BajaNomad

Huntington Gardens

tripledigitken - 6-27-2007 at 05:34 PM

We recently visited the Huntington Gardens in San Marino, CA for the first time. It is a world class Botanical Garden with sections of the facility devoted to regions of the world. The desert section has an unbelievable selection of plants, many found in Baja.

I hope you enjoy the photos.

























[Edited on 6-28-2007 by tripledigitken]

DianaT - 6-27-2007 at 05:38 PM

Love the pictures! Also, looks like it was a nice day in San Marino----blue sky and all.

When I lived not too far from there, I went there often---a great place to be.

Diane

Mexitron - 6-27-2007 at 07:31 PM

Ahh...the Huntington Gardens...lots of great memories there, thanks for showing the pics!

bajadogs - 6-27-2007 at 07:32 PM

Thanks Ken,
I was there a couple years ago. The cactus and succulent gardens are spectacular. The famous Blue Boy in the library is over-rated, the spoiled brat! :rolleyes:
Beautiful photos.

Russ - 6-27-2007 at 07:38 PM

Use to sneak in there almost 50 years ago. It was impressive then must be a awesome now. Thanks for the flash back!

danaeb - 6-27-2007 at 07:44 PM

Beautiful photos Ken. The Huntington is the Great Barrier Reef of desert gardens. The history of how he used his rail lines to transport exotic succulents and cacti from around the world is fascinating.

DianaT - 6-27-2007 at 07:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
Use to sneak in there almost 50 years ago. It was impressive then must be a awesome now. Thanks for the flash back!


We used to sneak into the Arboretum in Arcadia, ---another nearby place with great plants.

Ken,
With the wonderful way you photograph plants, you should visit the Arboretum---and Descanco Gardens also not far away.

Diane

Paula - 6-27-2007 at 08:19 PM

Thanks for the pictures Ken! I especially love the aloe... it looks deceptively soft!

tripledigitken - 6-29-2007 at 08:40 AM

thanks,

Mexitron, bajadogs, Russ , danaeb, and Paula for the kind words. I hoped some Nomads might get motivated to go and see this spectacular collection of plants. Not just Desert Plants but a huge variety. The Japanese Zen garden is wonderful also.

Diane, I wasn't aware of the two gardens you mentioned. Next time we go to the Hunington we will check them out. Thanks for the tip.


Ken



[Edited on 6-29-2007 by tripledigitken]

DianaT - 6-29-2007 at 08:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken

Diane, I wasn't aware of the two gardens you mentioned. Next time we go to the Hunington we will check them out. Thanks for the tip.


Ken

[Edited on 6-29-2007 by tripledigitken]


The Arboretum in Arcadia was the old Lucky Baldwin Estate---
Besides the great gardens, there are hundreds of peac-cks there.

Descanso Gardens is in La Caņada---think you would enjoy both, and then we all get to enjoy more of your great pictures. :yes:

Diane

elgatoloco - 6-29-2007 at 09:43 AM

Nice photos of a lovely place! :cool:

My lovely wife :dudette:who was born in San Fran and lived in San Diego for 20 years used to always tell me there was no reason to go to LA :mad:(her reference to everthing north of Camp Pendleton).:moon: That was until I took her to, among other places, Huntington Gardens & Descanso!:cool:

Growing up in the San Gabriel Valley we visited the Huntington Gardens on a regular basis. In fact when relatives came in from the mid west every summer it was on the list along with Disneyland of places to see along with Descanso. My grandparents moved to La Caņada in 1930, bought a house for $ 19,999.00 that was a few blocks from what became Descanso Gardens. We would walk down and play hide and seek on Sundays after church. Over the years I spent many a weekend day strolling the grounds with both my grandparents. Lots of beautiful plants and lots of great memories.

http://www.descansogardens.org/site/

The LA Arboretum in Arcadia is another great place to visit. When I was in grade school it was one of the much anticipated yearly field trips, along with the Cabrillo Museum in San Pedro. Whenever we head up to the track at Santa Anita we make sure to cruise on over there. Last time we happened to stumble on a plant show put on by the local Bonsai society and there was a man who had a Redwood Bonsai tree that was about two feet tall and as big around as my arm, he said it had been in his family for over 50+ years and he was always worried that he would somehow kill it. It was amazing.

LA's the place, baby! :lol:

Hook - 6-29-2007 at 09:58 AM

This is all fine and good, but I have fonder memories of Busch Gardens!!!! Whatever happened to that?