The Huntington Library

(626) 405-2100

1151 Oxford Rd
San Marino, CA 91108 34.1269 -118.1094

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Neighborhood: San Gabriel

HUNTINGTON.ORG

Years in business

Established in 1919

Last updated 3.03.10

Category:

Museums, Government Contractors, Attractions, Book Publishers, Botanical Gardens, Non-Profit Organizations, Libraries, Art, Art Galleries, Travel Agencies, Cafes, Arboretums

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Tea Room

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About The Huntington Library

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

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."

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
Admission is free on the first Thursday of every month.
Look Good:
Make 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 Go:
The Huntington does not allow picnics on the grounds and prohibits both weddings and wedding photography.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “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.”
  2. “Bring a camera and comfortable walking shoes.”
  3. “Wear comfortable shoes, there's a lot of walking.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “The desert is interesting as well, though it's too hot for long strolls on summer days.”
  2. “As for the gardens, my favorite is always the desert plants.”
  3. “Also try the Rose cafe and tea room, it's about $25 for tea, sandwiches and desert, reservations are recommended.”
drinks
87.5% positive
  1. “The cafe and tea room are a little pricey, so maybe eat before you some.”
  2. “Also try the Rose cafe and tea room, it's about $25 for tea, sandwiches and desert, reservations are recommended.”
  3. “The tearoom in the rose garden is a great place to sit and relax for afternoon tea and a snack.”
  4. “Call a few weeks ahead of your visit and make reservations at the lush tea room.”
  5. “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.”
  6. “excellent tea, beautiful sites”
  7. “Great art, beautiful gardens, traditional tea room, great for whole family.”
  8. “If you're hungry i suggest the tea room.”
food quality
75.0% positive
  1. “The tarts and brownies were quite yummy, but, the fruit was freezing cold and tasteless.”
  2. “But if you're there, already, and you're hungry for some mediocre food, go for it.”
  3. “They serve an all you can enjoy buffet of petite sandwichs and pastries.”
  4. “Sure, there were some lovely sandwiches (my favorite were the salmon on pumpernickel and the parma ham on rye.)”
  5. “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.”
  6. “Also try the Rose cafe and tea room, it's about $25 for tea, sandwiches and desert, reservations are recommended.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “especially love the extensive gardens and library.”
  2. “It is a magnificent place to walk and converse with a friend or family, while at the same time admire the variety of theme gardens.”
  3. “They also had a great bookstore with a selection of books and items I hadn't seen elsewhere.”
  4. “You can spend hours just walking through the variety of gardens they offer: huge zen garden, cactus garden, flower gardens, etc.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “The tearoom in the rose garden is a great place to sit and relax for afternoon tea and a snack.”
  2. “This is a good place to visit during summer, the Gardens are incredible and the Museum is also really nice.”
  3. “Its the perfect place to take out-of-town guests, but also a great place to unwind alone.”
  4. “very nice place:D”
  5. “It's a great place to get out of the city, so to speak.”
  6. “What a great place to relax and enjoy the finer things in life.”
  7. “great place to take pictures and learn about plants.”
service
75.0% positive
  1. “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.”
  2. “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.”
  3. “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.”
  4. “The servers were pleasant, if a bit slow.”
value
62.5% positive
  1. “You can spend hours just walking through the variety of gardens they offer: huge zen garden, cactus garden, flower gardens, etc.”
  2. “The cafe and tea room are a little pricey, so maybe eat before you some.”
  3. “I'm not a big fan of most of the art collection (though the arts and crafts house is well worth checking out), but the grounds are a great p.”
  4. “The cactus garden is huge, and is the best I've ever seen.”
wait time
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “The servers were pleasant, if a bit slow.”
  2. “The desert is interesting as well, though it's too hot for long strolls on summer days.”
  3. “at us to get back down to the main path and then made an agonizingly slow pursuit of us all the way to the exit.”
2 Star Rating: Below Average

01/17/12

Gardens Need Gardeners

by RealCritic1

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.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/13/11

Beautiful gardens, amazing library collection

by uscfan55

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.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/11/10

Wake up and smell the Magnolias

by socalpocketmemories

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)

I take my 2 year old almost every month (sometimes I don't luck out). We usually go see the Japanese Garden and he loves to look at the fish and ducks. Then we make our way to the Children's Garden. Kind of hard to find. It is behind the Rain Forest Building (you can go through it). Bring swimsuit for kids and shoes that can get wet. They have small water fountains that the kids can play with. He also loves the rainbow tunnel and the musical rocks.

socalpocketmemories.blogspot

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/01/09

Go for the gardens, stay for the tea

by LaMaria

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
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/06/09

Beautiful and Relaxing!

by MNS

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

The Details on The Huntington Library

Place Categories:

  • beautiful extensive gardens
  • great place
  • incredible library
  • really nice museum
  • suggest traditional tea room
  • huge cactus garden
  • comfortable walking shoes
  • big fan
  • tasteless freezing
  • most romantic getaway
  • beautiful local treasure
  • enjoy buffet
  • more interesting hiking
  • great bookstore
  • great p
  • favorite salmon
  • superb caring staff
  • excellent tea
  • famous rose garden
  • beautiful afternoon
  • beautiful escape
  • fascinating space
  • agonizingly slow pursuit
  • enjoyed bruschetta
  • quite yummy tarts
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