Plan an excursion through our urban oasis of cultivated gardens and nearly wild, natural landscapes. Set aside a smidge of extra time for unexpected garden secrets and delights along the way!
Come to Descanso Gardens to experience, learn, and expand with an activity, class, program, or event designed to inspire.
Discover our world-class botanical and horticultural wonders and how we care for them.
Dive into a wellspring of opportunities for kids and adults to learn, observe nature, and participate in the garden.
As a non-profit public garden, we welcome you to join us in supporting our mission through membership and giving. With you, we grow in gratitude!
At Descanso Gardens we connect people with nature and one another. Read about our rich history and future plans to preserve the beauty and heritage of the gardens.
After-hours and daytime events with programs designed to connect garden visitors of all ages to nature. Join us for festivals, immersive installations, music, workshops, tours, and more.
Want to learn how to identify plants? Join Autumn Ayers, our Garden Records and Collections Manager, to learn how to recognize the plants around you on September 21 from 10–11:30am. This class is geared towards new learners. It starts with an indoor presentation covering terms and then a walk to learn some basic species found […]
Join Omar Alui for an informative talk on Descanso bird habitats and a related search for birds in the garden on Saturday, October 5. See how bird life changes in […]
Experts from the County of Los Angeles will be on hand in the Courtyard to discuss the goldspotted oak borer, an invasive insect impacting oak woodlands throughout Southern California. No reservations required. Photo © Mike Lewis
Mark your calendar for October 21! Visit Descanso Gardens on this special day for homeschools and enjoy free entry, education materials, and a great day in the gardens. Free for all students and one adult per student. Advance registration required, register here.
Join us for Intro to Nature Journaling with artist and educator Michelle Antonisse on Saturday, November 23 from 1–3pm. Learn how scientists and artists have used illustrative and descriptive journaling to explore the natural world. We will start with the history, uses, and many styles of this method. Then, we will venture outside for a […]
Mark your calendar for December 16! Visit Descanso Gardens on this special day for homeschools and enjoy free entry, education materials, and a great day in the gardens. Free for all students and one adult per student. HOMESCHOOL DAY FORM
Join Camellia Horticulturalist Arian Noorzai on a walking tour to learn about Descanso’s camellia collections and an introduction to rare and exotic camellias. Meets at Center Circle. No advance registration […]
Click here for the February 16 Camellia Walking Tour Join Camellia Horticulturalist Arian Noorzai on a walking tour to learn about Descanso’s camellia collections and an introduction to rare and […]
Please note that this walk is sold out. Join mycologist Aaron Tupac on a 90-minute guided mushroom walk in the gardens. Attendees will learn about ecology, native plants and fungi, fungi identification techniques, and best practices for mushrooming. The group will also witness a macro photography demonstration. $15 members, $20 non-members. About Aaron Tupac Aaron […]
Join Jim Fitzpatrick, the Vice President of the Southern California Camellia Society, and Arian Noorzai, Descanso Gardens’ Camellia Horticulturist, for a tour of the camellia collection. Guests are also encouraged […]
Mark your calendar for Homeschool Day! Visit Descanso Gardens on this special day for homeschools and enjoy free entry, education materials, and a great day in the gardens. Free for all students and one adult per student. Advance registration required, registration opens on February 3 at 10am.
This exhibit, assembled by the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition, tells the story of Tuna Canyon Detention Station. Located only five miles from Descanso Gardens, this former Civilian Conservation Corps camp was used during World War II to hold and process people of Japanese, German, and Italian descent who were considered “enemy aliens” by the […]
