DAY TRIP - The Huntington Library and Gardens

The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens (The Huntington) is a private educational and research center located near Pasadena in San Marino.The Huntington was founded by railroad and real estate developer Henry Edwards Huntington and opened to the public in 1928. The buildings sit on 120 acres of themed botanical gardens that feature more than 14,000 different species of plants. The library houses an extensive collection of rare books and manuscripts, and the art collections are exhibited in three different buildings. 

 Hours

Tuesday through Friday, noon to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Mondays.

 Admission

Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for seniors; $10 for students age 12 to 18 ; $6 youth (age 5 to 11); children 5 and under free. Admission is free the first Thursday of every month. Beginning Sept. 6, all visitors on Free Day must have a ticket.

 Getting there

Take I-5 north to the 710 freeway going toward Pasadena. Merge onto I-10 toward San Bernardino/Pasadena. Take the Atlantic Boulevard exit (23A) toward Monterey Park. Make a slight right onto South Atlantic Boulevard. Turn right onto Huntington Drive. Make a U-turn at San Marino Avenue. Turn right on Monterey Road. Turn right on Oxford Road.

 Parking

Parking is free; no reservations are necessary unless arriving by bus. Groups arriving by bus must make reservations in advance by calling (626) 405-2240.

 The library

With one of the largest research libraries in the United States, the Library’s collections include rare books and manuscripts of British and American history and literature. The research library is not open to the general public, however housed in the Library Exhibition Halls are the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, a copy of the Gutenberg Bible on vellum and the double-elephant folio edition of Audubon’s Birds of America the public can view.

 Botanical gardens

CHINESE GARDEN

Visitors can stroll around a 1.5-acre lake bordered by Tai Hu rocks and view a landscape that includes five hand-carved stone bridges, stream and a canyon waterfall connecting to the Japanese Garden.

With a backdrop of mature California oaks, the plants of China — including camellias, pine, and lotus — are also featured “for their cultural, symbolic and botanical significance.”

DESERT GARDEN

This garden is home to one of the largest and oldest arrangements of cacti in the world.

ROSE GARDEN

Hundreds of roses bloom at various times throughout the summer, and the “colorful and fragrant display” will extend into January.

 Rose Garden Tea Room

The Tea Room overlooks three acres of roses, and a pot of brewed tea and a basket of freshly baked scones are served at each table. A buffet offers finger sandwiches, imported and domestic cheeses, and specialty desserts. Cost is $19.95 for adults; $9.98 for ages 4 to 8. The Tea Room is open from noon to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance. Call (626) 683-8131.

— Sue Thoensen