Venue

The University of California Botanical Garden is a 34-acre oasis in the heart of Berkeley’s urban landscape and features one of the world’s most diverse plant collections. This unique living museum is filled with more than 10,000 kinds of plants, including many rare and endangered species. As the third-largest botanical garden in the United States in numbers of species, this world-renowned plant collection provides a vital resource—not only for international researchers, UC Berkeley faculty, students, and staff, but for visitors from around the world who seek solace, inspiration, and connection with nature.

The garden is closed to the public on Tuesday, August 19th, and participants of the writing retreat will have access to the California section on this day. 

The garden is open to the public on Wednesday, August 20th, and participants of the writing retreat will have access to the full garden on this day. 

Click to view/download the garden map

Designed by famed architect Julia Morgan, the Senior Women’s Hall was built in 1911 and was located on the main campus until it was moved to the Garden in 2014. Lovingly restored, it is listed on both the California and national historic registries. It is ADA accessible, and the sunny outdoor deck overlooks the scenic California plant collection.

Learn more about this beautiful building on the Botanical Garden website.