For a truly fabulous day, visit The Huntington. In addition to such treasures as the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, a Gutenberg Bible, and Gainsborough’s Blue Boy it features 120 acres of gardens. You can visit a twelve acre desert garden, a Japanese garden, and a Chinese garden, a three acre rose garden, an herb garden, Shakespeare garden, Australian garden, Subtropical and Jungle Garden, Palm Garden and Camellia Collection. All of the gardens and grounds are beautifully maintained and enhanced by vast lawns, statuary, benches, and small garden buildings.
To make the day perfect, get a reservation for tea at the Tea Room as soon as you arrive. This is a grand experience (and pricey but worth it, $25)
Free tours of the gardens are available with the price of admissions. Tickets are $15 during the week, $20 on weekends and Monday holidays. Parking is free. Hours are 12 noon to 4:30 during the week, 10:30 on weekends. Closed on Tuesday and major holidays.
