Park & Garden

The Huntington

📍 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA, USA

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3.5/ 5.0

★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location: USA, Los Angeles
Category: Park & Garden
Duration: Half day
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Monday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, closed Tuesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day
Ticket Price: Weekdays $25, weekends $29, seniors $21, students $13, ages 4-11 $13, under 3 free; first Thursday of each month free
Address: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA, USA
Coordinates: 34.1230, -118.1110

Introduction

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, Los Angeles, was founded in 1919 by railroad magnate Henry Huntington and stands as one of North America's premier cultural institutions. Across roughly 90 hectares, the estate houses millions of rare manuscripts, European master paintings, and extraordinary plants. The library holds treasures including a Gutenberg Bible, early Shakespeare folios, and drafts of the Declaration of Independence. The art gallery displays Gainsborough's "The Blue Boy" and Lawrence's "Pinkie" among portrait masterpieces. The botanical gardens feature more than a dozen themed areas including the Desert Garden, Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden, and Rose Garden, with the Desert Garden boasting one of the world's foremost collections of succulents. Wandering serene tree-lined allées and flower-filled courtyards, visitors find literature, art, and nature in perfect harmony, making The Huntington Los Angeles's most refined cultural sanctuary.

✨ Highlights

The Blue Boy and Pinkie

Gainsborough's "The Blue Boy" and Lawrence's "Pinkie" hang side by side in the portrait hall, among the most famous 18th-century British portraits and a global pilgrimage site for art lovers.

Gutenberg Bible

The library's 1455 Gutenberg Bible is one of the earliest products of Western movable type printing, with only 48 surviving worldwide; this is the sole copy on the West Coast.

Desert Garden

Spanning about four hectares with over 2,000 species of cacti and succulents, the Desert Garden is a world-class collection of bizarre forms and brilliant seasonal blooms.

Japanese and Chinese Gardens

The Japanese Garden features dry landscape, a tea house, and koi ponds, while the Chinese Garden (Liu Fang Yuan) emulates Suzhou gardens with pavilions reflected in lakes.

Shakespeare and American Documents

Holdings include Shakespeare early folios, drafts of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and Lincoln manuscripts, premier sources for Anglo-American literary and founding history.

Rose and Herb Gardens

The Rose Garden boasts 1,200 varieties blooming in April-May; the Herb Garden gathers aromatic plants from around the world, a fragrant spot for leisurely strolls.

🛈 Practical Info

→Best Time to Visit：March-May for roses, autumn for mild weather, weekdays for fewer crowds, mornings for gallery lighting

→Recommended Duration：4-6 hours; library, art museum, and gardens each require 1-2 hours

→Reservation Notes：No reservation required; large groups must contact in advance; arrive early on free first Thursdays

→Opening Hours：Wednesday-Monday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, closed Tuesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day

→Ticket Information：Weekdays $25, weekends $29, seniors $21, students $13, ages 4-11 $13, under 3 free; first Thursday of each month free

→Transportation：About 20 minutes drive from downtown LA via Route 110 to Allen Ave exit; free parking on site

💡 Tips

• The grounds are vast; pick up a map and follow library-art museum-Desert Garden-Japanese Garden-Chinese Garden to avoid backtracking.

• Walking distances reach 3-5 km over gravel and lawns; sturdy hiking or athletic shoes are recommended.

• Los Angeles sun is intense and garden shade is limited; carry a water bottle, sunscreen, and hat. A cafe and shop are on site.

• The library and art museum host temporary exhibits of rare manuscripts or contemporary art; check the website before visiting.

• Indoor photography without flash is generally allowed, but some special exhibits prohibit it; outdoors, please do not step into flower beds.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of The Huntington?

Wednesday-Monday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, closed Tuesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day

How much is the admission for The Huntington?

Weekdays $25, weekends $29, seniors $21, students $13, ages 4-11 $13, under 3 free; first Thursday of each month free

Any practical tips for visiting The Huntington?

The grounds are vast; pick up a map and follow library-art museum-Desert Garden-Japanese Garden-Chinese Garden to avoid backtracking. Walking distances reach 3-5 km over gravel and lawns; sturdy hiking or athletic shoes are recommended.