About Us
What You’ll Experience
A Hike Among Gardens, Historic Homes, and Remarkable Trees
On a three-hour Garden Safari, you’ll set out on an immersive hike through quiet Santa Monica neighborhoods alive with lush gardens, charming homes, and vibrant trees. Guided by locals, you’ll follow hidden paths and uncover the stories behind the architecture, plant life, and history that make this city one of a kind. Every step brings a new discovery — sculptural succulents, ivy-covered bungalows, flowering arches, and century-old trees waiting to be explored.
Why Garden Safaris Are Unique
See Santa Monica Through Local Eyes
Unlike traditional tours, Garden Safaris are curated and guided by Santa Monica locals who know the neighborhoods intimately. With backgrounds in preservation, horticulture, design, and the arts, our guides offer authentic insight into the gardens, homes, and trees that most visitors never discover.
The Story Behind Garden Safari
The Story Behind Garden Safaris
❝I’ve always believed that the most beautiful experiences often hide in plain sight. While most visitors rush to the beach or the pier, I found myself wandering the quieter streets — noticing the bougainvillea tumbling over fences, the way jacaranda blossoms blanket sidewalks, or how ivy softens the lines of old Craftsman homes. Santa Monica became my open-air gallery. Over the years, I’ve curated routes that capture its living beauty — the architecture, the gardens, the interplay of history and nature. Garden Safaris was born from a desire to share that hidden magic. I’m not just guiding a walk; I’m inviting you to slow down, look closer, and discover the soul of Santa Monica.❞
~ Marcia Miller, Co-Founder
Our Founders
Garden Safaris was founded by Marcia Miller and Natalie Wampler, two Santa Monica locals united by their love of beauty and history. Marcia is a visual artist and entrepreneur with a deep appreciation for design and the quiet inspiration found in nature. Natalie is a preservationist and horticultural researcher with expertise in historic landscapes and cultural interpretation. Together, they envisioned Garden Safaris as a way to share Santa Monica’s hidden gardens, architectural gems, and vibrant botanicals with visitors from around the world.