Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens Turns 60 This Week

MCBG Opening Announcement_1966

Sixty years ago, the Gardens began with a simple but ambitious idea… a flower-filled landscape for the people, stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Now, you are invited to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the grand opening of the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens with a three-day celebration taking place May 6, 7, and 8.

“Retro Days” honors the Gardens’ roots with a nostalgic look back, special pricing, and family-friendly activities set against the spectacular coastal landscape. During the celebration, admission will be just $1, with $1 ice cream scoops at Rhody’s Garden Café. Enter daily drawings upon arrival for a chance to win Gardens swag, memberships, and admission tickets.

A Garden Begins with a Vision

Betty & Ernie Schoefer

Founded in 1961 by Ernest Schoefer, his wife Betty, and their friend Stan Ledarsky, the Gardens grew from a shared vision into a hands-on labor of love. Ernest, a retired landscape nurseryman who once operated the largest nursery in the San Fernando Valley, spent years searching for the ideal site before assembling five parcels along the Mendocino Coast. He chose the location for its rich soil, ample water, and temperate coastal climate, ideal for rhododendrons and other ornamental plants.

Working long days, often more than twelve hours, he transformed the rugged property with windbreaks, irrigation systems, and miles of trails woven through floral landscapes.

The Schoefer’s daughter, Marilyn Wagner, who still resides on the Mendocino Coast, recalls those early days vividly. “During November and December 1961, Father designed the layout of the Gardens and began the backbreaking process of clearing land covered in briars and jungle-like overgrowth,” she said. “In the following year, he planted rhododendrons and nurtured native flowers.” Reflecting on his determination, she added, “At sixty years young, he had to get going before his unbelievable stamina slowed.”

When the Gardens opened to the public on May 6, 1966, the experience was simple and personal. Visitors signed in beneath a bright yellow umbrella, with hand-drawn arrows guiding them toward the Cliff House overlooking the ocean. Admission was $1 for adults and 50¢ for children.

Attendance quickly grew from 4,000 visitors in the first year to 18,000 by year four, as word spread about this unique “Flowerland to the Sea.”

Retro Days 2026_posterA Living Legacy

Be a part of the Gardens’ story. Join us for Retro Days, May 6 through 8, to explore the 47-acre landscape and reflect on a place that began as a retirement dream and continues to grow with each generation. For more information, visit www.gardenbythesea.org.