Public Tours of Luther Burbank’s Santa Rosa Home & Gardens
Tours, Museum and Gift Shop are open Tu-Sa 10:00-4:00 and Su 1:00-4:00.
The Gardens are open every day 8am to dusk. A free cellphone audio tour and signage are available.
Drop-in guided tours are offered TTu-Sa 10:00-4:00 and Su 1:00-4:00.
The Carriage House Museum and Gift Shop are open Tu-Sa 10:00-4:00 and Su 1:00-4:00.
Adults $10;
Children 12-18, Seniors and College Students with ID $8.50;
children under 12 free with an adult.
Tours include the Home with its original furnishings, the Greenhouse, a portion of the Gardens, and a summary of Burbank’s life and achievements here in Santa Rosa, CA. Group Tours and Children’s Tours are available with advance reservations.
Mini-Tours of the Home only are available Mon-Fri, Nov-Mar, if staff is available. Call 707-524-5445 or email burbankhome@lutherburbank.org to confirm availability. This applies to the Museum and Gift Shop as well.
Please note: pets are not allowed in the Gardens. Service animals only.
The Gardens
More than an acre of gardens include many of Luther Burbank’s horticultural contributions. Special garden areas focus on medicinal herbs, cutting flowers, roses, wildlife habitats, and ornamental grasses. Many unusual varieties of plants and new horticultural introductions are represented. Most plants are labeled with both botanic and common names. Follow the story of Burbank’s career with our self-guided tour. The Gardens in downtown Santa Rosa are open to the public every day from 8 to dusk.
Garden Audio Tours
If you visit the Gardens outside of Drop-In Tour hours, you can enjoy a leisurely FREE tour of the Gardens using your cell phone. There are 28 stops where you can learn historical facts and view plants Mr. Burbank introduced including the Spineless Cactus, Paradox Walnut, Plumcot and many others. The free tour is available during the Tour Season Monday 8am-7pm and Tuesday-Sunday before 10am and after 4pm. From November through March the audio tour is available every day from 8am-5pm. This free cell phone tour is sponsored by Dierk’s Parkside Cafe.
Give it a listen! – Audio Tour Samples:
Carriage House Audio Tour Snippet
Greenhouse Audio Tour Snippet
Shasta Daisy Audio Tour Snippet
Spineless Cactus Audio Tour Snippet
Burbank Home
Luther Burbank moved to Santa Rosa in 1875 and lived in this modified Greek Revival house with his mother from 1884 to 1906. (He had a larger home built across the street in 1906; it was removed in the late 1960s.) After Burbank’s death in 1926, his widow Elizabeth renovated this charming old cottage where she lived until her death in 1977. She made several additions and improvements to the structure, and its present appearance and furnishings reflect her warmth and good taste.
The Greenhouse
Designed and built by Luther Burbank in 1889, this building includes a replica of his office containing many of his tools.
Carriage House Museum & Gift Shop
Originally a place to store carriages and horse tack, the Carriage House was renovated in 1986 as a museum. Changing exhibits relate to the ongoing impact of Burbank’s life and work. A replica of the original cupola atop the building was added in 1989. The Gift Shop features an unusual array of items, most designed exclusively for LBH&G. From April through October, the Carriage House Museum and Gift Shop is open Tuesday – Sunday 1:00-4:00.