The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens - San Marino, California

Tamera F.

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.

R T.

A amazing place to go to with friends and family. Devout yourself to walk around these several gardens with amazing extraordinary plants, medicinal and bonsai. We went through the Chinese Garden and spent hours walking through several buildings exhibiting several plants. Buildings were designed the old Chinese style. Several lakes and bridges to go through… next was the Japanese Garden with several buildings and also an original Japanese House that had the original lumber and was reconstructed accurately. Several other gardens are still available to be discovered but we ran out of time. We came in at 1:00 pm and didn’t even realize that it was already 5:00 pm. We need to come back here another day to continue out journey through all the gardens this place off

sierra D.

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.

Kimmy W.

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.

Mhar A.

It’s an oasis, respite and a tourist destination all in one. The Chinese garden is one of its best feature in my opinion. The Japanese garden is also awesome. Would like to see the rose garden n in full bloom one day. There’s a section that you walks under the bamboo trees which I also find very relaxing.
The mansion breathes history and mementos. You can hop on the tram to your selected stop

Sarah Y.

I've been to gardens. I've been to museums. I've been to art galleries. I've never been to all three in one location. The Huntington is AMAZING. Don't miss the 10-minute video at the beginning on the right as you walk in that explains the family and how the venue was established. The Cafe has amazing food that is reasonably priced. End with the Japanese and Chinese gardens; they're so beautiful that everything else will seem less impressive if you start there. The best museum gift shop ever! (Sorry to The Building Museum's shop in DC, which has been moved to second place.) We arrived at 10am and left at 4:15pm and still didn't see all the gardens, but six hours of walking and standing was about our physical max. GO THERE! Best thing I've done in LA so far, and this was my fourth visit.

Elizabeth C.

Beautiful gardens and art galleries! Friendly docents and volunteers who are passionate about sharing knowledge. Food options available at 1919 Cafe and Red Car Coffee Shop. The Chinese Garden is particularly well-designed and a must-see. They have various events throughout the year that are fun as well.

Shannon L.

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is a truly stunning place. If you enjoy nature, art, and literature, this is a must-visit—especially in the spring when the gardens are in full bloom. Inside the art museum, you’ll find iconic works like The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough, and the library holds treasures like the original manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. It’s a beautiful and enriching experience all around.