Travel the World Without Leaving L.A.

The Huntington Gardens

One of my very favorite places to visit is the Huntington Gardens and Library in San Marino near Pasadena. The Garden's beautiful grounds and foliage covered pathways transport you to far away places such as Japan, Australia, Old England or China. Visiting the Gardens is like taking a mini-vacation for the day without ever leaving Los Angeles. It's a calming, serene experience and a wonderful place to visit with your baby.

The Huntington's botanical gardens cover nearly 120 acres and house approximately 15,000 different plants from all over the world. The garden pathways and luscious lawns are sprinkled with statuaries and park benches allowing visitors to relaxingly sit and enjoy the breathtaking views at their leisure. Enveloping trees scoop you into their fold and whisk you away to the corners of your imagination. The cobble stoned trails of the 100 year old Rose Garden are the essence of romance and the Shakespeare Garden is what fairy tales are made of.  Each area of the Huntington is truly unique and spectacular.  There is even a special Children's Garden designed just for tiny hands to explore.

Four of us decided to take our babies to the Gardens a few months ago on a mommy/baby field trip. We had a late start to the day, but over all it was a really fun and enjoyable experience. We all had lunch at the little café and then strolled our wee ones through the Japanese, Rose and Shakespeare Gardens. Pushing the strollers throughout the grounds is not only beautiful and educational, but it's a pretty good work out for the mommies as well. (Make sure you wear adequate walking shoes if you plan to spend the day hiking through the different garden environments.)

Our visit wouldn't have been complete without a stroll through the new Chinese Garden, also called the Garden of Flowing Fragrance. This new addition was completed earlier this year and opened to the public in February 2008. This awe-inspiring site is more than a home for plants and flowers. Covered walkways, architecture inspired by ancient times and ornamental bridges are just some of the features that add to the enchantment of this poetic setting.  There is also a new restaurant on the grounds with tables outside over looking the breathtaking scenery.

The Huntington has even more to offer - as if the beautiful gardens weren't enough. The Huntington Library displays works such as Chaucer's prologue to the Canterbury Tale's, the Ellesmere Manuscript, along with many other rare books while the ground's various museums showcase precious art collections. There is also a tea room for an extra special luncheon experience – one that I look forward to sharing with Ava when she is a bit older.

For $15 during the week or $20 on the weekends (babies under 5 are free and there is a public Free Day once a month) the Huntington has so much to enjoy. Whether you fill your visit strolling through the various gardens or you plant yourself under a sweeping tree, it's a wonderful day away for you and your little one.

For more detailed information on admission, times, and annual passes, visit the Huntington's website here. For additional events and evenings at the Huntington, click here.

The Huntington
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
(626) 405-2100

Comments

[Blair]

The Huntington is my favorite place in the L.A. area. I've maintained a membership there for almost 10 years and have never regretted it. When my daughter was an infant I loved strolling the grounds with her in her stroller or swing, often with another mommy friend, and it is just such a beautiful and restful place to sit on the grass and nurse while *illegally* eating the yummy lunch from the cafe (not supposed to picnic there).
I'm so glad you found this haven and enjoyed it!