Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens

VIDEO: Tour the Chinese Gardens at the Huntington

Henry Huntington's role in expanding the railway system in Los Angeles led to a population explosion here between 1900 and 1910 -- and helped the Huntingtons amass a formidable collection of priceless art and rare books. This collection is now part of a nonprofit educational trust, and is on view at the Huntington Library and galleries. The library includes the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," Shakespeare's plays, Audubon bird drawings, Benjamin Franklin's autobiography in manuscript form, and a Gutenberg Bible on vellum. <br><br>

Outside the magnificent galleries is a dazzling array of botanical gardens (15 in all on 150 acres) that feature 14,000 species of plants from around the world. The Rose Garden shows the history of the rose while the Japanese Garden features a furnished Japanese house and Zen garden.  You'll want to spend an entire day visiting this delightful estate. A restaurant offers light snacks like pastries and sandwiches, or you may like to sit down to English tea in the Rose Garden Room.

In May 2008, the Huntington Art Gallery re-opened following a two-year, $20 million renovation.

Visiting

The Huntington is located in the city of San Marino, close to Pasadena. From Colorado Blvd. or California Blvd., take Allen Ave. south two blocks to The Huntington's entrance gate.

Parking is always free at the museum and you don't need to make reservations.

General admission is $20 on weekends, Mondays and holidays, and $15 on all other days. Admission to the museum is free to all visitors on the first Thursday of every month with advanced tickets, which you can obtain by calling (800) 838-3006. Hours on the  Free Day are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Dining and entertainment

Visitors can find English Tea in the museum's Rose Garden Tea Room and lunches and light refreshments in the Café.

There are a range of restaurant choices a short drive from the museum. Little Bangkok Cafe offers tasty and moderately priced Thai cuisine.

San Marino Seafood Market is the perfect place for lunch or dinner, offering a range of sandwiches, chowders and oysters. The restaurant also features a market where you can purchase fresh fish.

Learn More

Read Los Angeles Times art critic Christopher Knight's review of the renovated Huntington Art Gallery. Also read Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne's review of the re-opened gallery.

You can take a virtual tour of the Huntington using the Times' interactive map and browse photo galleries of the renovated spaces and some famous works.

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