Amazing cactus and succulent garden in El Cajon!

There’s a special garden filled with rare and beautiful plants in downtown El Cajon. The Southwest Cactus and Succulent Garden is open free to the public at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum.

This very fine garden stretches between the museum’s main building and the old, relocated house of Olaf Wieghorst, a renowned artist who lived in El Cajon. (His paintings depicting the Old West are celebrated inside the museum.)

Over 200 species of desert plants–some of them quite rare–can be enjoyed by those who wander about the garden. The amazing garden is curated by Mike Bostwick, former horticultural director of the San Diego Zoo.

There are shady places in the garden where you can relax or perhaps have a picnic. There are sculptures, too, including an exceptional one by James Hubbell. A plant sale containing rare specimens is also open to the public. Proceeds support the museum.

What’s more, the garden space can be rented for special events such as private parties or weddings.

The Southwest Cactus and Succulent Garden is accessible to visitors when the Olaf Wieghorst Museum is open. See the location, days and hours here.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

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Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

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