South Coast Botanic Garden

This garden has the distinction of recycling a sanitary landfill into 80-plus acres of lush plant life. Keeping its history in mind, the space is used for showcasing primarily succulent plants to conserve water in a drought-ridden state. At less than 10 dollars per person, making this spot a part of your day is cheaper than the movies and more educationally and spiritually fulfilling. With over 2,500 species of plants, you'll also see wildlife feasting on the abundant growth. Make sure you look at the website for a calendar of events; there is always something happening every month. If you just want to explore the gardens, the hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM every day!