This weekend I was fortunate enough to catch the cherry blossoms at the Huntington in San Marino, CA. The delicate pink and white flowers were in full bloom, adorning the tops of the trees in the Japanese Garden. It was a warm spring morning and there was just enough wind to witness the loose pink petals blowing ethereally into the breeze like snow across the blue sky.
The Huntington’s Japanese Garden is already one of my favorites among its 16 themed botanical gardens, so getting to see the majestic and infamous cherry blossoms was an added bonus. To learn more about the Huntington’s other 15 gardens spanning across 120 acres, be sure to check out my article Huntington Botanical Gardens: An Oasis in Los Angeles. These include a Chinese garden, a jungle garden, a desert garden, and many more.
When to Visit to See the Cherry Blossoms at the Huntington in San Marino, CA
The cherry blossoms at the Huntington in San Marino, CA only appear for a couple months out of the year, and the best place to see them is in the Japanese Garden. The cherry blossom trees are sprinkled a bit sparsely throughout the garden, but there is a good grouping of 3-4 trees at the top of the hill, framing a lovely walkway, perfect for a photo spot. While the Japanese Garden and other gardens offer gorgeous views all year long, if you’re looking to plan your visit during the cherry blossom season, plan for March or April. Be sure to check the Huntington Library website ahead of time for more information, and be sure to check their Blooming Calendar. Currently during the COVID-19 pandemic, reservations are required to limit the amount of visitors each day, so be sure to do your research and plan ahead.
More About Cherry Blossoms
Considered the national flower of Japan, Cherry Blossoms, also known as Sakura or Japanese cherry, require lots of sun and only require watering in dry or summer months. There weren’t many cherry blossom trees in the United States until 1912 when Japan gave the U.S. 3,020 trees as a symbol of friendship. The gift has been replenished since then, and the trees have been used to create beautiful flowering tourist attractions all throughout the United States.
Several cities host cherry blossom festivals, but the biggest and most notorious in the U.S. is the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. Be sure to check their website for some fun new virtual experiences being offered during the pandemic. However, if you’re in the Los Angeles area, one of the best local spots to enjoy and see some cherry blossoms is at the Huntington in San Marino, CA.
More About The Japanese Garden and Cherry Blossoms at the Huntington in San Marino, CA
Complete with cherry blossoms, dreamy wisteria, a bonsai collection, and a koi pond, the Japanese Garden is sure to leave you feeling at peace. The garden has a hill of greenery and beautiful walking pathways to guide you through it all. The central point is the moon bridge, perched right over a beautiful lake.
To ensure an authentic experience, there is a Japanese house and ceremonial teahouse on the property, both created in Japan and transported to the Huntington. The teahouse was built in Kyoto in 1906, donated to the Huntington, later shipped back for an authentic restoration, and then return shipped back to the Huntington. The lengths that have been taken to upkeep these pieces of art is outstanding.
Visit The Huntington
Plan your visit now to see the cherry blossoms at the Huntington in San Marino, CA. Tickets can be purchased on the Huntington Website. This beautiful space provides a fun and relaxing experience any time of year. To read more about the Huntington and its 16 themed gardens, check out my article Huntington Botanical Gardens: An Oasis in Los Angeles.
Comments are closed.