This last spring, I was able to help out Michael in getting some graduation and modeling photos to start off his career at the Arizona Garden on the Stanford campus! Here are some things to know about this location:

Parking

Parking is extremely limited and is paid Monday through Friday during business hours. After hours and on weekends, there is free parking at a Stanford facility close by, less than a half mile away and very walkable as there are no steps and almost no incline or decline. The walk over can be hot on late spring and summer days as it is in direct sunlight.

Park Conditions

This park is super cute, one of the larger cactus gardens in the area, free to access, and surrounded by other beautiful parts of the campus including statues, the Stanford Family Moselium, and so much more! This area is clean and safe. It is pet and child friendly and often very quiet and serene. There are many people accessing this area including photographers, families, students studying, etc, so please be respectful of how loud you are where. There is also wildlife as this is a large and very green campus, you will see everything from birds and squirrels to the possibility of other small hunting animals and prey like rabbits. Due to this, it is important that you clean up after yourself and leave the area better than you found it! Do not feed the animals, as this can create a dangerous relationship and expectation between the animals who live in the area and other human visitors.

When To Visit

Of course, the free parking will promote weekend visits, But I would suggest parking a bit aways and Ubering in on week days to avoid crowds. Avoid holiday weekends or weekdays as many students will have off and will be more likely to be roaming around the larger parts of the campus. I have gone at all times of day and all days of the week, and all of them have been pleasant visits even when busy!

Plants and Wildlife

like I mentioned before, you will more than likely see an array of animals like rabbits, black squirrels, stray cats, and the possibility of other carnivorous mammals. Do not approach the animals as it could be harmful to you and the wildlife. You are less likely to see the larger animals as they tend to avoid people and this being a busy spot, they will try to avoid you, but if you do, please be respectful and give them space and never feed them.

There are a lot of different succulents and other desert plants in the Arizona Garden at Stanford. Many of these are very sharp and different sized and variations of cacti that can be dangerous, especially if you have young and exploring children, or children who are not inclined to listen! I have pricked myself a time or two trying to get “THE SHOT!”