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The Huntington Library

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1151 Oxford Rd (at btwn Euston & Stratford Rds)
San Marino, CA 91108

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(626) 405-2100
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The Huntington Library - San Marino, CA
The Huntington Library - San Marino, CA
The Huntington Library - San Marino, CA
The Huntington Library - San Marino, CA
Reviews
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( 10 )
( 1 )
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Best

This place is truly fantastic. The gardens are lovely and range from English to Oriental. They've got rare kinds of cacti and succulents in the Desert Garden. The Lily Ponds a...

Worst

Just went January 14, 2012. I've visited the library and gardens every 2-3 years for the past 28 years. Honestly, the gardens look horrible. Don't know if money is an issue but t...

Editorial review from Citysearch 1/28/2014

This place is amazing. Come for the day and research or walk around the gardens or look at art. I like to find reasons to escape to here. The drive is wretched from where I live, but worth it for a day out. more
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Editorial review from Citysearch 5/27/2013

A couple girlfriends and I attended the Tea house. It was quite pricey for a buffet-style tea and hordes of rude people thinking their attending a tea! The food was just ok. Love the grounds and artifacts. Would have attended that alone without having to pay for a tea that really wasn't a tea! Especially the price. If it were an actual tea - I wouldn't have mind of the price. Paying close to $60.00 for a buffet tea?! \r Not a good time! more
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Editorial review from Citysearch 7/12/2012

Love this place! So relaxing. more
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Gardens Need Gardeners 1/17/2012

Just went January 14, 2012. I've visited the library and gardens every 2-3 years for the past 28 years. Honestly, the gardens look horrible. Don't know if money is an issue but the grass is dead, full of crabgrass, trees are overgrown, plants are dead, debris everywhere. There are a few Home Depot looking flowers planted in small sections, but overall the gardens looks dirty, old, and abandoned. I know there were windstorms recently but not even the major walkways are cleared and cleaned just for appearances sake. Don't go if you want to see the Japanese and Chinese gardens because they are renovating that section and it's closed. Library, paintings, sculptures, furniture, books and everything inside the buildings are beautiful. Outside it looks like the grounds of a haunted mansion. more
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Beautiful gardens, amazing library collection 7/13/2011

This place is truly fantastic. The gardens are lovely and range from English to Oriental. They've got rare kinds of cacti and succulents in the Desert Garden. The Lily Ponds are picturesque and there's the cute Chinese Garden Tea House with a decent menu. The library is wonderful-- and possibly overlooked by many guests who prefer the art exhibits. First editions Chaucer (The Canterbury Tales), Milton (Paradise Lost), Frederick Douglass (Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass), the Gutenberg Bible, etc.... The art exhibits are very nice, although sometimes they can get crowded on weekends. Make sure to check out Gainsborough's ""Blue Boy"" and Lawrence's ""Pinkie"" (which happen to face each other from two opposite sides of a room). There are quite a few American pieces (sculptures, paintings, furniture) on display, so it's not all European art in the exhibits. The parking is free. The entrance fee for students is $10. Not too bad considering we're helping to keep this place open. What an awesome legacy Henry E. Huntington left behind. more
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Wake up and smell the Magnolias 7/11/2010

They have a FREE day on the first Thursday of the month, but you have to get reservations the previous month which start being distributed on the first day of the month at 9am. They usually distribute quickly so you have to be on time. Then they will mail you the tickets. All for FREE. Parking is FREE too. You can get up to 5 tickets (children don't need one) more
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Go for the gardens, stay for the tea 12/1/2009

From the chinese watercolor class to fall's Drama After Dark, the Huntington Library is special. The tea room is lovely, but I recommend staying in the room towards the back that faces the herb garden. The front room gets a bit loud at the rose garden tea house. Pros: Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Cons: Not open at night except for special occasions more
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Beautiful and Relaxing! 1/5/2009

The Huntington Library is a beautiful place to visit when you're in the mood for some great scenery and don't want to go far from home. The Gardens are nestled in a San Marino neighborhood, and whether you decide to stroll the gardens, check out the art in the library, or have some tea - you will not be disappointed! Pros: Beautiful Gardens, Library and Tea more
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excellent tea, beautiful sites 7/9/2008

They just opened a new Chinese garden that is spectacular. Their tea continues to go up in price a bit but it is still very worth it. Definitely book in advanced if you're planning on having the tea. more
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Beautiful gardens all year round 6/12/2008

Beautiful gardens and art collection, take a stroll down the rose garden or the japanese garden, you will find a lot of lovely places to explore and quite niches to just sit and enjoy the serenity of the surroundings. Also try the Rose cafe and tea room, it's about $25 for tea, sandwiches and desert, reservations are recommended....Bring a camera! more
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Beautiful and Expansive with something for everyone 6/2/2008

This is probably th most impressive garden (or well group of gardens) I have ever been to. The grounds are huge (120,000 accessible acres) and are well taken care of. The have a wide arrange of gorgeous gardens my favorites being the Japenese and desert cactus gardens. The mansion with the art gallery is also very impressive, I was almost more interested in the house than the art. They also had a great bookstore with a selection of books and items I hadn't seen elsewhere. The cafe and tea room are a little pricey, so maybe eat before you some. The membership is a great deal, so check that out if youa re interested in visiting multiple times. Pros: Gorgeous grounds, lots of exhibits, great bookstore Cons: overpriced cafe more
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A place the refresh 1/28/2008

What lovely memories my dear friends and I have enjoyed in the tea house at the Huntington. The caring staff is superb, over my many visits to the tea house, I have cherished my friends, shared a last tea party with my dear son, and celebrated my daughters birthday. A more delightful place, I know not of. more
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Gardens are Spectacular, but the Tea Room is Hardly Worth a Trip, Especially on the Weekend 9/9/2007

My friend and I went today (Sept. 9, 2007) and although we had an AMAZING time enjoying the gardens, we were not at all impressed with the Tea Room. more
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A beautiful piece of So Cal history 7/11/2007

I have been a visitor to the Huntingon since I first came here on a high school field trip. Walking the halls of the mansion to view the art, furniture and architecture was fun, but the geek in me fell in love with the library. Since that first visit, the library has gone through many changes...but you can still view an original Gutenberg bible. Of course, just walking the grounds of the estate is wonderful...from the bridges, statuary, and especially the rose garden. Yes...it's a museum...but it's so much more. If you've never been here...make a day of it. When you're done, visit Old Town Pasadena for a gourmet meal and window shopping. Pros: tons of parking, picnic areas, tea garden more
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Perfect for tea time and a stroll 7/3/2007

I went here for tea and to stroll through the gardens. The tea itself was OK, but the buffet of sandwiches and desserts was well done. It's best to go with a large group (6 or so) if you can manage it so you'll have a big table instead of being stuck, elbow-to-elbow, at a two-seater. The servers were pleasant, if a bit slow. It's a wonderful place for a leisurely talk with old friends or visiting family. Pros: Lots of different activities- art, tea room, gardens, museum shop Cons: Golf cart staff really needs to chill out more
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Beautiful gardens 11/18/2006

Good place to go with the 'rents or for an interesting date. Gardens are grouped by theme, and I'd say the highlight of the place is the cactus greenhouse - some of those things look like Jim Henson puppets! The rest of the grounds are fun to walk through as well, very peaceful. I've never checked out the artwork, or tried the restaurant, but the gift shop actually has some pretty unique items. Kinda steep price (I think it's $20/person) but worth it. more
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I didn't care for it 11/17/2006

To be fair, I have been back here a couple times, but neither was I happy with the experience. $15 admission? Gimme a break. The first time I went with my then significant other, and we frankly got bored walking around and looking at plants. I came back many years later on my own with my camera. While I got a few decent pictures, I still felt the same. They charge too much and the hours are horrible (they're open from noon till 4:30??). If my girlfriend wants to go, I'd go--but I won't be making a trip out here again. I'd find hiking around the local mountains more interesting. Pros: some pretty stuff, good for photography Cons: admission prices, hours more
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!!!!!!! 7/12/2006

My oh my, this place is a beautiful escape from the smog and white noise of L.A. I took my girlfriend here last year and it was the most romantic getaway we've had in these parts. There are tons of different gardens that will conjure thoughts of many different geographical locales, from Japan to Victorian London. Call a few weeks ahead of your visit and make reservations at the lush tea room. Just thinking about Huntington Gardens makes me smile. more
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Sooo Relaxing and Beautiful... 5/2/2006

The gardens here are amazing. You can spend hours just walking through the variety of gardens they offer: huge zen garden, cactus garden, flower gardens, etc. They also have exhibits available, some permanent some rotating. I was able to see illuminated manuscripts there that were just beautiful. I loved spending my day here and would recommend it to everyone. Pros: Beautiful Grounds, Variety, Exhibits more
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A Diverse & Beautiful Set of Gardens 4/15/2006

I am in love with all 150 acres of the Huntington gardens! The cactus garden is huge, and is the best I've ever seen. I'm also a big fan of their Japanese, Herb, Shakespeare, and Jungle gardens. If you have young kids, the Childrens' garden is a must see! The Huntington recently completed a glass-enclosed Conservatory, designed as a hands-on educational environment for middle schoolers, but a fascinating space for adults as well! Exhibits include microscopes with which you can observe stamens & stomates & algae & more, a tropical rainforest, a cloud forest (with LOTS of epiphytes), and carnivorous plants in a bog setting. A Chinese garden is currently under construction. Pros: Diverse gardens, Gorgeous & green, Peaceful setting more
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Editorial

  • In Short
    Even during sweltering Pasadena summer days, visitors linger outdoors to soak up the Garden of Eden-like serenity. A constant stream of families and courting couples meander...

  • 11/17/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Tue-Fri 12pm-4:30pm Sat-Sun 10:30am-4:30pm
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: San Gabriel
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