Gamble Gardens

If you are in Palo Alto and need a relaxing one-hour excursion, I recommend visiting Gamble Garden, once owned by granddaughter of the Proctor & Gamble founder. The garden is only 2.5 acres but hosts a variety of well-known plants adapted to the Palo Alto climate.

Many of the plants, including 50 rose varieties, are identified with signage. Other plants, in addition to the many perennials, include rhododendrons, dogwood, camellias, ferns, hydrangea, and bearded iris. The Gamble Garden is rarely crowded and there is good parking.

Sharing the property with the garden is the 1902 Gamble house (Colonial/Georgian Revival). Check their website for access to the home as it is not always open to the public. Next to the home is a majestic southern magnolia tree and three unusually large Canary Island date palms. It is located at 1431 Waverley Street.

For a different experience, I recommend lunch at the Allied Arts Guild.