The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens– also known as “The Huntington” is way more than just a library as it’s name dictates. It’s also not located in Huntington Beach, CA despite it’s name, it’s located in San Marino, CA, near Pasadena. Ranging from 420,000 rare books (including The Canterbury Tales) and 7 million manuscripts (including the Declaration of Independence) to 650 paintings and 440 sculptures to 12 beautiful gardens featuring 15,000 plant varieties it feels like you are walking through history and multiple continents at once.
I really enjoyed the Desert, Japanese and Chinese (Garden of Flowering Fragrance) gardens the most and to host all 3 of these in one 120 acre estate without all the flights, layovers and time changes was a pleasant, rewarding and eye-opening experience. Overwhelmingly beautiful, artistic and classic the Huntington is a great way to spend an entire day, weekend or summer vacation.
Asian lion statue in Huntington Library
Entrance of Huntington Library
Curved Asian roof in Huntington Library
Double circle with serenity pond in the background
Curved bridge in Japanese garden
Cacti in the Desert garden in The Huntington Library
Cactus with lizard in the Desert garden in The Huntington Library
Cactus flower in the Desert garden in The Huntington Library
Cacti in the Desert garden in The Huntington Library
Declaration of Independence in The Huntington Library
The Canterbury Tales in the Huntington Library
White walkway in the Huntington Library
Curved bridge in Japanese garden
Tree with curved bridge in the background