Hidden in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains lies one of the best kept secrets in Los Angeles: the Huntington Library & Gardens. While for the locals this is a famous place, very few visitors to Los Angeles really know about it. If you are ever in town you should take a day trip to Huntington Library and Gardens. Here is what you should know about about this place:
Overview
A Brief History of the Huntington Library & Gardens
In 1919 Henry E. Huntington founded the library and gardens as a private, non-profit research institution. A railroad and real estate magnate, Henry E. Huntington had a lot of money! He also came from a very prominent family in the U.S. His uncle, Collis P. Huntington, was one of The Big Four who built the Central Pacific Railroad, the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S.
Besides being a shrewd businessman, Henry Huntington was also a visionary with special interest for books, art and botanics. During his lifetime he assembled one of the finest selection of books and manuscripts and established a great art collection.
He displayed his book and art collections in the two beautiful buildings on the grounds of the Huntington Library. The first building (also known as the Beaux-Arts mansion) displays the art collection. The superb mansion was once the house of Henry E. Huntington and his wife Arabella. The couple lived here for several years. They were also buried together on the estate grounds, in the Mausolelum.
The vila was intended to be a country house with ample, functional spaces to accommodate guests. But its elegance and the grandeur surpassed that purpose. The magnificent building overlooking the valley resembles more a European palace than a country house.
The mansion opened as an Art Gallery in 1928, after Huntington’s death. Among other treasures, the collection includes the famous paintings the Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough and Pinkie by Thomas Lawrence.
The Huntington Library
Huntington Library is one of the largest and most complete research libraries in the United States. The Library has a vast collection of rare books, prints, photographs, maps and rare manuscripts, like the manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and a copy of the Gutenberg Bible on vellum.
A Day Trip to Huntington Library & Gardens
Over the past 30 years we’ve lived in Southern California we visited Huntington Library and Gardens countless times. Its spectacular grounds never cease to amaze me, no matter how oftenI come here. It’s a peaceful world of beauty and color that makes you forget the busy and tumultuous life outside its gates.
The Gardens cover a huge area (207 acres) and display more than 14,000 varieties of plants, many of which rare and exotic. The area is organized in over a dozen smaller gardens, each one with a very unique atmosphere and color. You have a Rose Garden, a Desert Garden, a Herb Garden, a Japanese Garden, a Jungle Garden, and many more.
The Best Time to Visit the Huntington Library & Gardens
The best time to visit it is in spring and summer when the flowers are in bloom and there is an ever-changing display of color and scents.
During the Summer Festival, the Huntington Library offers open-air concerts featuring classical music. Patrons and visitors alike can enjoy the performance either in the loggia sitting or on the lawn. Festival passes are offered at a 30% discount over single ticket prices.
Where to Eat at Huntington Library & Gardens
Visiting the Huntington Library and Gardens will be a long day trip, so you’ll probably get hungry at some point. Therefore, if you feel your stomach growling after a long day of walking, the Rose Garden Tea Room and Café will come to your rescue with a variety of food options.
From a traditional English tea served with finger sandwiches, cheeses, and fresh fruit, to satisfying lunches and snacks, you will have plenty of choices. While the Tea Room requires reservations, the Café is a little more casual, with open sitting in the patio.
Admission Prices
Huntington Library & Gardens started as a free admission place. However over the years, due to the high maintenance fees of the grounds, the admission fee evolved from a $5/person suggested donation to a whopping $23/person today. Seniors and students pay only 18/person. Even so, over 600,000 people visit the gardens each year. The price may be a little steep if you have a big family, but it is well worth.
On the first Thursday of every month, Huntington Library & Gardens offer a free admission day, but you have to reserve your tickets online. Tickets go out fast, so if you want to take advantage of the free day, you should reserve your tickets at least a month ahead of time.
Königstein Castle – the Fortress of the Saxon Switzerland
Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute
I grew up in Huntington beach, but I had never heard of Henry Huntington until now. I will certainly add a visit to the Huntington Gardens in the future (though it is a bit expensive).
Anda Galffy
I’m sure you will not be disappointed, Jim.
Paula McInerney
Beautifully photographed, and the Huntington Gardens are very impressive
Rhonda Albom
The range of flora in the gardens look wonderful. The grounds and buildings are very opulent and fitting for the level of art and manuscripts present. I would like to visit these botanic gardens someday.