The Secret Gardens of Historic Monterey

Often hidden behind a wall or a gate, secret gardens denote mystery, privacy, and solitude. Secret gardens offer solace; a place to sit or walk and contemplate.  They give you permission to be inspired, to dream, and to be at peace.

My own garden has its secrets: I love to share them with friends who come to enjoy the peaceful solitude of my farm.  The roses that defy being eaten by deer, puzzling my neighbors.  The “April in Paris” sweet peas that have self-sown and freely proliferate.  The mesmerizing scent of the white, star-flowered jasmine that grows just outside my bedroom, perfuming the night air.

Monterey has some of the most fascinating and delightful secret gardens ever.  What makes these gardens so special is that they are located on the grounds of some of the most historic properties in Monterey.  The secret gardens here are all completely unique, enticing you with beautiful colors and heavenly scents.

1.  The Larkin Garden is located at 510 Calle Principal at the intersection with Jefferson.  Thomas Larkin built the two-story mud adobe brick home during Mexican rule of California.  An American merchant,  he became the only United States Consul to Alta California under Mexican rule.

2.  The Memory Garden, located at 20 Custom House Plaza in Monterey, was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr. in 1927.  It has an 8-foot high adobe wall and three gates.  Inside the garden is a 15-foot diameter fountain surrounded by lovely magnolia trees.

3.  The Casa del Oro Garden is at the corner of Pacific and Scott Streets just across from the First Theatre.  This is the only garden not enclosed by a wall.

4.  The Stevenson Garden is named for the boarding house where Robert Louis Stevenson stayed in 1879 while courting his future wife, Fanny Osbourne.  He stayed on the second floor of the French Hotel at 530 Houston Street and worked on essays as well as ideas for future works, including Treasure Island.

In front, a white picket fence frames a bevy of blooms.  Behind the old French Hotel is the secret garden, featuring meandering pathways surrounded by high fencing and featuring an ancient gate at the rear.

5.  The Casa Soberanes Garden, located at the corner of Pacific and Del Monte, features abalone shells and wine bottles as edgings for the flowerbeds in its secret garden.

6.  The First Theatre Garden is located at the corner of Pacific and Scott Streets.  Whale bones frame the entrance of the theatre building, vestiges of Monterey’s whaling history.

7.  Hidden behind a very old wall at the corner of Polk and Munras is the Cooper Molera Adobe secret garden and orchard, Built in 1827, the property is a National Trust Historic Site.  What fun to meander among the rustic elegance of the only historic redwood barns within the city limits of Monterey and enjoy the charming and beautiful plants and flowers here.

Hours: The Larkin, Memory, Casa del Oro, Stevenson, Casa Soberanes, and First Theatre gardens are open daily from 9 am-4 pm.  For more information, see California State Parks.   Hours for the Cooper Molera garden are Tuesday through Saturday: 11 am – 4 pm, and Sunday 11 am– 2:30 pm.

I hope you enjoyed this post and are able to visit the secret gardens of Monterey.  Thank you for visiting my blog.  Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!