The Huntington Desert Garden
The Huntington Desert Garden
5
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Conveniently located, the Huntington includes the largest collection of mature cacti and succulents in North America.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
169 reviews
Excellent
152
Very good
16
Average
1
Poor
0
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ItchyFeet
Camarillo, CA11,617 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
The Desert Gardens are in full bloom now, April 2021, and it is a very peaceful and quiet place to visit.
The 2 most popular / busy gardens were the Chinese and Japanese gardens but this one had fewer people probably because there are no trees or shade in this garden and by mid day it was quite warm, even in spring.
There are a large variety of cactus and succulents and huge numbers of barrel cactus. I think this is worth a look if you go to the gardens area you should take the time to see the Desert Gardens too. It might be a good idea to go to this area right as the place opens since it is in direct sun.
The 2 most popular / busy gardens were the Chinese and Japanese gardens but this one had fewer people probably because there are no trees or shade in this garden and by mid day it was quite warm, even in spring.
There are a large variety of cactus and succulents and huge numbers of barrel cactus. I think this is worth a look if you go to the gardens area you should take the time to see the Desert Gardens too. It might be a good idea to go to this area right as the place opens since it is in direct sun.
Written 1 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jamesgoren
New York NY93 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
The Huntington Gardens are magnificent, and the Desert Garden in my opinion is the most spectacular one. I strongly suggest it!
Written 31 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J8288YAcindys
Santa rosa, California24 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
This place was magical, we were fortunate to see all the flowers in bloom. Highly recommended for anyone.
Written 7 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sfeats
San Francisco, CA68 contributions
Apr 2017
The Huntington Library have many beautiful gardens that are worth visiting, but Desert Garden is pretty unique. I have not known of such in any cities in the States. I go back during different seasons. with the rainy months we have had, the bloom of the succulent have just been spectacular.
Written 26 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
leonlafreniere
Escondido, CA204 contributions
Jan 2020
If you enjoy visiting gardens then you MUST visit this one. It will blow you away. Winter and early spring are the best times to see aloes in bloom. No words, you have to visit.
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann S
Nanaimo, Canada390 contributions
Jan 2020
Vast variety of cacti and other desert plants beautifully maintained. The Desert Garden is my favorite spot at the Huntington!
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DDD
Baltimore, United States30 contributions
Dec 2019
Astonishing and amazing experience to see some many varied desert plants in one place. Highly recommend this for all age groups. And it's only one part of the wonderful Huntington Museum and grounds. Allow plenty of time for this and everything else, if you can't do it in two or three visits.
Written 18 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lee
36 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
I know I call it hidden peal is not totally appropriate, because this place is huge. I lived in Pasadena for a year almost twenty year ago, but I never went to this place and I did not even realize its existence. Now I have to make a trip there on purpose after I heard it from my friend. Its desert garden is magnificent. I have never seen any place with so many desert plants, their size are huge, they are so well maintained and must be very old. another good place to go is Chinese garden, where lunch is served by a small restaurant. It is located next to Japanese garden. It is still under construction but it is big and has taken a shape mimicking Summer Palace in Beijing, China. however, I feel the buildings they claim to be Chinese are more like Japanese style, with the roof extension going up with an exaggerated angle. Ancient Chinese buildings with these extensions tend to be more flat and often has animal statues sitting on them. another thing I'd like to mention is since the garden is so big, hiking inside is very exhausting, although it is good walk, in a sense of exercise. I am sure if they offer some transportation, scooter, bicycle etc for rent will not only improve the service, it probably will be profitable. They do have a small electrical cart running around, but the service is very minimally provided. intervals between them are too long, and the seat is very limited. In this garden, there are art galleries to visit too. I just wrote another review about Butchart garden of Victoria, BC, Canada. compare these gardens are not easy because the styles are totally different, but Huntington desert garden and library is not inferior to Butchart, although not as well known. Huntington is more natural, and Butchart is more artificial, if you want me to comment.
Written 16 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lovestotravel4959
Charleston, SC91 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
I felt like I'd been transported to another time or planet. The size and variety of the succulents was amazing. A must see if you go to Huntington gardens
Written 12 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lori S.
Los Angeles, CA44 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
I felt like Alice in Wonderland. And the roses aren't even in bloom yet. The desert garden is beyond description! The colors, the amazing species you will not ever see anywhere else...just incredible. I have been a lifelong resident of California and never had been until 2 weeks ago. Since then, I've been 4 times and bought a membership. This is a must see in So Cal!
Written 10 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If a visitor has difficulty walking over a prolonged period, is there a tram ride or other means available to tour the gardens? He will not ride a wheelchair.
Written 11 December 2015
Yesterday we were in the garden, but my wife was too tired to walk. At 2/3 of the route, we took a rest, and there was a electrical car with six passenger seats passing by, the driver let us get on and finish the last 1/3 route.
I think the electrical can be arranged with the organization. The electrical car only can be driven at the main driveway, other areas you can use wheelchair.
You may be able to arrange with them to use the electrical car to carry the wheelchair to the area where you want to explore more detail, get off there and use the wheelchair.
Written 12 December 2015
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