The Huntington Has Views This Spring

Over the weekend we visited The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens as the wisteria was in bloom. It wasn't the only flower showing off its colors. The wide ranging gardens are perfect to visit  this Spring with flowers and plants to study all over the different gardens. Rivaling the natural beauty is the art available, some of which is older the America itself.

The Huntington
1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108
626.405.2100
 Monday

	10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday	10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday	10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday	10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday	10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

	Weekdays	Weekends/Holidays*
Adults	$23	$25
Seniors (65+)	$19	$21
Students (12-18, or with full-time student ID)	$19	$21
Youth (4-11)	$10	$10
Children (under 4)	free	free
Groups (15 or more)	$18 ea.	$20 ea.
Members	free	free

For something new however you may want to visit the Orbit Pavilion. In the shape of a shell, this metal structure releases the sounds of passing satellites that NASA is using to study the Earth. Drop in to hear a soundtrack reminiscent of an ambient indie sci-fi video game. In the center of the structure is a screen that tells you what satellites are supposedly flying over head.

We're not sure how accurate the Orbit Pavilion is, if it's using GPS to really track satellites or even if a structure with so many holes in it amplifies or does anything to the sound being generated. It's more on the artistic end than scientific, we would have like a lot more of a scientific connection than a room of chip-tune sounds.

You can hear the sounds of rushing water in the Chinese Gardens. The expansive area has wonderful Chinese architecture and surroundings to take photos of or just get lost in the beauty of. Truly some wonderful sights from the bridge to a small waterfall.

It has it's own restaurant, Freshwater Dumpling and Noodle House, which we can't say we recommend. It has a small menu and a very ugly aesthetic when it comes to seating and tables. If hungry we say go further in to the larger 1919 Cafe or if feeling a bit more fancy the Rose Garden Tea Room.

The Japanese Garden isn't far from the Chinese Garden and stands out with it's bamboo and the spotty coloreful koi underneath its bridge. You also have the majesty of the desert to explore with  strange cacti and the Jungle, Palm and Subtropical Gardens all showing their own indigenous flowers. Though only one we have to say was not up to par, Australia, it was our least favorite of the gardens.

You might even spot a bunny

The Huntington just isn't gardens though it has some truly magnificent art to be stunned by. 18th- and 19th-century British paintings are still so utterly engaging, you could argue the ones the have on view are the selfies of yesteryear, though only for the rich.

If you need a place to get away from the city, to smell the flowers and see what nature can offer. Just the open air and trees made us feel fortunate to be there. Take the time to leave the valley or the city and enjoy nature.