The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
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The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, also known as just The Huntington, is an indoor and outdoor museum located in San Marino, California. The Huntington’s art collection was first curated by Henry E. Huntington in the late 1800s though it has since expanded to include works by European artists of the 18th century. Perhaps what the attraction is most known for are its themed gardens, including the Desert Garden and the Australian Garden.
How to Get There
The Huntington is located just outside of Pasadena and Los Angeles, where visitors will find the Los Angeles International Airport. The museum area can be accessed by San Marino bus number 179 at the Huntington/San Marino bus stop.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Visit The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Perhaps the best times to visit The Huntington are in the summer before September and in the fall after October since September is usually the month in which the art museum's exhibits rotate. Some of the top attractions to The Huntington are The Huntington Chinese Garden and The Huntington Japanese Garden, both of which feature international flowering plants.
Ticket Information
General admission tickets to The Huntington are $25 for adults, $21 for seniors over 65, and $13 for youth ages four to 11. Children three and under are free to enter with a free child ticket. For full-time students and active military personnel, admission is $21 with a valid ID. Group discounts are also available for those in groups of 15 to 20 people with ticket prices at $19 a person. All tickets are available to purchase for a specific day and time on The Huntington website. Memberships are also available to get a year of free admission to The Huntington, and memberships start at $175 annually. Membership also comes with a subscription to weekly newsletters, invitations to members-only events, and a 10% discount on gift memberships and items in The Huntington Store. The first Thursday of every month, The Huntington offers free admission to the public. Tickets for free admission must be reserved in advance online.
Family-Friendly Options
Families with children can explore the Children’s Garden at The Huntington to enjoy outdoor exhibits with water features. The indoor Conservatory and Maple Orientation Gallery are also great areas to check out with interactive learning materials about environmental habitats and the history of the local railroad company. In the summer, children ages five to 13 years can also join The Huntington’s Explorers Club, which offers art- and science-based lessons in a camp setting for one week at a time. The fee per child to join this event is $350 a week and covers the cost of all lesson materials and supplies.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
When you visit The Huntington, be sure to start out by exploring the outdoor gardens, where you can walk the trails and check out the historic Shōya House in the Japanese Garden. After that, head inside to explore the art galleries, making sure you take time to see the temporary exhibits as well as the permanent ones, such as the Borderlands exhibition. Finish your time in the library area, where you can stop by the Huntington Store before you leave.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
This no-frills park in the Angeles National Forest attracts a lot of campers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby cities. During peak season, it can be a fun place to gather. When the campground is sparsely populated, it’s a peaceful, quiet place to relax with few sounds except for the traffic on Angeles Forest Highway.
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Relax along the banks of Puddingstone Lake while RV camping at Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort and Campground. Bring along your boat, kayak or jet ski and pack your stay with the exciting activities this remote lake makes possible. Sit along the shore and cast your fishing pole for a more relaxed experience.
Activities Near The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Things to Do
Hiking
When you want to go hiking after visiting The Huntington, check out the Almansor Park Trail in Alhambra. This trail, which is pet-friendly, is a one-mile loop with a paved path and a few benches.
Fishing
For fishing opportunities, head over to Peck Road Water Conservation Park, which is located along Mungi Lake. This park features a five-acre recreation area on the water with marked areas for fishing in the lake. There are also a few picnic tables at this location.
Biking
The Chandler bike path in Burbank is a great trail to check out when you want to go biking. The trail itself is a former railroad path, and it runs alongside a few city streets in the Magnolia Park shopping area.
National Parks
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
While the library and art museum at The Huntington are indoor attractions, the gardens are located outside and may be affected by weather conditions. In events of inclement weather, the gardens may close; however, they usually remain open on days with light rain. Consider packing an umbrella for your visit to The Huntington in case of a pop-up shower if you would like to walk through the gardens.
Safety & Accessibility
In cases of medical emergencies, a staff member at The Huntington should immediately be notified so that first aid can be administered. In the event of a fire, visitors should be aware of the many emergency exits in the buildings at The Huntington. All indoor and most outdoor spaces are wheelchair accessible. Complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For those with hearing disabilities, The Huntington offers assistive listening devices, closed captioning for events, and sign language interpretation arrangements. There is also a Social Narrative Guide on the museum’s website for those with autism visiting The Huntington.
Conclusion
The Huntington's gardens feature some of the natural beauty that can be found throughout the western United States. The art museum and library also found at The Huntington show the cultural side of the United States, and visitors of all ages can enjoy this location.
FAQ
The Millard Trail Camp is a primitive campground found near The Huntington in the city of Altadena, California. This campground is free to use for up to 14 days at a time and features picnic tables and fire rings.
The Huntington provides free parking to all guests, including those who arrive in a bus, truck, or RV. Reservations are required to park in the parking lot with an oversized vehicle, and all oversized vehicles must take the city's truck and bus route to the location.
Visitors who plan to visit The Huntington in a bus or RV should know that there is only one legal bus and truck route to take to the attraction. To follow this route, be sure to take only California Boulevard to Allen Avenue.
Yes. The Huntington is a family-friendly attraction with interactive facilities tailored to children. This location also offers regular events for children, including a summer camp.
Pets are not allowed at The Huntington, including the attraction's outdoor garden areas. However, service animals that have an ID are permitted.