You don’t need to head to Japan or D.C. for a taste of the sakura festival life. While this city may not be an obvious destination to marvel at cherry blossoms, it still has plenty of blissful havens with clouds of pink blooms. These stunning dark-trunked trees are native to Japan but have come to represent a colorful spring greeting across the nation. The brief display lasts only a few weeks in March, with some lasting until early April (depending on the wind and rain), so don’t wait to see them.
1. The Japanese Garden
This serene haven is not only one of favorite hidden gardens in Los Angeles but also happens to be a prime spot for cherry blossom viewing. It also stays true to the origin of the tree and has various species to see in the entire spectrum of pink.
Location: 6100 Woodley Ave, Lake Balboa, CA 91406
2. Grand Park L.A.
Grand Park’s Sakura Grove is a gift from the Japan Consulate L.A. back in 2012 when the park first opened. It’s marked with a stone that reads “A living symbol of friendship between the people of Japan and L.A. County.” The 12-acre park located in the civic center offers plenty to do if a rogue wind sweeps the petals of the trees and lands in a confetti-like carpet on the floor.
Location: 200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
3. Lake Balboa Park
With over 2,000 cherry blossom trees this Van Nuys oasis makes is certainly worth visiting for any anthophile. The trees tend to bloom at different times, but if you don’t catch a spectacular bloom you can always take the swan boats for a spin.
Location: 6300 Balboa Blvd, Lake Balboa, CA 9140
4. South Coast Botanic Garden
Escape to the shady paradise of the Palos Verdes Peninsula where you’ll find large cherry blossom trees that demand to be picnicked under.
Location: 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
5. Huntington Library
The Japanese Garden and other parts of this breathtaking haven offer pops of pink cherry blossom blooms. There are plenty of pink-petaled doppelgangers in the gardens to make for a cute Instagram backdrop too.
Location: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
6. Descanso Gardens
The Japanese Garden in Descanso should be your early to mid-March choice for the ‘Pink Cloud’ cherry blossoms. But if you miss it, you have a plethora of vivid flora to take in throughout spring, including the stunning tulips.
7. Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival
On April 15 & 16, 2023 at Barnes Park, the beloved Monterey Park Cherry Blossom. There’ll be traditional Japanese dancing, food, music and other craft vendors to try out. Plus, the festival is completely free.
Location: 350 S Mc Pherrin AveMonterey Park, CA 91754
If you’ve seen all the cherry blossoms Los Angeles has to offer or you missed them, you could always start planning for Jacaranda season.