Article written by: Cindy Bokma
When you think of Los Angeles, you might imagine touristy places like Disneyland or Universal Studios, a leisurely bus tour of the stars homes, perhaps a stroll down busy Hollywood Blvd. Not many people would equate beautiful gardens and acres of plants with the movie capital of the world but there is a stunning 127 acre botanical garden in the Los Angeles area not to be missed.
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
The Los Angeles Arboretum is a nature wonderland and a must-see if you enjoy historic and horticultural beauty. There are over thirty different areas to explore including a Tropical Greenhouse, a Water Conservation Garden, waterfall, an herb garden, an oak grove, a rose garden and much more. This is a fantastic place to spend several hours, especially if you enjoy nature photography.
I first visited this landmark two years ago and I was surprised to see how many peacocks roamed around! They were on top of buildings, on the sidewalks, under the trees. In fact, the day I visited, they were fanning their feathers in full display and I captured numerous pictures and videos of them. During my latest visit, we didn’t see any of the brilliant exhibits of colorful feathers but there were plenty of peacocks strutting around, squawking and yelling. I got pretty close in an effort to photograph those stunning feathers.
Our adventure began at eleven in the morning when we arrived in Arcadia, a lovely town located in Los Angeles County. Parking on a Sunday morning was plentiful; we got a spot close to the entrance. Even though I have lived in California for almost eighteen years, I still can’t get enough of the soaring, skinny palm trees! These are the first things you see upon arriving at the Arboretum.
My friend and I paid our nine dollar admissions fee and were immediately greeted by greenery as far as the eye could see. The only question we had was where to start our exploration?
The massive garden, spread out over many acres, contains plant collections from all over the world, its best to start slowly and take your time. Don’t rush through the grounds but savor each spot as you walk through the Arboretum.
During my previous visit, I didn’t see the Baldwin (Queen Anne) Cottage so I wanted to be sure to visit that area and take lots of photos. The cute white house with red trim was built in 1885 and if you peer in through the windows, you will see the home completely decorated and in tact as if you strolled in during the late 1800s. The cottage sits on a lake and there are places on the porch to relax. It’s very peaceful and pleasant, the ideal place to rest if you are visiting during a day when it’s over 90 degrees like we did.
Baldwin Cottage was named after Elias Jackson Baldwin who constructed the cottage as a gift to his fourth wife, Lillie. There’s a barn, an adobe and a depot, which I saw from a distance and next time, I’ll get up close.
From the cottage, we made our way to the Mayberg Waterfall. When my friend enthusiastically announced we should climb the steps leading to where the waterfall flows from, I followed. It was a scorching day and there must have been a thousand stairs (okay, maybe a little less than that) …when will I learn to wear a hat and bring water? I was reminded of our adventure in the desert not too long ago!
When we reached the top, there were more palms and trees to feast our eyes on. Plumerias were in full bloom, but guess what? We missed it! If only we had walked further and in the opposite direction we would have seen these gorgeous pink flowers.
From the waterfall area, we took in the perennials, trees, and various plants. I had my camera out, constantly taking pictures. There is so much beauty in nature and I wanted to capture all of it! I love how the light shines through leaves and filters through the trees. I try to get as up close as I can to flowers so the camera can capture every tiny detail.
We took our time strolling down which was easier than the walk up. Hot, tired and thirsty, we stopped at the Peacock Cafe. This is a nice cafe to grab a sandwich or salad. There were hamburgers, sandwiches, French fries, soups, pre-made salads and cut up fruit along with coffee and various drinks in a refrigerator.
Because I am gluten-free, I asked what was available since everything on the menu included bread or a bun. They made me a nice stir fry of vegetables served in a corn tortilla, it was delicious. If you have a gluten allergy or celiac, ask what they can make for you.
Traveling as a person who cannot consume even a crumb of gluten is a real challenge and I have to force myself to speak up and ask questions. I hope places consider adding more gluten-free items to their menu. A person who can eat gluten can also eat gluten-free food, but someone who must eat gluten-free cannot consume any gluten.
From the Peacock Cafe, we found a path leading through cacti and other succulents native to the desert. I had a painful flashback of my previous visit, leaning too far in to take a photo and getting cactus thorns in my knee! I have fallen, gotten scraped, twisted my ankle, slipped, all from trying to get a certain shot. All I can do is laugh because its part of the adventure.
Our trip to the Arborteum was coming to an end; we were exhausted from walking over four miles in the heat.
We should know by now that planning a day trip in Southern California during the summer months requires a hat, light clothing, and multiple water bottles! The one thing I do that I recommend is wear cotton or natural fibers, and really good shoes with arch support!
Make it a point to visit the Los Angeles Arboretum, its a spectacular place!
5StarTips🌟:
🌟If you purchase a yearly admission, you also gain entry to over 270 gardens throughout the US and Canada.
🌟Free Admission Day is the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
🌟Commercial photography requires a permit. Check the Arboretum website as they offer programs and tours.
🌟Plan to spend about 3-5 hours at the Arborteum and know you will walk about four miles if you cover the whole garden.
🌟Good shoes are a must! I always bring band aids because even my most comfortable shoes can give me a blister.
Final Thoughts:
A trip to the Los Angeles Arboretum is a wonderful way to spend the day if you: love nature, enjoy viewing acres of gardens, like spending time outdoors, want to get a lot of exercise, if you are a photography buff, appreciate history, want to visit something “off the beaten path” from the typical Hollywood venues.
They are open daily from 9-5. Be sure to arrive early for a good parking spot. Also, bring water, sunglasses, sunscreen, and possibly large hat if you go during the summer time so you can stay as cool as possible on your walk around the garden.
Don’t forget your camera, if you enjoy photography there are many spots to snap some good photos of plants, flowers, and of course, the peacocks.
Other Always5Star articles by Cindy Bokma:
Always5Star Guide To Planning Day Excursions On A New England Cruise
Always5Star Guide to A Day In Los Angeles, California – Top Tips of What To See and Do
A Peaceful Escape When Visiting Los Angeles – The Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens
Always5Star Guide to a Day In Anza-Borrego, California
5StarTip🌟: A Secret Garden in Southern California – Myrtle Creek Nursery in Fallbrook, California
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A bit about the author: Cindy Bokma
Cindy Bokma grew up in New Jersey but now lives in California. Cindy is the author of
The Blondes of Bel Air, A Thousand Dollars for a Kiss and Here If You Need Me. She has also written a children’s book, Victorious Girls and has pitched television shows to networks such as Disney and Nickelodeon. She is an accomplished screenplay analyst, having worked for a popular Hollywood production company.
Order her book: Low Oxalate Cookbook – The Low-Oxalate Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook: 75 Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Yeast-Free, Low-Sugar Recipes to Help You Stress Less and Feel Better on Amazon.
Visit her also at Wild Flower and Woods And Visit her also at Cindy Bokma Books
About Pamela Rossi
I am passionate about travel and taking each moment and making it a five star experience. My goal is to create those experiences for YOU!
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