Comprised of a library, art galleries, 16 gardens, and historic buildings, The Huntington – a private estate converted over 100 years ago into a public institution – includes a breathtaking collection of American, European, and Asian cultural and botanical assets spread across a 130-acre campus in San Marino, near Pasadena in LA County. Surpassing even the OC-adjacent Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden in ambition, The Huntington physically transported a 300-year-old Japanese residence (the Shōya House) onto its own garden-surrounded parcel, and similarly offers guests the ability to explore Chinese buildings, bridges, and gardens with incredible fidelity. Guests can see some of the 50,000-work collection of antiquities and paintings spread across two museum-style gallery buildings, as well as samples from the 12 million-item library – including a Gutenberg Bible.
So large and with so many nooks and crannies that a single visit can’t possibly do justice to its grounds, The Huntington charges enough for admission fees ($34/adult, $28/child or senior) that annual membership ($175/year) is a reasonable alternative for any family with the time and inclination to visit twice in a year. Parking is free, and shuttle buses roam the grounds every 30 minutes, enabling guests to reduce their walking between buildings and gardens. Several restaurants and an elaborate gift shop add to The Huntington’s appeal.
