The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens 🇺🇸

Step onto the historic grounds of San Marino and you will discover one of Southern California's most astonishing cultural sanctuaries. Spread across 130 lush acres, The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens seamlessly combines breathtaking themed botanical gardens, world-class art collections, and rare historical manuscripts. You can spend hours strolling through distinct landscapes, from the serene Japanese Garden with its iconic moon bridge and bonsai collection to the expansive Chinese Garden complete with pavilion-lined lakes and stone bridges. Kids will adore the interactive Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden, where fog sculpture displays, splashing water features, and tactile plant exhibits invite hands-on outdoor play. Inside the galleries, marvel at landmark European masterpieces like Thomas Gainsborough's The Blue Boy, alongside impressive American art and delicate porcelain collections. The library halls display monumental literary treasures, including an illuminated Gutenberg Bible and early Shakespeare folios. Whether you are seeking a peaceful stroll among giant cacti in the Desert Garden, taking afternoon tea in the Rose Garden Tea Room, or inspiring young minds with natural beauty, this sprawling estate delivers an unforgettable family experience.

What to see at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

• Tranquil Chinese and Japanese botanical gardens featuring historic bridges and koi ponds
• Interactive Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden with water and fog features
• Historic Gutenberg Bible and rare literary manuscripts in the library hall
• World-famous European and American art collections, including Gainsborough's The Blue Boy

Visiting tips

Reserve advance timed-entry tickets online, as entry slots often fill up quickly on weekends.

How long: 3-4 hours · Best time: Morning on a weekday

How to get there & what’s nearby

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is easy to reach on Los Angeles’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Griffith Observatory and Santa Monica Pier. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Los Angeles travel guide.