The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, next to Pasadena, is one of the most rewarding day trips in the Los Angeles area. It covers about 130 acres of themed gardens, a world-famous art collection and a research library with treasures such as a Gutenberg Bible. Locals come for the gardens and stay all day.
This guide covers tickets, the free day, hours, the gardens and galleries not to miss, and tips for planning your visit.
In this guide
The Huntington pairs well with a day in Pasadena; see our guide to things to do in Pasadena.
The Huntington at a glance
- Address: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last check-in 4:15 p.m.)
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Tickets: adults $29 Monday to Thursday, $34 Friday to Sunday and peak days
- Free day: first Thursday of each month, with tickets released online in advance
- Parking: free on site
- Time needed: 4 hours to a full day
Tickets and prices
Tickets are timed, and your ticket time is the earliest you can arrive. Prices depend on the day:
| Ticket | Mon to Thu | Fri to Sun, holidays and peak |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $29 | $34 |
| Senior (65+) | $24 | $28 |
| Student (12 to 18, or full-time with ID) | $24 | $28 |
| Youth (4 to 11) | $13 | $15 |
| Child (under 4) | free | free |
The free day
- The Huntington offers free admission on one Thursday a month, usually the first Thursday.
- Free tickets are released online at 9 a.m. on the last Thursday of the month before, and they go quickly.
- Free-day tickets are timed and nontransferable.
The gardens
The gardens are the heart of the Huntington. With more than a dozen themed areas, pick a few favorites rather than trying to see everything.
- Chinese Garden (Liu Fang Yuan): the Garden of Flowing Fragrance is one of the largest classical Chinese gardens outside China, with a lake, stone bridges, pavilions and a teahouse.
- Japanese Garden: a traditional house, a moon bridge over a koi pond, a bonsai court and a Zen garden.
- Desert Garden: one of the largest collections of cacti and succulents in the world, with giant golden barrel cacti and towering aloes.
- Rose Garden: thousands of roses, best from April to May and again in the fall.
- Camellia Collection: blooms in winter and early spring.
- Lily Ponds and Jungle Garden: shady paths, water lilies and bamboo.
- Children’s Garden: interactive play with fog, water and plants for younger kids.
- Conservatory: a glass greenhouse with rainforest and carnivorous plants.
The art collections
The Huntington’s art is split across several buildings:
- Huntington Art Gallery: the founders’ former mansion, with British and European art. The stars are Thomas Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy and Thomas Lawrence’s Pinkie, displayed facing each other.
- Virginia Steele Scott Galleries: American art from the colonial era to the 20th century.
- Jonathan and Karin Fielding Wing and changing exhibitions in the galleries near the Chinese Garden.
The Library
The Huntington Library is a major research library, and its public exhibition hall shows highlights such as a Gutenberg Bible, early editions of Shakespeare, the Ellesmere Chaucer and letters by famous Americans. Displays rotate to protect fragile items.
Food and drink
The Huntington has several dining options: the 1919 Cafe, the Red Car coffee bar, the Freshwater Pavilion and the Jade Court Cafe in the Chinese Garden for dumplings and tea. The Rose Garden Tea Room serves an afternoon tea buffet and needs a reservation. Picnicking in the gardens and outside alcohol are not allowed.
Getting there and parking
The Huntington is in San Marino, about 30 minutes from downtown LA without traffic.
- By car: parking is free in the main lot off Allen Avenue.
- By Metro: take the A Line to Allen station in Pasadena, then a rideshare of about 10 minutes. See our LA Metro guide.
Tips for visiting
- Arrive at opening on weekends; parking and the Chinese Garden get busy by midday.
- Wear good walking shoes; the grounds are large and hilly.
- Spring is peak season for roses and blooms, and tickets cost more on peak days.
- Summer heat can be intense in the Desert Garden; go early.
- Plan a route: use the free map or app and pick three or four highlights.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Huntington cost?
Adult tickets are $29 on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) and $34 on weekends and peak days. Kids under 4 are free.
Does the Huntington have a free day?
Yes. Free tickets for one Thursday each month are released online at 9 a.m. on the last Thursday of the previous month.
Is the Huntington closed on Tuesdays?
Yes. The Huntington is closed on Tuesdays.
How long do you need at the Huntington?
At least four hours. Many visitors spend the whole day.
Is parking free at the Huntington?
Yes. Parking on site is free.
Photo credits
Featured image: Russ Allison Loar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
