Visit Huntington Library

Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens!

Last updated: Jan 2024

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$25-29 adult admission ticket; Free-$13 kids ticket
More than 500 Miles from you
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Description

Looking for a fun and educational outing in Los Angeles? Look no further than the Huntington Library! This incredible institution offers something for everyone, from book lovers to art enthusiasts to gardeners. At the Huntington Library, you'll find a breathtaking collection of rare books and manuscripts, including works by some of the greatest writers in history. You'll also be able to admire a world-class collection of art, including paintings by Rembrandt, Gainsborough, and Van Gogh. But the Huntington Library isn't just a museum - it's also a beautiful outdoor space. Stroll through the stunning gardens, which feature a Japanese garden, a desert garden, and a rose garden, among others. You'll feel like you're stepping into another world! In addition to its incredible collections and gardens, the Huntington Library offers various educational programs and events. Attend a lecture, workshop, or exhibition to learn more about the library's collections and the history of Los Angeles. Huntington Library is an amazing place to visit. It's 207 acres of land with 16 gardens, statutes, waterfalls, and art installations. It is open year-round and there is always something blooming. All gardens are themed and the atmosphere takes you places. Explore desert landscapes, chill at the Japanese garden, and smell some herbs in the herb garden. It's perfect for a cute date, family time, or even going by yourself!

Perfect for

For solo

For two

For families with kids

For parents and grownups

Outdoorsy

Chill

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Itinerary

Book your ticket online
Park at Huntington Library Parking Lot
Explore beautiful gardens and arts
Take cute photos
Explore as many gardens as you can

Location

1151 Oxford Road San Marino, CA 91108

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4.8 ● Google reviews

We only did the botanical gardens, on a Saturday at 11. It was super busy but the line to get in wasn’t crazy. We bought tickets a few weeks in advance and I was glad since they were sold out for the day when we got there. Parking is easy, there’s a big lot available. The gardens themselves… well the signage here sucks. I go to a botanical garden in pretty much every city I go to and I think this one may take the cake for the worst signs/map overall. The place is so vast and there are no signs in places where there obviously should be. The map only has major pathways on it and most of the buildings aren’t well labeled so figuring out which buildings you’re near isn’t easy either to orient yourself. The Chinese garden was nice but so ridiculously crowded and as stated prior, difficult to navigate. The rose garden was nice, but the herb garden was really great, though there were pretty much no signs for it so we kept wandering around until we finally found it tucked away. The gift shop is huge, we found most of the museum gift shops sell similar if not the exact same things so we didn’t get much. Worth the admission but be prepared to walk a lot and wander aimlessly trying to find your way around.

Are you looking for beautiful botanical gardens? A museum? Art galleries? You’ll find all of those here! You do need to make advanced reservations, but it is easy to buy your tickets in advance online. There is not a separate fee for parking and it’s quite a large parking area. All of the gardens were stunning! I especially enjoyed the Japanese gardens and Chinese gardens. There are shuttles from different areas if you do not want to walk the entire way. However, it is beautiful to walk through all of the gardens and see different sites along the way! The library was also very nice and has exhibits such as the Canterbury tales and a Gutenberg Bible. There is quite a large gift shop on the way out as well in case you are looking for a souvenir to take with you.

an incredible visit! went in July. there was so much to experience & see. the gardens were some of the most beautiful i’ve ever visited. there were so many interesting plants and wildlife. at the time of our visit, there were optional programs/events as well. we easily spent several hours there, and i could have spent even longer! i would recommend comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. i did not explore much of the indoor areas.

The Desert Garden made me feel so small — the plants are huge and majestic! I was pleasantly surprised to see elements of Chinese Suzhou-style gardens and Japanese courtyards thoughtfully integrated into the landscape. It’s truly a gem and absolutely worth a visit. There’s also a fun play area for kids, and even the parking lots are creatively labeled with plant names, which adds a charming touch. Don’t miss the gift shop — it’s filled with beautifully designed items, including unique souvenirs and cute goodies from other brands like Jellycat.

We arrived at 10am, we were there for 4-5 hours and still didn't finish the whole gardens. We went to the Children's Garden, the Rainforest area (which is thick to breathe and mosit- basically humid inside the green house), the Chinese Garden, parts of the Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, the European Museum, and the old library. We finished by spending close to $100.00 in the gift shop. The gift has a lot of stuff. But the prices were way too high. We didn't have the time to finish the rest of the Japanese Garden. Nor we didn't get the chance to see the Australian, Subtropical, Palm, Jungle, Desert Gardens, and the Lilly Pound area. Like I said, it was already close to 5 hours for those parts we saw, especially since we took our time, we ate, and rested. It was amazingly beautiful 😍. There is a lot of walking, up and down stairs, hills, paths, etc. Wear your best shoes. We want to go again to finish the rest of the place one day. Also , the type of location to see everything would be an ALL DAY TRIP! My family and I didn't think this place was that big.

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FAQs

Security Bag Check

For your safety and improved security, please be aware that oversized bags and backpacks are checked as visitors enter for prohibited items such as drones, photography and sports equipment, gardening tools, weapons, etc.

Food and Picnicking

1919 Cafe, Red Car coffee shop, Freshwater Pavilion, and the Jade Court Cafe are open serving a delicious selection of fresh entrees and grab-and-go options, snacks, and beverages including wine and beer. A limited number of tables for picnicking are available in the Garden Court and patio adjacent to the ticketing area. No outside alcoholic beverages. No picnicking is allowed in the gardens.

Free Wi-Fi

Enjoy wireless internet access in select areas throughout the grounds. Look for HEH Guest in your settings on your wireless device.