Western Hills Garden
Founded in 1959, Western Hills Garden is a three-acre property in Occidental, CA with a critically important collection of rare ornamental plants and trees from around the world.
It was transformed from pastureland and redwoods into an incredible example of cultivated biodiversity by Lester Hawkins and Marshall Olbrich. Over their 30+ year tenure they became experts in garden design and botany and inspired new ways of thinking about horticulture on the West Coast, with the garden as their studio, laboratory, and gathering space. More recent owners made key improvements that extended the Garden’s legacy.
In September 2021, the property was purchased by Kent Strader and Hadley Dynak who are running it as a nonprofit (currently through a fiscal sponsorship) for the first time in its 60+ year history. Strategic goals are to preserve the collection, increase the public’s access to the garden, and create unique onsite experiences that link people, plants, and place with possibility. The public can engage via a range of programming: self-guided day visits, group tours, educational workshops, and artist residencies.
COVID-19 UPDATES & INFORMATION
We follow County guidelines with respect to COVID-19 restrictions and requirements. Our programming is held outdoors in our garden.