The Huntington

The Huntington

HOURS
Closed
241 RATINGS
93%

About

The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens (or The Huntington) is a collections-based educational and research institution established by Henry E. Huntington (1850–1927) and located in Los Angeles County in San Marino, California, on the western coast of the United States, and about 35 miles northeast of the Pacific Ocean.

MoreLess
More on Wikipedia

Guides

The Huntington specializes in 18th-century artwork, and the library even houses a Gutenberg bible, the first book printed in Western Europe from movable metal type. But many visitors are drawn to the lush gardens alone, on grounds spanning 120 acres (48.5 hectares). Get lost among 16 themed gardens, including a Chinese garden, an Australian garden, a desert garden, as well as a garden blooming with thousands of roses. There’s even a high tea service here, which is well worth it.
More
7 Must-See Museums in Los Angeles
Viator7 places
“You get your ticket and it gets you access to the garden and the library. They have a lot of really, really old editions of different books, and it’s fascinating for a writer to go visit the library. It’s very beautiful. And I love to walk around the gardens. If it’s May, I go to see the rose garden; if it’s the summer, I like the cactus garden. They have a gorgeous Japanese garden with bonsai and all that. It’s a really nice way to spend a Sunday morning or an afternoon.”
More
María Amparo Escandón's L.A. Spots
Hyperlocal10 places
The library portion is impressive (though indoor areas are currently closed), but the true highlights here are outdoors in its vast jigsaw of botanical gardens, arguably the most glorious in the entire L.A. region. The acres and acres of public gardens are divided into a variety of themes, including a prickly desert garden, a serene Japanese garden and bamboo forest, as well as a recently-expanded assembly of Chinese pagodas, pavilions and bridges. (Reservations required; $29)
More
Most beautiful botanical gardens in L.A.
Time Out7 places
Let's be honest - there is never really a bad time of the year to visit The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens. And while the gardens in Autumn might not pass for the backwoods of Vermont, it's still a wonderful spot to see trees you might not associate with all things Fall (but certainly come alive throughout the season)! Check out the colorful leaves on trees like the American Sweetgum, Koelreuteria Henryi and Lion’s Ear.
More
Best Places to Find Fall Foliage Near LA
Tinybeans10 places
This Southern California treasure encompasses 130 acres, over a dozen themed gardens, and a wide range of ecosystems to stroll through. The Chinese Garden is one of the largest in the world, complete with ornate pavilions to take in the lake views. For a romantic setting, the Rose Garden is hard to beat, with its 3,000 heavenly-scented blooms. Be sure to make an online reservation ahead of time, and grab a to-go drink and snack at the Gardens’ 1919 Café.
More
Outdoor Date Ideas in L.A.
Bumble8 places
The Huntington’s distinctly themed gardens are easily the most stunning manicured outdoor spaces in SoCal. Add in a historic library and stellar museum, and this San Marino spot is more than worth the cost of admission ($25–$29; reservations required on weekends). Wander rows of roses, climb through a bamboo forest at the Japanese garden, admire the cacti in the desert garden and go for a stroll around the Chinese garden, which recently welcomed a massive expansion.
More
The best things to do in Los Angeles
Time Out20 places
Don’t be fooled by the Huntington Library’s name—a visit to this destination offers so much more than books to impress your date. (Although showing your date the library’s Gutenberg Bible and the earliest known edition of The Canterbury Tales can’t hurt.) But up the romance with a stroll through the 207 acres of gardens that the property has to offer. Admission is is free the first Thursday of the month, and $25 all other times.
More
Cheap Date Ideas to Try in Los Angeles
Culture Trip9 places
The Huntington boasts a library chock full of rare books, collections and photographs, and the art galleries house classic works to more recent rotating exhibitions. The Children's Garden is a fantastic, splash-tastic exploratory romping space. Be sure to stop by the Jade Court Café in the Chinese Gardens for a bite or grab a meal at the 1919 Café where you can sit on the patio and enjoy the grounds.
More
The Best Things to Do with Kids in LA
Tinybeans24 places
Stunning botanical gardens featuring plants from all over the world. The garden is divided into 16 different themes (desert, Japanese, Chinese, rose, Australian, palm, lily ponds, and more). Find your favorite and take a deep breath. We recommend listening to a Body Scan on your visit.
More
Best Places to Meditate in Los Angeles
Calm6 places
Not only can bibliophiles lust after the numerous books found in the lovely Huntington Library, but they can step outside and be transported to a garden only found in a Jane Austen novel. Roses and marble statues surround the ponds and waterfalls, with a Japanese-style bridge in the middle of it all. Lovers of romance and historical fiction will enjoy sitting among the flowers while reading Pride and Prejudice.
More
The Must-See Attractions in Los Angeles
Culture Trip15 places

Good to Know

Accessibility Features
Accepts Credit Cards

Details

Hours

10:00AM5:00PM
Closed Now

Hours

Closed Now
Sun – Mon
10:00AM5:00PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wed – Sat
10:00AM5:00PM