Location: San Marino, CA
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Hey AV explorers, Thomas here – if you’re craving a day that combines world-class art, rare manuscripts, and some of the most stunning gardens in Southern California, The Huntington is calling your name this week. About 1.5 hours from Lancaster in San Marino, this isn’t just a museum or just a garden – it’s both, on a scale that genuinely surprises first-time visitors. It’s not a destination easily explored in full during a single day; between the art, the library holdings, and the spread-out outdoor spaces, there’s plenty to see, and most of it is best enjoyed at a lingering pace rather than a mad day-long dash.
Founded by railroad magnate Henry E. Huntington, The Huntington houses an extensive art collection focused on 18th and 19th century European art and 17th to mid-20th century American art, alongside a research library spanning the 11th century to the present with over 7 million manuscript items. The main house holds an impressive collection of British art, including Gainsborough’s famously restored “The Blue Boy,” alongside works by Blake, Reynolds, and Turner, and the Library Exhibition Hall is home to one of the rarest sights you’ll ever see in person: an original Gutenberg Bible.
The true showstopper is outside, where 207 acres of gardens – 130 of which are open to the public – are divided into a remarkable variety of themes: the century-old Desert Garden packed with cacti and succulents, the delightful Children’s Garden, and the quietly magical Japanese Garden, complete with a koi-filled stream and the iconic Moon Bridge. There’s also a Chinese Garden, Rose Garden, Tropical Garden, Bonsai Garden, and a peaceful walk through a bamboo grove – easily enough ground to fill a full day of wandering.
Beat the Heat – Twilight Garden Strolls:
This summer, the Huntington’s Twilight Garden Strolls series – formerly members-only – is open to the public, extending garden hours until 7:30 or 8 PM on select summer evenings. The 1919 Café stays open until 7:30 PM (hot food stations close at 7), so you can even grab dinner on the patio while the light turns golden over the gardens. It’s one of the best ways to dodge the worst of the summer heat. Note that this requires a separate timed ticket from regular daytime admission, so plan ahead.
A Heads-Up for This Specific Week:
The week of June 26–July 5 falls within the Huntington’s official 2026 peak season, meaning higher demand, the $34 pricing tier, and a strict requirement for advance online reservations. Reservations are required Friday through Sunday, on holidays, and during peak seasons, while regular hours run 10 AM–5 PM, Wednesday through Monday (closed Tuesdays). If you’re heading out this week, book your timed-entry tickets online well before you go.
Thomas’s Local Tips:
- 🎟️ Book online before you go – no walk-ups allowed – All tickets, including free child admission, must be reserved online in advance. There are no walk-up tickets, especially on weekends. With this week falling in peak season, don’t leave this to chance.
- 🦢 Give the geese their space – Geese and their goslings are often spotted on the grounds. Admire from a distance – parent geese can get protective if they feel crowded.
- 🦟 Bug spray is non-negotiable this summer – Mosquito activity has been heavy throughout the San Gabriel Valley this summer, including in the Jungle Garden. Cover up and use insect repellent when exploring garden areas.
- 🌙 Try a Twilight Stroll if your schedule allows – Extended evening hours mean cooler temps, golden-hour lighting, and dinner on the patio. Requires a separate timed ticket, so check the Huntington’s website for available dates.
- 🚗 Carpool if you can – Parking is free but limited, and fills quickly on busy days. Carpooling or rideshare is strongly encouraged.
Nature’s calling, it’s time to pick up… See you out there!
