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You are here: Home / Blog / The Huntington: Library, Museum, and Gardens

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The Huntington: Library, Museum, and Gardens

This article highlights The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, one of the main cultural institutions in Greater Los Angeles.

Today, I want to focus on a place that wears many hats at the same time.

And when I say many, I mean it.

Here is a sample of what this place is:

  • Mansion
  • Museum
  • Library
  • Botanical Gardens (with 16 different gardens)
  • Tea Room
  • Art Collection
  • Conservatory
  • Research Center

Do you know what place I am referring to?

I’ll give you one hint.

It is located in San Marino, California.

Ok, I know what you are thinking.

Where in the world is San Marino located?

San Marino is a small city located about 30 miles east of Los Angeles (closer to Pasadena).

The major landmark of the city is The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.  This is an educational and research institution established by Henry Huntington, the nephew of a railroad tycoon, and his wife, Arabella Huntington.

Couple walking around flowers, The Huntington, San Marino, California

Henry and Arabella had a passion for collecting art and rare books.  When they relocated from San Francisco to San Marino, an opulent mansion was built in a plot of land he bought.  They filled the house with all sorts of international (mostly European) furnishings.  

At the same time, experts helped them acquire valuable pieces of art.  One year after Henry’s death, the final collection put together (valued at $50M) was opened to the public (as he ordered in his will).

Nowadays, The Huntington is a fresh respite of air in the middle of one of the world’s largest metropolis.  If you enjoy all things beautiful, take a day to discover what Henry and Arabella Huntington left for generations to come.

Let’s take a closer look at what you can explore in this grand place.

Outdoor Decoration, The Huntington, San Marino, California

The Huntington Art Gallery

The Huntington Art Gallery is housed in the former residence of Henry and Arabella Huntington (or the opulent mansion I mentioned previously).  You can observe the former living quarters such as the living and dining rooms.  In addition, you will have access to the Grand Staircase.

Dining Room, The Huntington, San Marino, California

Grand Staircase, The Huntington, San Marino, California

Collections

The institution’s permanent collection of European art is located inside The Huntington Art Gallery.  Visitors are able to observe 18th and 19th-century paintings, sculptures, tapestries, porcelain, and furniture.

The permanent American collection (17th to 20th century) is located at The Virginia Steele Scott Gallery of American Art (opened in the 1980s).

With 42,000 pieces of art, there is a lot to see in the collections area.

Painting, The Huntington, San Marino, California

Library

The Huntington has 11 million library objects including rare books and manuscripts.  These are housed in their own building.  Even though most of these pieces are used for research purposes, several unique pieces are on display.

For example, you can take a look at a Gutenberg Bible (the first printed book), several copies of the first edition of Newton’s Principia, and a decorated manuscript of Canterbury Tales.

European Art at The Huntington

Gardens

The Huntington has 120 acres of botanical gardens.  In comparison, Disneyland covers 85 acres (the park only).

The most notable gardens are the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, and Desert Garden.  They have been used as symbols of the institution many times.  For example, the Desert Garden has been featured in a postal stamp (since it is considered one of the world’s largest collections of cacti and succulents).

Cactus Garden, The Huntington, San Marino, California

Other gardens include the Australian Garden, California Garden, Children’s Garden, Herbs Garden, Jungle Garden, Palm Garden, Ranch Garden, Rose Garden, Shakespeare Garden, and Subtropical Garden.  A conservatory, mausoleum, and lily ponds can be enjoyed too.

The Camellia Garden is one of my favorites since it is close to the North Vista, an area with several sculptures and a grand fountain.

Avenue of Statues, The Huntington, San Marino, California

In total, the gardens 15,000 plant varieties.  Of course, these attract many critters.

Hummingbird, The Huntington, San Marino, California

Tea Room

The Tea Room, located in the Rose Garden, offers a British tea service.  You can choose among the traditional, vegan, gluten-free, and children options.  There are plenty of sides and beverages (including alcoholic beverages) that can be added to any order.

Note: You can eat and/or drink at the Tea Room without paying admission to The Huntington.  However, you will not be allowed to move to other areas of the institution if you choose this option.

Tea Room Building, The Huntington, San Marino, California

Exhibitions

On top of all the attractions we have discussed, The Huntington has ongoing and temporary exhibitions.  These are centered on a wide range of topics such as gardening, science, current events, and local endeavors.

Living Room, The Huntington, San Marino, California

Details

The entrance fee oscillates between $13 and $29.  Discounts are offered to seniors, members of the military, and students.  Children under 4 can enter for free.  Notice prices are higher on the weekends.

Parking is included in the entrance fee.

In addition to the Tea Room, you have access to 4 restaurants and cafes.

Free Wi-Fi is offered on-site.

You can download (and follow) the Garden Sculpture Audio Tour and Chinese Garden Audio Tour for free. 

Free garden tours are offered Wednesday-Monday, twice per day.

Rose Garden

Nearby Attractions

The Eaton Canyon Center and the trailhead to Eaton Canyon Falls are located about 5 miles away.

The Los Angeles County Arboretum is located 5 miles away in the city of Arcadia.

Old Pasadena is located 3 miles away and the Rose Bowl 5 miles away.

Shade in the garden, The Huntington, San Marino, California

More of Los Angeles

Los Angeles Ultimate Bucket List

One Day in Los Angeles: Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Two Days in Los Angeles: Downtown-Based Itinerary

Los Angeles Itinerary: 2, 3 or 4 Days in Los Angeles

Weekend Getaways from Los Angeles

More of Southern California

Ultimate San Diego Bucket List

150+ Places to Go in Orange County

200+ Places to Visit in Santa Barbara

Ventura County Bucket List

Have you visited this area of Los Angeles?

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Everything you need to know before visiting The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens | San Marino | California | Things to Do in Los Angeles | Things to Do in Pasadena | Near Pasadena Old Town | Pasadena Photoshoot | Pasadena Engagement Photos | Pasadena Aesthetic | Los Angeles Outdoors | Cacti Garden | Japanese Garden | Chinese Garden | Conservatory | Lily Ponds | Los Angeles Botanical Gardens

Everything you need to know before visiting The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens | San Marino | California | Things to Do in Los Angeles | Things to Do in Pasadena | Near Pasadena Old Town | Pasadena Photoshoot | Pasadena Engagement Photos | Pasadena Aesthetic | Los Angeles Outdoors | Cacti Garden | Japanese Garden | Chinese Garden | Conservatory | Lily Ponds | Los Angeles Botanical Gardens

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There are also exhibits and performances exploring different cultures all over town. The Craft and Folk Art Museum on Wilshire almost always has something culturally unique going on, as does the Fowler Museum on the UCLA Campus. You can also check out the USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena. Again, to name just a few. Then there are the performances, like Amadou and Mariam we mentioned above, or Prince Diabate whom we saw in some tiny club in Santa Monica. One of the best places to look for these more eclectic events is the LA Weekly. LA's multiculturalism is one of its most awesome features and it's something not to be missed if you're visiting the city. It's easy to stack events that are near you or that suit the dates of your visit. It's LA. There's always something going on! Hike in Joshua Tree National Park By Julie from Family Travel Lifestyle While California is famous for National Parks like Yosemite and the Redwoods, one of our lesser-known parks, Joshua Tree, offers fantastic hiking in a unique desert environment. Located in southern California – just east of Palm Springs, and less than a 3-hour drive from San Diego – Joshua Tree offers numerous trails at every level of hiking. What I love about Joshua Tree is that it isn’t as crowded as many other parks and it’s smaller which means you can do a one-day visit and still get in some great hikes and really feel as though you saw the park. Also, this park offers a lot of loop trails, which I tend to prefer to the ‘out and back’ trails. One of the most popular and can’t-miss trails in Joshua Tree is the Skull Rock loop. It’s pretty easy, good for all levels including children, and you get to see the famous and giant Skull-shaped boulder. There’s a great kids’ nature walk called the Discovery Trail that’s less than a mile if you have really little ones. The bigger hikes offer a great variety of sights. There are several hikes up to different peaks, with outstanding views of the mountains and desert. You can hike out to a palm tree oasis or walk through the boulders and include a little scrambling on your hike. The one thing to watch out for is the heat – it’s no joke at Joshua Tree, so come prepared and enjoy! VIsit the Sunny Jim Sea Caves By April from SoCalFunFamily La Jolla is known for the locals who hang around the beach. And no, I am not talking about the hodads, you know, non-surfers, but the friendly seals lounging right there on the sand. It’s also known as an incredibly fun family area, for its good food, and having the coolest sea caves. However, there is only one cave you can explore without a kayak. And that cave is only accessible through Sunny Jim’s Cave Store. From the exterior it looks just like any other beach themed gift shop, but upon further review you might see the long dark tunnel leading what looks like directly into the ground. This is the access to Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave, which was dug out in 1902. To reach the bottom you will pay $5 for adults, and $3 for children, walk down 145 dark, narrow stairs and come out on a damp wooden platform to take in the waves and views from below. This hidden gem is a unique experience if you are in the area. But, make sure to mingle with the locals on the shore below and check out the free, smaller caves right there as well. Read More: One Day in San Diego Pedal Boat At Lake Murray By Martina from Stack Your Dollars One of the best and most relaxing things to do in sunny San Diego is to take a ride on the water at Lake Murray. On a hot day, getting on a pedal boat is a great way to get a nice breeze and cool off. You’ll also be putting those leg muscles to work and getting in some fun exercise! Lake Murray is a 171 acre reservoir with a 3.2 mile shoreline; it can be found on the border of San Diego, La Mesa, and Santee. To rent the pedal boat, you have to go into the concession stand by the parking lot. It costs about $15 to rent per hour, with an additional $15 for a deposit. The boat fits about 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. This low-cost activity is a great way to get out and have fun. It allowed my family to stick to our very frugal budget. If you would prefer, there are also kayaks, canoes, row boats, and motor boats. However, the pedal boat is my favorite because it also has a canopy to block the sun! Whale Watch in Newport Beach By Rebecca from KwaFare One of the most thrilling outdoor experiences you can have in California is to get up close and personal with some of the largest animals on earth. Whale watching in Southern California can put you right in the migratory path of humpback, minke, fin and gray whales. Even orcas are spotted from time to time, as well as sperm whales and blue whales, the largest animal to have ever lived. An excellent spot for whale watching is Newport Beach, which is only about an hour from LAX airport or downtown Los Angeles. Newport Beach is a cozy community where you’ll find Balboa Pier and Island and some great beaches. My go to whale watching company here is Davey’s Locker. And for good reason. First, they regularly have sales for their whale watching tours on Groupon. So, for about the price of a movie ticket you can take a front row seat to these magnificent creatures for over a couple of hours. But what I really enjoy is hearing the excitement of the crew every time we get to see a whale out at sea. This testifies to just how electrifying it is to witness these deep sea giants in their natural habitat. Despite how many times they get to see them, every time it’s a thrill. And the thrill is definitely contagious. You just never know what you are going to see when you get out on the boat. However, if you want to up your chances of sighting whales go out during their migration times. In general, winter and spring are great times to see gray whales, humpback and minke whales. And summer and fall are ideal for blue whales, finbacks, orcas and sperm whales. So whether you find yourself in the middle of a pod of hundreds of dolphins or next to an enormous blue whale, this is one of those things to do in California that is not to be missed! Visit the Center of the World By Theresa from The Local Tourist Just inside the border in the southeast corner of the state, you can put your toes on the officially designated Center of the World. Felicity, California, is home to the Museum of History in Granite and the Center of the World and is a destination worth a visit that's a whole lot less kitschy than it sounds. In 1985, Jacques-André wrote a children’s book titled “Coe: The Good Dragon at the Center of the World.” Somehow, this Frenchman and Father of American Parachuting convinced the Imperial County Board of Supervisors and Institut Géographique National, the French Mapping Agency, that property he owned in Imperial County should be declared the Center of the World. You can visit this town, population two, and not only make a wish inside a pyramid but also browse granite tablets etched with history. They're designed to last 4,000 years and the goal is that they'll preserve the entirety of humanity for millennia to come. It's a quirky destination with a noble promise, and should definitely be on any southern California itinerary. ATV in the Imperial Sand Dunes By Kay from The Awkard Traveler It isn't general knowledge, but California has sand dunes. Some of the best California sand dunes are found in Southern California. Specifically, the Imperial Sand Dunes State Park right near the border of Mexico. Winter is arguable a better season to visit, especially when summer temperatures can easily reach over 110F. But that also means winter is the most busy time to visit. So, pick your poison. From San Diego, the drive is about 2.5hours, 2 hours from Palm Springs, and 3 hours from Los Angeles, making the Imperial Sand Dunes an easy day trip if you do not want to stay nearby. However, there are camping and RV options at the state park! To enter the park, permits are required from October 1 through April 15 each year. Permits are $35 per week in advance and $50 per week if purchased onsite. Season permits are $150. America the Beautiful National Park pass also counts for this park. Once you are all settled into the park, you're ready to ride! But before you get into your off-highway vehicle (whether it is ATV or a bike, or other), make sure to remember the basics. Wear a protective helmet, pay attention to "closed to vehicle signs," and tall visible red flags are REQUIRED on your vehicle for visibility and safety! There you have it! Tons and tons of ideas on things to do in California. Hope you find this article useful when planning your next getaway! More of California Los Angeles Ultimate Bucket List Weekend Getaways from Los Angeles Ultimate San Diego Bucket List 150+ Places to Go in Orange County Places to Visit in Santa Barbara What are your favorite things to do in California? Let me know in the comments section below. Pin “Things to Do in California” for later!, Pigeon Point LighthouseThings to Do in California: Golden State Best


13 Comments

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Comments

  1. Ayelet - All Colores says

    March 30, 2012 at 12:36 am

    It looks like a great place to spend the day in. I wish I knew about it when visiting Los Angeles 🙂 I love the fauna photos!

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      April 5, 2012 at 8:08 pm

      Well, at least you have an idea for when you visit LA again.

      Reply
  2. Ashley says

    March 30, 2012 at 9:53 am

    I was there last month! And was quite impressed by everything that makes up the Huntington “Library” 🙂 I sped through most of it to give myself time to linger in their few galleries of modern art. They had very nice pieces by Louise Nevelson and Sam Francis.

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      April 5, 2012 at 8:07 pm

      I was also impressed by the library. They had an exhibition of old books and papers related to science. Very cool!!

      Reply
  3. Jeremy Branham says

    March 30, 2012 at 11:33 am

    I’ve been to this area many many times (I’ve spent a lot of time in Huntington Beach). However, I’ve never heard of this place!

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      April 5, 2012 at 8:05 pm

      I don’t know if you are confused but this place it is not close to Huntington Beach. It is close to Pasadena.

      Reply
  4. Mary @ The World Is A Book says

    March 30, 2012 at 11:53 am

    I love the Huntington! I used to live near there. There aren’t many places that can combine such varied gardens and a great art and library collection. I can spend hours sitting at their Japanese garden. It’s a wonderful place to take kids too with an awesome children’s garden. Time to go back for the Spring blooms. We also like gawking at all the San Marino mansions outside of it =)

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      April 5, 2012 at 8:04 pm

      Great!!! When I went, there was an activity for the members. The place was packed. It is clear they have built a good relationship with the community. And yes, the houses around were awesome.

      Reply
  5. Ayngelina says

    March 31, 2012 at 5:36 am

    Wow it’s really a diverse site isn’t it. The chanderliers are gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      April 5, 2012 at 8:02 pm

      The chandeliers are great!! I noticed they appeared a lot on the photos.

      Reply
  6. Matthew Karsten says

    April 2, 2012 at 10:48 am

    What a beautiful place! Those paintings look incredible.

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      April 5, 2012 at 8:01 pm

      The place was full of interesting artwork. I only took a quick glance thru some areas but it deserves much more time or repeated visits.

      Reply
  7. Arti says

    April 7, 2012 at 7:34 am

    Beautiful pics! Loved those paintings especially. Thanks for sharing the pics, I have never been there.
    Have a nice day:)

    Reply

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