Imagine walking through a jungle of towering palm trees right next to a pool house where old Hollywood movie stars used to party all night long. It is both peaceful and packed with glamorous history. Welcome to the Virginia Robinson Gardens, a beautiful, six-acre paradise tucked right behind the Beverly Hills Hotel.
A trip back to old Hollywood
In 1911, Harry and Virginia Robinson (the couple behind the J.W. Robinson Co. department stores) built one of the very first luxury estate in the area. When Virginia passed away in 1977, she left the entire estate to L.A. County so the public could enjoy it.
While the rest of Los Angeles grew into a busy city, this estate stayed exactly the same. Today, it holds the status of a California Point of Historical Interest, and walking through it feels like stepping into a time machine.
What you can see in the gardens
The estate is best known for its legendary gardens, which Virginia Robinson spent six decades curating into six distinct areas:
- The King Palm Forest: A dense, tropical canopy that forms the largest concentration of Australian King Palms outside of their native continent.
- The Italian Terrace Garden: A dramatic hillside display featuring classical statues, cascading water fountains, and brick steps modeled after European estates.
- The Great Lawn and Dry Border: A massive green space surrounded by a border composed by Mediterranean plants from different regions.
- The Display Rose Garden: A sensory haven packed with hundreds of heritage roses that fill the air with vintage fragrances.
- The Kitchen Garden: A practical yet beautiful space dedicated to seasonal produce.
- The Front Meadow: The front area, planted with herbaceous California native plants
How to visit the Virginia Robinson Gardens
📆 Book in advance: Walk-ins aren’t allowed, so you will need to jump onto their official website and book a docent-led tour ahead of time.
⏳ Days & timing: Open Tuesday through Saturday and closed on Sundays and Mondays. The guided tours usually last around 70 to 90 minutes.
💵 Ticket costs: Tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for students and seniors, and $8 for kids.
🚗 Parking rules: Parking is free on-site, but you must have an advance parking reservation when you book your tour.
