Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
San Marino, CA 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2100
- Cross Street:
- San Marino Avenue
- Hours:
- Tue-Fri 12pm-4:30pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am-4:30pm
Editorial Review for Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens – by Citysearch Editors
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 through the ambrosial rose gardens. Originally a private home, the Huntington still exudes the Old-World elegance of a stately mansion. The main gallery contains masterpieces of 18th-century British portraiture, including Gainsborough's "Blue Boy," which is playfully displayed across from Lawrence's "Pinkie."
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Insider Tips
When to GoAdmission is free on the first Thursday of every month.
Look GoodMake your reservation two weeks in advance for the Rose Garden Tea Room. For $19.95 per person ($9.98 for kids under 7), enjoy tea and a finger-sandwich buffet, fresh fruits and cheeses, and pastries.
Know Before You GoThe Huntington does not allow picnics on the grounds and prohibits both weddings and wedding photography.
User Reviews for Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
01/28/2008 Posted by tealover7
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. This is a place to refresh and absorb, in early spring the camilia forest is not to be missed.
09/09/2007 Posted by ariadreams
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. Sure, there were some lovely sandwiches (my favorite were the salmon on pumpernickel and the parma ham on rye.) And we both enjoyed the Bruschetta, although it tasted suspiciously like Trader Joe's bruschetta. The tarts and brownies were quite yummy, but, the fruit was freezing cold and tasteless. The teas were boring and bland. I would have liked to have brewed my own, rather than been given tea, pre-brewed and lukewarm. And the service was sub-par. Our waitress hurried us along, barely pausing when we tried to flag her down to ask for a fresh teapot, as ours had become bitter and cold. One other major complaint - the staff is extremely eager to move the tables along. Maybe this isn't the case on the weekdays, but after about an hour and twenty minutes, we were approached by a staff person and told that we had been sitting there for awhile and that they needed our table for a large party and could we be ready to leave soon? Considering this was a buffet, and that there were SIX EMPTY tables in the room, I hardly thought this sort of rude behavior was necessry. To be honest, if it weren't for them rushing us out, I probably wouldn't be writing this review. But I found that to be so tasteless and low-class...what a disappointment. Is it worth the money? Absolutely not. But if you're there, already, and you're hungry for some mediocre food, go for it. It's probably better than the cafeteria.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
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