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Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
Rating Details »
Categories: Museums, Botanical Gardens, Landmarks & Historical Buildings
301 N Baldwin AveArcadia, CA 91007
(626) 821-3222
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
64 reviews for Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
I love peacocks!!! But this Arboretum has much more to offer than just peacocks. It's gorgeous here!!! I walked around for hours and didn't begin to see all the wonderful sites there are to see.
I visited on a really hot day, and struggled a little with the heat. Thankfully, there were plenty of places to rest and a very cool (as in air-conditioned) cafe.
I can't wait to go back and enjoy more of the gardens. I have no doubt that there is beauty to be found in every season and around every corner.
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Yes it's pretty, yes it has flowers and trees and all sorts of great naturey stuff. I actually really love the nature part. It's on par with the Huntington Library in some respects. But this review is SOLEY FOR THE WILDLIFE. One in particular.
Yes it has tons of peacocks and it's fun to gasp in wonder when they spread that plumage of theirs and you see it for the first time. or the second. or the third. Yes it's gorgeous.
And then it opens it's mouth and all hell breaks loose. From wonder to horror, then rage. You want to run it over with your car. Tie it up with duct tape. Or rip your own ears off. The cacophony that comes from its mouth is the sound of lost hopes and dying fairies.
While those birds are beautiful and the Arboretum is a haven of sorts for them, this is also where they breed and spawn and I'm pretty sure develop some sort of diabolical plan to take over the world. Remember when you're here that it IS a peacock haven and when it opens your mouth to shriek its siren song of death at you, you're legally obliged to take it. Just bend over and take it.
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I was surprised at how large these gardens are. You walk through many different areas, a cactus garden, hot houses filled with orchids, ponds with sunbathing turtles, asian gardens and when we visited there was a temporary sculpture exhibit on one of the large lawns. A giant willow branch structure had been set up. I loved looking into the windows of Lucky Baldwin's 1800's house and checking out the stables and gardens. There is an even older adobe on the grounds also!
The peacocks followed us everywhere, very nosy birds. They were not frightened by people at all.
It was enchanting and I can hardly wait to go back. Preferable when it isn't record breaking heat.
Plenty of parking, several clean bathrooms, a little cafe we got a snack in -not remarkable, but good enough. This is a fine place to spend the day for children or adults.
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I came on a hot day, maybe it was 100 degress, so this may have added to experience. I found my experience a little underwhelming. I thought the waterfall would be huge, nope its a little fountain thing. I thought the wood twig sculptures (think where the wild things are) were cool, but still too small. But it was cheap, it was two or five dollars, compared to the $30 you pay at the one in San Marino, but I guess you get what you pay for.
A few of the charter members of the SoCal Culture Crue (myself, Tischel, Erica, and Liz) drove to the Arboretum today. I didn't know what to expect; what I discovered was a stunning park filled with every conceivable plant in existence, a Victorian rose garden, a cottage, waterfalls, fountains, peacocks, ducks....we walked to Queen Anne's cottage, stood on the wraparound porch and fantasized what it would have been like to live there as a member of the Baldwin family in the 1840s, had lunch at the Peacock Cafe, and made it through about half of the grounds.
I spend most every day in a grey office, staring at a computer screen under flourescent lighting, and shuffling white papers; spending a day here was the best therapy for what I do to make money, and made me very happy.
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I have visited many times and as a member have the opportunity to be admitted an hour before it opens to the public. It is the perfect time to enjoy a walk in solitude. I walked there this morning and it was absolutely lovely. I haven't been in a while and enjoyed the garden area that is north near the green houses. There are three great tall whimsical ceramic totems, art pieces, that have been installed since my last visit. That garden is particularly lovely. Of course there are always the birds and today I spotted one rangy coyote. The Arboretum remains a well managed, preserved open space in our urban enviornment.
BEWARE OF RABID DUCKS
This is the sign that should be posted at the LA Arboretum.
When I was young my family would come here at least twice a month for a picnic. One lovely summer afternoon back in the early nineties my mom gave my sisters and I a loaf of bread to feed the ducks. My sisters said that they were scared because there was so many of them. I laughed at them and headed off with the loaf by myself. As soon as those evil ducks saw the loaf they were on me like white on rice. I was bitten and pushed around by these dangerous ducks. I'M still embarrassed by the thought of getting punked by a gang of ducks.
That's enough of my embarrassing childhood. The LA Arboretum is a beautiful place. I have been here at least sixty times in my life and I never get tired of going. There are many cool things to see once you're inside this beautiful place. All the gardens, the Queen Anne Cottage, the Santa Anita Train Depot, the Coach Barn, the peacocks that roam free around the whole place, etc. This is also a great place to relieve stress, read a book, take a jog, or have a family picnic. I think that every family should come here at least once for an outdoor picnic. Just don't leave your kids alone when those murderous ducks are around. After all these years I'M barely now able to be around ducks.
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Ahhh I wish the Arboretum was closer to home! It is such a lovely place, plus I just read they're doing summer concerts during the weekends!!! Where you can bring a picnic basket and enjoy your dinner out on the lawn!
Yesterday was my fist time at the Arboretum and I loved it! We spent about 2 1/2 hours and still missed about a third of the park.. so, you know I'm going back! The gardens are fantastic! The weather was perfect we got there about 3:30 and left at closing (5pm). The garden is over 126 acres of plants, flowers, trees and a few animals!
Since you will be doing a lot of walking I would recommend you bring water and visit late afternoon like we did. It was perfect! The park has fountains for you to have a sip, but its still wise to bring your own. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing, because the summer heat and wear you down.
There's a tram that supposed to run through the park, but we didn't take it. It wasn't really running, I'm guessing 'cause there was hardly anyone there yesterday, but I would be a great idea to take for a quick run through or if we really wanted to see the whole park in one day.
OOOO! The best part of the Arboretum is the plant store! They have some many great plants for sale at killer prices! I wanted to take some home, but I have very limited porch space! haahhhaha
{With Cheese}
-Bring water (sorry,no food "allowed")
-Visit in the afternoon
-Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing
-Bring cash for entrance and wonderful plants!
I LUV the Arboretum! Will visit again!
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#26 in http://365losangeles.b...
Peacocks rule at the Arboretum. You see them everywhere, you step in their foul smelling poop, and just when you think you can relax, one sneaks up behind you and lets out a ear shattering squawk. Underneath those pretty feathers are some seriously scary birdies.
Even as I stepped into peacock poop after peacock poop, I couldn't help falling in love with the Arboretum. It's smaller than Huntington Gardens and less crowded. This translates to a wonderfully intimate time where you really do feel like you've escaped from the big city. The icing on the cake is the Fantasy Island house and lagoon. Da plane! Da plane!
Don't miss the carp, ducks and turtles in the lagoon, and the vine/branch "house". Bring your camera; there are amazing photo opportunities everywhere (hence the tourists with massive lens cameras and the FOUR wedding parties taking pictures).
*See pics*
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Visiting arboretums and gardens is a simple and fun thing to do with practically anyone. This was the first surprise stop with my boy for my birthday. Boring? Hardly! Really, who isn't amused when the first thing you see is a peacock in the parking lot? Young or old, The Arboretum is sure to captivate. Parking is free, admission only $7 for adults, $5 for students with IDs and children younger than 5 get in for free. It's a great place with lots of ground to cover.
Wander around with the peacocks and "ooh and aah" over the many different species of plants and flowers, all unique and beautiful. Trek through a rain forest while stopping by the huge pond where the coy fish, turtles and ducks swim about in harmony. Stop by and feed a few nuts to the squirrels (who definitely remind me of the fat Berkeley ones that aren't shy of humans!). Play a (very small game) of hide-and-go seek in the "Catawampus," a.k.a the coolest thing in the world, or at least in the Arboretum.
It is basically a giant, almost abstract-looking tree house constructed from thousands and thousands of branches, all wound up tightly together. There are what I like to call little doorless "rooms" where you can scurry about and poke your head out of the "windows." Hey, nothing wrong with a big imagination. Enjoy a game of hide-and-go seek with your child or loved one. Look up and you'll see the great big sky with the edge of the branches peeking out in the corner. I felt like a bird, so I decided the Catawampus was more like a bird nest.
These for sure aren't the only things limited to the park, so go out and explore for yourself. It is worth it.
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First of all........peacocks scare the crap out of me. I have been nipped by one here on a previous occasion. I didn't even agitate it......maybe a small child was just in the area or something and the bird picked me to take out its anger on. I do not know.
What I do know is......when you are looking at the map and deciding where to go, trust me, skip Australia and Africa. NOTHING there but a paved road and some not shady trees. The beauty is all on the other side of the Arboretum.
Watch out for:
Angry Peacocks.....they jump by the way.
Angry geese......they run fast.
Poop.... it is everywhere.
little children........they make the aforementioned birds angry.
Also, I saw a sign about the West Nile Virus found in the area....so....yes....do not go there at dusk.
Bring water.....its wonderful and beautiful but its a lot of walking in the hot sun. Sunscreen is a pretty big must also.
and, last........the tram seemed like a pretty good idea to do, as my boyfriend and I watched 3 pass while we were walking around in the heat.
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I love the Arboretum. My grandparents used to take me here when I was small and I have such fond memories of running around amidst the peacocks, fountains and flowers. Now that I'm a mother myself, it's so fun to take my little one here to experience those same joys.
Admission for adults is $7 and parking is free. This officially makes the Arboretum a bargain. Children under age 5 get in for free. Woo hoo! There is a cute gift shop and a little cafe on site if you feel the need to drop some change.
Once inside the gates, you'll be greeted by the many peacocks who live on the grounds. They love to congregate near the entrance, preening and showing off their feathers for visitors. Walk along the wide, well-maintained trails to explore all the different areas of the Arboretum. I particularly like the pond, waterfall and rose garden, but there are any number of wonderful nooks and crannies to fall in love with. The house from Fantasy Island is a big draw, as are the turtles and koi fish swimming in the ponds. You will always see big groups of school children touring the Arboretum and senior citizens admiring the latest blooms. Come in the morning, before it gets too hot or too crowded, and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of one of L.A.'s most beautiful places.
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Every 3rd Sunday you are allowed to picnic here! The peacocks were having a field day with us and they didn't want our sun chips :[ They wanted pastrami LOL. Don't worry, we didn't feed that to them. Very large garden but not a lot of flowers. Lots of greens and lots of repeats. A great place to walk. The cactus show and contest was interesting. They have new events constantly so do check their website for what's showing now.
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Here's a place I recommend for any one who just needs a good break from it all. This place is like nature's Disneyland, complete with critters of all kinds (Turtles!!! Eee!), bamboo forests, strange and beautiful flowers, an awesome Victorian cottage with windows to peer through, neat hideaway trails, a waterfall, and the coolest "treehouse" you'll ever see, other wise known as The Catawampus. Visiting the arboretum is probably the easiest way to get in touch with nature without venturing out too far or committing to some overnight camping trip.
There's so much to see that even in the 3 or so hours my boyfriend and I spent there, we didn't realize there was still another side of the grounds to cover. I blame the turtles and ducks in the lake. I could watch those little guys for hours. I swear I almost coaxed a turtle to swim to shore and greet me.
The staff at the Arboretum seem very friendly and I know they have to love their job. To work outdoors in such a beautiful environment while preserving nature has to have its rewards. One staff member was kind enough to show us the way to the other themed areas we totally missed. He walked along side us, sharing interesting tid-bits and trivia (Lots of commercials and movies are filmed here) and of course his pride for being able to work on the newly renovated Madagascar Spiny Forest.
I really couldn't have asked for a better way to spend a sunny afternoon. I definitely want to return to explore "Australia" and check out their greenhouse. This time I better remember to bring my camera!
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If you look in your local phone book you will see a list of places go visit such as Disneyland and the Getty and it is my goal to see all that there is to see in So Cal.
I have lived here all my life and I am amazed by the people that live here but never venture out to places the Arboretum...in all fairness I finally went last month for the first time.
I have been spending a lot of time in Pasadena area so I have been checking out some places in this foreign land.
When I went to the Arboretum they were having a special for half off a yearly admission for a family membership. It was only $30 and it gives me two cards which each are good for two adults and unlimited kids. It also works at Delscanso Gardens and gardens all over the nation.
If I lived in this area I would buy a membership to exercise. They told me it is ok to run and they have a nice set of stairs near the waterfall too.
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I had no idea what to expect at the Arboretum so I did a ton of research and still didn't know what to expect. Well, it was beyond my expectations. LOL.
There's a big parking lot and we got a spot right by the entrance on a Tuesday. Most of the time as we were walking around we didn't see any other people there, although the lot was full so all those people were there, somewhere, but the place is so big you feel all alone.
Basically you just walk along the paths and there are all these beautiful trees and plants and flowers to look at and take pictures of. I can see myself going back and just sitting on a bench all day. Not sure if it's possible to read a book with that beauty all around you.
We walked around for about 5 hours and I don't think we even saw half of the Arboretum. Never saw the lake, the Queen Anne house, the railroad depot, or the Adobe!
I got one of the peacocks to spread his tail for a picture just by talking to him and making clucky sounds. We also saw geese, a bunny, and a skunk. Lots of lizards.
It's fun to wander off the paved paths onto the dirt paths. Feels like you're lost in a forest or jungle. Exciting times for us City Kids! I was delighted by the teeny tiny strawberries in the herb garden!!! So cute.
Loved the pink tulip trees, angel tulip tree, margarita daisies, rose garden...everything, really.
As others have said, there's no shade ON the paved paths so I personally will only go on cool days.
Bring water, hats, and sunscreen and go to Moffets Chicken Pie Shoppe for dinner! It's down the road by CVS.
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Attended a friend's wedding, and she had her reception here. Total dream reception venue!!! It's gorgeous all around...kinda reminds of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Garden, and Flower Garden all in one. Except that in LA, an event like this can be held outside from dusk until dawn, whereas in SF, we'd be freezing and get sick the next day. The reception ended at 11 p.m., but the night was still young and warm enough to remain in our dresses. My kids loved feeding the family of peacocks roaming all over the place. Beautiful, just beautiful.
I really enjoy the outdoors, or parks that strive to replicate natural environments as they exist locally or around the world. That said, I found the LA Arboretum to be one of the coolest places I've ever visited in the Pasadena area. Since there are a lot of review for the Arboretum on here, so I'll just share what I liked and what I think needs improvement.
Firstly, I really enjoyed myself here more than at the Huntington Library & Gardens. The LA Arboretum is cheaper to get into, and once you're in, everything is really manageable. However, I think that certain things need to be fixed. For example, there are plenty of name tags to identify species, but it'd be nice if the tags contained a bit more information that pointed out when the plants bloomed, what they could be used for, etc. Those types of info draw people in and make them more interested in learning, rather than spitting out Latin names.
Secondly, I enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of the Arboretum. It seems the Huntington Library & Gardens has people on patrol all over the place, but here, you're free to walk wherever you want, and there's plenty of paths that take you in any direction imaginable. I wish the tram ride were free, though. After all, it is a large park and it'd be nice if you could hop on/off as you please.
All together, the gardens here are similar to those at Huntington, but it's cheaper at the Arboretum and you have more opportunities to explore as you wish. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who's in the mood for a botanical experience in the Pasadena area.
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My bf surprised me with a trip to the arboretum -- my first time visiting. We took the tram ride, saw a ton of peacocks (who do not seem afraid of people AT ALL), and I got to see where friends of mine said their wedding vows (which, ironically, is the same location where Destiny's Child shot the "Survivor" video).
Along the tram ride, we saw different flowers, trees, and other plants in season. We made plans to go back in early spring to see many of the flowers in bloom. It was really amazing to see so many different plants from around all around the world, arranged by regions, and just thriving. People hike all around the grounds, and some had picnics in the grass. We even came across some geese of the same species that took part in that Hudson River/plane incident. Seems like great exercise -- be prepared for hills!
The only random issue was one of the people at the ticket counter when we walked in. She didn't give us tickets to the tram, after we'd paid, or a map or anything. Thankfully we had a receipt to prove that we'd paid.
I need a new camera so that I can go back and take some really great pictures. I've posted a few for now.
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I visit the Arboretum once or twice a year because it seems a ritualistic way to note the change of the seasons. The Arboretum has a much broader and commanding collection than Descanso Gardens, although Descanso easily wins the war of the roses. The Arboretum has to plead no contest in that battle with its much smaller display of roses in a garden that is a bit worn.
That's okay, though, because on this visit I came to see the installation by Patrick Dougherty, 'Catawampus', a large structure made of willow branches. Last year, he constructed two large bee-hive-like structures of willow branches on the mezzanine of the Palm Springs Art Museum. It was a great use of space, so I was eager to see his latest work.
This installation, set on a flat grassy plain surrounded by trees, reminds me of an adobe, a Native American hogan or a solitary structure in a ghost town. Dougherty's structures invite you inside and the experience is like being in your own personal bird's nest. There are a few 'rooms' in this structure with some openings much easier for children to access than adults, but you'll find a way. It's a haunting bit of oxymoronic whimsy.
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The closest you will get to Yosemite in Los Angeles. And the closest you will get to anything like this, anywhere.
This place is like no other, with hundreds of different trees next to each other with signs that list their name and origin. Walking through the forest of so many different trees makes you feel like you're in another country, travelling all around the world in minutes.
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I come here to volunteer during their bigger special events almost all the time. (Volunteers get in free :P) It's a pretty fun place when these things are going on. During these events, the atmosphere is quite lively and everyone is rather amiable (or at least the volunteer staff is). I find it a great way to meet new people and such.
Other than that, it's a great place that's fairly maintained. Only complaint is that the Peacock Cafe could be a bit pricey for what you get and the fact that loyal volunteers like me don't get discounts. haha. It's all good though. I gotta love their sandwiches.
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Gorgeous place. Tons of land and things to see. Wear your tennis shoes and a hat! Lots of walking! There are lots of peacocks, geese, etc roaming around freely, which is really cool. The tickets were $7 each. Definitely worth it. It was a really fun day when we went.
Okay, I'm going to be one of a few people who gives this place 3 stars. I'm no heartless soul and I like nature, but honestly, I've been to better (though I have to add that it's NOT BAD for being county owned).
After coming here a whoppin' 2 times, I feel I have a pretty good sense of this place. A friend and I were supposed to go to the Huntington Library on a pleasant Sunday morning but was shocked to find out that they didn't open until 10:30am on weekends. Absolute nonsense! So we settled on coming here since it was the next best thing. Admission was $7 and we begun our brisk morning stroll.
Everything was what I expected from before: dirt on the paved road, peacocks sparsely roaming around, and lots of patches of green grass. We wandered around the different continent-themed gardens, but wasn't too amazed by most of it. The one thing that DID fascinate us was this giant art sculpture made entirely from branches. It looked like a bird's nest strung from the ground. If for nothing else, come here for this piece of art.
There were other things we enjoyed: the waterfalls in the Asia Garden, the lake in the Historic Circle, and all the little ducks swimming in the pond. We saw some coy in the ponds which I thought were dead, but after closer inspection found out they were just stationary because the water levels were to shallow.
Anyway, it's not a very pricey place to see nature, but if you prefer more lavish and nicely maintained gardens, head to the next city over for the Huntington Library.
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the arboretum is simply GORGEOUS! i'm not a big nature girl [nor will i ever claim to be... especially when i'm not a fan of bugs, dirt, and you know, stuff like that] but it's just so beautiful it's hard not to be in awe. this place reminds me of places like the sf botanical gardens [or even waimea valley in hawaii] and is a great little escape from the urban la skyline.
they charge you $5 with a student id [so don't forget your card!] and $3 for a tram tour [which happens at the top of every hour, i believe]. when we got there, it was a little past the hour, so we didn't end up on the tour [though i bet it would have saved us a LOT of walking...] but no matter, we get to burn more calories this way!
first thing we saw when we got through the front doors: peacocks. LOTS of them. some were showing off their feathers- a defense mechanism to make themselves look a lot bigger- and though we already knew, some crazy lady visitor kept on preaching about 'the violent ones' and how they'll come after you if you touch them, etc. i still got a picture with the birds, so whatever. haha.
lots of lush greeneries, flowers, and animals [turtles, koi fish, ducks, etc.], there's even two little waterfalls that make for great photo ops. beware of the poop- so watch where you step, especially when you're near the ducks.
ps. watch for the bees around this time of year- especially when lots of flowers are in bloom. we were walking towards a tree and almost ran into a ridiculously huge swarm of bees near one of the trees before seeing them. bring your epinephrine if you're allergic, just in case.
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Nice gardens with a huge variety. Plants from all continents... very cool. Well maintained grounds. Fair admission price for what you're getting.
Do take the tram tour.... don't know about the other guides but "Arboretum Al" was great! Really knew his stuff... you couldn't stump this guy. Added bonus... get a hand stamp so you can see other area's of the gardens and get back on later in the day. Helps because this place is 127 acres!
The cattywampus sculpture was amazing.
Made for a nice day, and saw the Santa Anita Race track later that afternoon.
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after a month and a half of non-stop "work" on various art projects, i decided a little leisure time outdoors would be a nice break. besides, spring is here, and though the vernal equinox has long passed, i haven't felt like i've had a chance to go outside my little apartment and appreciate it.
like the Huntington library and garden, the LA arboretum & botanic garden is situated northeast of LA proper near Arcadia, that would be close to the mountains far. though not as big, it boasts 127 acres of plant collections from all over the world. i definitely recommend going early. by noon, it was really starting to heat up. temperatures are much higher this far inland.
the place is really quite expansive. we walked around for almost three hours, and still did not quite cover the entire garden. loved seeing the unusual trees, succulents and cacti as well as carnivorous plants in the greenhouse.
one of the great things about the arboretum is how friendly the animals are. they seem so used to people being around that they aren't afraid to let you get close, excepting maybe the squirrels. you'll find beautiful peacocks screeching quite loudly. geese musically honking and turtles basking on rocks.
walking around and not having to stress about something was so lovely, i was starting to feel guilty at my lack of "productivity." it's a great place to take guests or just to get away without having to go too far out. they have regular events there, like the upcoming la garden show for garden enthusiasts.
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A family favorite, the LA County Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a wonderful place at the beginning of spring. The bulbs are blooming, tropical plants are vibrant and a large selection of cacti and succulents are also in bloom.
Our first trip of the year was on Tuesday and I have to say that the remodel of the ticket office is wonderful. And despite the fact that we visit the Arboretum about 4 times a year, we're still amazed by new pockets of gardens we've somehow missed.
Worth the trip and admission is cheap, which is always a plus. It's a great place to walk around, but don't come in the summer when it's REALLY hot. Seems like it would be a good place for a picnic and the fountain in front is pretty. It's a big hunk of land with many paths to walk on. I have yet to go to their concert on the green, but I hope to soon. Overall, I prefer the Huntington Library to the Arboretum, but if you're nearby it's a good place to drop by when you're free.
Nice garden, good to walk around and take in the view. Peacocks run around in some places. There are also two historic landmark buildings on site, too.
THE PEACOCKS ARE RUNNING LOOSE!!!
You can try to catch the peacocks if you can, but they are pretty smart. I tried to sneak up on one, but it took a step every time I got closer. HOW DID IT KNOW?
Anyways, the park is pretty big. There's a bunch of historical buildings (like stables with old carriages and black smith stuff). There's also oldschool cottages you can peer into with creepy looking mannekins and some antique phonographs and edison stuff from before your moms time (yea, THAT old).
Anyways, if you have a student ID, it's $5. If you don't, it's $7. You can hike all the way inside and see the waterfall. They have botanical crap from everywhere in the world. So it's a fairly cheap way to travel the world. Africa, Asia....... peacock and waterfall.
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Peacocks, pretty. Peafowl, not so much.
But I'll feed 'em either way. I love the dispensers of food you put coinage in for pellets to feed the birdies.
I'm on the fence whether or not I like them clipping their wings so they don't run off (though they do escape from time to time). Don't run 'em over on the 210 freeway, please.
The Arboretum is definitely not as big as the Huntington and it cost way less. It also shows signs of being County property as it's not as nicely maintained as the Huntington or even Descanso Gardens. But I love it. I love the little green house. And the time I went and they had giant wooden insect sculptures on display.
I definitely want to come back when they do outdoor summer concerts. It looks like fun with picnic-ing and such.
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If been literally going here my entire life. It's SOOO beautiful! There are beautiful gardens with peacocks that love to be fed. I've taken many a date here because it's just such a great place to walk around.
There's a little lagoon where they have filmed probably hundred of movies, from tarzan back in the old days to meet the fockers. Last time I was there my date and I walked around the set of the fockers' house which was next to the lagoon. Not sure if we were allowed to but nobody was there so we helped ourselves lol.
They also have concerts on their huge lawn during the summertime. My family and I went to one of these and it was so cool! We had connections so we got a table in the very front and brought a little picnic style lunch. Everybody does this apparently. You bring food, eat dinner, then the show starts. The show was excellent! They played some Tchaikovsky and then Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini... one of my FAVORITES!!!
Here are the reviews of the concert series: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
If you're in the area and it's a beautiful day, you MUST come here at least once!
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The LA Arboretum is a little piece of heaven in a big city. We loved it so much, that we got an annual membership. Now we can take a walk around the beautiful grounds as often as we want.
The spring has the gardens brimming with color right now! Everything looks absolutely beautiful. It is so very relaxing, and is a great little get away when you need to remove your head from the hustle and bustle of this chaotic world.
Go the the Arborteum,
take a nice deep breath,
and fill your eyes with wondrous things,
Soak in the sun
Take a stroll
Be a human again.
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I have to be honest here, This place and I go way back, back to a time where I was wearing Cinderella light-up shoes with velcro straps because they were 'cool' back then.
Picture this, an innocent little 5 year old with her mom and brother at the Arboretum. Innocent 5 year old sees baby bird. Innocent 5 year old likes baby bird. Mother bird doesn't like innocent 5 year old, and attacks the kid, running at full speed toward her, forcing her up onto a bench where her feet are being pecked at, and shes screaming and crying..
Yep, how's that for childhood trauma? So I mean, I'm sure its a beautiful place, I'm sure it has alot of awesome things to do and to see, but those damn peacocks killed it for me.
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I absolutely love this place. I went there on a date with this one guy and I must say it was soo romantic. I think I love it because you can walk (exercise) plus enjoy nature. Many trees and flowers are labeled and so you can read (educational) about them as you stroll along.
If you walk straight ahead from the entrance you'll go through the rose garden into the green house. It's pretty amazing to me that we have some rare flowers right in Arcadia.
Further along there is a nice snack and sandwich store, so people can stop refresh and eat something for lunch.
Also, I also love the pond with the ducks. You can some duck feed for 25 cents and they come flock around you! It's SO relaxing and you actually can learn about your significant someone if you spend a day observing nature and chatting. You should try it! ;)
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We brought some out of town guests here because it was near where we brought them for lunch. We needed a walk after all the food we'd consumed and since we'd never been before I thought they would like it too.
There were SO many things to see including a waterfall and many lakes. I especially enjoyed the herb garden and rose garden.
Most interesting was the cottage which is the house in the TV series Fantasy Island.
Entrance fee for adults is $7 and they do not take credit cards. Only cash or debit cards.
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Visited for the Concert on the Greens series and thought it was fantastic. For special events, if it gets overly crowded, just park at the mall across the street.
The place really makes you feel like you're outside of the city.............. just ignore the occassional planes flying overhead.
The place is huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge so DO wear walking shoes and if you get really tired, be a lazy ass and take the tram/bus thing they have running. Good set up and layout. WHile its not as WOW! as Huntington Library, it has its own appeal. It seems slightly more natural and homey to me. Maybe that's cuz it reminds me a l'il bit of a bigger and better version of Cypress Gardens from back home.
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"Hey I wanna do something outside" She said.
"Me too" He Said.
"Lets go to the beach, I'll meet you at 1:30 at your house" I said.
15 minutes Pass: "Hey its me, She says: "I'm coming to your house I'm bringing a picnic from Bay Cities Deli and we're going to the arboretum".
"Sounds good" I said.
Cut to hot girl on the back of my motorcycle cruising down the 210 to the Arboretum.
The arboretum has trees... Trees, ducks, geese, peacocks, guinea hen, turtles, monster koi, and more trees.
Yes Trees.
Bushes, Flowers, Shrubs, and trees. Lots of big, little wide short trees. Some quite impressive, I fell in love with a cypress of some sort, and found a great seat in some sort of beech. Or something like that.
Its a pretty big place, we walked around for at least two hours and didn't cover the whole place.
The carriage house blew my mind, and the grass over by the waterfall was a little wet but still good for an impromptu rest.
All in all a worthy Saturday afternoon, quite pleasant, and my company can tell you all about the citrus trees, of which she sampled all of the fruit. Ask her about the tongue numbing oranges over by the rose garden.
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Oh my god this place is a paradise! I haven't found a place I feel so at peace.
Tropical plant greenhouse, plants of Australia or Prehistoric Forests, you can have dry vegetation or a quiet shaded spot with moist soil.
Peacocks roam around freely and make one of the most awful noises I can imagine, but gosh they sure are purty.
You can gather fruit in the citrus grove, look into an old school Victorian entertaining house, rest near a beautiful fountain with lots of roaming geese.
After spending 2 hours there we still missed areas! Next time we're taking our books, or sketch pads and just sitting and enjoying - we recommend you do the same!!
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