Substantial collection of gardens and art in San Marino, CA.
Southern California can offer a variety of wildflowers and botanic gardens, but no presentation offers the variety and consistency of the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
"The Huntington" as it is called is found in San Marino, just minutes from Pasadena .
When we first stopped by the admission window, I was taken back by the price of admission. Even in Southern California, I did not expect to pay nearly $30 for entry. I would later find that my perceptions were misguided in that I underestimated how vast the grounds were. I had anticipated spending only an hour or two here, but I could have easily spent the entire day.
After paying admission, you'll find yourself in the middle of the Education & Visitor Center. Here you'll find a cafe, gift shop, restrooms, and more before entering the gardens and galleries.
From here, most make their way to the Desert Garden, the first of many gardens on the grounds. After just a few steps, you'll come across the Desert Conservatory which displays more species of cacti than you ever thought existed!
After the Desert Garden, there is a variety of courses you can take. There are the Lily Ponds, the Palm Garden, the Jungle Garden, the Australian Garden or the Subtropical Garden. I found the Lily Ponds particularly enjoyable in that they were teeming with life. Koi and turtles were swimming in the waters while geese and ducks were playing on the perimeter.
As you move along the path to the Rose Garden, you'll pass the building that showcases European Art. As time was limited, I quickly moved through the Rose, Herb, and Shakespeare Gardens, en route to the Japanese Garden, which seemed to be the most popular on the grounds.
After the Japanese Garden, you'll walk along the water and eventually move into the Chinese Garden. The Chinese Garden has a small lake at its epicenter and is a welcome setting on a hot California afternoon.
Finally, if you have any energy left, there is the Brody Botanical Center, Children's Garden, Mausoleum, and Ranch Garden to explore on your way back to the Visitor's Center. .
As our day came to a close, I was completely exhausted and could not believe how much there was to see! Given that there was so much that I didn't have the opportunity to see, I will certainly plan a return visit.
Know Before You Go
It's best to arrive early. There is a lot of ground to cover and the best parking spots fill up quickly.
The grounds are substantial. Make sure you earmark a lot of time to see it all and have plenty of energy to walk a few miles.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring sunblock as you'll be exposed to the sun quite a bit.
Be sure to check the days and hours of operation before visiting.
Resources
Video
The video below shows parts of the Desert Garden, Lily Ponds, Rose, Japanese, and Chinese Gardens.
Location
Found at 1151 Oxford Road in San Marino, CA. If you've never heard of San Marino, it's right by Pasadena. You'll pass through residential areas and then enter the grounds and be directed to a large parking area.
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