Descanso Gardens

[Hailing from Venice, Laure rounds out our first week of trial posts from our talented pool of ATLA Editor finalists. As always, tell us what you think.]

I spent a wonderful, albeit hot, afternoon at Descanso Gardens recently and was surprised by the extent of events and workshops happening this summer. If you've been wanting to plant a container garden, learn more about going green at home, or brush up on your wine skills (who doesn't want to impress at a summer soirée?), Descanso has you covered.

Easy enough to get to (seriously only a 15 minute drive from Echo Park), Descanso is like a smaller, more laid back version of the Huntington nestled against the hills in La Cañada. Started in 1937 as the 'Rancho del Descanso', today it's open to the public and boasts updates like a Patina run cafe, night walks and a renovated Full Moon Tea House.

Even without the recent updates, the garden is a Southern California staple most known for the camelia forest and expansive rose garden. Pack a picnic (unlike the Huntington, you CAN picnic here), wander up into the hills, hike the trails and get inspired by the native California garden full of indigenous oaks, chapparal, sage scrub, and poppies. You'll be glad you did.

Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
website

-Laure

Comments (9)

A Camelia forest!? that alone is enough to make me go. I had no idea this even existed, and that picture of the shadey walkway and trees is calling me. sigh. It's nice to know things like this existed in the LA area. Not to mention a tea house! so cool. thanks Laure.

posted by monkeygirl on June 29th 2007 at 11:03am
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full moon tea house?????? i am so there.... tomorrow!!!!
or tonight.. when is the full moon anyway...?
nice pictures by the way.

posted by em*down on June 29th 2007 at 11:36am
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i live in Highland Park and we ride our mopeds there quite often. its a lovely way to spend an afternoon...

posted by my little apartment on June 29th 2007 at 1:36pm
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oh-- great post, Laure!

posted by my little apartment on June 29th 2007 at 1:37pm
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oh--Laure, what a surprize one of my all time favorites. Thanks for the reminder. Hard to beat a beautiful garden for inspiration. Wish we had something like that on the westside, oh yea the ocean silly me. Ain't LA Grand.

posted by mmmmJ on June 29th 2007 at 2:46pm
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Laure-Fabulous photos and information! You've inspired me to take a ride out there!

posted by chinglish on June 29th 2007 at 3:56pm
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Laure, you had me at sage scrub. Descanso sounds like the perfect way to spend a beautiful morning, afternoon, and evening. Thanks for the wonderful words and images!

posted by fetlok on June 29th 2007 at 4:41pm
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Well I know where I am taking my girlfriend tomorrow. Great post!

posted by EmptyDesk on June 29th 2007 at 6:50pm
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great closer to a week of good posts. Nice to see some original original la culture not just surviving but thriving!

posted by hughes500d on June 30th 2007 at 1:41pm
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