120 acres of specialized botanical landscaped gardens, a library with 7 million manuscript items, over 400,000 rare books, and a mesmerizing museum with European and American art pieces is just a 20-minute drive from downtown L.A.!
This in-depth guide will walk you through everything you need to know before visiting the Huntington Library, Art Museum & Botanical Gardens.
What is the Huntington Library, Art Museum & Botanical Gardens?
This magical spot in Los Angeles is first and foremost a vast oasis populated with thousands of plants, flowers, and trees, populated with themed gardens and a treasure for history and art lovers thanks to its precious collection of antique and valuable pieces of European and American culture.
Nestled in California’s San Gabriel Valley, the Huntington Library began as the grand vision of railroad magnate Henry Huntington and his wife, Arabella. In 1919, their sprawling estate transformed into a cultural landmark, encompassing a world-class research library boasting over 11 million rare books and manuscripts, an art museum showcasing European and American masterpieces, and hundreds of acres of stunning botanical gardens filled with diverse and exotic flora.
Is Huntington Library’s garden worth visiting?
Quick answer: definitely worth it.
The Botanical Gardens are a wonder in and of themselves, as they showcase 16 breathtaking themed gardens that are home to 83,000 living plants, rare and endangered species, and a lab dedicated to botanical conservation and research. Among the themed parks, some of the visitors’ favorites are the Desert, Chinese, Japanese, Jungle, Subtropical, and Shakespeare gardens. But the full list includes:
- Rose garden.
- Australian garden.
- California garden.
- Camellia garden.
- A conservatory garden.
- Herb garden.
- Lily pond garden.
- Palm garden.
- Ranch garden.
- Garden of Sculptures and Fountains.
This could be a bit of a pricey place to visit, but once you get there, we promise you are not going to regret it. The Huntington Library is not really a spot you can simply tour in one afternoon. It’s an extensive place to see with a lot of land to explore, and the library and museum are also one-of-a-kind.
Do not feel discouraged by this, as most of the Huntington Library is walkable and the paved roads are accessible to everyone with benches to sit, so you can take a break and enjoy the scenery every step of the way.
What are the Huntington Library’s must-sees?
The Library is by far one of the most culturally rich landmarks in southern California, and it’s worth knowing which valuable pieces to look for.
One of them is the Gutenberg bible. It was printed by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany in the fifteenth century, and it was the first book printed using the movable-type printing press invented by him.
You can also dive into 1,700 Darwin-related publications, marvel at Audubon’s iconic “Birds of America,” or uncover the secrets of the cosmos with Hubble’s papers and observatory archives. Lovers of American history can get a glimpse of the documents of the Founding Fathers: George Washington and Thomas Jefferson’s papers.
What is there to see at the Huntington Art Museum?
There’s a lot to choose from, and it wouldn’t be fair to make a quick list about the Huntington art collection. Still, you have the option of visiting both to check out their permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.
The vast catalog of the permanent collection showcases an astonishing array of pieces, including American decorative art and furniture, drawings, paintings, sculptures, and Asian and European art. You might also want to check out some of the hundreds of pieces in the Gail Oxford, William Morris, and William Blake collections.
Key info before visiting the Huntington Library.
Keep in mind that the tickets are for you and you only – sharing isn’t allowed. Your ticket is good for the date you pick, not any other day. You can arrive anytime after your designated time slot, but don’t be late! The check-in closes at 4:15 pm.
Huntington Gardens and the library are open every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, except Tuesdays. For Fridays, weekends, holidays, and peak seasons, grab your tickets online in advance – walk-ins aren’t available. Remember, spaces are limited daily. Even on weekdays, reserving your spot online is highly recommended to ensure a stress-free visit.
What is the best time of year to visit Huntington Gardens?
The beauty of The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is that it’s truly enjoyable year-round, for sure, offering something special for every season. But if you really want to make the most out of your visit, here’s a breakdown to help you decide when to go:
- Spring is ideal to witness the explosion of colors with blooming flowers like roses, wisteria, tulips, and azaleas. Enjoy the fragrance of citrus blossoms and the vibrant greens of the gardens coming back to life.
- Summer months are great to admire the lotus blooms, water lilies, and vibrant desert plants.
- Fall is the perfect time to see the changing colors of the foliage, with ginkgoes turning golden yellow and maples fiery red.
- Even Winter is a special time of the year, as you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere with the “Holidays at The Huntington” event featuring twinkling lights, festive decorations, and special performances.
How long does it take to walk through Huntington Gardens?
Spending the afternoon at the Huntington Library, Art Museum & Botanical Gardens is a walk in the park (pun intended). It’s a very spacious area to cover on foot, but it is possible to tour the gardens in a few hours, depending on your walking speed, interest, and how many people are in your group.
That being said, a quick walkthrough can take about two hours, but you’ll be missing a great amount of information and details. If you want to “stop and smell the roses”, take some pictures, and see all the gardens, then the average time is 4–5 hours.
Can you bring outside food into Huntington Gardens?
No, you are not allowed to bring outside food into Huntington Gardens. It is their policy to restrict external food and beverages on the grounds in order to preserve the area. However, you can bring your own water bottle and small packaged snacks (like a granola bar).
The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens does offer options for visitors to quench their thirst and satiate their appetite. You can stop by the many coffee shops to grab a sandwich or a salad, and there’s even a secluded picnic area with tables and umbrellas by the Huntington Store, where you can enjoy food purchased from one of the on-site cafés.
How much does it cost to get into The Huntington Gardens?
There are different tiers of prices to choose from:
- Adults: $25/$29
- Seniors (65+) $21/$24
- Military (with ID only): for $21/$24
- Youth (4–11): $13
Before purchasing your ticket, there are a few things you might want to consider:
- Reservations: While not mandatory, reserving your ticket for Monday-Thursday visits (except holidays) is highly recommended to guarantee your spot. It’s like grabbing a fast pass at the amusement park – you avoid the wait and get right in!
- Members wanting early access (8-10 am) on weekdays also don’t need reservations, but snagging one beforehand gets you through check-in even faster. Think of it as skipping the line and heading straight to the fun!
Who visits Huntington Gardens for free?
The best way would be with your L.A. Library Card. This card allows users an array of free benefits, and visiting museums in the city is one of them. If you don’t have your card, there are still some ways to visit the Huntington for free.
You can become a Huntington member and get free access to activities. And for students, there’s a chance to get an undergraduate free pass for an entire year that you can inquire about and request on site, or online. Children under 4 have free access.
At least parking at The Huntington Library, Art Museum & Botanical Gardens is free. It offers two parking lot entrances: Oxford Road and Allen Avenue. For easy access to the main entrance and ticket windows, head to the south end of the lot, where you’ll find designated parking for handicap vehicles and bike racks.