MaiTaiTom Stops To Smell The Flowers: Descanso Gardens
Apr 2nd, 2015, 06:34 AM
#1
Original Poster
MaiTaiTom Stops To Smell The Flowers: Descanso Gardens
"A few Sundays ago, in early March, Tracy said it was high time we finished our “Garden Trifecta.” We’ve spent a lot of time at the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino and the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia, however there was still one more nearby floral mecca to check out before we could be considered true local flower power aficionados. This would finally be the day.
It had been nearly a decade since we had been to Descanso Gardens in La Cañada, and it was just as beautiful as we remembered it from our last visit. Descanco Gardens has quite an interesting history, which we learned from our chatty and informative tour guide later in the morning.
In 1937, E. Manchester Boddy, who was the publisher and owner of the Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News, purchased the land that is today Descanso Gardens. He paid the “whopping” price of $125,000 for 165 acres. He named the working ranch “Rancho Descanso” (Ranch Of Rest)."
This entire story is definitely better with photos…please see link below:
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/descanso-gardens-la-canada-flintridge/
It had been nearly a decade since we had been to Descanso Gardens in La Cañada, and it was just as beautiful as we remembered it from our last visit. Descanco Gardens has quite an interesting history, which we learned from our chatty and informative tour guide later in the morning.
In 1937, E. Manchester Boddy, who was the publisher and owner of the Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News, purchased the land that is today Descanso Gardens. He paid the “whopping” price of $125,000 for 165 acres. He named the working ranch “Rancho Descanso” (Ranch Of Rest)."
This entire story is definitely better with photos…please see link below:
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/descanso-gardens-la-canada-flintridge/
Apr 2nd, 2015, 06:52 AM
#2
Oh, I haven't been to Descanso in a long time. Maybe it's time for a visit. Thanks for the memories!
But what do you suppose will happen after the water restrictions announced by Brown yesterday? My own yard can go to heck, but I worry about all of these beautiful public gardens.
But what do you suppose will happen after the water restrictions announced by Brown yesterday? My own yard can go to heck, but I worry about all of these beautiful public gardens.
Apr 2nd, 2015, 07:33 AM
#3
Original Poster
"But what do you suppose will happen after the water restrictions…"
Hi Jean, If you visit, try to go in the next six weeks when it should be incredibly colorful. When it comes to water, Descanso has a little advantage….
From the report: "Boddy purchased a property in the mountains with a spring and ran a 4” line from the spring all the way to Descanso (under Foothill Blvd.) so he would always have a source of water for his ranch. They used to boat on the pond, and there are plans to have a walkway built around it in the coming years."
That said, if this drought continues, who knows? As far as the Huntington and the L.A. Arboretum are concerned, I don't know, but since I plan on visiting both in the near future, it is a question I'lll ask.
Hi Jean, If you visit, try to go in the next six weeks when it should be incredibly colorful. When it comes to water, Descanso has a little advantage….
From the report: "Boddy purchased a property in the mountains with a spring and ran a 4” line from the spring all the way to Descanso (under Foothill Blvd.) so he would always have a source of water for his ranch. They used to boat on the pond, and there are plans to have a walkway built around it in the coming years."
That said, if this drought continues, who knows? As far as the Huntington and the L.A. Arboretum are concerned, I don't know, but since I plan on visiting both in the near future, it is a question I'lll ask.
Apr 2nd, 2015, 11:48 AM
#4
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We always make a pilgrimage to Descanso when in California.
I first went 35 years ago when the girlfriend of one of DH's JPL colleagues took me there. We of course went again last year on our way to friends in Altadena.
I hope it survives the drought, just as I hope to see it one more time.
I first went 35 years ago when the girlfriend of one of DH's JPL colleagues took me there. We of course went again last year on our way to friends in Altadena.
I hope it survives the drought, just as I hope to see it one more time.
Apr 2nd, 2015, 02:26 PM
#9
Original Poster
yt - depending on where in Santa Monica and time of day, you could make it in 30 -45 minutes. Of course, with terrible traffic, your commute will be slightly shorter than your flight from DC to L.A.
