The Huntington and other Los Angeles, CA Off The Beaten Path Tips

The Huntington is tucked away in a residential neighborhood in San Marino, a city several miles east of L.A. Its complete name--Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens--gives you an idea on what to find there.

The Library has an excellent collection of old books and manuscripts. The more significant ones, like the Gutenberg Bible and the Ellesmere Chaucer, are on display.

The Art Collections are housed in the Huntington Art Gallery and the Virginia Steele Scott Gallery. The Huntington Art Gallery was originally the residence of Henry Edwards and Arabella Huntington, the founders of this great institution. It focuses on European Art and is heavy on English painters like Thomas Gainsborough (you'll find his "The Blue Boy" there), Thomas Lawrence, Sir Joshua Reynolds, George Romney, and John Constable. The Scott Gallery focuses on American Art. My favorite painting there is Mary Cassatt's "Breakfast in Bed."

The Botanical Gardens are impressive in their diversity and quality. In the sprawling grounds, you'll find a Desert Garden, a Jungle Garden, a Water Lily Garden and several others. If you see all of them in one day then you are in excellent physical shape indeed!

Admission is free every first Thursday of the month.

Leave a Comment

Phone: (626)405-2100
Website: www.huntington.org

The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is located in Arcadia, near the Santa Anita Race Track. It is only a few miles east of the Huntington.

Aside from trees and plants from different parts of the world, the Arboretum also has several interesting structures. It has a Queen Anne Cottage (see picture) which is said to be the white house in "Fantasy Island" (The plane! The plane!). The Santa Anita Train Depot was also relocated there.

There's a tram that goes around the park. Admission is free every third Tuesday of the month. There are no trams on that day, however.

Leave a Comment

Phone: (626)821-3222
Website: www.lacountybotanicgarden.org

Catalina Island is an hour's ferry ride from Long Beach. San Pedro, Dana Point, and Newport Beach are other departure points for ferries servicing the island.

Avalon, Catalina Island's only city, is very picturesque. It is on a bay surrounded by hills. As your ferry approaches the city, you'll immediately notice the Casino Building (see picture). When you land, you can immediately start exploring the city on foot.

To maximize your time, however, you can take two or more tours of the island. The Avalon Scenic Tour (50 minutes) takes you around the city. The driver/guide will explain to you why there are lots of golf carts on the island. To see the interior of the island, you may take the Skyline Drive (2 hours). You'll see bisons and nice views of the countryside along the way. The Casino Tour (50 minutes) takes you inside the Casino Building. The murals, chandeliers, and other decorations are from a different, more genteel era. There is no gambling in this casino.

There are "sea-based" tours but, being a landlubber, I didn't take any of them. By the way, if you take two or more tours, you'll get a nice discount.

Catalina Island has many fine hotels. There are packages that combine ferries, tours, and hotel accommodations.

Descanso Beach is a short distance from the Casino Building. You may rent a golf cart if you have to travel longer distances.

Leave a Comment

Website: www.catalina.com

It is easy enough to get to the Rose Parade. From Union Station in Downtown L.A., take the Gold Line (light rail train) and get off at any of the following stations: Memorial Park, Lake, Allen, or Del Mar. Memorial Park is where many people get off because it is near the start of the parade route. From the Gold Line stations, walk south towards Colorado Blvd. When you find the crowd, look also for a nice vantage point. If you didn't reserve your spot by sleeping there overnight, there will probably be five to ten rows of people in front of you. The parade starts promptly at 8:00 AM.

I placed this activity under "off the beaten path" because you only have one chance in a year to do it. The Rose Parade is held every New Year's Day. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, it is held on January 2.

Leave a Comment

The San Gabriel Mission is fourth in the string of missions that stretched from San Diego to Sonoma. Settlers briefly stayed there before pushing on to establish the town of Los Angeles. It became the "Queen of Missions" because of its prosperity but subsequent secularization resulted in its decline.

Visiting the mission today is like taking a step back in time. You'll see where they made soap, candle, leather, and wine. Part of the grounds is a cemetery where residents of the mission were buried. It also has a museum where religious artifacts and old documents are displayed. The mission's church is notable for its architecture and works of art.

The mission is located at 428 South Mission Drive in San Gabriel, a city several miles east of Los Angeles. Adult admission to the museum and grounds is $5. Looking at the mission's famous exterior is free, however.

Leave a Comment

Phone: 626-457-3048
Website: www.sangabrielmission.org