Gardens

Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens features nine botanical collections, a (ride-able) miniature railroad, house museum, modern art gallery, cafe and gift shop. The urban retreat also boasts a redwood forest, streams, a lake, a bird sanctuary and the largest camellia garden in the United States. Programmed events include morning yoga, weekend walks, story time for kids, gardening tutorials, and annual festivals.

Camelias

The arrival of the camellias was a game changer for Descanso’s popularity, but the story is complex. During WWII, many Japanese-Americans were exiled to internment camps, and Japanese nursery owners F.M. Uyematsu and F.W. Yoshimura were among them. Estate owner Elias Boddy took the opportunity to purchase their esteemed collection of camellias. A volunteer group, the Descanso Gardens Guild, took over management duties after the ownership fell to LA County, and today Descanso has rewritten its history and reestablished relationships with the Uyematsu and Yoshimura families, who own San Gabriel Nursery & Florist nearby. Look for the star on the plant tags to see which ones belonged to the Japanese nurseries.

Plan Your Visit

All non-members MUST buy online tickets in advance. Members can enter without an advance ticket. No tickets will be sold at the garden. Tickets for non-members will be released weekly Tuesdays at 10 am. Information is subject to change.

When you visit, please note:

  • Masks and face-coverings are not required in outdoor spaces
  • Face coverings are required for all visitors in indoor spaces
  • Food can be enjoyed at the picnic tables outside of the Visitor Center
  • Non-members can purchase tickets online or at the Visitor Center
  • Descanso is currently a cashless establishment
  • The Boddy House and Enchanted Railroad are closed

Tickets

  • General: $15.00
  • Students with ID and Seniors (65+): $11.00
  • Children (5-12 years): $5.00
  • Descanso members and children under 5 years: Free

Advance ticketing information:

  • Free Tuesday tickets are released on the first day of each month. Free Tuesday tickets will be released the first Monday of the month if the first day falls on a weekend
  • August 17 Free Tuesday tickets: Available Monday, August 2 at 10am
  • September 21 Free Tuesday tickets: Available September 1 at 10am
  • October 19 Free Tuesday tickets: Available October 1 at 10am

Advance Tickets

Become A Member

  • Kid Friendly

Descanso Gardens

1418 Descanso Dr.
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011

  • Phone: (818) 949-4290
  • Hours: Monday–Friday: 9am to 7pm, Saturday-Sunday: 9am to 5pm