One of my goals for this site is to include details about some of my favorite gardens. We are finally going to start filling out the Garden tab up top. I thought we would start with one of my local favorites: Descanso Gardens.
While I would encourage you to visit the official Descanso Gardens site when planning a visit to double check pricing, seasonal hours, and special events, I wanted to give you my take. So here we go. (All of the images are together at the bottom.)
Descanso Gardens
The Details:
- How big: 150 acres
- How much: $8 for adults, $3 for children 5-12. Check here for discounts for seniors/students.
- How long: Hours during the week vary. 9-5pm on weekends.
Why we love it:
While Descanso Gardens is technically larger than the Huntington, it has a more intimate feel. Even on crowded days, there are plenty of places in the Oak Forest and Camellia Forest where you can find yourself alone on a shady path surrounded by trees. On the whole, the garden does a nice job of creating a very natural, peaceful escape. Some of the highlights (for me) include:
-
Oak forest — I love wandering through the oak forest which is usually very quiet. I take a picture of the same gnarled old oak tree every time I visit (even though I do get made fun of for doing this). I can’t help it. There is something completely magical about this spot.
-
Rose garden – The rose garden features plenty of benches, arbors, and (of course) roses. Rose gardens are usually not my favorite, but the casual grass pathways make this spot feel less stuffy. We’ve taken some of my favorite photographs here.
-
Full Moon Tea House and Koi pond – This blue roofed pagoda is a wonderful shady spot to take a break and watch the fish.
-
Boddy House – The Boddy House is at the top of a steep slope, but we (usually) enjoy the climb. The actual house features antiques as well as history about the gardens. We usually only spend a few minutes inside, but it’s a a fun respite from the forest. They also feature artists openings here, and we purchased one of our favorite pieces on a trip to Descanso.
-
Descanso Cafe & Gift Shop – We frequently stop for a bite to eat in their outdoor dining area. Their gift shop, while small, is one of my favorites. They have a great selection of garden themed gifts along with some beautiful housewares and jewelry. (Note to husband: I still want the white ceramic squirrel lamp. Hint-hint.)
Worth noting: We’ve never done these things, but I feel I should mention them in case you’d like to…
-
Tram ride: There is a $4 tram ride running several times a day if you’re interested in a tour.
-
Special events, Camellia Lounge: Descanso hosts many special events. During the summer, they host a cocktail and appetizer event at the Full Moon Tea House Tuesdays through Thursdays. While I haven’t been, it sounds really lovely especially considering the beautiful surroundings. (More information here.)
For the Kids:
-
Child Sized Hedge Maze – I don’t want to oversell this. It’s small. Very small. But cute.
-
Enchanted Railroad ($3, Check for hours.) – There is a small diesel train replica that takes guests on a short loop through the gardens. Very charming, even without kids.
-
Open Grassy Areas – Picnicking is not allowed, but there are lots of grassy areas to relax with the family or play a game of tag.
The Pictures:
The photos of the roses, turtles, and Full Moon Tea House are courtesy of my husband. The others are mine. ;-)
