The gardens were commissioned by Ed and Lynn Hogan, founders of the global travel company Pleasant Holidays.
The Japanese garden features a authentic pagoda structure imported from Japan.
The English garden design emphasizes informal, lush planting patterns popular in the early 20th century.
The French garden is modeled after the classic, geometric formal gardens of the 18th century.
The site contains a stone-carved mission-style fountain designed to represent the influence of Spanish settlement in California.
Several rare botanical specimens are labeled for educational purposes throughout the walking loops.
Gardens of the World is a 4.5-acre public garden in Thousand Oaks featuring distinct landscaping styles reflecting different global cultures. The grounds include a Japanese garden with a pagoda, a formal French garden, an English perennial garden, and an Italian-style terrace. A mission-style courtyard serves as a central hub, paying homage to California's historic architecture. The site utilizes native and adaptive plants to maintain aesthetic appeal while managing local water resources. Water features, including koi ponds and small waterfalls, are integrated throughout the pathways. The gardens are funded and maintained by the Hogan Family Foundation, which opened the site to the public in 2001. The space is frequently used for local community events, including concerts and educational workshops. Walking paths are largely paved and accessible for visitors with limited mobility.
The elevated bridge in the Japanese garden providing a direct line of sight to the pagoda and koi pond.
Bring a portable sun hat or parasol as shade coverage varies significantly between the open formal gardens and the wooded areas.
Photography is encouraged, but professional photography sessions require prior approval from the administration.
Check the official website calendar before visiting, as the gardens occasionally close for private community events or weddings.
Do not attempt to feed the koi in the ponds, as it disrupts the delicate filtration system.
Closed on Mondays and major holidays.
Visitors are prohibited from climbing on walls, wading in fountains, or picking plants; pets are not permitted.
