Descanso Gardens

07/23/09

Great Place to spend a few hours walking

by gabrieller

My sister and I bought a family membership and have spent a few fabulous afternoons here meandering through the camelia forest. The Boddy House is truely one of a kind. Relaxing. Beautiful. Love it!

• Pros: Lush gardens, great food!

Explore a tranquil garden paradise mere minutes from the city.

by Contributor

Overview
This green jewel, nestled in serene La Cañada, is a lush oasis offering a diverse display of nature's finest flora. The main attraction are the two canopied camellia forests. As one of the largest outdoor plantings in the world, these fragrant pavilions are the focus of the annual camellia festival. Also worth a visit is the International Rosarium, which boasts thousands of rose varieties, some dating back to the 12th century.

The Experience
Marvel on foot, or take the one-hour guided tram tour through the 165-acre expanse. Benches offer tranquil spots to take in the native California plants and pink blossoms of the cherry trees. Have a meal at the Cafe Court; or grab a snack at the Japanese Tea House. After admiring the streams, rockscapes and koi, wander northwest to the Boddy House, where local artists display sculptures and paintings focusing on regional landscapes and animals.

11/20/03

Peaceful and Tranquil

by netter1

Although Descanso is amazing during Spring and Summer, it's a peaceful an tranquil place to walk and rest anytime of the year. They're known for their camelias and their roses...and in full bloom the color is just amazing. Check with their website for their festival calendar and special events. Also, during the summer they have outdoor concerts. If you're looking for a contemplative space...you can't do any better than Descanso.

• Pros: Open year round, Wonderful Staff
• Cons: Difficult to find

11/27/02

Relaxing

by nessa1218

They take cash. Parking if Free. Admission is only $5. $4 for students with id. I have been going to the gardens since I was just able to walk. Decanso is spanish for rest. That is just what you experience!

• Pros: Peaceful, Cheap, Hidden Location
• Cons: Hidden Location

06/12/02

I agree

by jdavid

It's a nice quite place with beautiful landscaping. During the summer, on the weekends there is live music. I have been there several time and have enjoyed myself each time.

05/28/02

Peaceful...

by Kazam

This definitely isnt the prettiest garden Ive been to, but its worth a visit. My husband and I took my parents here and thought it would be a full afternoon. It wasnt. The garden only takes an hour or so to walk through, and that includes a relaxed visit to the Boody House to see the art exhibition. Rather then a place to take your out-of-town guests, I vote this as a place for a picnic with a friendor by yourself. Take a book and enjoy a quiet bench hidden way in a sea of flowers.

05/20/02

Sanctuary

by mphillips_citysearch

Some of the nicest walks and best birding around. For $5 you can walk through a variety of landscapes. One of my favorites is the birding post at the south end. Here you can sit and look over pines and hikers doing the loop back to the entrance. Highlights include the fall pumpkin festival and the Acorn Bear Club for kids. The story telling is adorable.

05/17/02

Nice quiet place to take the kids

by Cepheid

They have a model train you can ride that travels through parts of the park. It costs a dollar or two and is always a winner with the kids. Buy a year pass for either Descanso Garders or the LA County Arboretum in Arcadia - one pass gets you into both places. Definetly one of the best deals in town at about $50 for a year for both.

• Pros: Train for Kids

05/16/02

Great place for visitors

by AndreaLoera_Citysearch

Quite a bit more laid-back and less formal than Huntington Gardens in Pasadena, but every bit as breathtaking. What you would want your backyard to look like (if you had one). Admission is only $5.

• Pros: landscaping
• Cons: vending machines