Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
With its majestic landscape and exotic plant life, it's no surprise that the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden have been the perfect setting for many of Hollywood's movies. For example, the attraction was filmed for Bing Crosby and Shirley Ross' 1937 Waikiki Wedding and Alfred Hitchcock's Under Capricorn.
Today, the arboretum and garden are home to over 18,000 plants set in five sections: Africa, Australia, the Americas, the Asiatic and the Historic Circle. From the twisted trunks at the Madagascar Spiny Forest to the fluorescent aloe plants along the Aloe Trail, the arboretum has something in bloom during all four seasons. Over 230 species have also been sighted at the arboretum, from cardinals to nighthawks to pelicans. For a front row view of the gardens, guests can hop aboard a tram to tour the five botanical areas and its two "sag" ponds.
Formerly part of the Rancho Santa Anita, the garden also boasts a long and rich history that can be experienced through a number of on-site structures. The Hugo Reid Adobe was built in 1840 by the first private owner of the land, which used to be the 13,319-acre Rancho Santa Anita. The adobe showcases handmade furniture such as cowhide beds and exotic items brought home by Reid from his trading adventures.
In 1875, Elias "Lucky" Baldwin purchased the land and built the Queen Anne Cottage and Coach Barn. At the cottage, guests can tour its charming rooms and period furnishings, while the barn is home to many farm and blacksmith tools used in the late 1800s. Aspiring arborists and botanists can stop by the Arboretum Library, where over 20,000 book titles and 300 periodicals cover subjects of gardening, horticulture, California plant life, environmental issues and more. Nearly 600 periodical backholdings provide excellent historical resources.
The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden has spaces available for private events. The arboretum and garden are open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM; admission closes at 4:30 PM. The Arboretum Library is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Tram tours run daily. Admission is $2.50 for children ages 5-12, $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Admission for children under 5 is free. For more information: 626-821-3222
