Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive
La Canada-Flintridge, CA 91011
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Map and Driving Directions
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Park Telephone: (818) 949-4200
For Park Reservations Please Call: (818) 949-4200
Park Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Open 7 days a week (Closed December 25)
Admission
Adults $8.00
Students (with student ID) $6.00
Senior Citizens (Ages 65 years and up) $6.00
Children (Ages 5-12 years) $3.00
Members and children under 5 years are Free
Half-Price Admission on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
Free Parking
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Situated on 150 acres, this secluded, lush, dense garden northwest of Altadena features more than 1,000,000 plants, including the largest display of camellias in North America. There is also an extensive performing arts program throughout the year that includes stage and musical performances and flower and crafts shows. Walking and tram tours, horticultural lectures, workshops for children and exercise classes are also available.
Rental facilities are available for film locations, weddings, special events, corporate meetings and vendor fairs. Call (818) 949-4200 for more information.
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Park Features
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Special Events
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Easter Brunches and Egg Hunts
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April 3-4, 2010 - Seating
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Welcome the Easter season by indulging in a scrumptious buffet brunch by Patina chefs served in Descanso’s Rose Pavilion. In addition, all children under 14 years old will receive an Easter basket and get to participate in an egg hunt!
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9:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
1:30 pm
$50, $42 members, $20 children ages 4-12, free for children 3 and younger. Reservations with a credit card are required. Call Patina at (818) 790-3663. For cancellations, please call at least 48 hours in advance or a 50 percent fee will apply.
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Mount SAC Plant Sale
The Horticulture Department from Mt. SAC fills Magnolia Lawn with a wide range of indoor and outdoor varieties that may include palms, clivia, ficus, impatiens, ivy, parrot’s beak, perennials and assorted garden treasures.
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April 9- 11, 2010
Friday thru Sunday
9:00 am to 4:30pm
Friday
Free with Garden admission
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Saturday, April 17: Earth Day Celebration
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April 17, 2010
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
All Earth Day events are free with Gardens admission.
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Sing the praises of Mother Earth where the glory of spring, from sweet-smelling lilacs to magnificent roses—will be in full-bloom—and everyone is invited for a day of learning and fun!
One of nature’s most colorful creatures, the butterfly, gets her time in the sun at Descanso’s Earth Day celebration. A Butterfly Appreciation Corner on the Main Lawn from 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. includes educational demonstrations and hands-on activities for everyone to understand and appreciate the power of this pollinator!
In addition, "green" displays on the Main Lawn will feature a wide range of Earth-friendly topics including compost tea making, organic gardening, seed preservation and more.
Families will enjoy a variety of entertainment: The L.A. Puppet Guild performs shows all day beginning at 9:30 a.m. At the Under the Oaks Theater, “A Faery Hunt” takes the stage at 10:30 a.m. At 1 p.m., the rocking sounds of the Mobile Homeboys hit the main lawn stage.
Patina Catering will offer eco-friendly barbecue as well as a colorful and fresh array of local organic foods from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Limited table and chairs are available so bring blankets and folding chairs to dine among the trees.
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Botanic Bling
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April 18, 2010
9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Rose Pavillion
Free with Gardens admission.
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Held in the Rose Pavilion among the blossoms, this jewelry and accessory “trunk show” invites shoppers to browse among numerous fashion pieces, many handmade from independent vendors and craftspeople. Surprise someone with a nasturtium necklace, Echinacea earrings, a berry bracelet or a pansy pin!
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Spring Plant Sale
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April 23 and 24, 2010
Friday and Saturday
9:00 am to 4:00 pm, both days
Note: there is no Gardens’ admission fee for this sale.
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Choose from a wide variety of items, including rooted cuttings from Descanso’s rose garden, warm weather lilacs developed at Descanso, native and rare plants of all kinds. Park in the auxiliary lot for easy access to the Lake House Nursery.
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English Tea
Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Gardens’ majestic oak canopy when you attend Descanso’s English Tea Service on the Terrace of the historic Boddy House. This special event is for members only.
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April 24, 2010
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
$35.00 per person
$20.00 for children 10 and young.
Champagne is available for an additional charge. Call for reservations at (181) 790-3663
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Park Programs
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Lifestyle Classes and Lectures
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Watercolor
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March 29, 2010
6 Mondays
1:00pm - 4:00pm
$105.00 Members only
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Cooking with Tiana “Vegetarian Options”
Patina Catering’s Chief Tiana shares recipes and methods for great vegetarian fare. Learn to prepare tasty ooptions using pasta, grains and rice.
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April 8, 2010
1:00pm -4:00pm
Boddy Kitchen
$60.00 Members only
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The Birds and the Bees – Backyard Chickens and Home Beekeeping
Learn the basics in setting up a chicken coop, raising young chickens through to laying age from John Lyons. Diseases, feeding and breed selections will also be covered. Get the low down on beekeeping in an urban backyard, from setting up a beehive, installing bees, through to harvesting your first batch of honey.
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April 24, 2010
1:00pm -3:00pm
Birch
$20.00 Non Members
$16.00 Members
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Family and Children Programs
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Plant a Pizza
Children ages 6 to 10 will plant their own, take-home pizza garden. Participants will also prepare a pizza to bake at home.
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March 20, 2010
10:00 am
Ages: 6-10 years old
Nature’s Table
$12:00 per child, members only
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Toddler Treks with Acorn Bear
Adults explore nature with tots in weekly workshops that involve rotating themes, stories and crafts and a walk in the Gardens. Participants should wear sensible shoes and outdoor clothing. Sessions themes include: The Veggie Patch Fidgety Feathers, Sunflower Queen, Snug as a Bug, Hop Along the Bunny Trail and Bees Sneeze.
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April 16, 2010
6 Fridays
9:30 am and 10:30am sessions
Rose Pavilion
Ages: 2-4 years old
$65.00 per child
$45.00 additional sibling
$55.00 per child, members only
$35.00 additional sibling, members only
Reservations required.
Walk-in space not available.
To register call (818) 949-7980
Early registration is recommended.
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Classics Off the Page – Children’s Drama Workshop presented by The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum.
Students age 7-11 will learn basic plot, characters and text of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in this five-session weekly class. The last 45 minutes of the last class will be open to guest audiences to watch a student performance.
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April 24, 2010
10:00 am until 12:00 noon
Five Saturdays
Under the Oaks Theater
Students ages 7-11
$140.00
$120.00 Members
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Artists in the Garden
Children in grades three to five will explore the basic principles of art in a natural garden setting, using a variety of media.
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May 4, 2010
4:00 pm to 5:00pm
First class meets in the Courtyard
$40.00 Members,
$50.00 Non Members
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Wellness Programs
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Yoga
Certified instructors Cara Davis and Cam Hall continue their popular program with a 25-minute fitness walk followed by a 60-minute yoga session. Bring an exercise mat and a towel.
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Starting March 29
Ten weeks: Mondays, Tuesday, Wednesdays
8:30am and 5:30pm
Van de Kamp Hall
$120.00 before March 20,
$140.00 after March 20.
Members only
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Tai Chi
Instructor Laura Gloster leads the slow, precise movements of “meditation in motion.” No single classes.
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March 30 to June 1, 2010
10 Tuesdays
8:15 am Beginers
9:30am Intermediate
Rose Pavillion
$120.00 Members
$150.00 Non-Members
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Pilates
Strengthen your body’s core with special emphasis on stretching tight muscles not improving balance and posture. Bring mat and towel. No single classes.
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March 31 to June 2, 2010
10 Wednesdays
8:00 am to 9:00am
Rose Pavilion
$120.00 Members
$150.00 Non Members
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Mindfulness Meditation
Practive techniques to reduce stress, increase relaxation and imporve health and well-being.
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April 4
Six Sundays
9:00 am to 10:00 am
Minka/Japanese Garden
$72.00 Members
$88.00 Non-Members
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Horticulture Programs
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Floral Design
Learn flower arranging and designing principles for all occassions from instructor Ray Tucker. Bring scissors and gloves. A $75.00 materials fee is payable on first day of class.
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March 7 to 28, 2010
Sundays
1:00pm to 3:00pm
Sycamore Science Center
Members only
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Getting Ready to Plant
Descanso Horticulturist Rachel Young outlines the steps you’ll need to plant now for your summer vegetable and herb garden. Participants will receive a six-pack of freshly planted seeds.
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April 3, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Saturday
Nature’s Table
$12.00 members only
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A Year of Bulbs
Descanso Horticulturalist Rachel Young gives an overview of seasonal flowers and tips on how to purchase bulbs for next season.
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April 10, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Saturday
$12.00 Members only
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Flowering Trees of Spring
Learn about Descanso’s spring flowering with Descanso’s curator Wen Wang.
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May 1, 2010
11:00am
Free with Garden admission.
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A Walk Through the Roses
Walk through Descanso’s award-winning Rosarium with Justin Huff.
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May 9, 2010
Sunday
1:00pm
Center Circle
Free with Gardens admission.
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Night Walk
Docents Jim and Joanne Jackson will present a 90-minute walk in the Gardens at night. Participants must be 12 and older. Bring sturday shoes, a flashlight and a jacket.
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May 14, 2010
Friday
7:15pm
$10.00 for Members
$15.00 for Non-Members
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Concerts
No concerts scheduled
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