For several years we held a membership to the Huntington Library and Gardens (thanks to one of the best Groupons we ever bought), but at a point last year we realized we just weren't going enough to justify our investment. Meanwhile, we were probably visiting the Descanso Gardens (closer to us) more often. When Maria discovered that a membership to the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Arcadia also covered entrance to Descanso, we were sold.
We'd visited the Arboretum in the past to attend California Philharmonic concerts, but have now spent some time exploring the gardens themselves. The kids get a kick out of the peacocks roaming the grounds; I like the Queen Anne cottage, as seen at the start of each episode of "Fantasy Island."
But there's a downside to all those birds roaming the grounds: All that bird poop. Watch out. It's everywhere on the yards. I was told that a massive cleanup takes place every single morning -- but I noticed plenty of it by the afternoon. Watch where you walk.
Also on the grounds: The old Santa Anita train depot, now open for tours on the weekends. Also, the Peacock Cafe -- fine if you're hungry, but pretty mediocre food.
Here are some pics from an afternoon at the Arboretrum:
The Queen Anne cottage
"De plane, boss, de plane!" RIP, Herve.
Inside the cottage
The boys
Santa Anita depot
Inside the depot
The L.A. County Arboretum is open daily from 9AM to 5PM
301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
1 comment:
Great pictures, Mike.
I absolutely love the Arboretum. We used to go there all the time when I was a kid. It was free. Didn't cost a dime to get in. Back in the days before Proposition 13 changed everything. The Huntington Library and Gardens were also free.
The Arboretum was so fantastic because of the peacocks and because of the jungle. The jungle was totally overgrown back then, and we could spend hours running through there, "getting lost" and playing crazy kid games.
And of course the Queen Anne Cottage was, and still is, enchanting.
What kid doesn't love running around the Arboretum, dreaming about the days when the Tarzan movies were filmed there?
It's one of the best places in So Cal to spend an afternoon!
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