the Italian, French and Japanese gardens the most. Peaceful and quiet yet just off the motorway but no noise from the traffic due to the clever layout of the gardens. Staff helpful, informative and give a good welcome.

This place is wonderful. It's a great stop for a peaceful walk or to take photos of flowers. It's free but they do accept donations.

A very peaceful place to visit. The flowers and plants have their names next to them so if you want to learn some about plants in the area it helps. It provides a nice spot in the busy Southern California area to find some peacefulness. It is not a large area but nicely done.

I was very surprised by how small the garends were. It only took us about 30 minutes to walk the entire loop, and that was with lots of stopping and reading everything. You could do it it 15 minutes if you wanted , but don't. The garends themselves were very beautiful. Very well maintain and peaceful. They had a small picnic area where you could bring your own lunch if you wanted. Plus it was free ,what a little treasure.

My husband and I went there last Sunday, well kept garden, I love the japanese garden , good place to meditate and adults

What a wonderful treasure to visit if you are in the Yhousand Oaks area. The gardens are absolutely gorgeous and represent a variety of garden styles from Eastern to Formal European. Whether you just come to walk and observe or to take advantage of the picnic area you won't be disappointed. An extra bonus is the area set aside to pay tribute to the California Missions.

Nice, serene place! quite a bit to see and enjoy. We usually take our lunches and have them in the picnic area, then spend a couple of hours walking around. I love the lemon garden especially in spring/summer.
Recommended for all ages. easy walks all around

As many have said, it's too bad that this "gift to the residents" from a private family has so many strict rules that it prevents you from enjoying it. They train the employees to watch you like a hawk and follow you. Heaven forbid you want to snap a picture of a beautiful flower! No pictures allowed! No water bottles! I understand them not wanting to host large wedding party photos, but they don't let you take a single picture on your cell phone. Wanted to take 1 picture with my 93 year old dad, and was told immediately "you need a permit to take pictures". We got back in the car and left. Very unwelcoming feeling, like you're doing something wrong. Won't ever be back.

While in Thousand Oaks, this is a wonderful place for a quiet stroll. The park sits across the street from the Thousand Oaks Civic Center and Theater complex, so if you have a few minutes, while you are in the area, stop by. There are really several small gardens within the garden - an Asian garden, a Mission garden, a rose garden an water garden...among others. Each is beautifully laid out and tended. There is no agenda here other than giving the city a pretty place to go. Concerts are given in the Gazebo during the summer so check the schedule and pack a picnic. They have a small parking lot which is usually ample for a casual visit. For concerts one can park on the street (be careful of near-by "No Parking" areas, however) or park - sometimes for a fee - across the street in the civic lot.

Five different types of gardens and a California Mission area. It's a lovely place to relax and appreciate various gardens.

Kids will love this place as most part is shaded. Elders might go around for a walk seeing all different kinds of garden. There is water fountain and restrooms available so ideal place to spend time with family.

Gardens of the world is a beautifully landscaped botanical garden with several different areas - Japanese, English, Italian, California, and more. It's really pretty and there's a nice area in the middle where you can schedule an event. They allow pictures, but no flash, no reflectors, no tripods, so it's difficult to do anything remotely serious.
It's not large though. You can walk through the entire place in under an hour, and leisurely at two hours, you'll have seen everything there. It's nothing like Descanso Gardens, but if you're in Thousand Oaks, it's much closer. If you've never been, it's definitely worth a couple of hours, and it's free!

T.O. boosters insisted that I visited this garden, describing it as if it were one of the seven wonders. I think that may be why I didn't rate this garden higher.

Beautiful Gardens. Very quiet & serene. It is quite a small garden area - but very nice & tranquil. The parking lot is a little tough to find. We went past it twice... looks like a walk in entrance.

Lovely well kept international themed gardens on a hillside. Spring is the best time to see cherry blossoms and flower gardens. Changing art exhibits, koi pond, CA. mission replica w/murals of ea. mission, fountains, picnic area and summer concerts at the lg. gazebo. Peaceful.

It was really beautiful here. We had our year old daughter with us. We were able to take pictures and selfies. It was really nice walking around and seeing the gardens. My daughter enjoyed walking around as well. Its also a free garden donations of course. crazy to think its right off the busy street, you barely notice the traffic. Its a must do at least once if you live in a different state visiting family.

I had been passing this place for a few weeks. We don’t live in the area. I’ve been out here on business.

Today, my husband and I had time to fill. I suggested we check out Gardens of the World. It was well worth it. It’s a beautiful property.

Open to the public at no charge.

Photos aren’t allowed.

There are a few tables for picnics. The parking lot is small, but their is street parking available.

It’s closed on Mondays. The last entry to the grounds is 4:30pm.

The grounds are well thought out and beautifully landscaped. The landscape maintenance must be a full time job, but it is wonderfully maintained.

The docents we encountered were friendly and shared a bit of the history behind the place. We enjoyed our visit with them.

This is a terrific escape from the hectic world we live in. What a gorgeous spot for the folks of the Conejo Valley to have at their fingertips.

Situated right in the middle of the city (Thousand Oaks), it is surprising to find such a quiet place. Plenty of paths to walk on and a beautiful waterfall into a pond stocked with huge carp. So nice to sit and relax. Very easy to visit for just a few minutes or an afternoon.

Of course, we went in early March, so there was little in bloom, except for citrus. But the gardens are still beautiful and well maintained. There were few other visitors when we toured the gardens, since it was lightly raining, so it was almost like having the gardens to ourselves. I don't know if I would make a special try to visit, but if you're anywhere in the area, definitely stop by!

Congratulations to the Hogans (Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays) for contributing to the greater good of the residents of the Conejo Valley and its visitors. In the middle of the community they have left us with gorgeous gardens of varying styles (English, French, Japanese) just to add resplendent horticulture to the community. The Gardens of the World are a relaxing place to stroll or take a lunch.

This is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit in the middle of Thousand Oaks. Take your family, take a little picnic, and enjoy the well-kept and lovely gardens.

It is a picturesque European Style Grden with fish ponds with Coi and The best thing is the pictures of the different missions done by the very talented Mr. Fenton. It is completely free and it is definitely sonewhere everyone should go at least once. It equals the Gardens In France

Nice for nature pictures or simply to get your feet on the ground and walk around this amazing garden. Beautiful flowers from all over the world.

Short and easy walk in a nice quiet park. Well maintained. Easy free parking. Easy to find. Easy trip with the three year old.

This is a beautiful place for a stroll or picnic lunch:) Each season different plants are in bloom. We loved it!

Gardens of the world in Thousand Oaks ,ca are privately owned and operated by Hogan family.On 4.5 acres it features different gardens=England, France, Italy, japan , and unique California Mission courtyard.Included on propery is American Bandstand, and waterfalls.It is very peaceful place to visit.English garden is beautiful place= rose garden-very special rose garden.It is great for families and for school trips.Artists exhibit their works in main entry of building= nature.Picnic tables are provided in a shade of trees.Admission and parking is free.

Even in January when not everything is in bloom, this is a a winderful, go to locale. Beautiful, serene, calming. Easy to drive by, drive in instead. Located between apartment buildings there's lots of parking. Bandstand, picnic area, however no photography permitted..

This is unique in many ways; one for instance is that it's free. It's an enchanting place to visit and experience the beauty and serenity of gardens of France, Japan, early California, roses and more. Pose for photos, stop for a while to meditate, or just stroll through the atmosphere of this gift from a caring family to all who take the time to enjoy their creation.

This is a quick place to see some nice gardens and plants before or after going to the theater across the street. It is a nice pleasant walk, easy for the most challenged. I like to go once or twice a year.

Gardens of the World is certainly nothing like a world class botanical garden like Phipps, for example, but it is a nice intimate place to stroll or sit amongst beautiful flowers and fountains. There are concerts in the summer we always go to . If you are early for the show at the Civic Arts Plaza it is a nice place to walk around.

A sweet spot to hang out alone or with family. Well maintained and clean. Dedicated area for picnic.

We enjoyed the gardens and the resident bunnies. Even the bathrooms were lovely. It's small yet so worth going thru. Park across the street at the civic center as there is no parking and it's a short walk. Make sure to stop at the Japanese meditation area and at the bottom of the falls of Venus (that's what I'm calling the cascade of water from the statue at the top). It will not take you very long to go thru unless you stop and admire along the way.

I was doing a photo shoot of a friend. The location is very well maintained and has many different backgrounds for photos. The backgrounds include a Japanese Garden, a French Garden & Water Feature, a Mission Courtyard, an English Perennial & Rose Garden, an Italian Garden, and a Bandstand.

It is open to the public unless there is an event happening. If you plan to do a photoshop of any kind, you have to call and request permission. My photoshop was not a professional shoot nor was it going to be used for commercial purposes. For those aspiring photographers though, this location offers a number of different backdrops and photographic challenges.

As I was looking for free family outings in Thousand Oaks I came across the gardens. As soon as we arrived we were impressed with the beauty of the grounds. We had just entered a quiet oasis in the middle of a busy city. There were plants and flowers from all over the world and we really enjoyed walking along and nicely designed paths. This was a wonderful family activity that we highly recommend.

This well maintained garden is a great place to visit at different times of the year. Relax at the Koi pond or fountain area. There is free parking available in the back and entrance is also free. A donation can be made within the visitor center.

Wonderful gardens and nature spot with beautiful water features. Great for taking photos or just sitting or strolling if you're in the area. Free admission.

The flowers are beautiful roses and more it's just not that big to spend the day there and no place for kids to ran around.

Gardens of the World has been on my bucket list for a couple of years. One of my friends celebrate's her birthday in March, so we decided to visit last week. We reserved a space for an hour-long docent tour which included the Japanese Garden, an English Garden, an Italian Garden, a California Mission setting and fountains modeled after the famous ones at the Palace of Versailles. The garden will be fully in bloom during the months of April and May, but we were able to enjoy pink magnolias, lavendar wisteria, orange and lemon blossoms, Japanese maples, and an abundance of annuals. Each garden in the four acre park has it's own unique personality and gives a true flavor of the places they represent. Picnic tables are available, and a Victorian Bandstand houses concerts for special occasions. Admission is free, but be aware that no alcohol is allowed on the premises.

An excellent place to spend a leisurely afternoon. Bring a picnic lunch and sit in the shade of the trees after a stroll through the garden. While they dont allow pictures to be taken, even with your phone, the beauty will not soon be forgotten

We have been here many times. The Gardens remain a favorite place to visit for either a few minutes or an hour or so. It is always interesting to view the most recent exhibit in the resource center. Other favorites include the California Missions exhibit and the staute of Jesus washing Peter's feet just outside.

I really enjoyed strolling around this garden. Every garden from different country on a smaller scale is pretty accurate. I love the Japanese garden and the Koi fish. It's very serene and the placement of the bamboo and other Japanese plants and flowers were perfect. As a person who is well-traveled, I've seen many different rendition of a Japanese garden, and I must say even for a small scale, this one is just right.

The miniature version of the French garden and the Italian garden is 'on point'. The placement of every bench was well thought of. It's a great place to meditate and even study and just have some 'quiet' or 'me' time. I will definitely go back and will recommend to family members and friends.

Leave the world behind and transition into a world of quiet , tranquil beauty and it's FREE. Our little Descanso Gardens.

The gardens are a pleasant environment in which to spend some leisure time. Certainly, not a stimulating experience, but it presents an opportunity to relax. I would not go far out of the way to go there.

It is great to take your loved one here for a picnic or a stroll through the many different gardens from around the world. I personally loved the English rose garden while my husband enjoyed the Japanese garden and the Italian garden. The employees here are very friendly and always eager to inform you about the many plants and cultures around the gardens.

This is a nice quiet place to visit. It is a pleasant "get away' from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

A well-cared for garden with a nice picnic area. The plantings are varied and there is a beautiful Japanese pavilion.

We went in the winter and there wasn't that much to see. The gardens are pretty but there wasn't a lot of flowers or many interesting things to see. It was very short and you can walk it in a few minutes. It also is right on a very busy street.

Beautifully kept themed gardens. Great for a wander and a chat with family or friends. Tranquil setting - very relaxing. Paths everywhere for those less able. Parking is a little limited but it’s not usually too busy. Definitely worth a visit!

I arrived early for a conference in the Thousand Oaks area and decided to spend an hour or two here at the Gardens of the World. I love quirky little attractions and this place was so cool. I parked easily in a wide open parking lot, was met by a friendly docent as I entered the walkway and spent the next hour walking around enjoying the gardens. A local family constructed this garden as a gift to the community. Admission is free. As you walk around you see re-creations of international gardens, the Japanese garden is beautiful, and I loved the English garden also. Very low key. Nice public restrooms as well. If you find yourself with an hour or two in the area, go for a visit.

I'm not sure that this place is the educational tool that it claims to be, but it certainly is very pretty. It's also quite small, so it doesn't take much time to see it all if you're rushed, yet if you have time, it's a lovely place to spend time.

Right off the main thoroghfare of Thousand Oaks Blvd., the Garden provides a serene space to stroll, clear your mind of the daily grind, and take in visual beauty. Whether for a short or extended visit, this garden is alway available during daylight to take advantage of.

This was the second time I visited this privately owned and operated lovely area. On a mere 4.5 acres one finds unexpected silence amidst carefully tended nature. Though located just across from the Thousand Oaks City Hall and other municipal buildings, this is a perfect place to take one's lunch, sit on a quiet shady bench and rest one's soul and spirit. A camera along is also a must! I highly recommend a visit to this free-of-charge beautiful area.

The gardens are very nicely manicured and it is very peaceful. Great place to see the beautiful rose garden, the Japanese garden and pagoda, the murals of the California Missions, the lovely waterfalls and statues, etc. Nice place for a quiet stroll or for photos. Entry is free and you can linger as long as you like or just get away for a few minutes of peace and tranquility. Across from the Lakes shopping center and Civic Center.

It's a grandiose place to visit with a spectacular landscaping, flowers, trees and a Koi pond. The place is wholesome for family and friends to spend picnic.

All these years and I never knew this was here! Beautiful gardens, with varying themes. There is a rose garden, an Italian garden, a Japanese garden, water features, a picnic area and a bandstand that I was told is used for summer concerts. Everything was so well manicured. I visited at the end of April. The Jasmine was in full bloom and the scent was intoxicating. The roses were in full bloom, the grass was green, which is not always the case in So. Cal. The Japanese garden features a Koi pond, several varieties of bamboo and Japanese Maples. Adjacent to the Japanese gardens in a which birch knoll with a variety of fern underfoot. The mission courtyard features some beautiful artistic renditions of the many Missions throughout California and the years they were established. Great for your elementary students studying this part of history in school. Parking is free and easy. Either park on the street in front of the large gates, read the no parking restrictions, or just before the gardens is a driveway that will lead you uphill to a parking lot. Near this lot are also the bathrooms. There is a shaded flat area with numerous tables for a picnic. You must stay on the paths, signs that request you refrain from walking on the grass are posted everywhere. Consider this if you think that control will be difficult for your kids. Lots of nearby shopping, restraunts and acivities too.

Lovely little rest and respite stop. Early March is early for many of the bloomers, but what were in bloom were lovely. We went on a self guided tour and still learned. Have to commend the docents for keeping an eye on non-parent supervised children.

These gardens are on a hill and are near where I live so I do walk through often.
However, the steep slope and cement walks are toooooo much cement.
Perhaps as the plants have time to mature, this will be a more inviting garden.
It doesn't have enough variety and the waterfalls take up too much cement space.
I prefer natural nature like the gardens of Giverney outside Paris.

One beautiful sunny afternoon I wandered around these gorgeous gardens with my then Fiance and professional photographer friend. We were on a mission to get the perfect "Save the Date" picture! The gardens of the world was the perfect romantic backdrop however they know this and want to capitalize on their unique beauty. If taking such pictures is your goal it helps to be discreet and dressed like a tourist or you will be shown the "picture permit price list" and escorted out. Luckily we were escorted out after taking quite a few beautiful engagement pics that we can cherish forever. Good luck and congrats!

Great walk this time of year. We saw baby bunnies on the lawn and butterflies in the rose garden. My kids (8 and 11) love it. And if your child has been in 4th grade recently, they'll love all the paintings of the missions. Great for all ages.

The locals call it 'small' but it is a comprehensive and beautiful collection of 5 different gardens. The staff is helpful and the shop is full of perfect gifts and treasures for the gardener and giftgiver.

I spent my Birthday afternoon with my family & some friends at Gardens of the World. There's no entrance fee. There's a small parking lot, but plenty of places to park nearby or on Thousand Oaks Blvd.

This place is privately owned and operated by the Hogan Family Foundation, Inc. They also are the founders of Pleasant Holidays. The Gardens are not only a cultural contribution to the community, but as an educational tool as well.

4.5 acres feature different gardens representing England, France, Italy, Japan, and the unique California Mission Courtyard.

There's a Bandstand where we watched a Bonsai Tree presentation. There's also a great picnic area and lawn area to have a picnic.

The grounds are beautiful with a variety of plants, flowers, and water features, and well-kept.

Located on Thousand Oaks blvd, right across the street from The Lakes (Caruso Center) and the Civic Art Plaza -- this is a unique garden showing many different cultures and gardening styles.

My favorite, being a native Californian -- is the Mission center. Very authentic, and highlights all 21 California Missions in the courtyard.

Arrive early -- as parking is limited

On a recent five hour drive through Los Angeles, I was looking for a pleasant place to take a break. This garden offers a lovely respite to enjoy peaceful and creative surroundings. We walked along the pathway until we got to the picnic area, rested and ate our snack, and continued with the rest of the walk. This isn't just a grassy area with a couple of bushes; each section of the garden is well thought out and stocked with a variety of flowering plants, trees, benches, a pond with fish and other water features—all beautifully tended. It wasn't crowded when we were there, but their modest parking lot was full. Since this is in the middle of a shopping area, I found parking in one of those lots and walked in. This garden is a lovely gift to the community.

We took a tour of the gardens. It was wonderful. The guide told us about all the flowers and the trees. It is a truly beautiful place to enjoy the beauty around you.

The Gardens of the World is peaceful and beautiful. Its a short stroll around to see everything but if you are already in the area, it's worth stopping in for a half hour.

A group of well kept small gardens. Lovely area for picnics.
Nice use of waterfalls. Wide variety of plants.

If it were possible to give a place zero stars, that's exactly what I'd do.

I had a truly distressing experience at Gardens of the World last weekend and, after some thought, I decided that I just can't let it go.

I visited the gardens on Sunday, May 6, at around 3:00 p.m., with a group of others who were in Thousand Oaks as part of an Irish language immersion weekend. The behavior of volunteers coordinator Linda {----} toward us was just so incredibly condescending, humiliating, and hurtful, I really don't think I can keep silent about it.

It all started when three of us, having arrived before the others, asked politely if there was any additional parking available, as the parking lot behind the main building was full. Instead of offering suggestions, Linda treated us to a very stern and, frankly, condescending and officious, lecture about how we should have called ahead. I understand now, having read the fine print on the website, that it's preferred that groups of more than six people call ahead (we didn't know that at the time, and we weren't a particular large group), but I really don't think that lecturing us as if we were a bunch of poorly behaved and not very bright toddlers was a reasonable way to address this confusion.

After making it very clear that our group really wasn't welcome, and that we clearly presented a real problem for her, personally, she then proceeded to lecture us about "appropriate" behavior in the gardens (because, clearly, a small group of language learners between the ages of 30 and 70 weren't likely to behave appropriately!), including informing us that taking any pictures of with people in them was strictly forbidden (I've since looked at the photography guidelines on the website and they say nothing about photographs of people other than that they can't accommodate professional photography sessions. Seriously...why is it OK to take a picture of a rose, but not a picture of someone looking at a rose?). She told us sternly that we were in someone's "private backyard" and that we had to "behave." To be honest, it was humiliating and, had I not been part of a group, I would have left right then and never, ever, come back.

We had just started to relax and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the gardens when Linda confronted us again. We'd been speaking in Irish, of course, as the Irish language was the reason we were in Thousand Oaks that weekend. Linda accused us of running a private tour, accused the person who was speaking at the time of using an amplification device (she wasn't), and then delivered the line that made me absolutely livid"

"We can't have you speaking another language, because we don't know what you're saying."

As a proud speaker of a minority language that has been oppressed for centuries (and that, ironically, would have been the language the Hogans' ancestors spoke), I was saddened and angered. But as an American, who has been embarrassed again and again by stories of officious "'Murican" people saying "This is America...we speak English here," I was and am embarrassed and positively infuriated. There is absolutely no excuse for anyone in this country to say this to ANYONE. None whatsoever. It's just beyond inexcusable. I've written a letter of complaint to the Hogan Foundation, and I hope they take it seriously.

As for me, I'll never be back.

Very worthwhile to spend a couple of hours walking and picnicking. Very well maintained, must see if you are visiting the area.

You could easily miss this place as it's right in the city. We visited in December so many of the flowers had already bloomed, but there were still some that were still alive. They also have a very beautiful Japanese Garden and a pond full of Koi fish, a couple of waterfalls and a beautiful gazebo.

As others mentioned, this is a lovely little garden - it's beautiful, calm and serene. We saw all sorts of wildlife, enjoyed a picnic at the tables and learned a few interesting facts from the docents who were easy to find. We stayed about an hour and leisurely strolled the various areas.

We are new to area and just dropped by. What a peaceful place! Just walked around and enjoyed to calming effect. Watched the fish for a long time

I appreciate the different plants and how it is set up nice for the public to view this privately run garden...

Well maintained...beautiful place to visit after going to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza for a concert or play...koi pond is nice...french gardens are beautiful...loved the variety of roses as well...

This is a very well laid out and maintained garden. Entrance is free. Not huge, but with several different theme gardens including Japanese, English, French and California Mission. A leisurely stroll around the entire garden takes about forty five minutes. There is also a bandstand and from time to time concerts, which I believe are usually free. There is also a very nice, shaded picnic area with tables. A nice way to spend a few pleasant hours is to walk the gardens and then have a picnic. There are restroom facilities but no food or beverages available to purchase. (There are shopping areas close by where food and beverages can be purchased.) Parking is free, but the lot is not huge. If you are planning to visit in the summer please be aware that Thousand Oaks can get up into the high 90s and even 100 so a hat and sun screen is not a bad idea. Most of the garden is shaded, especially the picnic area. All in all a very pleasant place to spend an afternoon.

Donated to the city by the Hogan Family Foundation it is a little bit of peace and quiet in the midst of traffic. Flowers and shrubs are changed depending on the season. There is a gazebo where you can
eat the lunch you've brought along or for a
special event. The administration building
houses art work by local artists on a rotating basis. No admission charge but donations are welcome.

We don't go there because we can't take our dog with us. For us there's no point in taking a walk if we have to leave our dog at home.

We came here for my hubby's birthday on September 17th! The Gardens of the World is free to the public and contains 4.5 acres of beautifully manicured gardens with different vignettes for visitors to enjoy strolling through and spending time in nature. We even brought a picnic lunch to enjoy after strolling through the gardens as there is a picnic area for visitors to eat a meal.

The Gardens of the World was made possible by Ed & Lynn Hogan, the founders of Pleasant Holidays.

The Japanese Garden & The Mission Courtyard were my two favorite gardens.

We stopped here after going to the Getty Museum. These are well-kept but very small Arden's, not worth a special trip to the area, certainly not if you have to sit in traffic on 405 to get there.

Parking is pretty limited, but it is a beautiful place and I try to make it over here for a picnic every few months or so.

very nice location with plants, trees and flowers from all over the world. Lovely rose garden!!

Plenty of space for the littles to run around. Really nice spot to enjoy a few hours on the weekend. It's not humongous, but there's a lot of variety. If you want to be outdoors and try something different that's local, this is a great place to go!

Gardens of the World is a pleasant place to spend an afternoon for those interested in different formal gardening styles across the globe. Well put together and the docents there are happy to explain each area on the guided tours. Price is definitely right (Free).

The Gardens of the World Is a beautiful place that has a tranquil environment and provides a relaxing experience. While touring the gardens with my young children we were able to learn about different flowers and plants from all over the world. Additionally, the garden is like a hidden treasure just off a busy street surrounded by restaurants and shopping. The free admission is also very nice, but if there were a fee I would still visit because of how nice it is. I highly recommend that all locals, and those visiting Thousand Oaks, take a little time to visit The Gardens of the World at least once.

to find this in the middle of the city is a bonus..nice quiet time, bring a sac lunch,plenty of benches, shady or sunny areas. come to a concert and sit on the grass, very relaxing and GOOD

You'll want to visit these 7 lovely garden venues in Thousand Oaks. It will take you about 2 hours or so to meander through the gardens and take in their loveliness. Parking is available up the top of the hill at the info center. The garden is free, and please observe their requests for photography.
Enjoy your visit, you'll be glad you took the time to go here!

Came here to look around. Was pleasantly surprised when Mr. Driscoll, a park volunteer, gave us a "personalized" tour of the garden, with an emphasis on the 21 California Missions. We learned a lot and had a great time. We will definitely be back here with our families!

In a prime location across from the Civic Arts Plaza, a center abuzz with activity, is the peaceful Gardens of the World, a quiet contrast to an increasingly busy city. I have been countless times to this wonderful gem. The garden is thoughtfully planned out with themes from selected world nations, and impeccably maintained in every detail. It is the perfect place to admire the beauty of creation, to learn about the different flora from various lands, or to just spend reflective moments to oneself. The summer music events and year-round art exhibits are a dividend to those who enjoy them. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the garden's clean, sycamore tree-shaded picnic area, or chat with one of the friendly docents who are ever-present to do their best to answer whatever botanical questions you may have. This lovely garden is a place I am grateful was incorporated into our city, and one in which I shall continue to frequent. I highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.

Gather your thoughts as you walk the Gardens..... take a book or a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Breath in deep and take in the fragrance of the roses in bloom....

... could be that I chose the hottest day of the year.

This place is pristine and great for a short walk or visit. If you're in the area and enjoy Gardens it's a must.

A lovely place to have a nice relaxing walk or a picnic. The gardens are well maintained, docents are available for questions and there are picnic tables available. I love just sitting in the japanese garden for a little quiet time break while out doing errands in Thousand Oaks.

We visited in Winter, so my review will be slightly biased as nothing was in bloom. A visit in Spring would be a great sight.
The gardens are well maintained, though very small. At a strolling pace, it took around 30mins to see everything. There are places to have a picnic, but a lot of the grass areas were roped off - possibly due to it being winter.
A visit in warmer weather would be much better, when everything is flowering.

Even my usually critical eye/ear/nose failed to find anything that needed improvement in this lush, peaceful, aromatic, body and soul soothing garden park! Any one of the gorgeous featured gardens would have been a wonderful gift to the community--brought together in a collection is a treasure worthy of visiting again and again!
Wonderfully helpful, knowledgeable, patient, and enthusiastic docents add to this pleasurable experience! PS: Bring a picnic!

I wrote a review in March and I love this garden. I visited it again recently with our 21 month old grand baby. Well, We were shocked to learn that Children are not allowed to run in the garden.

What is not to like? It's a very pretty and small botanical garden that is lovely and walk~able or roll~able and if you're in the area and have time it's a calm quiet place to visit.

We were in the area, so we stopped by Gardens of the World, and it was a very pleasant half hour stroll. Although it isn't very exciting, what is there is very well-tended, providing for a nice walk, and some great artistic photos! Also a great place to go if you need to cool down and relax (not that that was the reason I was there...)!

This is a smaller botanical garden with something of interest for all age groups. Upon arriving my kids were super excited to hop out of the car to play with the super-sized chess set in the arrival courtyard. Next we entered the French gardens which are complete with a replica of the fountain found at the Palace of Versailles. Next garden after the French garden is the Japanese Garden which features a koi pond as well as winding paths and a little structure out over the water. A pleasant surprise was the California Mission Courtyard Garden. A replica of a couryard found inside a mission era home, it featured native california plants as well as many California works of art. Next came the English Rose Garden displaying around a hundred different varities of roses. The last garden featured was the Roman Garden showcasing a chain fountain. It was a style of garden I hadn't run across before, but was pleasantly surprised by its calm design.

The gardens also feature a covered picnic area that would be perfect for groups as well as individuals to sit at tables and eat a lunch. This is close to the Civic Art Plaza. Would make a nice place to visit and picnic at befor enjoying a show there. Only downside to the gardens is the limited parking. I have never had a problem finding parking, but I could see how that would be a problem.

The Gardens of the World, right in Thousand Oaks, California, is a wonderful treat for the body and soul. Privately owned by the Hogan Family Foundation, it is free for anyone to visit. Expertly planned and landscaped, the leisurely and easy walk among the various gardens brings visual beauty and peace of mind. Hard to believe this free attraction is in the middle of a city. Lots of fountains, foliage, trees, flowers. You'll find an Italian, French, English, and yes, even a Japanese Zen Meditation garden. I walk with the aid of a cane and found the journey through the Gardens of the World very easy and so calming. My appreciation sincerely goes to the Hogan Family for creating this oasis within a bustling city. Simply lovely.

This place is located right across the Thousand Oaks civic center parking lot. It is also right next to maestro restaurant. We almost missed this place but when we saw this nice elegant iron gates - we figured it's the garden of the world. The place is small but it's nice. They have weird rules about photography, I.e., you can't take a picture of yourself with the garden in the background but you can take pictures of the garden. So if you omit yourself in the picture then you are good. Landscaping is good and their Japanese garden is pretty. I've seen flowers, trees and plants in this garden for the very first time and it was amazing. I recommend this place

Very dissapointed, after going there to take some casual pictures for our Christmas cards, we enter the garden and where chased down by a docent who told us that pictures are not allowed, you must register first and make an appointment at a specific time and date to be able to take even casual pictures, that the pictures we had already taken must be errased!!!... we could not believe our ears..to say the least my husband wanted to leave immediately, we had a little instamatic camera, not even a tripod!!! We are picture buffs and love to take pictures of nature. Well this is not the place for it. We took a quick run around the park at my insistence, nothing spectacular. We left and took beautiful nature pictures at the near by Conejo Valley Botanic Gardens, where you are free to roam around and relax!!!!

We paid them a visit while traveling last month. It's a small place, but great scenery and nice quiet place to take in nature. The staff was very friendly and the best thing was that it was free to the public.

Beautiful garden with fascinating tributes to gardens of several countries.
I'd recommend.... don't bring small children. We had to constantly remind to stay of grass, stay off walls, not to run,etc. one of the docents reminded us that it's a privately owned garden, not a park.
For folks mature enough to appreciate it, it's really a nice place to stroll and you can picnic as well.

While in town with some time to spare, I found this gem on Trip Advisor! What a lovely garden - I recommend taking a book along to relax and read!

Scenic,peaceful wonderfully maintained and interesting gardens .Historic as well as beautiful.Signs giving information as what you are looking at
Ample parking and restroom facilities

The Japanese pagoda area is the best part. Great area to picnic.

Quiet place to relax and take in all of Natures plants and flowers. Spring is the best time due to Roses in bloom and everything is at its best. So many colors, and varieties to enjoy. It's a must see place.

This was a find! It's free to walk the grounds. It's an absolutely beautiful setting. Some of my favorites were the rose gardens, Japanese garden, statues and generally how quiet and peaceful it was! A must see if love gardens.

This Gardens of the World is a free attraction that is definitely worth a visit.

The gardens are located on a hillside and parking is available at the top of the driveway or on the street (Thousand Oaks Blvd). The gardens feature plants from around the world and they have a variety of types of gardens (Japanese, California Mission, etc). The Gardens are not very large and can easily be walked in 30-45 minutes.

On the day we visited, a volunteer there provided my 7 yr old free food to feed the fish in the Koi Pond. He loved it!

It was a perfect day. We pulled of the freeway for lunch and saw a sign "Garden of the World." The counter person at a deli informed us it was worth a visit, although she noted that parking is limited and it being a holiday, (Yom Kippur), it might be crowded. It was not. There is no admission fee. We were two seniors who were not sheparding noisy kids, so the many signs advising us to behave appropriately did not offend us. When we were near the sound of falling water, the garden was peaceful. Away from that, the traffic noise detracts. Noting that there was a mission garden there, the counter person informed us that third graders in California are required to learn about the Spanish missions. We received a quick education about the 21 missions from the exhibit there. The gardens are well maintained. You need the free map to figure out how to navigate, as there are some cul-de-sacs and the exit from the English rose garden is not apparent from a distance. We did not interact with the staff in the garden; we did ask a manager in the office the name of a plant, because we could not find a label. She said that it's because there is not one on the plant and provided the name. We put $5 in the donation box; probably more was in order, but $50 would have been too much.

It’s a small garden for elderly couples. No playing grounds for children. You might miss it since the entrance of the garden looks like an entrance for a house.

Six representative gardens kept in immaculate shape. Koi fish, building with paintings of all of Father Serra's missions, free parking and entrance, closes, nice eating area, no dogs.

Not a MUST SEE, but very pretty garden. Easy thing to do to refresh before/after doing something high engery.

This is a little suburban oasis. If you run, you could cover it in 3 minutes, but for a relaxing stroll or picnic, it's a very nice place to spend some quiet time. Free entrance, free parking and nice docents to explain things if you like.

We checked it out back over the summer. It is nicely maintained and the different collections are nice. Parking either on the street in front or they have spaces at the back on what would be the east side I think. There are potties.
There are signs about no photos, but that is geared towards like weddings or engagements without prior consent. You can snap away at flowers and critters to your hearts delight.

This place is across from The Lakes & I never knew it was there. It is really beautiful & it's free. Plus, they have nice bathrooms. Good for a date, bringing the kids, etc. Really impressive, but you only need about 1/2 hour there.

If one is looking for a lovely, relaxing little paradise in which to relax and appreciate natures beauty.

Photogenic place. I like that it wasn't massive; yet carefully thought out with benches to sit and relax in the surroundings with some places to eat a picnic if you brought one. I had brought a little receptacle bag and an apple and a pear, and had hoped to be able to wander around looking while chewing/eating them - but that wasn't allowed (I am guessing perhaps because of people who have spoiled freedoms by being messy, etc.). I especially enjoyed the layout of the fountains.

Hidden jewel in a beautiful city with little attractions. I have lived across the street for over 4 years, and never ventured across. Nothing to extravagant, but it;s free and will satisfy a lovely afternoon. Stroll through the various examples of gardens influenced from around the world.

This place is free, and you get what you pay for.

Please do yourself a favor and don't come here with children. You will be hunted and harassed like you're in "Predator" by this garden's obnoxious docents.

It started right when we parked. We have small kids and it naturally took us a while to get the kids out of the car and everything arranged. I looked over and saw 2 ladies in green glaring at us, which was already weird and a bad sign.

Then one of the green ladies stopped us at the entrance and gave us a really painfully long spiel about their rules, including about staying safe through social distancing (which was funny, because she wouldn't stop yapping right at our faces and probably was not 6 feet away). Side bar: we fully believe in covid precautions and respected them the whole time in the gardens.

We were there for about 15 minutes and my wife took a breather while I walked around with one of our kids. One of the green ladies stalked my wife like a cheetah and then basically harrassed her with passive-aggressive (and some aggressive) comments until she left. The rest of us went with her.

What an unpleasant experience! Why is this garden even open?

I get that this is a privately owned park space, but it is supposed to be for the public. Are we intruders, not visitors? We were certainly made to feel that way.

This park is probably a good time for local retirees. For anyone else, don't bother.

The Gardens of the World are privately owned and funded botanical gardens on Thousand Oaks Blvd. No dogs allowed(check out the botanical gardens at Hendrix and Dover for dog friendly walks).
The GOTW are meticulously maintained and have a wonderful lay out, great for all ages.

I have had two one woman art shows at this beautiful gardens and I absolutely love to walk around and feel
The peace and beauty
Wonderful staff and docents have welcomed me each time so kindly !

Summer is always the best time to visit this place, where the flowers are blooming and trees/plants are at their best.

Quaint garden and visit is free.

The gardens are beautiful. The trees, plants, flowers too. Well kept and manicured.The fountain cascades and Getty-esque maze are spectacular. Loved the section dedicated to California Missions. Free entry is a plus. The roses were almost burnt out but still lovely to see and smell.

That said:
I was treated horribly by a bearded male docent. Such an awful experience.I can't even believe he is allowed to talk to people the way he did. Additionally, I witnessed a strange interaction with a female docent and a young family that were taking photos. She appeared out of nowhere telling them that you have to call a week in advance and make reservations in order to take photos of humans at the Gardens. HUH?

Lovely place but way too uptight and unwelcoming to those of us who would like to enjoy our day in peace.

I am a docent here, so I am here almost weekly. It's a 4 1/2 acre formal Garden, with a resource center that has a revolving art display, usually displaying works of local artists.
There is a small parking lot in the rear, it usually has more than adequate space for guests. This Garden is privately owned by the Hogan Family foundation, free and open to the public 6 days a week for enjoyment of visitors. There are 6 areas displaying gardens from different parts of the world. Spring and early summer are by far the best time to visit to see the plants in their new bloom , but it can be an enjoyable little oasis any time of the year.

Such a peaceful pretty place and it’s free (though they do accept donations). They had plenty of people around telling you things about each of the gardens. They have several different gardens Japanese, Italian, French, English, rose and mission gardens All are beautiful they have a bandstand on the lawn you are allowed to eat on the lawn and picnic areas. A pretty place to have a nice outing with your family or significant other only reason this isn’t a five star was that some of the flowers were dying and there was no one in the office where you’re supposed to check in if you want to take photos.

The Gardens of the World is a small garden that is well maintained with a koi pond, rose garden, picnic area and more. It is a nice place to bring your lunch to get away from work for an hour.

We enjoyed seeing the different gardens at The Gardens of the World. There are six beautiful themed garden areas:

1) Japanese Gardens
2) French Garden
3) Mission Courtyard
4) English Perennial and Rose Garden
5) Italian Garden
6) Band Stand

It is free.

Its a small but very beautiful garden, I loved it! our 1 year old grandbaby loved it too. Part of the park is very shaded. a lot of Benches to sit down and enjoy the view. and its free. I wish I could visit this place everyday. But I can not give it five stars, because photo is not allowed.

On busy Thousand Oaks Blvd you'll find these lovely gardents as a quiet place to walk, take memorable pictures or rent for an event. Well woth stopping at.

Beautiful Gardens to meander through although the property has some strange rules about photographing while on the premises

I was there during an "off" period and time of day so it was very peaceful as well as beautiful. I enjoyed seeing the varieties of plants and flowers without having to fight any crowds.

I had no idea what to expect coming here, and I found that it was much more than a beautiful afternoon. Walking around the property, I felt like I was traveling the world. The informative pamphlet provided great information on the different gardens, and I left feeling more educated about the gardens of the world. Additionally, the volunteers were very knowledgeable and willing to share information. One volunteer even handed out fish food so that we could feed the large koi in the Japanese garden.
One thing I would note is that they don't allow people to photograph other people in the garden, even family or friends. This was a surprising rule, but I began to understand how important it was once people started to break it, and we had to keep waiting for them to take pictures.

Beautiful and tranquil gardens across the street from the Civic Center. Waterfall, fountains, koi pond, rose garden, Calif. Missions exhibit and much more. The docents are friendly and knowledgeable. There are free afternoon jazz concerts in August at the gazebo bandstand. They have a large picnic area with tables, benches and umbrellas. Best of all, there is no cost for admission.

A nice experience for a relaxing couple hours. Pretty, peaceful and relaxing. Conveniently located in Thousand Oaks.

This is not a big garden, but very beautiful. Different corners of small gardens from different places in the world. I loved it.

The Gardens of the World is an amazing place to visit. I can't address the review by the lady with the kids, but I can say that I have gone on a few different occasions and the volunteers have been nothing but polite and useful in their knowledge of plants and flowers. The gardens are free to why not take advantage of having a stroll for an hour or so and escaping the "city"? It's romantic and no, you can't walk on the grass, but there are reasons you need to stay on the paths! We took pictures, every time we've been and have never been hassled! Beautiful Koi, the english garden, Japanese garden, Italian Cypress.....it's amazing.

Beautiful grounds, easy access with plenty of places to sit and relax. Covered areas so it's even great for rainy days. Complete history and display of the California Missions. Free parking. Directly across the street from the Civic Arts Plaza. Many restaurants and shops within walking range.

This isn't a large garden and probably doesn't quite warrant planning a trip to the area solely to see it, but if you're nearby visiting other attractions, add this to your list of things to do while in Thousand Oaks.

There are several examples of different gardens: Japanese and English, to name two of the styles featured. All plants are marked with signs indicating what they are, but without a lot of insight into why they were chosen.

It's a lovely place to walk, talk and think.

whoever tried to create this garden in the middle of thousand oaks blvd. i can appreciate their efforts, but unfortunately they couldn't pull it off. It is still surrounded by noise pollution and let's face it Thousand Oaks Blvd! The garden itself is pretty in some areas- especially the Japanese garden, but other areas look like they are not kept up well. The rose gardens looked poor. Hopefully the city will get a better gardener to fix this place up properly- but you still have the location to deal with. Good try though.

This is a private garden open to the public. It is free and provides experience in viewing gardens from around the world. There is also a rose garden and Mission exhibit. Knowledgeable docents provide tours with or without appointments. In August on Sundays there are opportunities to listen to bands while picnicing on the grass. It's a great place to bring guests from out-of-town.

Nice way to spend an afternoon. They keep the gardens in good condition and alternate what is blooming. Be aware that they are strict with pictures.

great place for locals to stroll and picnic - you can walk the small park, taking time to look at the plants and flowers - it shouldn't take more than 45 minutes. The docents are pretty firm on running and playing - not the best place for 3-6 year olds I would say.

a good place to go for a walk after a meal or possibly before a show at the civics arts plaza. not worth travelling to , but pleasant if you are in the area. lots of steps , well maintained , pretty . some docents around if you have a question. too many stairs for handicapped visitors

One caution the entrance signage is very hard to see we circled the block 3 times as its in the center of town so don't miss it . It's a beautiful oasis and has areas from all over the world represented. We were here in winter and it was still attractive so spring will be amazing. It's clean and nice size and water elements to enjoy. Not really for kids it's a great meditation place for a leisure stroll. Don't pass it up.

We visited on a Saturday afternoon before going to dinner and a show at the mall across the street. The grounds were kept up beautifully, there were some welcoming docents, lovely collection of roses, idyllic and charming Asian themed area with lots of koi fish greeting us. A wonderful visit.

The Gardens of the World is a delight to visit throughout the seasons of the year! The Japanese Garden with the koi and the nearby waterfall are favorites. A great place for those of all ages. The docents are kind, knowledgeable, and keep a wise watch over this oasis. Thank you!

Very delightful gardens, well kept and laid out - staff helpful and welcoming. A beautiful place to find time to rest, relax and reflect on the beauties of nature.

I distinctly remember coming here often as a child and really loving it. My family would take photos in the Spring, make a whole day to come out, and play on the giant chessboard.

Having come back around 10 years later, this place feels very different. The chessboard is gone, a few of the little fun things I remember are vanished (there was a path through the bamboo at one point but that looks to have been closed off and isolated). The major thing, as many of the lowest reviews have mentioned, is the aggressive and unnecessary rules around the space.

No photos. No water bottles. No running/playing. No food outside of a specific corner. No leaving things on a bench (even by accident). No going on the grass, and certainly, absolutely NO photography of any kind without a permit (even on a phone). All around no fun.

Ultimately, if you actually follow the rules to the letter, there's next to nothing to do in the space other than look at it with your hands in your pockets touching nothing. Not the worst but already worse than a public park down the road in the activities you can do.

I give it a 3/5 because of the good memories, the pretty garden spaces, but definitely take off two points because of how unfriendly it feels for a space meant for the public to enjoy.

Beautiful gardens with tranquille places to sit and enjoy the gardens. Docents provide interesting bits of information on the plants and structures. The site is only 2 or 3 acres, but is packed with beauty. The best thing is that it is free admission.

This place is basically a well maintained green patch on the TO area, and unless you're a real plant/agriculture freak you will be yawning after 10 minutes. On the other hand it's a great background for photos if you know what you're doing and you now how to manage lighting.

The Gardens of the World has nice picnic tables with shades for lunch/brunch, friendly docents, clean bathrooms, and of course beautiful gardens. Best of all, it's free. Great for a relaxing afternoon.

Whether it is a walk through the Gardens or attendance at the many free music events in the summer, the experience is excellent.

Really pretty gardens in TO. if you have 15-20 mins, it is really worth it. I am going to check out the jazz concerts in summer, next spring I'll be back to see the cherry blossoms.

really pretty and relaxing, a great pace to spend a couple of hours!pleanty of benches if you get tired! a great water fall and pool! not for swimming

The Gardens are well managed and nicely set out.

There are a handful of different garden types to visit. The Docents know their stuff. Other reviewers have mentioned the number of “Don’t “ signs around the place and that is true. There are too many and they detract from the relaxed nature.

I wouldn’t choose to visit these Gardens over some other place, but it is pleasant enough. It’s not a highlight of my visit to LA.

I took my kids here and found it educational and relaxing several times. One time there was a volunteer who was overly zealous about the many many rules but other times it was great. Nice place to take a bag lunch and relax for an hour.

The Gardens are beautiful! It was a nice day, and we just strolled through the gardens, taking our time....taking it all in! They have picnic areas if you want to pack your lunch and have a picnic. There is free parking and no fees to get in. It doesn't take long to go through, so not an all day attraction, but definitely a must do if you are in the area!!

Took the grandchildren and they enjoyed it, especially being given the chance to feed the Koi carp as we had timed our visit to perfection
Loved the water features, and the map of all the Spanish churches along the coast of California dating back to the earliest settlements.

The place is so well kept up, organized, peaceful, and just simply beautiful! We came here hoping to get some ideas for our home, and we did. This was great!

What a wonderful place to visit. Thank you to the civic-minded family who made this beautiful location available to the public ! It is a lovely place to commune with all sorts of nature - the roses are exquisite, as are the other displays. It is easy to get there, and easy to spend time roaming around the gardens....a great place to stop for a family outing, a peaceful afternoon with friends, or a solitary moment of meditation.

The gardens are lovely and varied, and it was lovely to walk among Japanese, Italian and mission style gardens within a few moments. It was hot, but there was lots of shade. Parking in the back was free and there were several spots available on a weekday at lunchtime.

The rules are pretty firmly stated - food must be in certain area with picnic tables (there are about 10 or so) and no pictures may be taken of people, but take as many photos of the gardens as you want.

There were a few families there playing Pokemon Go - there are several pokestops in the garden. Was fun to see them enjoying it!

When we went, admission was free, so it was a great price for a beautiful half hour stroll around the grounds. Parking can be a challenge on site, but again- free!
I appreciate that photography is forbidden without the consent of the property. I also appreciate that this rule seems to be enforced.
Many lovely flowers and water features.

The gardens are so beautiful. We brought coffee and pastries and had breakfast when we got to the gardens. Very relaxing and peaceful. Inside the welcome center they had displays of local artist paintings.

My goodness. I have lived in T.O. for 16 years and never visited this little bit of heaven. THere are numerous gardens scattered throughout and boy are they fabulous! I didn't know there was an area to sit and eat a lunch, they have hidden rock styled speakers with calm music playing and I was so enthralled. I took numerous pictures and took my family here and had a docent that led us through and explained the various roses and other flora around the place. It's free and a great place ofr the out of towners to see..They have parking at top of hill and restrooms are clean

I didn't think much of this when it first went in, but my wife and I visited a couple of weekends ago and it is much improved now that the vegetation has flushed out. It has turned into a really nice oasis in the middle of an urban area. Most of the garden has an Italian theme dominated by the main stair-step fountain down the middle. Great spot for a restful stop in the middle of the day.

A quiet, small garden area displaying garden designs from 5 different countries. Well worth the time to see and it is free!

That's really a beautiful place. Not very big, so you can walk around in less than an hour. Lovely !

You think you're in an Austrian, French or German garden. The noise of the city is left behind and it's peaceful and relaxing.
The blooms are changed according to season and there is a gazebo and benches to have a quiet lunch. A great getaway from the everyday rush.

A nice variety of gardens to meander through. There are programs in the summer with music. A nice place to spend a couple of hours.

Be sure to check hours of operation. This is a private (not public) gardens, very clean and easy to access. Find limited parking at the top of the driveway. You can bring your own picnic and eat at tables at the top center of the gardens, near the parking. Nice California Missions area, and loved the Asian garden area.

The gardens are situated off a busy road and close to shops/restaurants so good for transportation. There is a small parking lot too. This is a nice short activity as it's small and depending on season there is not a lot to see.

The Gardens are a wonderful place to spend a 30 minute lunch or several hours with your family. I have been here dozens of times and it is a family favorite. Bring a picnic and a blanket, relax, stroll through the gardens and koi pond and just enjoy nature at its best.

This private garden does not allow photography, it has Italian, French, England, Japanese, and Mission square. very nice and cute, half a hour tour should be good enough.

Try to park across the street.. But the length of time you'll spend inside and the quality of your stay will be well worth it.
With there were kiosks during concert seasons.

Gardens of the World is a beautifully landscaped set of gardens that are a nice walk through. It's small - nothing at all like Descanso, or Huntington. But what is there is nice, and there is a nice place to have an event like a small garden wedding or reception. There are French and Japanese areas. It's a fun place to take pictures, but they prohibit tripods, flashes and reflectors.

This is a nice peaceful retreat for a gentle stroll around these well kept and interesting gardens of the world. Beautiful flowers and butterflies abound!

Cute garden. Nice place to hve. Tranquil stroll. Love to bring food and hve little picnic. Serene and peaceful setting.

I don’t think they actually want families here. My friend and I met up while she was traveling. We have 4 kids in total ages 10 months, 3, 4, and 7 years. Upon entering the gardens, a woman came out from inside the building. She asked if we had been there before, and I told her that we had. She proceeded to tell me all the rules anyway, including that I’m not allowed to take pictures of my children. Um what? Mind you I was carrying absolutely no cameras, just my phone.

We stopped for lunch in the lunch area. It’s a bit barren and be aware that there is no picnicking on any of the lawns. My daughter started to ask me if we could go to the gazebo when the same female docent told her that we all have to go together but yes she could go. Um what?! So this lady now answers for me?! My daughter even started her question with “Mommy”.

The lawns are tapped off. And guess what... the gazebo is closed 🙄

You have many other garden options. Go to the local botanical gardens, Descanso, or Huntington. Skip the Gardens of the Wold!

Enjoyed the nice quiet stroll through the gardens, view the various missions, look at the koi pond, and whatever activities there may be going on. Very peaceful. I even donated 5 huge koi to them in 9/2011.

Everyone enjoyed the gardens. Different areas were interesting. Nice to slowly wander and enjoy. Go see it.

We have been going to Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks for over ten years.
Great location for a picnic you can go to Lassen's organic grocery and get a great healthy sandwich then walk around the beautiful gardens. The Japanese garden with koi pond is a great place to read a book .

I am thankful to have GOTW so close to work. I enjoy having lunch and a moment to enjoy the Koi, roses and the missions area. California could be a difficult place to see and witness the change of seasons GOTW provides a seasonal clock to enjoy and experience it.

Hogan family trust created a beautiful and peaceful oasis of trees, water, flowers and more in Thousand Oaks. Free to public. Enjoyed a terrific summer concert here with my wife and friends last Sunday. Encourage visitors and locals to make a visit to this tranquil hideaway in plain sight. Turn off the cell phone and enjoy!

Not the largest public garden and a little too much street noise, but well worth the time to visit. As the name implies, there are a wide variety of different types of gardens, ranging from Italian to English to Japanese to a Rose Garden, etc. All are maintained not by the city but by a private gardening service...and it shows. We like to enjoy a picnic lunch in the tree covered table area. Plus there are always docents available to answer any questions.

Flowers and trees blooming. It was clean and the water in the fountains was clean.
Beautiful and romantic to walk around.
The staff was sweet and helpfull. A guy come up to us and gave us a map and explained about the park and areas :-)

Went with a friend last week while visiting civic arts plaza. Cute little place w some gardens, fountains and California missions room. Pretty small but worth coming to see if you haven't seen it. Fee of charge and parking lot in back. Docents were chatting under tree. weren't very helpful but we didn't ask them for anything. Pretty flowers and lovely cherry tree w lots of blossoms. They also have a bunch of picnic benches. Would be a lovely place to have lunch.

If you’re a NATURE LOVER, this is one of Thousand Oaks best kept secrets.

No fuss, no muss, easy parking.

Bring your camera for lots of flower pictures.

The koi get bigger by the minute.

The roses are cut back in the winter, but even if you come here weekly the blooms are slightly different.

A great place for solo travelers, a sweet date idea or generational family outing.

Check the times carefully.

Nice clean restroom and usually a featured artist in the information center.

Friendly volunteers.

It is a must-do during springtime. Take a picnic and make an afternoon of it!

We absolutely enjoyed the beauty of the garden. For art lovers, do not miss the art exhibit indoors, which changes each time. There are seating areas all around, you can sit and reflect on your thoughts or read a book.... or just admire nature.

Not that big of deal. A nice walk but not a destination. Go to the beach instead. It's a nice little garden.

The gardens are beautifully taken care of and represent five different countries. My favorite was the Japanese garden. This is a very nice and relaxing way to spend an hour or two, depending on how much you want to just sit and enjoy the tranquility. It is also free, which was very nice.

I had dinner reservations at Mastro's across the road so decided to pop in here for an hour to check it out. It's a tranquil area, with sections featuring plants, trees and scrubs from different parts of the US and some from the world.

There are several paths to follow and the plants are generally well marked with some information on their origins etc.

It's a good spot to take some time to take a breather and to appreciate some nature.

Lovely gardens. Something is in bloom any time of the year. Find a docent and let the children feed the Koi fish in the Japanese garden. A good place for a picnic.

These gardens are pretty Euro-centric (except the Japanese section) and are beautifully maintained. There isn't much parking so finding a place on a busy day might be an issue.

This is a very small place, not worth a long drive. There are a few lovely small gardens based on a very limited number of countries. It is free though.

Shortly after it opened in 2001 it was a wonderful place to visit with children. In 2002 I took many lovely photos of my toddler daughter here, and was telling her about it when we walked in. We had not been back until this weekend. We discovered a small art installation by Donna Jean Goldstein in the main building at the parking lot which was lovely.

Shortly after beginning our walk through the gardens we noticed docents who seemed to be following visitors and constantly watching everyone. There are also signs everywhere about what you cannot do. That was unnerving, but we laughed it off until I was rudely interrupted when I tried to take a photo of my 15 year old daughter and her friend sitting on a bench. Docent said, "I'll allow you to take one vacation photo." I looked at her incredulously and we proceeded to have an absurd "conversation" spurred on by her passive aggressive "suggestion" that my daughter and her friend were out of town visitors as she touted her generosity in allowing me to take one photo. I didn't feel the need to have a fictional story made up about my family, and told her we live here. That was enough for her to immediately launch into a passionate dissertation about their "photography policy" that is "posted at the entrance and on the brochures."

Give me a break lady. Seriously, get a life. This lady, who has been mentioned in many other posts here, gets some pathetic power surge from scurrying around all day to prevent visitors from taking snapshots of each other.

We won't be back. There are so many other places to visit that really are peaceful and relaxing.

This is such a wonderful place to relax after a bit of traveling. The place is so serene and peaceful.

First of all, Paul the grounds docent, was absolutely fabulous, personable, and knowledgeable.

The gardens are well kept, not too big, but a nice place for a lunchtime walk. Very well manicures grounds.

Here's my problem: I counted MORE than 100 signs that say, Do Not...do this, or that...DON'T.... You can't even take photos !!!??? Seriously? That's stoopid.

They also need signage that says what the different plants are. Not more signage that says don't do this or that. Not a very welcoming place.

The couple that run the property are very sweet and do a great job of caring for every plant, tree, flower!, fish, bird and bug!!! It is very peaceful and is great for a pick nick or a Sunday stroll. I wish I was still in California so I could visit this tranquil place more often.

Free and spectacular! English rose garden, Italian garden, Japanese garden and more. Unbelievably beautiful. How do they keep the gardens so pristine in the heat?

Beautiful place. Wish there were more like it in the area. Flowers and scenery is tranquil for a nice family walk.

Loved this garden, staff is very helpful and nice, they even let our children feed the enormous koi fish outside the Japanese house. It's free, in an awesome position (on the other side of the street of the Civic Art Plaza). Visit could take anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour, depending on how much do you want to enjoy the garden and relax.

Its a terrific place to visit. They also have interesting activities. Check the schedule- use it to your advantage

free parking, free to get in, quiet, not big but its ok, variety of types of garden, japanese,roma,.etc

Lovely place to spend an hour - possibly your lunch hour if you work in Thousand Oaks or Westlake - shaded picnic area - beautifully maintained garden, strict rules - gorgeous plants, trees, koi pond, winding paths, welcoming benches - directly across from Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on Thousand Oaks Blvd. free admission - limited parking but you can park on T.O. Blvd.

Do NOT come here with kids. Do NOT come here to have fun. Do NOT come here to take a single photo. Do come here if you like absolute silence, 90% grass and ivy, and extremely rude volunteers who follow you around and constantly scold you for not following every one of there 10,000 insane rules.

This little gem is free to the public.It is a small park like botanical area to use for a casual stoll or take a sandwich and have lunch.It is really a hiiden jem that most Ventura residents never see....so...if you live nearby,make a short visit and check it out!

Best thing in Thousand Oaks. Quite relaxing place in the middle of the city. Don't miss it.

Simply relaxing - in the middle of a city a little piece of heaven. Def worth a quick stop! We were pleasantly surprised.

Walking through the lovely flowers and plants took away the hustle and bustle of daily life and as my wife would say stop and smell the roses. And also the other blooming plants.

The Gardens are very attractively landscaped and represent several styles and geographies. It's quite small (you can easily see it all in 30 minutes) but there are several spots worthy of lingering. It's a pleasant counterpoint to the busy commercial area of Thousand Oaks Blvd. The unfortunate part is its proximity to the freeway and the constant buzz of traffic.

Very nice place to stroll around. Beautiful gardens. Have always enjoyed a nice quiet afternoon here.

Santa Monica mountains trail hike with Family with children and/or with Friends is a great way to spend a morning, midday picnic or afternoon-early evening. The sights and sounds are refreshing as well as appreciating the Santa Monica mountains open space.

My daughter brought us here so we could check out the gardens with the grandchildren along. Everyone enjoyed looking at the well tended area with colorful plantings

The gardens are nicely arranged and is a relaxing place to just get away from the hustle and bustle. Picnic tables are all under shade. Only thing that would make it a 5 star review is if they allowed you to sit / walk on the grass.

I have taken my Girl Scout troops and elementary school children on a field trip here several times and even they loved the different gardens, the gazebo to eat lunch in and the smell of hundreds of roses.

This is a small garden, free to the public. I like the koi pond and the rose garden. Sometimes there are rabbits grazing in the alcove on the right side (small fountain), and hummingbirds. I have only been here when it's not busy during the week (few people, plenty of parking), and have not visited during their music sessions. Overall a nice garden walk around and enjoy.

This is a fantastic garden that is brought to the public through the generosity of the Hogan family. i really was totally impressed with the beauty of the gardens and the care that the Hogan family takes in maintaining it. This is a free attraction, but note that it is closed on Mondays. In the summer there are free concerts at the bandshell. One could easily spend between one to two hours meandering through and enjoying these very well tended gardens. My favorite is the garden that celebrates California's missions, and the Japanese garden with the beautiful Koi is a close second. Make the trip, you won't be disappointed!

Take a break from a busy day and forget where you are. Enjoy well manicured beauy.
Every season brings visual happiness.

Beautiful park to visit, but it is missing the mark on so many levels. A beautiful gazebo that is not used for anything. The docent we talked to said they have 2 concerts there a year. This would be a gorgeous setting for weddings or family pictures. Concerts would have a lovely venue in which to perform. The mission house and the Japanese cabana would also be fabulous places to hold concerts or lectures about a multitude of topics. I also noticed there were not many signs showing the names of the plants and trees. What a great opportunity for scouts and civic organizations to give back to the community! Also noticed many of the flowers needed “deadheading” as well as weeding. The main house had beautiful quilts displayed, but would also be a great place to have lectures or classes. One thing we missed was a gift shop and a small snack bar. Picnic tables are available if you bring in your own food, but only for small groups, and not many trash bins were seen around the park. There is a large parking lot out in front but there was a no parking sign posted. So much potential missed!

An easy walk through beautiful gardens. We really liked the California Missions Murals. We sat on a bench for almost an hour and enjoyed the butterflies in the rose garden.

Spent an hour at work his garden recently. It's well done, I especially enjoyed the pagoda. It's free so if you have an hour available I suggest a visit.

My wife and I have been here many times. It is a very tranquil place that will put a smile on your face and slow your pace for a while. From the flowers to the trees to the Koi it always relaxes the day.

Lovely setting! Once your in the gardens you wouldn't know you're in the middle of the city. Enjoyed a concert while sitting on lawn chairs with a picnic lunch. A good time was had by all

It's about a one hour walk which is perfect. It could take longer of course but it's very nice and serene and so nice to have in TO

After picking up cool Starbuck's frapuccino on a hot day, we wanted to enjoy our drinks in the nice garden and stopped by Gardens of the World. But to our surprise, there was a real strict old garden warden telling the girls that they cannot have drinks in the garden...when there are many people eating lunch and drinking on the benches. He must be a racist, singling out asians. As a result, our frapuccino melted in the hot car and we melted walking in the hot garden.

The park is right in the heart of the city. It was a gift from the Hogan family who owned Pleasant Holidays. It consists for about 7-8 landscaped gardens from Japanese, Mission, French, etc. The grounds are very well maintained and clean. There is a parking lot and also off street parking in front. There are numerous restaurants within 100 yards of the Gardens.

This wonderful park is smack in the middle of the urban city of Thousand Oaks. It's quite small and can be seen in about an hour of slow strolling. We had our 2 year old grand daughter with us, so it was perfect for her attention span.
Clean and very well maintained.

Too good to spent couple of hours. Nice variety of flowers & trees. Peaceful & beautiful garden. I enjoyed it.

TGOTW is a beautiful-peaceful pocket of all things gardening right in the middle of Thousand Oaks. Unexpected, to say the least, as it’s surrounded by commerce & pedestrians, it becomes a much needed moment of meditative strolling among roses and arches, koi fish and the most surprising gift of all-a fantastic-blue enamel tiled roof-japanese tea house. Believe me, you are not ready for this. Then, you realize how wisely you’ve used 2 hrs of your day & remember it forever. No photography is allowed, but this works perfectly toward the ambiance of the garden & the experience. No TikTokers, IGramers or SSMM interrupting the esence of this little slice of paradise.
Don’t miss this jewel.

Once you enter this magical world, you would never know that there’s a busy Boulevard just outside. The staff is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. The patrons respect the property and the proper pads to take. Plan on spending a good few hours there to relax, walk slowly and take pictures.

You'll drive past it before you finally head in, and you'll be glad you did. The gardens feature several different zones (the Japanese Garden is our favorite) and are great for spending an hour or two of quiet. Hard to believe for a place this tranquil that it's located on T.O. Boulevard!

The gardens, which are right on Thousand Oaks Blvd, in the center of the city, make an unexpectedly spot of green on the map. Many people pass them by without realizing that behind the wrought iron fence there is an exquisite collection of garden types from the most representative parts of the world. A stop here is a refreshing break, many people come and have their lunch in the area specially designated for this. There is even soft, soothing music that comes from speakers ingenuously hidden in the rocks spread across the park.
Each garden is beautifully manicured and very accurate to the area they represent, it is like going from country to country in a matter of minutes. My favourite is the Italian garden, mostly because of the shade of the pergolas.
It is definitely not an American style of park, it is very small, with no area for sports/play or walking the dogs, it is mostly an exhibit in landscaping and that makes it unique in the area.

Beautiful quite setting, very enjoyable place to walk and have conversations with close friends. Nice assortment of plants and flowers.

Right in the middle of Thousand Oaks and surrounded by stores, you still feel peaceful. I just walked through with a friend catching up and there were lots of places to sit, lots of gorgeous things to look at, and so calm and serene. Really something to go see.

Only if you find yourself in T.O. and have a little time, then why not. Nice picnic and relaxation area. Not worth travelling here to see. More for the locals.

We enjoyed our walk thru the gardens very much. We did a self guided tour. Was very easy to find a docent if we had a question. This is a small garden. We were amazed that they don't change a fee to view these beautiful gardens. What a wonder gem for the thousand oaks area.

This is a great place to bring friends and family that are out of town. The Gardens are beautiful. After you visit the Gardens you can walk across the street and have a great lunch at the Lakes mall. Great place to spend the day.

Some extended family members and I met at the Gardens of the World to walk around and talk. Some of us are gardeners and others are just nature appreciators. We visited with two children ages seven and five. The kids have been to the gardens many times and wanted to check out the fish in the koi pond first. We had fun walking around and enjoying the gardens. The one issue we had during an otherwise great visit was with 2 of the docents who work there. One of them was talking our ears off every time we ran into her and another was rude to us when we were talking near the pagoda. She hushed us and said the pagoda is a place for serenity, which we would have understood more if anyone else was in the area. We weren't disturbing anyone and were talking in. a regular volume so we thought the docent was a little out of line. Anyway, otherwise it was a great experience!

This collection of gardens is an oasis in the middle of Thousand Oaks. My GPS got a little confused and tried to have me turn in the pedestrian gate. Not knowing they have a parking lot through the next gate down, I found street parking right by the pedestrian gate and walked in. It is free to enter and is lovely. There are several different garden styles, French, Spanish, Japanese, American, Italian and a rose garden. It was fun to walk through and up by the parking lot, I picked up a brochure with more information about the whole place. It was worth the walk around.