The Huntington Reviews

The Huntington is beautiful and I imagine it will get even better as the weather warms up. If you are able to plan in advance, I recommend doing that for the free day. On the first Thursday of the month, entry is free. To get free entry, you must reserve your entry on the 1st of the previous month. (So for free May entry, you should reserve a ticket on April 1st). We went and had tea on the March free day, which was lovely and the staff was very kind and professional and the tea, sandwiches, and pastries were all delicious. From there, we wandered through the herb garden, Japanese and Chinese gardens, and the library. There is even more to see and I recommend keeping your whole afternoon free to see everything you'd like. There were already many beautiful blossoming flowers and trees in early March and I'm sure there will be more through the spring and summer.

Many plants with all types suited for that zone. The Japanese gardens and succulent garden were favorites of ours. Our tour guide was full of information. If you are in the area, this garden is a must.

My husband and I are coming to The Huntington pretty regularly for the BONSAI (small Japanese-style trees), PENJING (Chinese stone and tree display), SUISEKI and GONGSHI (Japanese and/or Chinese Viewing or Scholar-Stones display), and Holiday Events (like Chinese New Years). Every time, we are stunned by the excellence of the event, display, demonstration itself, and also fully enjoy our ability to walk around the Chinese or Japanese or Jungle or Desert Gardens of The Huntington. This despite a 350 mile one way car travel. Nothing is really like it! The clubs that put so many of these are the Southern Breeze Tree & Stone and the California Aiseki Kai. 'Aiseki' means 'Lovable Stones'. Try it, you'll love it!

I've had the pleasure of visiting the Huntington Library twice in my life, and both times I was left in awe of the amount of beauty that abounds in the place. You get a sense of peace and tranquility walking through the Rose Garden and the Japanese garden, and the Tea Room is fabulous.

The Huntington is the most amazing place. We went there thinking an hour would be enough and stayed the day. There was so much trouble to see. The gardens were organized in large sections and they were varied, from one with desert plants; a Shakespeare garden (plants mentioned in his plays); a Japanese garden that looked just as if it would in Tokyo, and came complete with a tea house and an imported, fully reconstructed magistrate's house; to a Chinese garden built around a lake. We also saw the American art collection, which was wonderful, with art from the Hudson Valley School, modern artists like Rauschenberg, Warhol, and many, many others; and the European collection, which tends towards European art--lots of English, Dutch painters, but again many others. The main house is also pretty interesting, although honestly, we preferred the art to seeing house the Huntington's once lived. Finally, the whole property is laid out well and it's easy to get around (the paths are wide, concrete and flat), and the cafeterias are good and plentiful.

Impulse visit... what a wonderful surprise! All gardens are beautiful, but the desert garden alone is worth the price of admission. Home with art collection and library also fabulous. Much more expansive than expected. Plan to spend several hours to do it justice. Absolutely amazing!

We spent most of the day at this remarkable property. The gardens are just jaw dropping, particularly the Chinese and Japanese gardens. The rose garden was in full bloom and stunning. The children’s garden was charming. Other high points were the galleries and library. The European artist gallery is in the Huntington residence and you get to see how the home was furnished as well as tour the many rooms of European painting from the 1700s to present day. American art is housed in modern gallery and covers all the arts including a terrific quilt collection, paintings and decorative art. The dining table and chairs designed by FLW was a delight. One area that should not be missed is the Library exhibition hall. They display a Gutenberg Bible and an Audubon Birds of NA. For us it was the perfect way to finish our visit. Plan at least four to five hours to see everything. There are several choices for dining including the Jade cafe in the Chinese garden and a large dining hall with a market for take out for picnics and a buffet. Lots of outdoor terrace seating. Overall, the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens get a five star rating and a rare five clams in the coveted Five Quahog Rating Scale.

Stunning mix of rare books, impressive art, and breathtaking botanical gardens. A must-visit for book lovers, art enthusiasts, and nature admires alike!
If you love books like me, this is must visit for you.

The cactus gardens are larger and better than Lotus Land. The Japanese and Chinese exhibits are great, also. Lots of walking. Do NOT go when it's hot. You can't sit down in the air conditioned galleries.

It has been years since my last visit to the library and what can I say. It is absolutely amazing and worthwhile experience. It never gets too much and you seem to learn more and see new every time you go again
The gardens the grounds the art the dedication of everyone that works there makes you proud and absolutely enjoy your time.
Use one of their organized tours, it is absolutely worth it and you will learn so much. Make reservations at their tea room it will make of a memorable day.

July is probably not the time to visit this place, but for the limited amount of time we spent outside, the rose garden and Japanese garden were definitely worth enduring the heat. Beautiful gardens, so meticulously maintained. Unfortunately, couldn't endure the heat long enough to see the Chinese garden...
But they have a great European art collection, in an amazing house that is a wonder in and of itself. And it has AC! Yay!
Unfortunately, didn't get a chance to see the American art collection, due to time.
Staff were absolutely helpful, friendly and considerate.
The store and restaurant were free to access without buying a ticket. There is a check station further in, at the beginning of the garden area, where they check for your paid admission. The restaurant and store are before that.
It's a stunning landscape, and a lot to take in. Some slight grade and slope changes; something to think about; can be tough in the summer heat for some people. The Japanese garden was almost in a "valley," so to speak. Definitely more of an uphill walk to get back to the main rose garden area.
Loved the grounds though. Would definitely go back, and hope to one day to take in the things I missed out on this last trip...

The gardens are the most beautiful I have ever seen. Full stop. I imagine the rose garden will be glamorous by April 20 or so. We missed the roses. The cacti were fascinating. The Chinese garden was exceptional.

The Art in the multiple buildings is varied so there is something for everyone.

The cafe is a cut above all others, offering tacos, pizza, grab n go items, etc.

I highly recommend visiting.

If we lived in the LA area, we’d certainly buy an annual membership. We spent all day and barely scratched the surface. Everything is beautifully laid out, the exhibits are fascinating. It was not too crowded, even on the Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day holiday. We must plan to return soon. Highly recommended.

This botanical garden is amazing. So complete and beautiful with so many different types of gardens.

A beautiful day strolling the paths of these creatively laid-out grounds. Especially enjoyed the desert gardens with enormous agave plants and excellent examples of cacti from the two main species..

Absolutely stunning garden with a creative and colourful variety. Huge cactus trees, lovely lilly ponds, rose gardens, palm forest. I guess I have seen a colibri! I hope I did 🙂
The effort and care put into this place is obvious. Can only recommend.

My husband became aware of this place before we travelled and it went to the top of our to-do list. On the flight from Australia I sat next to an LA local who was surprised we knew of it and said, "It is the best place to visit in LA". Our family ages from 10-50's and we all loved it. The gardens are magnificent, Japanese and Chinese a highlight. The volunteers in various spots tell you about the plants, we met a lovely chap in the herb garden. There are a variety of eating options. The buildings are beautiful, vistas glorious and art wonderful. We loved in particular the American art. It was fantastic, and iPods gave excellent commentary. We spent the rest of our trip trying to find more American art, but sadly most galleries are focussed on European.

We're heading back to LA in 2020 and Huntington is top of our list for a repeat visit. We spent a full day last time and only did a few specific gardens, so another full day is planned.

We'd taxied out there from La Brea. When leaving the information desk girl happily installed an Uber app for us and showed us how to use it. The Uber was less than half the price, and we used it for the rest of our stay. We found it way more convenient, cleaner and friendlier than traditional cabs.

With out a doubt the Huntington could be worth a five star rating. Somebody needs to train the staff many of whom are impersonal and rude, particular at the reception area and ticket offices.
The second reason I have only given it 3 stars is because there was no notification that a large part of the gallery was closed.
What is on display and open is fabulous and the library is well laid out and curated.
The gardens are spectacular and well worth walking through. The Chinese garden, leads to The Japanese then there is a relaxing stroll to the Australian outback and the desert area. You need a minimum of 3 or 4 hours in the gardens.
The day could have been so much more rewarding. The volunteers guides and gardeners displayed a pride in their work it is a shame the paid staff were so offhand and casual.

It is a beautiful place, it has everything to spend an unforgettable day. I regret that I didn't arrive earlier so I could visit it completely. The gardens are spectacular, the library extremely interesting, the galleries very well organized. I really liked that there are volunteer staff who can explain the exhibitions, both in the library and in the art galleries. 100% recommended!!!

Our timing was excellent: a beautiful day in springtime. Not too hot and not too cold. And everything was blooming! Wander this amazing place to see the gardens but also go into the various buildings ... an eclectic American art collection, European treasures, and of course quite the antiquarian collection. The gift shop is exceptional and worth a visit by itself. My daughter is a member and her membership got us both in free; if you think you'll visit more than one, be sure to look into a membership.

While on vacation in the LA area, I was visiting several different art museums in the metro area and had this one on my list. I went mainly for the paintings but ended up enjoying the different gardens instead like the Chinese Gardens. The place is pretty big so expect lots of walking, but I do believe there are shuttles running on a schedule as well. If you have never been, I would recommend a visit.

The tapestries were stunning! The Chinese and Japanese gardens were not only gorgeous but also very relaxing!!!

Beautiful gardens, especially the Japanese gardens. It is wonderfully curated gardens. Bring your walking shoes and strollers for the little ones, but it's a great way to enjoy nature!

Visit was part of a shore excursion from a cruise. Was excited to see LA, with someone else doing the driving. Also, very curious to see someplace new. having never actually heard of this place before, and I've been visiting So Cal all my life. The gardens did not disappoint. had a lovely time exploring. Had a slow start, because i headed out in the opposite direction to what I wanted to see, but eventually found the conservatory building I was most wanting to see. also had a wander through the rose garden, and Japanese garden. definitely want to come back and see more, My time was limited, but lovely none the less. easy to spend most of the day here and not experience all you want to, but well worth the visit. Also had lunch at the Jade Court Cafe, I'd go back just to eat there again.

Loved this place. The Japanese and Chinese gardens were beautiful . Rose garden Tea Room was amazing.

We have visited many museums and gardens in the World: Paris, Rome, NY and many other cities. Huntington museums and gardens have exceeded all our exceptions. It is phenomenal. Each and every pieces of art have been chosen with exceptional taste, the home of Henry and Arabella Huntington is beautiful and all the gardens are gorgeous at all seasons of the year. The Library is unique with incredible authentic history documents. To top all this, there is a special exhibition of the 'Blue Boy Project' showing in details how conservation of paintings are done. The cafes and gift shops are images of the site, really awesome!

There is nothing I can say that hasn't been said before. I went on a day of lashing rain and still loved every second. The succulent garden, oh my. And, the new American Art wing, holy moly. And, the food in the restaurant is unreal. I wish I'd had 2-3 more days to spend here.

My family and I made the mistake of putting aside only a few hours to visit Huntington Gardens. We could have easily spent a couple days there. The Gardens complex is huge and informative with many locations that allow for a meditative break from the stresses of the day. The museum was very interesting and provided significant learning opportunities. We used the electronic tour guides which provided a rich variety of details concerning the displays.
If I lived in Pasadena this would definitely be worth a membership.

We visited in July in the midst of a heat wave and still spent close to 5 hours here as there is so much to see. Even after all that time there were parts we missed! There is the American gallery, the European Gallery and The Library, in addition to the extensive and varied gardens. There are several cafes on the property as well. Be sure to stop in the visitors center close to the entrance for an informative introductory video. Cannot recommend this place highly enough!

Had a very nice visit here with the family. The Huntington Library and its surrounding facilities/gardens are perfect for any visitor regardless of interest, whether it would be the visual fine arts or just enjoying the outdoors.

The highlights of the visit (for me) were the American Art and European Art galleries, as well as the British Drawings special exhibition, each providing an impressive display of artworks. The galleries' repertoire includes paintings by Mary Cassatt, artists from the Hudson River School, JMW Turner, Thomas Gainsborough, Edward Hopper, William Hogarth, and John Singleton Copley were all displayed.

In addition, there were various botanical gardens thematically assigned to different regions of the world, each carrying unique flora. I particularly enjoyed the Japanese Garden, although the Chinese are worth visiting too. The library contained impressive display items including the Gutenberg Bible and notes by Lincoln and Washington.

I would definitely recommend spending at least a few hours to walk through the gardens and the library, perhaps even more if you are an art lover.

Stunning❤️
The Roses gardens are beautiful.
Great little eateries.
The Gift shop is so inviting.
Loved the idea of the gardens being divided into all different plant species.
The House tour and art works are truly worth seeing.

Not enough superlatives to describe this breathtakingly beautiful garden! The Chinese Garden is modeled after those in Suzhou, China, and, indeed, many of the elements, including rocks and pebbles were imported from there, along with Chinese craftsmen, who worked alongside local landscapers to implement the design. The cactus garden is rather incredible and there is a lovely raked Japanese Zen garden with an avenue of bright yellow Gingko trees. One can easily spend a whole day here just wandering the grounds. Find a quiet spot and just BE !

It is one of the best art and garden in Southern California. Such spacious setting and nature provides an experience that is hard to find elsewhere. Highly recommended to spend a day here.

This place is beautiful and HUGE. We got tickets for the afternoon and figured that about three hours would be enough to experience just the gardens (the buildings were mostly closed due to the pandemic). It was not nearly enough time. We spent over an hour in the incredible Chinese Garden and that was just one of many themed gardens, including a Japanese Garden, a Rose Garden, a Shakespeare Garden, a Desert Garden, an Australian Garden, a Jungle Garden, a Palm Garden, and several more besides. If we lived within an hour’s drive, we would have purchased a membership as this is an idyllic place with so very much to offer.

we were by other guests at the arroya inn, how interesting and diverse , a place not to miss, we were not disappointed. so beautiful from the art to the botanical and also the information provided

Such a nice gem in the middle of a busy city! The mansion is beautiful with a great library. But my favorite part is the garden. The garden has many themes, very well maintained, and is extremely enjoyable and peaceful to walk around.

As good as it gets: Great gardens, fantastic art, and an amazing library. There's almost too much to see on one visit. And, you can walk your legs off in the garden if you're not careful. A must see.

I was expecting to visit a beautiful place, but I'm sure that huntington library and all the gardens are much more, look like paradise. desert garden is amazing, japanese and chinese gardens are gorgeous, camelias are poetic (roses weren't in season yet).
It's true that's not very easy to reach the park, but you must try!

An absolutely beautiful place to walk around. There is plenty of parking and entry is organized. You do need a reservation because of COVID, although I don't know for how long. I visited March 21, 2021. It was a warm day and I enjoyed walking to the right which is toward the English, Japanese, then Chinese gardens. Some people Couldn't find the Chinese gardens because the entry is in a building entrance. I'm not sure which gardens were my favorite because they all had their beauty and tranquility. Unfortunately, there were many people walking on the grass through all of the rose bushes. And some were in spots inappropriate to visitors in the Japanese garden. I did enjoy the museum, although I didn't spend much time indoors. There were people scattered, pointing visitors in the right direction. The only drawback was the heat. It would be nice if there were a few spots to hide from the sun. Maybe bring an umbrella? I recommend a pass if you live nearby (or somewhat nearby) because meandering a lovely way to spend some free time.

Had a great time walking through out the gardens. The museum's and library was a nice break from hot sun. Get there as early as possible to enjoy as much as possible, the tickets aren't cheap.

Some of the art in the art collection was well worth visiting. And the collection itself was nicely hung. But the gardens, what a disappointment. We were very surprised to find that many other gardens we had visited around the world were so much more attractively planned & well, just more beautiful. Plus signage while exploring, was basically nonexistent or rarely stumbled upon. We consistently had to examine our map & often that just barely helped us find our way. N.A. real disappointment.

Laid out on a beautiful tract of land near Pasadena, the gardens are amazing. We spent most of our time in the Japanese garden and Chinese garden. The bonsai tree section is amazing. The desert garden is also must see. After a long stroll thru the gardens, visit the library to see important historical books like the Guttenberg Bible. Take heed, it can get hot out there. Bring sunscreen, a hat and or a parasol.

We had an amazing visit. We were lucky enough to have a family member suggest it and another family member who has visited before and was able to be an excellent guide. The grounds were beautiful and educational. Would love to go again and stay longer and make an entire day of it.

Very nice garden which we’ve wanted to visit for a very long time. Took our “mature,” parents for a day trip as it also lends itself well to a socially distant excursion. Masks are needed at all times and tickets for two weeks of openings are released each Tuesday at noon pacific time. The museums and cafes are all closed and no food is allowed on the property. The unfortunate issue we encountered was with staff at the entry where there were less than a dozen people spread out and we paused briefly before the temperature check table to allow my father in law to catch up as he was walking with a cane post knee replacement. The staff member began yelling at us to keep moving regardless (mind you there was no one in front or behind us and the dozen or so people scattered around were not waiting to enter the garden). We pointed out the cane and slow walking and asked for a bit of patience and she yelled “it doesn’t matter what’s going on you MUST keep moving!!!” The temperature check lady was very apologetic about her colleague but for such a nice venue and a $24 ticket I expect more. Unfortunately it did not improve as we moved to the area where they scan your ticket which is two tables with a sign that says to get in line to the left (which would mean standing smack in the middle of the walkway) while staff again yelled at us and another family to get in line to the right and to “wait until you’re called,” when ironically there was NO ONE waiting at either station. The two people operating the scanners had a nice chat about an unrelated work topic and eventually motioned us to come forward to be scanned. Overall the gardens and their beauty were wonderful and it was really nice to be at a venue where everyone was so compliant with mask wearing which was a nice stress reducer for our elderly crew. Plenty of benches to rest and take in the view. I’d highly recommend this garden and I think that the museums and displays are probably very nice. Would have loved to give it five stars and certainly would have were it not for our first impressions of the Huntington...and as we all know “first impressions,” are where we form our lasting opinions of people and places.

The gardens are beautiful as usual, with 2 drawbacks: 1) Minor one: you can purchase tickets on site only if you have an internet connected device. Or at least this is what we were told at the ticket window. If a cultural institution uses technology to limit accessibility, it is using it the wrong way. - 2) Major one: most of the art work and exhibited items are currently not accessible.

This museum houses many old documents such as the Gutenberg Bible. The pieces are well displayed and easy to access even if there is a crowd. The grounds are lovely- 130 acres of manicured gardens.

Born and raised in Southern California, I’d heard about the Huntington Library, Museum and Gardens my whole life. Thanks to their monthly Free Pass Thursday (check out the website for details) - and a well-timed visit from an out-of-town guest - I finally had my chance to visit.

What a place! So much to see! Exquisite gardens and botanical life, impeccably cared for and arranged. Stunning art in well-organized displays over several exhibition spaces. Shuttle services for guests who need help getting from area to area (and it is a vast expanse of a space, both indoor and outdoor). We popped into the impressive cafe (1919 Cafe had many options for an ice cream to help us cool off) and the whimsical gift shop (lots of trinkets to help one commemorate their visit), both near the front entrance.

Needless to say, despite our best efforts, we couldn’t see it all in one day. I look forward to my next chance to explore this magical place.

This was a fantastic day out , in fact we are going again before we leave LA to go back home to portugal

I saw the Gutenberg bible as well as other very precious and historical printed book from Xv XVI century. Very nice and educational . Beautiful main room . Two entrances from the
South side

Our family of 5 (3 teenagers) enjoyed a long morning walk around the great park. Truly an amazing collection of diverse plants arranged thematically so you really felt like being in that particular place. Being July and hot, we relaxed in the shade of the trees in the ticketing area. The Mansion is likewise well worth a visit. Spectacular art exhibits and a realistic look into the living of early 20th century riches. Even our kids were amazed :-)

It is a spacious place to visit in more than 3 hours and enjoy its spectacular gardens as well as many places to take photos.

Visiting The Huntington and its gardens and museum gallery were an amazing travel experience. It is a huge piece of beautiful property. We really loved the Cactus Garden and the Chinese garden. LA is more than Hollywood and Venice Beach. The Huntington in San Marino is a must-visit.

Took family visiting from the East Coast to Huntington Library. What a beautiful place. The gardens are just so incredibly well done. The library housed such fascinating manuscripts, books, and letters. Don't miss the stunning artwork. We had a wonderful time. Wear comfortable shoes. You'll be doing a lot of walking.

We were in awe of this beautiful place. Lovingly created and maintained with surprises around every twist and turn. The bonsai trees in the Japanese garden were a treat.

Beautiful gardens with easy to walk paths, many of which are ADA compliant: Three excellent museums, featuring a history of important printed documents, European Art and American Art: Allow at least half a day to get a decent overview. The docents are excellent, and if you go to the orientation center, a guide will help you plan your day. We enjoyed lunch at the 1919 Cafe which offered a wide variety of food. The store is well stocked with lovely gift items. Do buy your ticket online in advance as it can sell out. If you Uber in, you can be dropped off and picked up at the main entrance past the guard house.

Loved the Garden area the most, especially the huge new Chinese area. The rose gardens were also awesome, with everything meticulously maintained. Put on your walking shoes to visit, because it's a huge venue. It feels like you're far from the city!! Our docent was extremely knowledgeable and made our visit more enjoyable.

Meeting up with friends for this outdoor activity was the best idea by far (during covid). The indoor spaces were not open, and a good thing: the gardens were enough to take in and we didn't even get to the desert area. We covered about 2.5 miles of ground. Walking leisurely, every one of the five of us went at each our own pace. The grounds are well kept, the plants run from the common to the exotic, as does the paths as some walkways were a little more challenging for those of us with feet/balance issues. Given that, it really did allow time to stop and smell the roses--literally. My favorite part was, well, one, being with friends, and two, being able to see vistas of gardens without the distraction of cell phones, cars, any kind of devices...it was quiet and therefore, pleasant to just let your mind decompress. It is truly a place where a picture is worth a thousand words. On top of it, Bonus! the fresh air and walking steps for fitness. The museum store had very clever "souvenir" items and books and the food available was tasty and reasonably priced for the venue. I would not hesitate to go again.

If I were a local, I would probably spend a lot of my time here; if anything else, to chose some nice reading area in the libraries garden and enjoy the environment. However, most visitors go there to enjoy the arboretum, botanic garden; especially the Japanese and Chinese gardens, with great bonsai exhibits, Very easy to spend a full day here. As a note, the place may get crowded. It suits Pasadena very well. Recommended.

Get out your walking shoes and clean off your glasses, The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens has something for everyone.
Parking is free, go during the week and save on admission, the weekend admission is higher.
Hours for non members start at 10AM and closes at 5PM. You will find that time passes very quickly and one day may not be enough to see everything.
The Huntington is kid friendly and strollers are okay.
Be sure to visit the Art Museum to see some of the most famous original art work in the
world ie: The Blue Boy and Pinky.
Stroll the grounds and witness several different gardens.
Visit the Library and be amazed by the number of vintage first editions.
Food is available, or bring your own food and have a picnic.
Enjoy your visit!!

We really enjoyed our time here. Beautiful place, safe, relaxing , well maintained with friendly staff. Offers relief and joy during Covid 19 pandemic. In compliance with Covid 19 rules, has parking space and restrooms. We like the flowers, trees, view, turtles, pond and architecture. We stayed for about 3 hours even if outside temperature is about 80 degrees. Bring water.

A pleasant surprise to find this place so relaxing! Loved all the gardens. Will certainly visit again with family. Or read a book in a shaded chair. Wow!!

We snagged tickets for free day. It is a beautiful museum and gardens. Parking is free and plentiful. We toured the rose garden, Japanese garden, Chinese garden and European art, and American art museums. All are fabulous and well worth the visit. We ate a light lunch in 1919 cafe. We had pizza, pop, iced coffee. It was very good. The place was busy. There is a gift shop near the entrance. We did not go in it. We watched the short film about the Huntingtons in the visitor center near the entrance. It explains some of the history of the place. It is worth watching. There is also a photo op with a Blue Boy cutout in the center, along with some coloring pages for children.

The Huntington Gallery is a must for those who love art and antique books. The paintings by Gainsborough are worth a visit by themselves. But the antique books are also extremely interesting.

They have different pricing from student to senior. An adult will pay $25 to enter, but it is worth the money. Plan on spending about 5 hours here if not more. We went in January and wished we had planned more than the 4 hours we spent there. There is so much to see. There are several museums which are all in doors, an art galley, and a library along with the beautiful gardens. In total it is said to be 207 acres. Make sure you get a map when entering to find your way around. Even in January, the gardens were beautiful. They are divided into different areas, such as the palm garden, rose garden, desert garden, Japanese, and Chinese garden, just to name a few. You will want to take pictures. We saw strollers and wheelchairs, so yes the paths are accessible. You will learn the history of how this all came to be, as the museums have FREE audio tours. There is a restaurant on the grounds, although we never stopped. We did see people with back packs, so we assumed it is OK to take them in. If you have a free day be sure to make it one of your stops while in the area.

Today, was my first visit to the beautiful Huntington Library. Idyllic grounds exceptionally maintained. The Chinese garden magically takes you away. It's hard to believe you're in Southern California. Be aware there is construction around the Chinese garden so the sound of loud machines drowned out any tranquility. Still, a must see! The project looks huge. I can't imagine it will be complete any time soon. Sadly, the Japanese garden was closed for maintenance, however as we walked the perimeter, we could see it was beautiful. The rose garden was breathtaking and that doesn't include how fragrant the area is. All you could smell was the wonderful aroma of every variety of rose and they were all in bloom. There is a large collection of artwork in the Huntington Art Gallery. With temperatures outside approaching 100, the gallery is the perfect place to take time out from walking the gardens and enjoy the European art while staying comfortably cool. Right behind the art gallery was a long grassy knoll planked by statues. You felt like you were walking the grounds of Pemberley.

Eateries are throughout the garden. We ate at 1919 Cafe. The food was very good and surprisingly reasonable. Many options $10 or less. Plenty of choices to satisfy any appetite. I couldn't decide between the grilled peach salad or the watermelon salad. The woman behind the counter told me I could combine them. They were delicious and both with a light vinaigrette. Their Huntington Library special iced tea was delicious.

You're sure to find the perfect gift in the store. They sell everything from Jane Austen and other literary greats' trinkets, to parasols, gardening decor, jewelry etc. I liked how the store appeared to be divided into sections mirroring the gardens.

Last stop was the coffee shop. The Red Car. Perfect pitstop to pick up a snack and coffee (Illy) for the drive home.

I'll be sure to visit again!

Diversity is what counts.
A nice walk through the gardens changed with some cooling down while watching art exhibits.
Gardens are beautiful and well kept. Art wise I liked the presence of paintings by Dutch painters.
Entrance fee was a bit pricy to my opinion compared to for example Simon Norton or The Getthy

Interesting but disappointed 😔 that Blue Boy is being restored and not on display. You can not see everything in a day. Research and plan what you want to see during the time you have available. 1919 is the best place to eat. There is an admission fee. Botanical gardens are impressive.

We made a trip to the Huntington Library specifically to see the NASA Orbit Pavilion display (because I love satellites), but what I got was an experience far beyond my expectations.

First, the Orbit display was breathtaking and because we got there early in the morning there was hardly anyone around.

We were there about 3 hours and only saw a fraction of what this place had to offer. As you walk in, the greenery and olive trees create a safe haven for hummingbirds you can hear buzzing around. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking a moment to watch the video about how the Huntington Estate came to be. We watched it just before we left, and had we watched it first, I think it would have given another layer to the experience.

The desert garden is beautiful, and where we spent most of our time. We passed the outskirts of the palm garden and enjoyed the serene ponds and creeks as we cut through the Australian garden to the Japanese garden. I loved the serenity of the Japanese garden and bonsai exhibit. I was saddened to see the lack of respect by others who carved on the bamboo despite the signage (and who needs a sign to know this isn't right?).

We did not get to enjoy the library or the art museum but I have a feeling we'll be back again.

Because we went on a Sunday morning, traffic wasn't as bad and it wasn't as crowded. We took a moment to stop at the gift shop before we left.

One last tip - bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Wear comfortable walking shoes for an enjoyable trek through the grounds. My initial thought was how nice can a cacti garden be? We’ll to be sure the condition of the cacti & color throughout this section of the grounds is amazing! Something to see at least once. The Japanese garden was also something to see. When the roses are in full bloom. That must be something to behold. It was early January so some of the lawn areas were a bit stressed, but still nice to walk along all the well maintained walkways. I particularly enjoyed the mansion with all the paintings & artifacts. The library offered a lot of local historical materials to view. If in the area and you enjoy gardens and walking, you won’t be disappointed. All the staff members were pleasant and helpful.

Tip 1. Park in the shade.
Tip 2. Remember it's hot when walking so bring a bottle.

Visited the exhibitions and was very impressed.

References and exhibits to people from Birmingham UK (my home town) in the science part so added interest.

Manuscripts from many hundreds of years ago to view.

Loved the European art exhibits.

Walked round the gardens. Although roses were in bloom, I imagine a visit in early June will show them at their peak.

Lovely Chinese garden.

Enjoyed the three hours spent on site. Kids then getting restless whereas adults could have stayed longer.

Noted that the toilets were spotless.

Admission.
$25 adults x 4
$21 student age 12
$13 age 5

$134 total.

The tea room looked tempting but was quite expensive. I guess more for that special treat rather than the normal family snack so popped into the coffee shop at the entrance and kids had a cake and ice cream.

Worth going. Recommended

I loved this place, the gardens are absolutely gorgeous and huge! it was great just strolling and spending time enjoying the nature. The exhibitions are well curated and interesting, I liked that they are housed in different buildings so there is a clear definition of library/art.

I did hate the "restaurant" though...the cafeteria-style is just too chaotic and all the peace achieved in the gardens dissipated.. it was so bad I just left without eating...

Los Angeles is a big concrete city and going to Huntington Botanical Gardens is a breath of fresh air. The Chinese and Japanese Gardens are beautifu (although currently under construction), the Desert Garden and the entire complex. Good places to sit and eat and relax and other places throughout to just sit and enjoy the gardens. Worth a trip and great for families.

The Huntington gets five stars just for the Japanese and Chinese gardens, where you could wander around in for an hour or more or just sit in take in the lovely surroundings. We spent another 45 minutes to an hour in the American Art museum. The Huntington home housing the European art (and Blue Boy and Kehinde Wiley’s pieces) could take another 30 to 60 minutes. There is a nice gift shop and café. There is ample parking, which is free.

Living in the north county San Diego area for over 34 years now, I’ve always wanted to go to the Huntington Library, Museum and Gardens. I’ve also wanted to stroll through Pasadena stopping in as many antique shops and trying as many restaurants as possible.

We finally got a chance for my birthday this September. We spent an entire day strolling through the gardens, even though I was in a wheelchair, and enjoyed every single minute of it. We took so many photos and so many videos because there was so much beauty around us we had to try to capture it! The only bad thing in the gardens unfortunately, was the Japanese garden area. It was not wheelchair accessible nor handicap accessible so we really didn’t get to see anything there. If you go plan on spending at least one full day doing the gardens, and the tea room and then possibly an additional half to full day to stroll through the library, museum and gift shop.

We had lunch in the Rose Garden Tea Room. The variety of teas that we chose were wonderful. The food was great, and they even accommodated some changes we needed to make because of dietary restrictions and one of us being a vegetarian. The staff was warm and welcoming and even decorated a special cupcake with happy birthday on a chocolate disk with a candle too for my special day!

After lunch since the day was getting on, we hurried back to the museum to see the restoration of the blue man painting. They’ve done an excellent job gathering the information needed for the public to understand what’s being done to restore the painting. They even show X-rays so you can see what was originally on the canvas before the blue man and some of the damages and what they’re doing to repair it. The other paintings in the museum itself or mine blowing. Again don’t miss the opportunity to visit the museum.

Of course we had to make time to visit the gift shop on our way out, which is filled with wonderful items. My wonderful guy bought me a beautiful tea cup to remember the outing and celebrate my birthday.

The day ended much too quickly and we wish we had had more time at the Huntington. We got there when the gardens opened and left as they were closing but wished we had another day to come back. We will definitely go back so that we can finish seeing the rest of the gardens as well as more of the museums.

For Father’s Day we visited the Huntington Gardens with our daughter and her husband. It had been 20 years since our last visit and the gardens are even more impressive than I remembered. The gardens are now open after the Covid shut-downs. We found most of the indoor museums and displays remain closed, but the cafe, which has outdoor dining, and the gift shop are now open.

The gardens are immaculately maintained and beautiful. We found the Chinese Landscape garden, established in 2008, to be very impressive. It is the largest of its kind outside of China, and having seen gardens in China, I was impressed with the attention to detail, and the authentic buildings, landscaping, materials, and bonsai of these gardens. They are designed to borrow the surrounding mountains as a backdrop to the gardens. They are continuing to grow and develop this landscape. We enjoyed strolling along the river and entering the Japanese garden, which provides a nice way to compare and contrast the garden styles.

We also enjoyed the Australian garden, the SE Asian Tropical Garden and the Desert garden, has a staggering amount of beautiful desert trees, cacti and succulents that make a surprisingly colorful experience.

The gardens require a reservation and the Huntington does a good job managing the number of people in the park at any given time. There is a lot to see, so if you want to see all the gardens, I would recommend starting earlier in the day, and seeing the open areas when it is cooler and going for the shaded areas when it gets hot. They do offer annual passes for repeat visits, and your admission can count toward the cost of your membership.

Bring your walking shoes! The grounds were great with a wide variety plants. Especially liked the Chinese and Japanese Gardens.

Beaux Art Architecture, Grand European paintings, diverse ethnic gardens, indigenous plants, well-considered circulation, fresh & delicious foods, and pensive niches for restoration. A remarkable day's adventure.

I am a member, but had never taken an official tour of The Huntington. With an out of town friend, we chose to do The Estate Tour. Well worth the time and money. You are escorted around the grounds mostly when the general public has not, yet, been allowed in. You get a great overview of the history and property.

There are various tour opportunities, some more specialized than others and some are free. Either way, I would take one!

The library museum and art galleries and grounds where excellent but some things we’re definitely OFF … the BLUE BOY was shadowed by a painting of a man of color… not a bad piece of art but not appropriate there.. there were other insertions of other things like a native Americans voice on a Remington sculpture about availability to them ( I can’t afford them either) .. the questions at the end where offensive and inappropriate.. we are either ONE .. or divided for ever.. go because it is beautiful but stop trying to divide us

If you ever have the yen for old world splendor and grandeur but want to skip the transatlantic flight, one option is to visit this stately gardens and library hidden in a residential neighborhood in San Marino. The garden is immaculately maintained, boasts statues and fountains and manicured lawns, and even serves afternoon tea in the Rose Room. There is a pretty decent children's garden for the little ones, and recreations of historic Japanese and Chinese gardens. Consider this the more upscale alternative to the Los Angeles County Arboretum.

The Huntington is just a beautiful place to spend the day in the different gardens and to see the art collections.

The cacti has certainly grown and flourished since the last time I was here. The grounds of the Chinese, the Japanese and the children’s Gardens are beautiful! This place just has something for everyone to enjoy.

It’s so serene spending the day here!

I'm pretty sure as of this posting, the library is still closed due to COVID-19, but the gardens are open. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL...you will want to stay all day long. Tranquil, peaceful, and lot's of acreage so you will be able to avoid people if you want. When the library does open you will be amazed to see all of the original works...books, letters, A Gutenberg Bible....The original "Blue Boy" painting...a Shakespeare folio...Original Darwin notes...I believe part of Galileo's notebook, or actually maybe a photo of that.. Be advised though...it is sad, but NO FOOD at all in any of the gardens, ugh. It would be a wonderful place to picnic....but alas... not allowed. And of course the concessions and tea room are nice, but costly. You can picnic with your own food though, just outside the library grounds near the parking lot, at picnic tables. Secluded area, safe for children, shaded. Not super beautiful or anything, but at least that is there if you want to have your own meal. I highly recommend the Huntington! We are members.

The main draw for our trip was the recently opened Shoya House - that was good (4 stars) but the rest of the Huntington is top notch - five stars overall. We especially enjoyed the American Gallery- an eclectic and interesting collection of American art with enthusiastic and knowledgeable docents. The Japanese and Chinese gardens are just lovely and the dining is good too.

If you have time while you are visiting Pasadena, you really owe it to yourself to spend the day at this fabulous location. Great history.Great antiques everywhere! Fabulous library. The gardens are beautiful. We walked for miles! The restaurants on the premises are really good. I can't say enough about our positive experience. Please go. you will be happy you did.

You MUST visit the Huntington Library. Such a beautiful and history-filled place. So many people that live in So Cal have never even been here and they should! Tourists should include this location when visiting.

Wow, what a fantastic place!
We visit botanical gardens all over the world and this one is simply stunning.
About 30 minutes from L.A. In Pasadena, easy to get to and lots of parking.
Food/drink outlets on site.
Make sure you have enough time to see everything though because in August the gardens close at 5pm which is plain ridiculous! :-(

An amazing place with lots to see. The most impressive gardens are further way from the entrance so be sure to save time and energy for these: the desert garden of succulents, the historic, vast and charming (and very authentic) Japanese garden, and the still quite new and huge Chinese gardens, which include a gallery, and a useful recharging spot in the form of an Asian cafe. The gardens closer to the centre - roses and so on - are pleasant but not standout.

Interspersed in the gardens are galleries of temporary exhibitions (Storm Cloud, a powerful exploration of climate change and art), American art (variable in quality, but good exhibit on local arts and crafts architecture), and the original Huntington mansion, quite something in interior decor, and full of famous paintings (but not The Blue Boy, currently in storage). Excellent display of books and manuscripts in the old library.

Good cafe (picnics not allowed) and museum shop, definitely a whole day visit, even two days for garden/art enthusiasts.

Apart from an amazing Library with amazing original documents. three great art museums, and outstanding gardens, the professionalism and artism of the displays and presentation makes this one of the great attraction in the United States. Must see. Highly Recommended.

I'd wanted to visit the Huntington for years and was so happy I finally made a visit! The grounds are amazing, with such a huge variety of gardens - rose, Chinese and Japanese were favorites - all excellently laid out. And the collections! Everything from letters written by famous scientists to antique iron implements to porcelain and silver. It was all so beautifully displayed and wonderful.

The Huntington is literally an awesome combination of unbelievable experiences. First, the Gardens: the desert garden is magical...from the impressive number of species to the sheer magnitude. Second, we were there shortly after the corpse flower bloomed. The flower is unbelievable and the conservatory is impressive with some very educational displays. Third, the artwork..An impressive variety of pieces displayed effectively. Being able to see the blue boy while still under restoration was unique. Last but not least the library. The manuscript and book collection was beyond impressive. The sheer number of important scientific documents that we saw on display cannot be duplicated anywhere. Plus Many great historical pieces.Truly a must visit... you will not be disappointed.

The library holds treasures that everyone can relate, heard about, or one is the original of what you read or are reading now. It is beautiful!

The grounds are outstanding with many different gardens.

I love this botanical gardens! So beautiful! I especially love the Japanese & Chinese Gardens. The museums/galleries are good also.

My only complaint is the high ticket prices! Outrageous! Too high! So, I only go there once every couple years.

The Huntington Library was amazing. I am inclined to become a member or supporter. it is an important place while being beautiful, amazing, and extremely educational.

That being said, we needed half a day and didnt really see all of it. There is a botanical gardens, which is 208 acres, 130 acres available to tour. There are 16 themed area such as Chinese, Japanese, Rainforest, Desert and many more.

The Library; One of the world’s great independent research libraries, with some 12 million items spanning the 11th to the 21st centuries. There is a rare and antique collection of books, scrolls and documents dating back further than that.

The Art Museum; A world-class collection featuring over 45,000 artworks from Europe, America, and Asia that span more than 500 years.

There is a "tram" which we ended up using by the time our legs and feet were asking for help. But is not a tour bus, rather a conveyance that circulates between sections of the park.

There are many food and refreshment options through out.

Entry to the park has a fee. It is better to book your tickets in advance and far better to get there on weekdays as we did.

I will go back and probably back again. I am 70 years old and after being born and raised a comfortable drive from this place, it is hard to believe it took me so long to go there.

Beautiful place to relax and enjoy the variety of gardens! But If you are talking senior visitors with you, please make sure you plan ahead, it can be tiresome for them coz the place is huge!!

A wonderful combination of plants and culture. The cactus garden was the winner as the specimens are monstrous in size. That is not surprising since they are in their native habitat. There are also specimens of the world's largest flower in the greenhouse.
The library was extremely impressive. Manuscripts from hundreds of years ago were well preserved. You need to spend an entire day or two, if possible, to see everything. Great value for the money! It is worth $50 or more per person.

This was our 1st visit to the Huntington library grounds and tea Room. We went to celebrate my birthday. It was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed the Tea and the service. Also enjoyed walking around the grounds of visiting the museums. Can't wait to go back again. You need reservation for tea on weekend, it was very busy. Lots of people waiting. Also there are stairs at entrance, I didn't see disabled entrance, double check before going w / anyone in wheelchair.

A great place to spend a Sunday morning or afternoon, away from the city hustle. Quiet and spacious, there is so much to see that I wish their operating hours were slightly longer. The Japanese garden is a real highlight.

After visiting the second time I decided to get a yearly membership. This place is amazing to just stroll through on a quiet weekday. I love walking through the Japanese and cacti gardens. One day I will make reservations for the tea room, until then, I will be getting lost in the gardens. Parking is free and there are great coffee shops and restaurants not too far from the location.

The Hunting Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens over delivered. It exceeded all expectations both in quality and quantity. You really cannot see and fully appreciate everything in just one weekend. The Library has over 12 million pieces including a Guttenberg Bible, Life size Illustrated Audubon original book, the Declaration of Independence and so much more. The art pieces and mansion were very interesting and the 130 acres of various botanical gardens were overwhelming. It is certainly worth visiting multiple times.

Amazing place! My kids and I had a lot of fun wandering around and enjoying all of the gardens and museums.

It was hot outside but there were lots of places to hide in the shade or to take a break inside the museums.

We had a number of strong recommendations to visit Huntingdon Gardens whilst in Pasdena and were blown away at the sheer variety of plant life - over 60,000 different species set over 120 acres! Despite having travelled extensively and particularly in the tropics the gardens have trees and plants that I had never seen before in my life. You will definitely need multiple visits to see everything. We ended up upgrading our standard admission ticket to an annual membership as this is better value for money especially if you plan to visit more than once. The small shuttle buggy on the grounds is complimentary and will take you around the park if needed. We also had a bite to eat at the Jade Cafe located within the Chinese Gardens. Our tofu salad was fresh and generous in portion size. The bigger 1919 Cafe is huge, has a substantial seating area and a varied selection of cuisines from pizzas to wraps. The Gardens are an absolute must see if you are in the Pasadena area or even LA!!

First, a shout out to the ticket staff. I arrived on a Saturday, and was informed that usually on weekends and Monday holidays, online reservations were needed. I had actually scoped this place out online, but did not see that bit of info. But, since I was from Vancouver, Washington, and not local, they had mercy on me and let me in. So grateful! Had an awesome time. I spent four hours wandering around the place.
The place is immense, so plan for that. It is so large that they have attendants driving around on the back perimeters in "golf carts," in case you need a ride.
There are different theme gardens throughout the place, connected by either paved or dirt walkways. Some of the signage could be better. It was hard at times to discern from the map one is given, exactly where some theme garden was. There aren't signs that announce the specific gardens and limited signage that points the way to specific locations; one sort of wanders from one garden and into the next, sometimes in a haphazard way.
The plant collections are incredible. I used to work as a garden center manager in San Diego, so I knew a lot of the plants displayed, but their collection is massive and well arranged, as would be expected. The desert garden is the closest one to the entrance,and is packed full of cacti, succulents, and other dry climate plants, and being that this is in southern California, they are thriving.
The Japanese and Chinese gardens are small, but excellent. (I've seen a few others elsewhere.) I still wonder how they got crab apple trees to bloom in the Chinese garden. Apple trees are not usually southern California friendly.
There are, of course, Koi fish in the Japanese garden, and there are turtles in the Chinese garden. Between the two gardens, at the top level, is a small walkway of camellias. There is also a small walkway of Camellia bushes near the Shakespeare garden.
The art museums have impressive displays. They have included art from cultures other than 1500-1800's U.S. and Europe. I found this a refreshing change of pace.
Of course, there are highlights, such as Pinkie and Blue Boy, but there is plenty of variety for all tastes.
People watching was great too! A lot of people dressed up to tour the gardens, and allowed me to take photos. Added to the fun.
Pricing was good too. Only $24, but then I am a senior.
I strongly advise wearing a cap or hat, so as to not burn your head, and if you are sensitive to heat, wear light clothing and bring one of those misting bottles with a fan.

This was not on my due list while in Cali but I was told it is one that need be seen. I can tell you that unless your kids are into gardening stuff, flowers, art, a little educational science, then yes but otherwise it is more for grown ups or for a nice date with your significant other. I had a 4,6,14 year old with me and the moment my 6 year old stepped into the garden, he said “this is boring” and yes it is as they have nothing inside to entertain young children, unless I missed that part?

But for grown ups, excellent place to get a good digital camera and get some memorable pictures, including the Chinese garden, Japanese garden (which I think was the best)

I don’t have time to see the Australian or desert garden as I got there almost mid afternoon and this place closes at 5pm.

I gave it 5 stars because of the set up, cleanliness and the serene atmosphere this place has, and like I said, an excellent place to take very great pictures no doubt!

What can I say that hasn't been said? Wonderful place and takes AT LEAST a full day. We enjoyed everything, the library, art galleries, tea room and even the gift shop.

Beautiful garden, what an amazing collection of trees and plants. We were there hours, so many lovely spots to sit. Had lunch in Jade Garden then while granddaughter was taken to childrens garden we had a small opportunity to see some art. Am amazing day out

Was in Pasadena for a wedding and looked for something to do nearby. So lucky I found this place. We spent about three hours and saw only a fraction of the gardens. The cactus garden was huge with samples from all over the world - truly a unique experience. Also really enjoyed the Japanese garden with koi pool and bonsai trees. Stopped for lunch at the cafe and it was surprisingly good with a wide variety of choices, including for vegetarians. My only regret is that I didn't have more time.
Note - currently you have to buy timed tickets online for weekend time slots. We went on a Sunday and were able to book them earlier that day.

Visited the California, Australia and Desert Gardens, with a quick trip through the Japanese gardens. These are beautifully maintained and very quiet. The Asian area had tall, thick groves of bamboo that totally transformed the atmosphere by blocking out the sunlight. Lots of beautiful vantage points and various different flowers. Most trails are paved which is nice, but a good number are gravel and dusty. Explanatory and interpretive signs are lacking as are a supply of trash cans. This is a beautiful garden - you can literally smell the roses as you pass through the rose garden. It is by no means cheap but well worth the visit.

Great gardens - I wish I had more time to explore. Wear comfortable shoes. Japanese garden is beautiful. Great for kids.

Don't skip this. It's beautiful and so unique. The house is gorgeous. Well decorated. Good architecture. Lots of paintings and other artwork. The gardens are amazing. Don't skip the dessert garden. The Japanese Garden is the most beautiful and tranquil, but the dessert garden is also beautiful. The planning and creativity that went into creating all of this is exceptional. To see it all takes about four hours. That includes a stop for lunch. Lots of places to choose to eat. Also don't miss going to see the some of the rare books. There are so many things you won't see anywhere else all here in one place.

We went with small children so started at the children's garden with a little door Alice would have been happy entering. Lots to keep kids interested and involved if not always dry... But it was a sunny and warm day so we were not worried about wet shoes or clothing from the ponds, streams and pools.
Most attractive to me were the Chinese Garden and Desert Garden. But in our company everyone found different places pleasant.
If we were in the area for longer perhaps a membership would be in order for repeat visits since for a one-time visit it was quite pricey. In any case, we spent the better part of a day in the park, brought a picnic lunch we could enjoy on benches in the shade and made good use of the grounds while there.

I cannot say enough good things about the Huntington. It has something for everyone. History, art, gardens, beauty everywhere, cultural treasures, a second-to-none library of historical first edition books, and acres and acres of incredible acres.

DO NOT MISS THE HUNTINGTON!

Located in Pasadena, my friend drove, there was plenty of parking when we arrived. I purchased 2 tickets online for a 10:00 a.m., Sunday slot. The weather was perfect to enjoy a beautiful walk through the botanical gardens. The check-in was easy, we got a map and quite frankly, it was not that crowded which was nice. The garden is easy to navigate. The Japanese, Chinese and Rose Gardens were my favorite. We took about 2 hours to go through the gardens, it was a nice walk for all ages.

Just to note: wear comfortable shoes and if sunny wear sunscreen.

This place was so beautiful. It would be a great place for people that are photographers as it seems the entire place is picture perfect! There is a lot of walking to get from one exhibit to the next but it was worth it. We only went through a couple of the museums and only the Chinese and Japanese botanical gardens but they were beautiful!! We went on a day that was around 98 degrees outside so I don't recommend that but I would definitely go back during a cooler time like maybe spring.

Love the Desert Garden- looks like a cactus garden taken out of a Dr. Suess Book. The Cafe on site was adorable with great expresso and great service. The gift shop is huge and beautiful

This was our first time so we took a docent tour to get a general idea of what we wanted to aim for for the rest of the day. Our Docent was so knowledgeable, so personable and gave us a "big picture" of everything to see along with the history of the Huntington family. The tour was only 90 minutes so that gave us the rest of the day to see the museums, library and almost all the different gardens which were amazing. The desert and palm gardens are beautiful and us having horticulture backgrounds we were in awe. We also loved the cafe for lunch. Beautiful seating outside and delicious pizza!!

Impressive low key museum. We visited the Chinese, Japanese and Rose gardens. I am impressed with the quality of each garden. The Chinese garden with the Chinese style buildings gave the garden a retro vibe of a rich family's personal garden in their estate. I enjoyed seeing Blue Boy and Pinkie (that was my goal). An unexpected surprise was seeing the Gutenberg Bible, 1 of 3 vellum copies in the US. We enjoyed afternoon tea. The setting was elegant and relaxing. But the art and gardens was definitely more impressive than the tea.

We only had 2.5 hours to spend at the Huntington, and we quickly realized that we needed more like 2 days. What a spectacular place to spend a day. Absolutely massive, with a research library, incredible botanical gardens, delicious food court and art museum. When you walk around the gardens, you can't imagine how long it took to assemble all of the exotic plants and trees and flowers and then nurture them to grow like this. Likewise the historical artifacts in the library (including an original Declaration of Independence) and pieces of artwork. Oh, the amount of funding it must have taken. The cost was $29 per person but it was worth it. Even the food was good in the cafeteria area. The only detriment ... and it was brief ... was that there were so many visitors that day, they parked valet in front of parked cars. Yet they saw us go to our vehicle and moved the other one pretty quickly. Overall, an incredible experience.

We were unaware that we were in for such a special treat! End of April is a wonderful time to visit Huntington Library--the cactii and roses were all in bloom and they were phenomenal. We spent 6 hours at the library (mostly in the gardens) and already look forward to a future trip. What a treasure! I only wish I lived nearby (instead of across the country) so that I could be a regular visitor!

I was blessed with the ability to go and see the opening of the Chinese Garden in early October. Absolutely beautiful!!! Upon arrival everyone was questioned about recent illness and our temperature was taken. We were expected to wear a mask, staying 6 ft apart and the staff is so kind, helpful and professional. With the new covid situation you do need to make reservations online before arriving but it is so worth the effort. I have been coming to the Huntington for over 30 years and the grounds are astounding. Anyone out there who loves beautiful gardens would surely enjoy this treasure!!

If you want a great botanical experience in the winter, Huntington is the perfect place to go. The plants were fantastic, even in December. The area is huge, the parking is ample. Art lovers will enjoy the galleries as well. Food truck and restaurants open.

One of the most excellent visits I’ve ever made in the state of California to any venue. I would move to the state of California just to visit this place every day.

Most impressive are the various gardens with a huge variety of plants, trees and landscapes. Many volunteers are around to give explanations, suggestions and help.

This is an absolutely delightful spot to visit any time of year. What a joy post pandemic to see the cafes and galleries back to business.

I took advantage of a free garden tour, led by one of the many knowledgeable docents. Our group visited the cactus, palm and Shakespeare gardens and learned how the Huntington continues to move forward. Great history as well.

On my own, I viewed the Chinese and Japanese gardens, and then welcomed Blue Boy back to its usual spot.

A wonderful Sunday out, made even better by the free shuttle being run from the Sierra Madre Gold Line station---a fast an easy way to get to the complex.

We started by walking the various gardens. The walks are easy for everyone and there are paths for those in wheelchairs, making accessible for all. The Japanese gardens are a favorite, with the tiered levels, waterfalls and ponds and of course the flowers/trees.
Plenty of acres so it never felt crowded. We spent maybe 2 1/2 hours seeing almost all of it but missed some area, just because of time limitations on our schedule.
Next visit, we'll start at the Library! The weather was too nice to start the afternoon inside this time. ;) Just wished they offered discount tickets in some way, at least seniors and children get a couple dollars off. I tried every way I knew but couldn't find any and they don't offer any reciprocal discount for members of other Botanical Gardens.

The down side of the Huntington is expensive and can get crowded, especially on weekends. The up side is that between the gardens, library and art, there is plenty to see, and it is so big, you are bound to be able to get away from the crowds at some point.

Would have been a great day but extensive renovation work in the gardens marred the visit. We only found this when already inside. Went to the 1919 Cafe. Disorganised with the queuing system, no one around to assist. Unfortunately when we did get to a counter to be served the server was extremely unhelpful and only completed part of the order. The art collection was outstanding as were those gardens which were not being renovated.

This garden is massive and gorgeous. Give yourself ample time and wear comfy walking shoes. The museums on site are also worthwhile as is the gift shop. We ate in the Japanese area….delicious.

We visited the Huntington Library, and found that there was no way to fully enjoy the entire 120 acre facility in one day. Everywhere we turned, we found something else to astound us.

The Library offers a collection of books that you will never find anywhere else - everything from Galileo, to Copernicus, to Isaac Newton, to Albert Einstein. There are two Gutenberg Bibles, and one-of-a-kind books from virtually every discipline. The Library confronts you with science, literature, art, history, culture, to everything you could ever imagine.

Moving on to the European art collection at the Manor House, you will find "Blue Boy" (under renovation), which itself is fascinating. Who knew that Blue Boy was painted with a shaggy mutt that added character and charm? The dog was painted over to focus more attention on the boy. The art collection includes portraits, landscapes, porcelain, silver, china, statuary, and fine furniture. The house itself is a work of art in process.

Moving on to the American collection is a totally predictable assortment of art, coupled with totally unexpected surprises around every corner.

There are acres and acres of gardens, including Japanese gardens, Chinese gardens, rose gardens, a desert, and many others. There is even an indoor sub-tropical display of plants. Note: count on getting damp from the humidity.

I cannot say enough about the Huntington, except that I look forward to coming again on another trip.

We had heard of this and were recommended to come. It's easy to spend two whole days here, such is the quality and quantity of exhibits.

The galleries, of American art and European art, are world class. They do not try to cover every period or style of art, but are quite thorough in what they do. The descriptions of the paintings and objects are easy to read and well written and far from the usually pretentious. They show Gainsborough, Turner, Romney without fuss, they just appear round another corner.

The layout is marvellous and easy to grasp.

The library has a small (on display, at least) selection of staggeringly important volumes, from Gutenberg through Shakespeare to Aubudon.

The gardens are fortunate to be situated in warm California, and are superb. The Japanese garden is absolutely authentic in feel ( I have visited gardens in Japan), and the 1200 varieties of roses leave you feeling almost overwhelmed.

Allow a whole day to be absorbed, or more.

Visited on 14 March- the day the institution implemented a "purchase tickets on line" only policy, so we were taken aback by that info when we arrived. Not to fear, we used our smart phone to purchase them, although we required the help of an employee to get to the right page. (and it took her some time to finally find the right link for ticket purchase.) Unfortunately, because of Covid-19, both the library and museum were closed - which is understandable. Fortunately the gardens remain open. However, despite the fact that 2/3rds of the Huntington complex is closed, the ticket price for entrance remains the same. Although we absolutely loved the gardens, it still seems a bit of a rip off to continue charging as if everything was open and available to the paying public. Perhaps a 10 or 15% discount would be appropriate-not asking for 2/3rds off.

This place is great in every respect. Amazing landscapes combined with excellent museums focusing on different things from science to history to art. It's worth repeat visits because there's more than can be appreciated at one time. If I lived in LA area, I'd go there weekly.

Relax and take in the artifacts in the library, the great art on display, and the relaxing grounds. I'm particularly fond of Japanese gardens and there is a very nice one here. Food and drink available throughout the site.
Staff everywhere for directions and very helpful. For example, I'm elderly and when an attendant saw me limping, he offered to get a vehicle to take me to the parking lot. I managed to leave without help, but it's there if needed.

This is a fabulous art collection, an eclectic floura display and a great place to eat plus an historically significant collection of books and letters. The 160 acres of gardens are beautiful and there is enough space to find a serene spot. They are arranged in themed sections which makes them cohesive. The books display includes such dogging items as a Gutenberg Bible. When you want to eat there is a wide selection available. After visiting you can drive around Pasedena and enjoy the peaceful streets and manicured gardens for free.
The entry fee is worth it.

Beautiful gardens - even in January. Love the art museum & library. I definitely want to revisit in the spring.

It’s a MUST when visiting Pasadena. The ground is vast, with many beautiful gardens and galleries, you can only see few of them in a day. It’s smart to study the map, make plans and priorities.

If you like art, Norton Simon Museum by downtown Pasadena has better collection. It’s small, but the paintings and sculptures are precious!

Beautiful gardens and buildings, you can spend a whole day walking the grounds.

Highly recommend the Chinese, Rose, and Desert gardens.

The gift shop has several unique items.

The library itself was closed which disappointing since the gift shop was open. There was a small exhibit about the library's collection in the library lobby which was accessible.

The Huntington is a great place to spend a day or more! It has something for young and the young-at-heart, for men and women, for nature lovers and for history lovers.

The Japanese garden amazes with its bonsai tree collection and other items, while the newer Chinese garden provides a peaceful lake setting.

The Huntington art museum itself showcases the fine taste of Mr. and Mrs. Huntington with a number of portrait paintings by Gainsborough, Romney, and others. Many other items -- particularly the large stained glass window -- are worthwhile as well!

This place is just incredible worth overtly penny. Through the website you can book a free ticket every first Tuesday of the month. Even if you have to buy the ticket, it's worth every cent.
From awesome paintings to incredible artifacts, to gorgeous and incredibly well maintained gardens. I spent there a whole day without even realising it.

Most everything except the gardens were CLOSED. Library, CLOSED. Botanical building CLOSED. Art buildings CLOSED. They had one room with Pinky and Blueboy and some furniture open by a side door that was very hard to find and not well marked.

Disappointment. I traveled 3 hours up and back to get there. No warning on their website.

CALL 1st to see what is open or closed.

Although we didn't see the Library and Museum we ventured through the magnificent
Botanical Garden. I was amazed to see species from all over the the world. Particularly loved the Japanese and Chinese gardens, lily pond and the cactus exhibits. the grounds of the Huntington are massive and beautiful and I imagine the
Library and museum as equally inspiring.

We arrived 2 hours before they close, so we only got the chance to see the gardens. The Chinese and Japanese Gardens were the most impressive. The cherry blossom was really breath-taking. Although the entrance fee was a little pricey, we still thought it worth!

My brother brought us here and while getting the tickets, I thought that it was a bit steep. I did not know much about this place before. After spending hours enjoying the beautiful Desert, Japanese, Chinese Garden and its collection of art and rare manuscript, It was worth the price of admission. Chinese Garden has a cafe that served food and premium Chinese Tea. The collection of Bonsai tree at the Japanese Garden was amazing. Those who enjoy gardens, this is a must when you are in the area.

During a visit from my sister who lives in Northern California, we decided to stroll through the Huntington Botanical Gardens. Online I purchased advanced tickets, arrived at the reserved time. Free parking. We wanted to make sure we saw the Chinese Garden and the Japanese Garden. The weather was pleasantly warm, and great for taking photographs.

We love The Huntington, it is a gem of a place. We spent an entire day here enjoying the wonderful European Art Collection, the excellent exhibition in the Library, and the superb grounds including a guided tour for 2 hours or so with a very well-informed guide. We like the 1919 Café too.

The 120 acres are spectacular and relaxing. It is like a step back in time,to walking around the garden,for the sheer pleasure of enjoying nature. Children playing, grand parents walking with people of every color and nationality to complement the beauty of God's creation. I highly recommend it.

Everything is in bloom right now from succulents to roses. Lovely. The different areas make it seem as if you've traveled to different areas of the world in one trip. It easily takes 2 -3 days to see everything: plants, ponds, gardens, art, historical pieces. While I love Descanso gardens, I have a membership at the Huntington Library because I love to see the plants in different seasons.

This is a lovely and serene location to visit. Be sure to wear good walking shoes and a hat. Be prepared to walk up and/or down steep inclines. I would suggest going early in the morning before the heat of the day.

There are multiple locales to see, the Chinese garden, the Japanese garden, the desert botanicals, and so more. Take time to see the bonsai trees in their own "enclosed" garden area.

Take time to sit and watch the dragonflies, butterflies and birds at the waters edge in the Japanese garden.

There are beautiful sculptures throughout the entire garden areas, lovely fountains, and if you are not too exhausted, visit the Art Museum. You may pick up some yummy tea, or cute items from the gift shop!

This is a lovely place to visit. Make sure to plan on the entire day, or at least a good portion of the day to enjoy this locale.

So much to see and do here at Huntington. Great history in all areas. Some people who enjoying all the Huntinfron had to offer while some where lying on the lawn reading books and taking in the tranquil space.

It was a hot day. The shade and ponds in the gardens made it enjoyable nonetheless. The Desert, Japanese and Chinsese gardens pleased us the most. In the former residence, modelled on a clasic English country house, is filled with top quality 18th-Century furniture and paintings. The only inconvenience is that you will have to go nearly back to the entrance to get lunch.

Gardens are well kept and this is a serene place to visit. Easy walking. Gift shop very interesting but pricey.

So much to see, learn and appreciate at this wonderful place that has something for everyone. Art, flowers, classes, helpful staff, ideas for your hobbies, yard, class or future dreams. Have fun!

I met a friend for a breakfast today at the Red Car restaurant at the Huntington. We both ordered totaling about $35 and I left a generous tip on the credit card. I went back in 15 minutes later to order a muffin which came to $4.02. I decided to pay with cash and gave the server on duty (named MARY) a $20 bill. I saw there was a jar with some pennies and other coins in there and took 2 pennies out to give it to MARY. There was no sign on the jar that said anything-it appeared to be one of those take a penny type of jars. MARY was not pleased that I took the 2 pennies out and scolded me as if I was stealing from the staff. Needless to say, this customer was not pleased and canceled my order and got my money back. It was a horrible customer experience. If you are setting up a tip jar, say it on there. Thanks MARY.

Wow , what a place !
We arrived around 1 pm
And it was over 90 degrees .
We started walking and found ourselves in the American Museum. Beautiful
Art . It was air conditioned and we craved the coolness and the escape from the heat !
We wandered through the museum taking in all Americana .
Then we walked outside and found the rose garden , even with a rose lady describing different rose scents .
We wondered around
and found snacks : pastry and 🧋 boba tea . ( to keep us going )!( at the Fresh Water Pavillion ) .
We found the Chinese Garden , bonsai trees and bamboo trees, pagodas, koi , water lilies and mini waterfalls and lotus plants ! Mini bridges .
But we were exhausted and couldn’t walk so much in the hot sun so we found the mini bus to take us back to the parking lot .
This place is good for a 2 day adventure. Or a cooler day adventure!

Look, this place is really nice (if very busy on weekends). We really enjoyed our time here....right up until the last half hour. That was when we were in the art gallery. Splendid old masters and famous paintings. Unfortunately, all of the subjects are white. So someone on staff decided that just won't do. On the wall opposite the most famous painting here (Blue Boy), they just HAD to put up a huge, weird, modern painting of a black person. You know, just so nobody would accuse them of racism, or some other weird BS?? Totally inappropriate and stood out like a sore thumb. Hey Huntington, try to hide your moral preening a bit better next time. I'm sorry that my kids were exposed to this nonsense, even if it was just for a few minutes. Deduct two bubbles. Sad.

The Huntingdon is close to Pasadena. We booked tickets online in advance which saved valuable time once we arrived, as there seemed to be queues for everything at reception. I then asked a docent for advise about the best way to tackle such a large site which was time well spent.

We walked through the impressive Cactus Garden, got slightly lost in the Subtropical Garden and made our way to the Japanese garden, followed by the Chinese Gardens. We stopped for an okay lunch there at the Dumpling and Noodle House. The Cactus Gardens were extensive, most of the plants were labeled, we took lots of pictures here. The highlight of the Japanese Garden is an aesthetically pleasing Japanese 'fort' with the most impressive collection of bonsai specimens.

The American pavilion has to be one of the finest collections of American art and artefacts I have ever visited. We were a party of 5 which is hard to please and everyone enjoyed their time there. We spent at least an hour there and could have easily spent longer.

We skipped the European Art and Library because we were tired and the gardens were delightful. There is an extensive shop with tasteful gifts. If you are thinking of going try to find accommodation near by, go early, wear a hat and bring some water with you. Prioritise what you would like to see, in relation to the seasons and can do.

The Huntington is a rare gem and a spectacular place to visit! The gardens are varied and exquisite- Japanese, Chinese, rose and much more. The museum has incredible works of art and there is amazing outdoor sculpture throughout the gardens, including work by Calder and Bertoia.
The dining options are varied and wonderful and the gift shop is superb!

Huntington gardens and library are one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring sites in the Pasadena area. The Library has art from everywhere and original science and literary works from Pasteur, Chaucer, Shakespeare - pretty much everyone you're studied in school! And a Gutenberg Bible! The gardens are magnificent - separated by 'type' of plants - like desert or Australian. All of the grounds are meticulously maintained. The Rose Garden is fantastic! However, if you go in the summer, it gets HOT. Be sure to wear a hat/sunscreen and try to go early in the day. The Rose Garden Tea Restaurant is a calm, quiet, welcome relaxing place to re-energize for more! Highly recommend!

One could spend days in the garden, following small paths to secluded spots with benches or enjoying the major garden spaces. The American art collection (the only collection we visited) was fascinating. If we lived nearby, we'd go several times a year.

The collections were stunning, as were the gardens. We especially enjoyed the Science exhibits and the dessert garden. We visited an estimated two days before the anticipated blooming of the corpse flower—disappointing to miss it, but so cool to see it and learn about it.

We visited the Huntington in July so summer prepare for warm weather obviously but thanks to the south coast AQMD the skies were blue and smog free. We took the light rail LA Metro to the Allen Ave station then Uber to the Huntington. We contemplated walking but with the heat we made the correct call in hailing an Uber. About a 10 minute Uber to the Huntington. I recommend buying your tickets in advance and having it stored on your Apple wallet. A must see is the Japanese and Chinese gardens. Wow. Don’t miss the jungle garden and the herb/rose gardens. All and all a great way to spend about half a day. Easy to go car free with the light rail.

This visit was a highlight of my Los Angeles visit! The gardens are incredible and extremely varied, with 120 acres of botanical delights. There is an amazing collection of American and European art and an impressive research library. The gift shop is large and has a variety of items at all price points. There are many dining options, with sensitivity to taste and food sensitivities. A real treasure!

This place is HUGE! You’ll never see it all in one day. Over 600 acres. Take a two-hour walking tour. Informative and interesting. Shuttle service available.

Another amazing place to visit. We thoroughly enjoyed walking around the garden area including the Chinese Gardens, which were beautiful. We also enjoyed seeing the original Guttenberg Bible, the Canterbury Tales and the Audubon drawings. The exhibits were wonderful. However, be prepared to do some walking. Gift shop was nice and there were places to eat if you get hungry.

We dined at the tea room and had a nice lunch. The tea was fine and the sandwich platters was great. Lovely time was had by us three. You can also have a glass of wine or Prosecco.

What a beautiful oasis in the middle of such a busy city. The grounds are lovely and so diverse. In addition, the Library and Museum are worth spending time here. Each garden was so different and the docents were very helpful.

It was our first trip to the Huntington and we weren't disappointed. Even though it was mid-January and many plants aren't blooming yet it was still beautiful. Our favorite areas were the desert and jungle gardens but the entire park is terrific. The feeling of serenity was everywhere. We will be back for the roses.

It's one of our favorite places in Southern California to visit.
My wife and I have been here numerous times, including once just by myself to see the Corpse Flower years ago.
This time we were with friends, and of course, slightly different interests at times.
This time, we basically concentrated on the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Rose Garden and Succulent Garden. All were very good, and of course, you have to take into account the time of year for the plants.

This institution is always such a pleasure to visit. The Orbit - what fun! The Chinese Garden is astonishing (the next phase is being constructed, and a lot of noise is somewhat disturbing, however); the Japanese Garden etc. We love to walk through the whole area and take tons of photos to show our friends at home.The "Beautiful Science" exhibit was exciting.

We enjoyed all the museums and all the country exhibits from around the world. The care and thought creating and maintaining this place is amazing. Very friendly staff, interesting exhibits, good food. Just a great day out!

Local family brought me to see this less known Museum. The highlight was the serene,
Meticoloso kept Japanese Gardens. One nippon inspired vista after another. Their Bonsaï collection was exquisite.
On going Public restoration of the Gainsborough « Blue Boy «  master pièce.
As well as a temporary Exhibition of an Italian
Renaissance work.

After ordering admission tickets online and choosing an entrance time, we met at Huntington Library, Museum and Gardens. Since we had children with us, our first stop was the Children's Garden. We had Traditional Tea in the Tea House before strolling through the Japanese Garden, then the Chinese Pavilion. The large gift shop had Christmas ornaments 70% off. The children in our group liked browsing through the books, games and toys.

I wish I had discovered this place sooner. I was blown away by the beauty of the garden and museum. I am debating which garden was my favorite: Japenese, Chinese, Rose, Desert. I think the Desert was my favorite. I would say bring walking shoes and be ready to get a few steps in, this place is big. If you have a great camera bring that as well along with water and snacks. I think this would be a great place for a picnic. Finding parking will be a challenge on busy days. Additionally, if you purchase tickets online be prepared you will still need to customer service and get a sticker.

I love coming here and of course i have a membership because i bring all my visitors here to come see these wonderful gardens along with Henry Huntingtons collections of art pieces and his own personal home.

We loved our experience at the library, museum and gardens. My daughter, grandchild, friend and her child spent the morning together. We had a very knowledgeable docent. Later we had tea at thee Rose Garden Tea Room. We just really enjoyed our visit!!!!!

The best place I visited in Los Angeles. Our party of 5 (2 in their 20's, 2 in the 50's and 1 well over 70) agreed this was the best day out in Los Angeles.

Do plan to be there for the whole day, open from 10-5, every day except Tuesday. Do buy your tickets on line and in advance so as not to waste time when you arrive. Go early to make the most of the 270 acres. Do go to the American Art pavilion. Do not miss the Cactus Garden or the Bonsai Collection in the Japanese Garden the bonsai collection is breathtaking. Do allow time for getting lost and enjoying your time there.

Do wear good shoes, and a hat, bring water. Plan your route so as not to miss anything, i spoke to a docent to plan our route taking into account the season, weather and group fitness.

Back in the day a few people, probably out of smarts, and a lot of luck and hard work amassed some sizable fortunes. This is a wonderful example of what one fortune was used for. The gardens are particulairy nice and the library has some amazing historical items.

Exquisite Japanese, Chinese, rose and desert gardens. Beautifully maintained and just gorgeous. The galleries also house some famous treasures, such as the painting "Blue Boy" and a Guytenbueg bible. Even has a modern sort of Blue Boy with a portrait of a young, African American man.
Don't miss this attraction!

Amazing garden. Large, well kept and lots of different areas. Some of the gardens within this could stand on their own anywhere. Of particular note are the Japanese garden, large and beautiful, The Chinese garden probably larger and being extended, some serious money has been spent on this project. The desert garden was stunning when we visited in February and is about an acre site alone. We, unfortuneately only had tome to scratch the surface here as touring and passing through. We did deliberately include this in our itinerary, it is one of the '1001 gardens to see before you die'! The childrens garden is also worth a look even if you havent got any with you, it is well done and not 'just' a playground with climbing frames, a good sensory area.
The entrance fee of $25/21 weekdays adults/seniors and $29/24 at weekends is well in keeping with other 'attractions' in California we found. Nothing is cheap and for potentially a days entertainment and this standard, thats ok. There is the art gallery and library included as well.
It might be an idea if they did do a separate garden and gallery admissions and a combined offer for both.

The vast majority of the museums are closed to the public, with no explanation given. However, they still charge you full price for your visit, even though there is very little that is open to see. The European Art museum has one small side room open, and the American Art museum has a small room with some pots. The only redeeming feature of this visit were the Japanese Gardens, but as it was a rainy day, it was difficult to sufficiently appreciate these. However, the famed Shoya house was also closed, even though it was during opening hours for the house posted online. A complete ripoff.

Combining a large outdoor garden with various landscapes (Desert, Jungle, Australia, China, Roses) and some magnificent art galleries makes for a worthwhile trip.

This was my favourite excursion during a five-day trip to Los Angeles.

It gave me the experience that a Greek must have visiting the British Museum: what on earth are all our treasures doing here!

But it does have a lot of treasures. I nearly skipped the library itself, but was so glad that I didn't. There are a couple of books on display that are pivotal documents of Henry VIIIth's creation of the Church of England in the 16th century.

And I clearly wasn't the only person who didn't want to leave the room full of full-length portraits by Gainsborough and Reynolds. It wasn't just the quantity or consistency of the collection; some of them were wonderful, characterful portraits.

I love seeing portraits by John Singleton Copley when I'm in the US. I just don't see them anywhere else. There's a beauty here: the Western brothers.

The gardens are stunning and put most other botanical gardens to shame. I don't know enough about plants to know whether there were rare varieties on display, but what was there was varied and beautifully presented. The Chinese, Japanese and desert gardens were especially enjoyable.

It was an easy one-hour bus journey from the centre of LA and then a very pleasant walk past detached houses and manicured gardens.

I have been to approximately 75 botanic gardens all over the world and the rose garden here is one of the best. I like the way they display the roses in mixtures rather than all one kind of rose in each bed.

We had a toddler with us so also visited the children’s garden. Very well designed and quite playful.

Look for the “spitting” fountains.

The entire garden is huge so wear good walking shoes.

We went with small children so started at the children's garden with a little door Alice would have been happy entering. Lots to keep kids interested and involved if not always dry... Some streams and ponds to attract them. But it was a sunny and warm day so their shoes and clothes dried out.
Most attractive to me were the Chinese Garden and Desert Garden. But in our company others found different places equally pleasant.
If we were in the area for longer perhaps a membership would be in order since the fees for a one-time visit were quite pricey for children as well as adults. However, we spent the better part of a day there, brought a picnic lunch that we enjoyed on benches in the shade and made the best of our time there.

We’ve been to Pasadena several times and always intended to visit the Huntington Library. Unfortunately, only the grounds are available during the pandemic. The only choices to visit are general admission during the day and the “Evening Stroll” for the evening. From the website, it is a little unclear what the difference is between the two tickets, but after our visit, we realized there is no difference, other than the evening stroll is for a shorter time period. Since we didn’t plan to spend more than 2 hours, the evening session worked just fine for us and was much more reasonably priced. The number of visitors is limited for each session. Maps were available, but they were in a bit of an obscure location. It would make more sense to offer maps where the tickets are scanned as people enter. Several people asked us where we got our map. After you enter, it is a bit unclear where to go. We weren’t the only ones that were a little at loose ends trying to figure out where to begin touring the grounds. There is some signage, but the signage could be greatly improved. There were times where we could not determine from the map and the signs exactly where we were or which way to go to the areas we were most interested in. We wished there were more employees available for assistance. They have attempted to mark the paths as “one way” where possible. There were places where this seemed a little overdone or confusing. This is an outdoor venue with limited attendance and everyone wearing masks, so the efforts to direct the paths seem a bit beyond what is necessary. We did our best to adhere to the directional arrows. All that said, once we got a feel for the lay of the land, we enjoyed the grounds immensely. The various gardens are quite stunning and beautiful. The gift store is fabulous with a wealth of beautiful decor, books, accessories and many items that would make unique gifts. We’ll look forward to when the indoor exhibits are open and we can return for another visit.

Wow is the word that comes to mind! For any esoterics - this is like going to disneyland. The arts, library and gardens all rolled into one place! You see Gutenberg bible and Newton's principia mathematica! Shakespeare's two versions of soliluquies as well as actual japanese home - transported from Japan and rebuilt here ! Chinese gardens are also beautiful ! The whole complex is just beautiful but needs reservations to admit. So plan properly. You can do a day outing here and pack your picnic to nibble on!

We arrived for the 10AM opening, having purchased our $48 tickets for 2 seniors online. After parking, we walked through the Japanese and Chinese gardens before entering the American Art Museum, the mansion’s European Art Museum, then the Library to complete our 2.5 hour visit.
This place is so large that we could only do a cursory review and envy those in southern CA who have the good judgment to purchase a membership. They could return several times per year to see the changing vegetation and select a specific museum to enjoy a more concentrated study.

It’s as lovely as all previous reviews said, we went a bit out of our way to go there, but we enjoyed the afternoon spent there.

The gardens are varied and nicely kept, and a relaxing place to stroll or just sit to take them in. I also enjoyed the museum though where I saw the Blue Boy portrait by Thomas Gainsborough and Pinkie which was painted by Thomas Lawrence. I was mesmerized by these two portraits from the late 1700s. If you like art and gardens, it's worth a stop.

Thia is a wonderful collection of art, decorative arts, library, and gardens in a beautiful setting. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch on the patio looking at the gorgeous gardens. Gardens included desert, rise, Japanese, Chinese and etc.

I admit to bias. I volunteer at the Huntington. Some thoughts for visitors. Allow enough time. There's a lot here from gardens (Desert, Chinese, Japanese, Rose, Herb, cycads, Conservator, and much more, don't miss the Shoya House) to historic books in the Library (Gutenberg Bible, Shakespeare folios, Chaucer illustrated manuscript, Audubon) to art museums (British grand portraits, e.g., Blue Boy, Gilbert Stuart George Washington, modern pieces and much more). You'll need several hours at a minimum, best to plan on most of the day. Stay hydrated. The tea room is mostly by reservation. If online looks booked, call. There are sometimes walkins available, especially weekdays. There's a new casual, limited menu drinks and nibbles from 3-5 pm, no reservations needed or taken. Take advantage of asking questions of the volunteers you see around.

Enjoy a wonderful place.

We booked online (because of Covid) to go this past Saturday and were there a bit early so we went to entrance. I have lived in Southern California my entire life and never been here and only heard of it last month! First stop was a bag check. They searched our backpacks and asked what kind of food we had. I said snacks and water like the website says to bring. We were specifically asked if we had sandwiches (because that is considered a picnic, and therefore not allowed).

Next stop was the temperature station where we were asked how we felt, if we were sick, had our temperature taken. A bit of an interrogation but friendly.

Next stop was the bathrooms since we drove 2 1/2 hours to get there. They have physical barriers on bathroom stalls, urinals, and the sinks. Wow, some serious rules.

Then we finally get moving toward our 1st garden and were screened again and scanned our entry tickets.

Finally we are in...We had 130 acres to see so we headed to the Chinese Gardens 1st as it was the closest and they were very nice, immaculate and peaceful. Many people just sitting and chilling. I like taking photos and took many pictures throughout the day. I enjoyed these gardens and was able to spend time taking photos with my iPhone from different many angles.

The Japanese Gardens were next along the path and were very well done and also immaculate. There are Canadian Geese throughout the gardens and and least 2 sets of chicks. We had been to the Japanese Gardens in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco last month and they are very comparable but SF had Japanese buildings and Japanese arches that these gardens in San Marino did not have. There was also a sizable Bonsai collection in it’s own area, each labeled with the name of the tree and the donor.

Both the Asian gardens were nice and well worth an hour plus to fully enjoy and see. There were lots of blooming plants in both gardens. Both the Asian gardens had lots of shade trees and were very comfortable even though the sun was bright.

There are cameras everywhere! And “security” people everywhere. You kind feel like you are really in China or Russia. You must wear a mask 100% of the time. No matter if you are 6 feet or 26 feet from someone keep the mask on or security will tell you.

We then stopped to see the Rose Gardens which were actually quite large and if you are a rose officiant you could spend 2-3 hours here. Of course this time of year they were all in bloom and they were all labeled my name. This was is direct sun and it was getting to be mid day and hot so we didn’t spend as much time as we could have to see more of this garden.

We then quickly strolled through Australia and Tropical gardens, where there are dramatically less people and a lot of the plants are similar to what CA has because of the similar climates. And then on way to the Desert gardens was Lilly Ponds that were nice and tropical; here we saw a geese family with 5 tiny chicks. We stopped at a large open space with a park bench for some water and to eat our snacks. We were 50 yards plus away from anyone and some security guy comes toward us to tell us to put our masks on! No one was anywhere around us! I said I was about to drink and he shrugged and moved on. There were turtles (and babies too) in these ponds and the Japanese ponds.

The Desert Gardens was our final stop and it was mid afternoon and quite warm with no shade anywhere. The cactus and succulents were very green, lush and many in bloom. This would be nicer to see in the morning when not so hot yet in day. We could have spent more time at the last three gardens but we were tired and had been exploring for almost 6 hours.

There was a gift shop that was open and good size with the usual gift store stuff. The cafe was open too and we would have stopped there for a break and then continued if not for Covid.

None of the indoor buildings were open when we were there but supposedly to open this weekend.

If you enjoy walking around gardens I would consider spending the entire day there with a break at the cafe and take snacks and water. If you want to see the entire park inside and outside I think you need to pick what you really want to see in a day or allow 2 full days. There was a sculpture garden and other areas between gardens we didn’t even stop to see.

The main thing in the improvements category is that the paper maps are inadequate and confusing and there are too few signs to tell you which direction the next garden. Also there are directions stickers on the ground that really make no sense in many cases...another Covid overreaction.

The Huntington property is vast, 100 acres of gardens, a European art museum, an American art museum, a gallery and the library. It officially opens at 10 am, but many people arrive at 8 am. At that time, the gardens do not have anyone checking for tickets, so people can roam the acreage at will. Clearly this is ok with the staff as the coffee shop opens at 8 am. Both museums were wonderful. This is the home of Gainsborough's Blue Boy and Pinkie as well as many other works of fine art. The Blue Boy display explains the efforts to conserve the painting...which needs it badly. The history of books exhibit in the library is fantastic, fascinating to read every display carefully. We loved it.

I would say that the most impressive part here was the library but the art collections were certainly nice too as were the gardens. It was nice to breathe some fresh air after having spent 10 days straight in LA... Some of the gardens were in repair which was the only downside.

This is a beautiful oasis in the north-east of Los Angeles. We just had 3 hours to visit, however you can easily spend a whole day here. My children were fascinated by the Library. Don't miss the Japanese Gardens. Parking is limited so be prepared to drive around for a spot.

On a recent trip to LA and at the recommendation of our son who lives in LA, we made visiting The Huntington a whole-day event. We were not disappointed. The gardens are vast and of course, what you see in them changes with the seasons. If you're interested in a variety of garden-types, e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Rose, Desert, The Huntington has it all. Your stamina will determine how much you see in a day. The museum is wonderful too. Where else can you see a Guttenberg Bible, the Declaration of Independence, and an original of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales? Plus, many other items of historical note. A day well-spent and one that we will repeat in the future.

Great place to spend the day, the gardens change with the seasons and are always beautiful and well groomed. It has been a couple of years since we have been here so were pleased to see the growth of the Chinese Gardens. We were fortunate to attend during Chinese New Year so there were additional activities including Chinese Musicians and dancers. It is difficult to see everything in a day so plan to spend the whole day here.

I can't believe I have missed this LA attraction in the past. Since 'library' is in its name I think those looking for gardens and museums miss this site. At any rate there are three art museums and ten sub-gardens (Chinese, Japanese, desert, children's, rose, Austrian, tropical, semi-tropical, etc.) at Huntington. The upkeep of all is excellent. My favorite gardens were the Desert and Rose Gardens.

The art collection is also exceptional. I thought it would be small but it is at least as large as the collection at Norton Simon. Much is made of the Blue Boy but they also have Turners.

The old Huntington estate.
Wonderful Gardens peacocks many different species of plants and Cactus. Really worth the trip

Hubby and I spent the entire day @ the Huntington. We loved it. We did the estate tour and our guide was very very knowledgeable. It didn’t seem like it was an hour and a half. The Euro art collection and the old books and manuscripts collections are extensive. We didn’t even get to see everything. The rose garden is to die for. We were looking for the oldest rose and found one that dates back to 1500 or prior. Also, we had tea at the Rise Garden Tea house which was superb. The Huntington Blend tea is so good.
We really enjoyed the place. We’ll be goin back for sure.

Having visited on a weekday when it was intermittently raining, I basically had the place to myself. It was absolutely stunning. I particularly recommend the Japanese and Desert gardens. Though they really are lovely. It was a very peaceful experience, and I couldn't stop smiling to myself about how gorgeous they were. I only wished I had even more time to enjoy them. The art galleries were also really beautiful, and I discovered artists I hadn't been familiar with before but am anxious to see more of their work. The library's collection of historic manuscripts was interesting and could be visited relatively quickly. Yes it was pricey, but it was well worth it.

Thank you very muchJohn and, CC Mary! You guys were magnificent. We learned so very much and you gave us all the time we needed to ask questions. We would certainly recommend anyone who is new to Huntington Gardens use a docent to obtain a clear and concise overview. There is so much to do and see.
Don’t miss walking through the Huntington library where you will see the first Folio of William Shakespeare , the Gutenberg Bible and a nearly 1000 year old Buddhist manuscript. I was there for more than 1 1/2 hours. Super volunteer “ Ask Me “ and a Shakespearian expert to further answer questions.

We went there in June 2019 and it was a great place to spend a full day with the children. The grounds are beautiful with lots of fantastic photography spots.

The children's garden is well worth a visit for young kids. My children had a lot of fun there!

We were members for years.

The gardens and collections are spectacular.

We had one too many unpleasant experiences with condescending and imperious staff.

Not ALL of course, but some and enough to make the thought of going unpleasant.

We cancelled our membership.

Amazing place though!

We only had a few hours in the afternoon, but we so enjoyed our visit here. The gardens and art museum were delightful. There is so much beauty to see!

Parking is free. There is a coffee shop that sells pastry, treats, ice cream, etc. and there is also a cafe on site.

My family goes here every year and I find it still beautiful during the 2020 Pandemic Winter in California. Although much of the park is closed off, you still get a magical escape due to the reduced number of park visitors. The awkwardly strange weather during 2020 still produced beautiful plants during fall/winter. I'll let some of my pictures do the talking.

I highly recommend pairing this visit with a workcation/staycation at your favorite hotel or airbnb in the area. In our visit we stayed at Hyatt Pasadena just 2.5 miles away.

When you enter, there is an initial gate check, then baggage check, then a temperature check, then a contactless ticket scan before entering the park. We found that with a toddler and elderly citizens in the party, there was still more than enough to handle during a 9am-5pm visit.

A huge part of the Huntington is the dining options, but at this time only dining in the parking lot is allowed. In this case, we had our own tailgate party in the parking lot. All nearby restaurants are closed off to outdoor dining as well, making options limited. An alternative suggestion is to have a hotel room nearby for a more formal dining party experience.

There are a variety of membership packages and guest-pass options to suit your needs. If you are a high ranking member you can enter the park at 8am and bypass much of the crowd - though we found that entering at 10am was fine.

The Huntington Library is one of the world's great libraries put together with private wealth. It has a wonderful setting in the gardens that surround it, and the Art Museum is also worth a visit. Take a day if you love art, beauty, gardens and books. You'll not regret it

The Huntington Library in Pasadena is a must see if you enjoy history, art, botanical gardens, etc. The grounds are gorgeous and make the trek between the various venues delightful. This past year “The Blue Boy” famous painting by Gainsborough is being restored right there in the studio. It’s fascinating to understand how a painting completed in 1770 can be restored to almost the original look. You will not regret your visit.

The Library was closed when we went on Monday. There was no mention of this on the website---and if there had been I would not have bought tickets or come. My entire reason for coming was to share the experience of looking at famous and original manuscripts with my son (who had never been there).

We came from Virginia and might not have another opportunity for a long time. If the Library had been honest---and said what dates it was actually open we might have been able to plan around it. My money and my time was wasted.

We were beyond thrilled with our day here at the Gardens. Very excited we found and made this stop. Actually could have spent even more time here! If we were able, would have gone back for a 2nd day! Walking the grounds and gardens themselves were simply spectacular. The museum and library had so much to offer. Many historical documents and copy of bible. The Blue Boy painting and so much more. We walked through Japanese and Chinese gardens, succulents, rose garden and just had the most incredible day. The gift shop was amazing and there was a cafe and a restaurant. Make a plan to visit this location and plan the day here!

What an absolute standout experience! In searching for an LA based art museum we could take kids ages 8-14 to and not have them be bored, we found the absolute trifecta of art museum, botanical garden, and architectural delight of Huntington.
There were some tricky spots navigating with a wheelchair user (especially in the japanese gardens), but it was still such an amazing day we cannot wait to go back!
Our lunch at Jade Court Cafe was very good and we found something for all ages there.

This was a beautiful place to visit. From the artwork in the mansion, the history being told there and then all the different gardens. Better plan several hours if you want to see it all. Peaceful and wonderful.

This is a beautiful place to visit-allow at very least 2 hours, but plan for 3-4 to really take in and enjoy the grounds. It is a lot of walking, so I would suggest having a plan if you have very young children or are unable to walk/stand for long periods. If you enjoy flowers, groomed gardens, historical homes, nice views - this is the place to see when in SoCal!

The Huntington is truly a place that the whole family can enjoy. The beautiful gardens, the mansion and of course the library itself. You will see so many pieces of history from art to the written word.The fragrance of the roses and others flowers, the landscape of the Chinese and Japanese Gardens...just lovely. The Orbit Pavilion is a neat piece of architecture and so interesting as you hear the unusual sounds of satellites that are passing overhead, a symphony of noises! Our younger children enjoyed it just as much as we did. There is a Children's Garden, too. 1919 Cafe is good for family dining as there are many choices. A must see in Southern California.

Authentic Chinese garden with material shipped from China.

Get there early to avoid the crowd and get parking.

Visiting the Huntington estate is among the most valuable and beautiful activities in the Los Angeles area. The gardens alone, containing an immense collection of beautifully installed plants from all over the world, are something special. The desert garden contains specimens which almost certainly inspired Dr. Seuss, and they bloom in winter, when much of the rest of the garden is dormant (but still beautiful). Of special interest in the gardens are the large Japanese garden and a newer Chinese garden. Each has its own character. Be sure to peek inside the Japanese garden house for a glimpse of formal Japanese traditional living. And in the Chinese garden, pay close attention to the ever-changing floor mosaics; the patterns are unique and beautiful. No one misses the large, formal rose garden.
But the Huntington is much more than the gardens. Be sure to visit the mansion itself, and tour both levels, not just for the architecture, but for the incredible European art collections inside. There are thousands of artifacts, pieces of rare and unusual furniture, books and enormous wall-hanging tapestries, all tastefully displayed. Don't miss the stained-glass stairwell wall imported from England.
There's also a contemporary and modern art museum on the grounds (between the Chinese garden and the mansion).
And the Huntington Library contains an unusual display of very old works - many originals - from Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dickens and more contemporary authors, including their handwritten notes in some cases. Some of these date to the 1300s. On display also is a huge original Audubon illustrated bird book, and a very rare illuminated edition of the Gutenberg Bible. The curators have created engaging narratives for these works, which makes them accessible even to young readers.

It's easy to spend an entire day at the Huntington. There's plenty of free parking, a large gift shop with intriguing items, and an overwhelmed cafeteria serving healthy options for lunch. There are also smaller (also crowded) cultural cafes in the Japanese and Chinese gardens.
Admission is $25 for adults on weekdays, but weekends are a few dollars more. Admission includes entree to everything. It also includes very worthwhile, free volunteer-led walking tours of the gardens; highly recommended. Audio tours are available for an extra charge.

The Huntington is a place to glimpse what life was like for the ultra-rich in the 20th century. But it's also a place where there's enough diversity to prompt return visits.

Thoroughly enjoyed 4 hours + wondering around fantastically maintained gardens and landscape. Absolutely stunning. We’d love to return when even more plants are in bloom.

Our only big disappointment was the main cafe near the entrance… very poor… you have to queue at multiple food stations for different choices, and foods are VERY expensive (rip-off). Avoid.

I am from Philly. My only 'gardens' reference is Longwood Gardens. Huntington Gardens BLOWS that AWAY!!! The different scenes, the cacti, breathtaking!! The bridge at the Japanese garden part was so beautiful. Can't wait to vacation in CA and come back.

We planned our trip focusing on this place.
We did the library, including Gutenberg Bible on a rainy day.
High Tea was superb. Reservations needed.
Greenhouse beautiful orchids.
On the next sunny day did Japanese and Chinese gardens followed by Americsn Art

By far, the most complete, beautifully maintained, interesting, serene botanical garden I have ever seen. It is a MUST SEE if you are in or near Los Angeles.

An amazing collection of art, including Gainsborough's Blue Boy and period furnishing and tapestries housed in a beautiful, turn of the century mansion. Not only are the house and art spectacular, but the gardens are wonderful. Be sure to allow enough time to wander through the paths and enjoy them. You probably need 3-4 hours to experience all the Huntington has to offer. There are various venues offering a variety of dining or snack options.

Visited with a tour group while in LA for the Rose Parade. The Huntington has something for everyone. It has gardens with walking paths, a museum and library. There were many flowers blooming while we were there. There were benches through out to sit if needed, but it had rained and they were wet. I would plan on spending at least 2 hrs to see what you want to see. Nice gift shop.

Dana, our Docent, as an absolute delight! We loved her hearing her passion and love for this beautiful estate! We fell more in love and could appreciate the beauty, as well as history here! Thanks Dana for making our tour so special!

This place is definitely beautiful from the Desert Garden to the Japanese and the Australian to the Rose Garden. Some places are so well kept, that it does not feel like nature any more. It is a wonderful place to relax (many benches!), see some art and get a drink, but it did not touch me. The richness made me a little itchy. You still have to pay $25 to get in.....

This was a surprising treat. The gardens were amazing and the art was fantastic. I would highly recommend it!

We visited with young kids and it was absolutely comfortable for a stroller with a lot of shaded areas on a hot day. The Chinese garden is amazing, the art gallery is very interesting. Don’t forget to visit the shop near the entrance, it’s gorgeous.

Had a great experience at The Huntingdon. (Note, there were several listings for various aspects of the gardens here on TripAdvisor, but all of them are part of The Huntingdon itself.)

It's a huge property, and since we visit here somewhat regularly we decided to visit only a few gardens at a time on each visit. It may be a little too much for a single day.

The only negative was the ticket counter/entry - it's a bit disorganized and we were told about 4 different times to go here, go there, stand here, etc.

Will definitely visit again!

Expensive admission but worth every penny. This place is huge and beautiful, with so much variety - Chinese garden, Japanese garden, rose garden, cactus garden. . .we have been there twice so far and haven't even looked at the art galleries yet! The best gift shop of any museum I've ever been to, and I've been to a million of 'em. Excellent food in the main cafeteria.

Henry Huntington owned the Pacific Electric Railway, which was L.A.'s original "mass transit" system with streetcars all around L.A. He amassed a fortune and built the Huntington mansion and library on 207 acres in San Marino (Pasadena) with impressive gardens running throughout the property. One can easily spend an entire day at the Huntington and still not see everything. Parking lot is packed on weekends, so get there early (before noon). Food and souvenirs are on the pricey side.

We have been members of The Huntington for years and have always loved it. When we heard the gardens were now reopened on a limited basis with pre-sale tickets for members only, we happily booked tickets and made the trek over. Well, sorry to say we were very disappointed with all of the pandemic precautions that have been implemented. Every indoor location is still closed (including the galleries and restaurants) and masks are mandatory outside no matter how few guests are visiting. There are also confusing signs directing traffic one-way and contrary to practically anywhere we wanted to go. And although it wasn't a particularly hot day (86 degrees), we felt suffocated and sweaty and most unhappy -- I never realized how much the fresh air and smell of blooming plants added to our previous visits. We left after only 40 minutes and cancelled our tickets which we booked the following week for our whole family. I get that everyone needs to be safe and careful during these times, but the current amount of measures management has implemented for such a vast outdoor venue seemed excessive and overzealous to me -- and at any rate ruined The Huntington experience for us entirely.

seriously, the gardens are so large that you really need a couple or more days to truly experience it all. Wow, so much to see and I would suggest going several times throughout the year to really see everytthing. Also, if you are looking for interesting Christmas gifts, I recommend the gift shop it is HUGE and has a very wide range of gits.

This large complex is delightful to visit. The various botanical gardens are so beautiful. The Chinese garden and Japanese gardens are so picturesque. We enjoyed watching the hummingbirds on the feeders. The museums within the complex are also well worth a visit. The art works and the collection of period furniture is amazing. You need a whole day there to see everything.

It was a beautiful day and even though it was January the Huntington was beautiful! We visited the library and the art museums and several of the gardens. We had tea & lunch at the Rose Garden Tea Room. I hope to visit again in the spring when the trees a re blooming.

Be in decent shape; you’ll do plenty of walking. General flat or mild slopes. World class galleries. Some of the gardens are a photographer’s dream, others meh. Some great sculpture here and there. $20 at the door! Decent but expensive cafe, and perhaps the largest gift shop I’ve ever seen at a museum. Highest prices, too! This place is not for everyone. I was fine. Free parking!

We only had time for several of the gardens which were all spectacular. I wish that I had time for the galleries as well. Next time!

Take a tour if you can! Our docent was so knowledgeable and interesting. We took the Estate Tour which gives history of the Estate and an overview of the grounds. We enjoyed having a traditional tea as well!

Fascinating lives are behind this brilliant institution of libraries, art galleries, gardens and scientific research.

We were very taken with Huntington Senior and his nephew who continued his work. And married his uncle’s widow, with both then devoting themselves to philanthropically expanding the foundation.

A wonderful collection of documents and manuscripts is in the exquisite Library. Rare publications are highlights, such as Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

Marvellous art works are displayed in the home that, in its own right, provides a cogent window onto the comfortable lives of the wealthy.

Seminal scientific research and preservation is undertaken. Many thousands of flora have seeds frozen at liquid nitrogen temperatures, to safeguard the plants for future generations.

The multiple gardens exemplify beautifully a myriad of flora, including spectacularly a plethora of desert varieties.

I'm from British Columbia, which if you didn't know is home to some of the most famous public gardens in the world; the Butchart Gardens and Queen Elizabeth Park. So I grew up with this stuff and ther fore feel Like I have a little authority to express my opinion:)
Such a beautiful garden. the Asian gardens are superb though and the gardeners I talked to said that they too think that's the best part of the gardens. Because of Covid, I haven't been inside the museum yet, but next visit for sure!!There is now a tea house as well so make it a point!! it is a gorgeous way to see a totally elegant and beautiful side of Los Angeles.

Totally blown away by the scope and scale of the gardens - desert, Japanese, Chines, jungle...the place is huge. Couldn't get over the beauty in every section.

Plan to spend the better part, if not a full, day here - it's amazing.

Very Big. Though IT was warm and sunny when we visited, we still enjoyed Roaming the different gardens especially the Asian/japanese garden and the desert garden. The entrance fee was quite expensive ($25) but i think if given enough time (like the WHOLE DAY), I would have appreciated IT more. About 1 hour drive from LA Downtown.

What a beautiful gem of a place; however, the following was brought to my attention:

"Despite stating that it knows of no instances in which coyotes...have acted aggressively toward Huntington visitors or staff, The Huntington has for years maintained a ‘coyote abatement program,’ in which it pays a private trapper to snare and kill coyotes on its property.

"When The HSUS, Project Coyote, and Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) offered to help develop and implement a more humane, non-lethal approach to addressing conflicts with coyotes, The Huntington refused."

Before I spend any more money at the Library, or further promote it on social media, please publicly state the Library’s policy regarding the destruction of coyotes.

Really beautiful gardens, the highlights are the Japanese and Chinese Gardens, particularly the bonsai trees. The original Huntington house is a gallery, looking through the portraits are really nice. The library and dining room are really nice to look at. The rose garden smells amazing, the names for the different varieties are cool. The gift store is also really nice, you can actually shop without entering garden.

This trip maybe difficult for strollers or people with walkers, it's best to be in a mixed capability group. There are also alot of portions in the garden where drinks/food are not allowed, so I would plan around that. Parking is free, but admission is over $30, but for gardeners this is nice place. There is a military discounted ticket. Membership may pay for itself, as there seem to events that occur once garden closes and I would come back. There is a shuttle, but getting to stops are not clearly marked, you will need map.

Be aware! The Huntington Library (what is called the research museum by the staff) is closed for the next two years! Select items from this large Library can be seen (swapped out every six months), in the European Art museum, first floor. There is nothing that I can immediately see on websites that The Library (contains The Book of Hours), is not open to the public; poor publicity. Very disappointing!

Beautiful collection of plants especially cacti n succulents. Unbelievable array of rare n endangered species of cacti n succulents. A feast to eyes. We visited this for the second time first 2016 and then 2019.

We spent the day strolling through gorgeous gardens, the library with its historic displays, a couple art museums, a superb gift shop and enjoyed a delicious lunch at the 1919 Cafe when we needed a break.

I went with my daughter and son-in-law. We all love museums and gardens so we were excited to visit the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. The buildings are beautiful and go back to another age of luxury and opulence. I give 5 stars to the Gardens. It was almost 100 degrees F the day we went so unfortunately we didn't explore the gardens as much as we would have liked to. The displays in the art museums aren't marked very well so I recommend finding one of the friendly and wonderful docents there to give you a tour. The library displays were spectacular but we expected to see a lot more on display, and we were disappointed that there wasn't more, considering how vast the collection is. The American Art Museum was nice, but the displays were sort of disjointed and there wasn't really a story. It all felt sort of random. The highlight were the primitive portraits, the tools, and the quilts. The furniture display was nice, but the display was random and not well marked. The other modern artwork was just a jumble of unrelated works and compared to other museums the artwork was displayed quite poorly. I expected to see more California art too. There is such a wealth of California art in Southern California and it surprised me that it wasn't highlighted here. On a good note, the cafe was nice and not overpriced like many museum cafes. Considering the long drive there I don't think we'll be back for a while.

This is a great place to visit for Library, Art and Gardens. Be prepared to spend a whole day to do it justice

The grounds are always immaculate. The Rose's were just budding, camellias and cherry trees in full bloom. They have expanded the entrance area with more dining options. Recommend tickets ahead of time.

Beautiful place, with gorgeous gardens. The museum is wonderful and very informative. We want to go back when the roses are in bloom and the rose garden room is opened up after expansion. It looks like it's going to be amazing

beautiful gardens, especially liked the dessert area since we don't have that at home, other highlights were Japanese and Chinese gardens, good for families with kids,

The expansive, well-maintained, and varied gardens can provide hours of enjoyment. They showcase flora from many regions and climates. There are lots of walking paths that weave through the gardens. When we visited, we also enjoyed the selection of rare books on display.

They lie about what’s open—most galleries are still closed. Also, no maps and very few signs make it difficult to find your way around.

We enjoyed the exhibits at the library as well as the many gardens. It was great to see one of the few copies of the original Gutenberg Bible. The roses were in bloom and looked fantastic. We also particularly enjoyed the Japanese gardens, although all of the gardens were beautiful. We’ve been to many other arboretums, and this was by far the largest and most extensive.

If you're anywhere near Pasadena (technically San Marino), you have to go see the cacti & roses (& lots of other stuff) in bloom. Just glorious!

Great botanical garden, art galleries. Botanical gardens are focused around different styles and regions - among others - Japanese, Chinese, Dessert, Australia, Herbs, Rose Garden, etc.
Very nice art collections in the galleries.
Different times of the year offer a different look at those gardens. Very well maintained. Nice relaxing place for walking, a lot of opportunities to sit down and enjoy.
My favorites are Japanese (bonsais) and Dessert Garden.
Family friendly. I would consider it “must see”. Die to the size, there is no way to see it all in one visit.

One of the 3 BEST Gardens in North America - A MUST See We have visited many times - most recently taking our grown daughter there for high tea! The Gardens are each a destination - a place to immerse yourself in - to experience fully - to simply relax. The art is world class and the Bible is so very special. They could use mobility scooters for older people like ourselves but still a must!

A special place with a mixture of gardens and world class art. I took the train here and skateboarded to the entrance. The Desert garden had spectacular flowers in March.

We have been to many botanical gardens, and this is among the best. We took our time so did not see everything. But by going slow, we could appreciate much more. The biggest eucalyptus trees I've ever seen. Jaw dropping cacti and succulents in the desert garden. Never seen that many golden barrels. Expertly pruned black pines.
Many varieties I didn't recognize.

who needs to goto worldwide gardens, when there is one in the US that is amazing. Our family spent the whole day here touring the gardens and got a nice work out. In addition, the art collections and library was a bonus. We went in march ,spring break and there was a 10minute line. Weather was perfect and flowers were blooming. price of admission was reasonable, $25 for adult. and $21 for student (compared to other all day attractions but you got to love outdoors and nature and art history).also, ate at their food court which had reasonable prices for an attraction and lots of selections for the picky eater. love this place bc its not that crowded yet with tour groups.

Love this place. This is my second visit. Last time I was here was over 10 years ago. Still beautiful and amazing. It’s so big I didn’t get a chance to go through any of the museums or galleries. My family wanted to jump in on a walking tour of the gardens but I personally didn’t feel like the information from the guide was that valuable. We ended up missing 1/2 of the gardens and had to re-walk it all. Tour took a full hour. We were able to take advantage of a temporary discount they were offering on the weekends. Tickets were basically 50% off if you took the shuttle in. If I lived in the area, this place would be a regular spot for me. If you like botanical gardens, I highly recommend the Huntington gardens.

This library includes magnificent gardens meticulously kept. The Chinese garden is magnificent. The various buildings with priceless paintings and furniture are something to behold. The gift shop is also exceptional.

Beautiful grounds, plants, art! Wear good walking shoes! Plan on a full day of exploring the grounds and exhibits. Lunch at the 1919 Cafe was delicious and had many options. Get a Huntington Blend tea from Red Car, and browse the gift shop.

What a charming garden with varieties of ethnic theme gardens and architecture. We just love to stroke around this garden with endless garden themes and beautiful flowers. We came after church in February and the cherry blossoms are booming. It is so nice to enjoy nature without going out of the city or go out of the country for that matter.

Here in Huntington library, we were able to experience Japan and China without going out of the country. The Japanese garden are full with cherry blossoms that made we feel like in Japan. This garden is a family scene in many Hollywood movies.

In a few minutes of walk, we were already in the CHINESE garden. While part of the garden is still in construction, the lake with bridges and the pagodas created a Southern Chinese Garden theme park. We felt like we were in Suzhou, a water city not too far from SHANGHAI. Not just experiencing the garden, we were able to sample some Southern Chinese dumpling dishes here in the garden. They have a very authentic Suzhou style restaurant.

The Chinese garden is expanding with new construction of the new court yard. We can’t wait to see the finished court yard garden where we will be able to truly immerse into the Chinese culture experience.

I recommend getting there early. Parking is free. See the library first. You can spend several hours in there, but I recommend you pace yourself and not spend more than an hour. The rose gardens are near the west side (exit) so stroll them before heading to the original Huntington estate home—now art gallery. Right now, the rose garden area is in bloom and phenomenal. Once again, the art collections on both floors can take hours to peruse. Afterwards, go get lunch. You’ve got a couple of options, but I recommend 1919 for fresh made choices like sushi bar, roasted chicken or salmon w/ sides or Mexican food or sandwiches & burgers. Eat outside on the patio to take in the edges of the succulent gardens and old growth trees. Work off lunch by strolling through the massive grounds. Highlights for me are the area with the turtle pond and grassy area for relaxing and the Japanese gardens with the little bridges and open pond & tea house. This can easily fill an entire afternoon. On your way out, stop in at the gift shop. Lots of unique and beautiful items. If you’re local, consider membership. It allows you unlimited entry, guest oases, discount at the gift shop and more depending on what level membership you get.

I went to the gardens by myself to kill a few hours before meeting with a friend, and was lucky enough to get on a docent-led tour that was fantastic. We went through several of the gardens and they were beautiful!

This garden offers not only art museums, places to eat, a number of different style of gardens; Japenese, Chinese, Australia, Desert, Rose and Herb and a great gift shop! It is not inexpensive, but it is a place where you can spend the day and an enjoyable at that!
The property also houses Huntington's original home which currently houses the original art piece of Blue Boy.

Beautiful place! The gardens are magnificent! Hang on to your tickets as they suddenly have gotten very weird about tickets, as if something created this. And as someone else mentioned, it would be helpful if they had more directional signs. But otherwise, fantastic place!

We went for the exhibits, and stayed for the gardens. Apparently I walked six miles, but it didn't feel like that at all with everchanging, amazing displays of plants from around the world (and you can walk a lot less than that if you want!). There were enough exhibits to make it worth the time and travel, and enough outdoors to make it a place where you would want to spend five hours, which we did easily.
It would be easy to assume this place is a library, a museum, or a garden. It's all three. The mix is alluring and everything plays off everything else. We could have spent the afternoon in the Japanese and Chinese gardens and then every step took you to something different. We'd love to move it, but unfortunately lack access to billions of dollars. We will definitely visit again!

Fantastic! We always love coming here but I was particularly impressed this time with how well they are set up for COVID 19. The signage is great! The walkways are mostly one way to facilitate easy social distancing. Masks required. Hand sanitizer at entrances and exits.

Amazing Place! To have that much space, gardens and huge buildings in the middle of L.A. is crazy. The furnishings and collections are a unique historical look at the financial giants of the late 1800's in California. We watched the information film at the entrance area which explained Huntington's life. The galleries are well organized.

If you've never been here, do yourself a favor, grab some comfortable shoes and spend the entire day. Theres just so much to see. Every variety of garden you can imagine, japanese, tropical, desert, etc,....Grab some lunch (and rest) at one of several dinning areas, all of which have great food. I'd personally recommend 1919. The food is really good and very affordable. For the rest of the afternoon, take in the amazing art collections spread over multiple buildings. This is truely an amazing place. It's a must see for anyone visiting the area.

We have been so many times, I can’t remember how many, but this was our first visit since the new entry plaza opened. There was a table to renew our membership, beyond was the membership and general admission windows. Also in the new entry is a store and education facilities. We headed west to the Conservatory and Children’s Garden. In the Conservancy are exhibits on the Plant Lab and rain forest. There were microscopes to look through and lots of informational signs. The Children’s Garden has exhibits for children and several unique fountains and water features. Behind is a construction site which I am guessing is for a new area.

We continued to the Chinese Garden which we had seen before but always enjoy the tranquility. At opposite ends were buildings under construction so maybe there will be something new the next time we visit.

Spring is a great time to visit the gardens. There were bright and beautiful flowers everywhere and we spent some time in the Rose Garden. There are over a thousand varieties of roses.

We visited the American art galley and the Library, but I didn’t want to put my expensive camera case in a locker, so we skipped the European art gallery. Just south of the entry plaza is a temporary pipe and perforated metal structure (Orbit Pavilion) with relaxing music.

There is so much to see here. We spent 4 hours here and didn’t cover everything. The gardens are expansive and pretty, plenty of it is recognisable from movies. The art galleries and museum are impressive.
There’s not much shade so bring plenty of sunscreen and water.
$25 entrance fee.

The Huntington Museum is a fabulous day out. The gardens are extensive, from the rose garden to the Japanese and other gardens they are stunning. The museum is focused on early printed works and includes one of the few remaining Gutenberg Bibles.

I've been there many times. It's fine if you just want to walk around and see whatever you come across, but if there is something in particular you want to see, the experience can be challenging. The maps they provide are confusing. There are very limited and sometimes confusing signs pointing to what you want to see, assuming there are signs at all. There is no one to ask unless maybe if you walk into a building where there might be staff.

There is also a tram that circles the grounds and stops at specific points, but they are called assistance vehicles on the map, and their purpose wasn't entirely clear to me until we happened on one and took a ride. By the way, the driver of our particular car was very knowledgeable. But the existence of such vehicles which could really help seniors or other mobility-challenged individuals seems to be not well publicized.

Last but not least, if you happen to take a cab or Uber or Lyft and depend on them for the return ride, trying to find the drop off point is near nigh impossible. There were three of us, and none of us spotted any signs pointing in the correct direction. We asked several other visitors and many tried to be helpful by consulting their maps, but since the maps aren't all that clear, we never did find the correct spot. Luckily, we did end up being able to direct our Uber driver to a point, other than the designated drop off spot, where he was able to locate us.

In summary, the grounds are lovely, but the lack of good signage and directions was very disappointing and caused us to waste a great deal of time.

Several exhibits here including American art, European art, gardens, and a library with original documents on display. Wear comfortable shoes to explore it all as the gardens and buildings are spread out. Some interesting art, rooms, and gardens. Map could use more detail. Spent about 2 1/2 hours there before it closed. Beautiful garden with statues of the Gods but sadly lacked descriptions. Staff were nice. Interesting gift shop. A bit pricey but there are several exhibits. Free parking.

Going here one member in the group wanted to uber back to the hotel and skip this part of our organized tour. We were ALL glad we did NOT! What an amazing place! The roses were in bloom and we enjoyed seeing many varieties (!) with names and heard many details from our docent. They are expanding and adding true traditional Chinese gardens! It's all going to be even better. The gardens are too large to enjoy them all in a day - we didn't even make it inside - outside was too grand. The gardens, streams, paths, roses, other flowers and so many GRAND vistas! We all enjoyed this so much! Don't miss out!

What a treat to visit this beautiful garden oasis in Pasadena. I have been living in LA for all my life, this probably only my fifth times here. I should have visited this place more often as not too many cities get such a big plot of greenery in a busy city.

There are not too many public places open nowadays with the pandemic. Huntington library is an exception, but you have to make an appointment ahead of time. Many walking paths here are one way only to keep the patrons safe. We had to wear masks at all times while inside the garden.

My wife and I visited this place the day before 4th of July. We just love this place. There are so many theme gardens here that we were overwhelmed. We only were able visit the Japanese garden, China pavilion and the Rose Garden.

The Japanese theme garden is a well known garden as many Hollywood movies filmed their Japanese scenes here. While walking here, we felt we were in a typical garden park in Japan. I particularly like the bonsai garden with harmony courtyard. I felt so peaceful here.

Next to the Japanese Garden is the new Chinese Pavilion. This is a replica of a lake scenery in southern China. I thought it looks like Suzhou. You wouldn’t be able to tell that you’re not in China. With the typical pagoda and courtyard houses, my friends got fooled by my pictures taken here and thought I went to China. This section is still under construction, I can’t wait to come back to see the whole pavilion when it’s completed.

Since it was getting dark after we visited the Chinese pavilion, we had to walk toward the exit. On the way out, we passed through the rose garden. There were so many beautiful roses here with so many spices and colors. My wife went crazy here as she loves roses. She lost track of time and I had to pull her toward the exit as the library was closing. We certainly had a great day here. We had gluttoned ourselves with the beautiful flowers and a full day of walking exercise. What a way to spend a day.

First time visiting and not disappointed. Huge variety of outdoor and indoor activities. The gardens are spectacular with huge diversity of species. And the art collection is amazing. A must see place for any visitor to LA

You're basically paying $29 to get exercise. Not all museums were open and you really have to be into paintings otherwise museums are pretty boring. Chinese and Japanese gardens were very nice and everything is beautiful and peaceful but $29 is too much for what you see. Summer heat doesn't help either. I thought we would spend at least 3 hours but we were there for 1 hour and 30min. I rather go to nice park for free like Balboa park in San Diego or have a nice lunch. I regret driving all the way there and wasted $29 for ?? still trying to understand... Don't get me wrong everything was beautiful.

The two of us had visited in August last year when it was very hot and we did not do justice to the beautiful gardens (largely retreating to the air-conditioned galleries). Coming in April this year, we spent the morning focussed on the gardens, especially the Chinese and Japanese sections. The gardens and grounds were again exquisite and worth the admission alone ($21 each for us "seniors").
We paused for a break at the excellently managed and staffed food court between visits to the respective art galleries. The collection of art by a couple was amazing. Also it should be stressed that the ambience was cordial with helpful staff/volunteers.
Superb day out. Strongly recommended.

You really have to give yourself a lot of time to be here seeing your paying quite an expensive entrance fee. It is huge so wear comfortable shoes. There is a cute children’s area. The signs to get from one place to the other are poor and if you’re elderly or need a trolley ride there aren’t that many stops and they come around every half an hour. Chinese and Japanese gardens are beautiful.

After spending half a day in the Huntington Botanical Gardens and Library I was in awe and at the same time embarrassed that I had never heard about this amazing place. Not only the many different theme gardens are world class and built over a century, but also the story behind these astounding gardens and 11 mio volume library including may rare originals, is fascinating. How Huntington, one of the builders of the Western infrasturcture, and his Uncles and later his own wife built and donated this beautiful gem to the public, can be explored in the visitors' center right at the central entrance. Do not miss this wonderful oasis of tranquility, natural beauty and knowledge of mankind.

If you are coming to Southern California, be sure to clear a full day to visit this spectacular and unique place on Earth. While COVID has caused some of the usual galleries to be closed to the public, there are enough still open to make it worth a visit. And that is even before you start strolling the sumptuous grounds. They are divided into different ecosystems from around the globe, so you can walk from China, to Japan, to Australia, and elsewhere around the world. We found the people working there and the volunteers to be warm, helpful, and friendly. We know no other place like it.

A local family member brought me here and I spent the day with my jaw dropped at all the beauty surrounding me. The Huntington is the perfect place for people who love art, culture, nature, and beauty. Can’t wait to return!!

The Huntington library, art collection and especially the botanical gardens are just wonderful. Over a 100 acres of gardens. The desert gardens are a particular favorite of mine. On our last visit the rose gardens were in full bloom. It is such a lovely place.

This is one of my favorite gardens. Every time I visit my family in Los Angeles we take the 45 min drive up to San Marino to visit the Huntington. The gardens are unique and provide a vast array of plant and flowering species. Gardens include: Rose Garden, Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Childrens's Garden, Tropical Garden, Desert Garden, an ornamental seasonal garden, a Bonsai Garden, and a lovely walk thru a bamboo garden. There are several places to eat, some are quick bites, others more formal.

Came to this location as a child some fifty years ago. It has grown immensely - both in size and fauna. Beautiful gardens. Take a few hours and relax amongst some of the most beautiful plants nature has produced. The hummingbird exhibit in the Children's Garden is fun to sit and watch as they buzz by your head to fly from feeder to feeder.

We spent 5 hours wandering the gardens and museums plus spent an hour enjoying High Tea and could have stayed longer.

From the roses in full bloom to the shady walkways, easy to walk paths and benches for relaxing, it was an enjoyable day spent during a reunion with old friends.

I can't say enough good things about this beautiful place. The desert area was fantastic - i saw plenty of plants that I have never seen before and the way they are displayed was perfect. Walking the grounds - not only did I see so many plants I had never seen before - but I learned so much too.

The museums on the campus were also very informative and well laid out. Everything was easy to walk to and the general flow of the land was very smooth. There are some parts that were steeper than others, but all very manageable.

I know that we did not see everything because there is so much to see - and I can't wait to go back see the landscape during a different season.

The Huntington Library is a beautiful place. I went there one month ago. I saw art, a lot of books, the park and the museum. I would recommend this place to others. We can see the gallery, the flower garden, the pond, and a lot of cacti. You can enjoy it.

We visited on a beautiful day, which made it a perfect experience. There’s one day each month when admission is free—you just need to check the website and register online in advance. Otherwise, you’ll need to purchase a ticket.

The botanical gardens are the highlight. It’s a great place to walk around, take photos, and learn something new. The art galleries are also worth a short visit.

The library is unique and great for research purposes. For tourists, it takes about half an hour or even less to explore.

All essential facilities are available, including restrooms, water stations, a café, and a restaurant.
I like this place and recommend it for at least a half day plan

One of the most beautiful, amazing places I've ever seen! The sheer number and variety of plants, flowers, trees, cacti, and water features are stunning! We spent six hours until our feet wore out! There are also indoor art galleries, the library etc., that we never even went into. Another trip we hope. Suggest spending two days here--stayed at the Springhill Suites in nearby Arcadia--wonderful, super clean, inexpensive hotel with the most comfortable beds ever! Don't miss this place--a treasure!

We went on the first Thursday of the month and got in free! We took a tour of the gardens with a very good guide. The gardens are truly special. We also went to a special exhibit of WPA artists in the American Art Building. The mansion is lovely filled with elegant furnishings and paintings, including The Blue Boy and Pinkie.
If you love art and gardens, the Huntington is for you!

With all due respect to my favorite botanical gardens, none compare to this one. It's that spectacular.

(I should note that I only spent time in the gardens, and not the library and art museum included with admission.)

First things first, this place is massive. Walking at a decent pace, it took about two hours to complete a tour of the grounds. Because there is so much, it's likely I missed a lot, despite my best intentions not to leave any path undiscovered. Around every corner was something new to uncover, whether it be a spectacular desert garden with an abundance of cacti, or a Japenese tea garden with stunning architecture surrounding a gorgeous lake.

Hours later, I'm still in awe and wishing I had time to return. Photos will have to suffice for now- I took so many (more than 120), the experience laid waste to my phone's fully-charged battery. Make sure to walk in with a full charge, and a mask, because they're required for all indoor activities, which is why I didn't spend time in the conservatory (although I should note a little hypocrisy with the mask rule, because there was nothing posted or enforced in the cavernous gift shop.)

I cannot stress enough: Spend time here. It's breathtaking.

It was wonderful as always EXCEPT for the abomination in the European art gallery directly across from Blue Boy. This piece of contemporary trash is a disgrace and it has no place at the Huntington.

Diane Z.
Los Angeles

We visited on a Sunday in November 2019. What a nice day! There's a variety of things to do on the site: gorgeous gardens, interesting museums, the library, etc. We spent about 3 hours. First, we explored one of the museums, with an emphasis on European Art; the building was gorgeous and the art quite good for a museum of this size. Docents were very helpful. Second, we explored several of the gardens--it was really interesting to see how a botanical garden in California features different plants than you find elsewhere. The Japanese garden was beautiful, and the rose garden was also pretty. Third, we visited the gift shop. It is the best museum gift shop I've visited! It was merchandised in a fun and clever manner and had a superb variety of home items, cards, jewelry, etc.; I was able to find several gifts for friends and family. A most enjoyable afternoon; I would definitely recommend.

The gardens have so much to see. If you go during the blooming season, March and April, it will be hard to find a place to park. It was crowded and not much was in bloom. The Library has some wonderful rare works that you just have to take your time there to see it all. Definitely will come back again.

The new additions to the Chinese garden area are fabulous. They are still expanding. The artisans work is astounding with each small pebble being placed by hand. Incredible.

The Huntington encompasses an art collection, library with exhibits and over 100 acres of botanical gardens from around the world. We were there over 3 hours, and since it was a beautiful day outside, we did not see the art collections indoors. We strolled the beautiful grounds the entire time we were there! I am handicapped and use an electric scooter when traveling. Upon arriving and paying the entrance fee,we were given a detailed map of the grounds and were informed of things to see by one of the many volunteers that work there. We followed the map and the grounds were fully accessible. At one point we wouid have had to go a different way to avoid some steps but my family lifted my scooter up the 2 steps and we continued on our way! I believe there are parts of the Japanese gardens that were not accessible but the vast majority of the gardens were. Lots of places to stop and rest or just sit and enjoy the peacefulness and beauty. There are also a few restaurants and cafes to have lunch. I would highly recommend going here for anyone visiting the area!

We loved the gardens. It can take a while to walk the whole thing. The Chinese and japanese gardens were the hit of the tour.
Plenty of bathrooms around is a plus.