annetti

Huntington Library, Museum and Botanical Gardens are a short drive from LA, in San Marino, an affluent suburb. The neoclassical house was built in 1919 by the business man Huntington.

The botanical gardens are extensive and include desert gardens, Australian plants, a beautiful Japanese garden and tea house and a relatively new Chinese garden among many others as well.

Our intent was to stroll the gardens, have tea in the Tea room and perhaps visit an exhibition or two.

We are about 40 minutes away by car; unfortunately for us, we were too busy talking and missed the frwy turn off even though the GPS warned us. It cost us about 15 minutes, however we still arrived a bit early. I take full responsibility, I misread the website, and we arrived 55 minutes before opening time (winter hours) of noon.

We planned on strolling about, having lunch at 12:30 and then wandering around a bit more. Our plans were altered. We wandered into the exhibit "Taxing Vision" (until May 2011) of late 19th century art. Per HL's website: it is " Tax. rent, and economic depression and financial inequity are the subject matter. . ." It's a wonderful exhibit,: I was unfamiliar with the artists, and the Dickinsonian subject is a bit sobering, and though only one room, very well- put together.

We were right on time for our reservation at the tea room. I must admit, I expected a bit more for the $28. per person. The room was not very elegant; it was small and crowded and the hordes of people around the buffet table reminded me of Vegas with a coffee shop atmosphere. The main fare were small tea sandwiches (mediocre) and some salads and small desserts. Each table comes with scones and tea. It was pleasant, but not worth the $. I was hoping for a prettier room, less noise, and less crowds. (My favorite tea room experience has to be Bath at the Pump Room; and it was far less expensive and there was music, too.)

However, the gardens redeemed the day, especially the new Chinese Gardens with the lovely small white bridges overlooking ponds with schools of Koi. it was delightful. I imagine the Chinese gardens are not completely finished, since there were several areas with no planting. The Japanese gardens were lovely as usual, especially colorful after all our spring rains.

Did I say, this was an anniversary celebration? We had hoped for a bit more, but the gardens never disappoint, nor do the museum's exhibits, so though I don't recommend the Tea room for lunch, do visit the gardens and museum. It will be a wonderful day. Have an inexpensive lunch at their cafe instead.

starrs

What a nice day! And HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

POlson

Nice report. I love visiting the gardens and museum exhibits but completely agree on the tea. We usually just grab something to eat from the cafe. If you or other fodorites are traveling with children, a few suggestions - our kids love the children's garden but it includes water play so bring clothes to change into, the front lawn and sculpture garden, and the indoor rain forest gardens. We usually check out the library exhibit to have a little learning moment. The gift shop is nice and usually we end up with some treats for mom and kids.

MichelleY

Thanks for the report!!

europeannovice

When we went a few years ago, we loved the Chinese Garden which I believe had just opened, the desert garden, the children's garden and the Japanese garden. We really enjoyed the desert garden for all the variety of desert plants and some were flowering at the time. It was truly spectacular. We also enjoyed the art museum and the Gainsboroughs in the collection.

We did not have tea there either. We grabbed a sandwich at the cafe. I loved the place. It was one of the best gardens we have seen.

sf7307

When we went (I wrote a report at the time), we didn't eat there at all (I love "tea", but only when someone else is paying LOL). We thought the gardens, the museum and the library were all spectacular. I'd love to visit again.

annetti

Thanks, Starrs for the anniversary wishes.

POIson: We had always thought of trying the Tea, and thought this was the moment. Too bad, it was a disappointment, but as I wrote we always love our visits there. We love the Getty, too, but a couple years ago we tried the dining room on a friend's recommendation, also our anniversary, and though the setting was lovely, the meal was barely average.

Yes, the Huntington has a great shop and no visit to the HL would be complete without a stop there. Last Monday was no exception. I bought a lovely fabric handbag this time round; I had seen one in Ojai a few weeks ago that I had passed on but, the gods were good to me and gave me a second chance. We always find something to buy either note cards or postcards at the very least.

Thanks,MichelleY, European Novice and sf7307.

BTW, for those interested, there are docent tours for both the museum and the gardens that last about an hr and a half. I've never tried them, but it is on my list of things to do on our next visit. Inquire at the information desk for times.

annetti

Just wanted to say, we returned a yr later for another anniversary visit , and like last year were rained out and had to postpone our visit until yesterday. The weather made up for it - it was perfect; clear skies and cool. The grounds were filled with couples and families, but not too crowded to make it unpleasant.

Right now is a perfect time to see the Desert Gardens -- many succulents and cacti were in bloom, bright orange, magenta, yellow and even purple flower displays.

The Chinese Pavilion is finished and there's a pretty view from the tearoom overlooking bridges and a large pond filled with koi. Unfortunately the Japanese tea house is closed, but will reopen April 11.

Again, another wonderful day wandering the grounds. If you live nearby, you might consider a trip now, the weather is perfect for a stroll in the Huntington Gardens. Although, it would have been perfect and oh so convenient. . . to have tea there again, we did not repeat our mediocre meal and had a late lunch at Saladang Song in Pasadena.

propita

We went there before moving out of the LA area, years ago. The gardens are absolutely wonderful! The buildings are gorgeous, too! Hubby and I were in one of the buildings, admiring the architecture at a window with our backs to the Louis XIV furniture on display--totally ignoring it. The docent came over to check on us--we had been gesturing and looking out the window. When we told her we were admiring the building itself, and even the downspout (hence the “looking out the window”), she exclaimed that many people ignore the beauty of the building and gave us a nice little talk about the structure and architecture. We gathered that she wasn’t always asked about this and enjoyed the opportunity. The docents are indeed knowledgeable!

traveler24

Did you notice or have knowledge of --places to stay a bus ride near there? I'd love to see the HL and art but hate driving to site..Sounds like a wonderful day...Appreciate comments about Tea Room

annetti

traveler24: I am so unknowledgeable when it comes to public transit in LA. I do like most Southern Californians, I drive everywhere. Perhaps, you can go on their website, they may offer public transit directions or call directly. Or, post a question on this board.

propita: Yes, docents can be a wonderful source of information. I love taking the docent tours at museums.

traveler24

LA transit website most helpful--thanks

Placename

Thanks for the reminder.

I just love Huntington Gardens. The cactus/succulent garden is by far my favorite. I've never seen it in flower. That would be wonderful.

The tea room doesn't bother me that much. I'm usually so famished I am not too discriminating.

That freeway out of LA - yipes, what a mess of bad pavement, too narrow of lanes, and too much traffic.

annetti

Placename: Not everything is in flower, but there's enough to admire, if one keeps in mind that these are cacti and succulent blooms and that the blooms are relatively minimal, but still lovely. The Huntington is wonderful: I agree. For beautiful cacti, try the Living Desert in Palm Desert. Another wonderful spot which I recently discovered. There are some wonderful cacti at the H, all shrouded in white - I have no idea what they are, but fascinating.

panecott

annetti, Happy Anniversary!

I love the Huntington Library. A dear aunt used to live about 15 minutes away and whenever I went out west to visit her we'd always spend a day there - both in the museum and the gardens.

It's one of my favorite places in CA.

annetti

Btw, Placename, The new Chinese Pavillon serves food, so it is another option beside the tea room. I have no idea how good or bad or indifferent it is, but the setting is lovely.

Thank you, panecott for the anniversary wishes. It's one of my favorite places, too. I just wish the drive there was not so difficult, that is, having to deal with possible gridlock getting there and home so I could go more often.