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.
Come join our monthly walk for birders of all levels. Bring binoculars! Keep your bird count tallied on the updated and now downloadable Descanso bird checklist. No reservations required, exclusively […]
Descanso Gardens presents Days of Reverie, an exhibition at the Sturt Haaga Gallery showcasing new bodies of work by four Los Angeles-based visual artists: Catherine Ruane, Debbie Korbel, Jason Jenn, […]
Join us for songs, puppets and of course books! Great for children ages 2–7 with a caregiver. Meets at Feather Falls in the Camellia Forest, which is near the Main […]
Join us on Fridays in January as Jenny Flores, a gardener at Descanso Gardens, demonstrates rock garden raking in the Japanese Garden. Each demonstration will be followed by a Q and A. No registration required, free with admission. About Jenny Flores Jenny Flores is a plant enthusiast and current gardener at Descanso Gardens. She majored […]
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 exotic camellias. Meets at Center Circle. No advance registration required, free with admission. About Arian Noorzai Arian Noorzai is a first-generation Afghan American whose career […]
Please note that SoCal Museums Free-for-All on February 2 has been canceled Enjoy a free visit to Descanso Gardens on Sunday, February 2, as part of SoCal Museums Annual Free-for-All. Advance registration required.
Please note that all Plein Air Watercolor classes are sold out Explore the beauty of the garden with a plein air watercolor class! Instructor Pete Morris leads a relaxing and beginner-friendly class. Students will receive a class supply list in confirmation email. $25 members, $30 non-members. This program is generously funded, in part, by Perenchio […]
Come explore, play and create with us at Descanso Gardens! Families with young children (age 2-5 years old) will enjoy doing arts and crafts and nature exploration together each month. […]
Led by Descanso Gardener Andrew Fleming, this workshop will include guidance on creative writing inspired by the natural world in our gardens. Meets at Mulberry Pond. No advance registration required, free with admission or membership. This program is generously funded, in part, by Perenchio Foundation.
Come explore, play and create with us at Descanso Gardens! Families with young children (age 2-5 years old) will enjoy doing arts and crafts and nature exploration together each month. […]
Find the perfect gift for your loved ones just in time for Valentine’s Day! Enjoy a no-host bar and meet some of the area’s local artisans at Botanic Boutique, a collection of creative artists and makers. Shop from an assortment of beautifully handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, stationery, handbags & scarves, kokedama, and more. Entry to Botanic […]
Find the perfect gift for your loved ones just in time for Valentine’s Day! Enjoy a no-host bar and meet some of the area’s local artisans at Botanic Boutique, a collection of creative artists and makers. Shop from an assortment of beautifully handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, stationery, handbags & scarves, kokedama, and more. Entry to Botanic […]
Please note, this class is sold out. Explore the beauty of the garden with a plein air watercolor class! Instructor Pete Morris leads a relaxing and beginner-friendly class. Students will receive a class supply list in confirmation email. $25 members, $30 non-members. Members can register here, registration opens to non-members on January 10 at 10am. […]
Poems about different kinds of love will adorn the sides of the Rose Garden Pavilion. Guests are invited to select one as a keepsake, and are also encouraged to write their own poem to hang on the display (or take home!). Free with admission, no advance registration required. This program is generously funded, in part, […]
The Southern California Camellia Society presents a display of special, locally grown camellia blossoms. This annual show gets more spectacular every year, with eye-catching blooms of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Come see the varieties being exhibited this year! Meets in Maple near Guest Services. No advance registration required, free with admission.
Help care for Descanso Gardens and get service hours for school at this student volunteer opportunity. Instruction will be provided. All experience levels are welcome. For ages 12-15. Adult chaperones must be present. Bring gardening gloves and water. Remember to wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes. Limited space available, please RSVP. RSVP to volunteer@descansogardens.org by Saturday, […]
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 […]
Poems about different kinds of love will adorn the sides of the Rose Garden Pavilion. Guests are invited to select one as a keepsake, and are also encouraged to write their own poem to hang on the display (or take home!). Free with admission, no advance registration required. This program is generously funded, in part, […]
The Southern California Camellia Society presents a display of special, locally grown camellia blossoms. This annual show gets more spectacular every year, with eye-catching blooms of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Come see the varieties being exhibited this year! Meets in Maple near Guest Services. No advance registration required, free with admission.
Poems about different kinds of love will adorn the sides of the Rose Garden Pavilion. Guests are invited to select one as a keepsake, and are also encouraged to write their own poem to hang on the display (or take home!). Free with admission, no advance registration required. This program is generously funded, in part, […]
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 to visit the Southern California Camellia Council Display in the Birch classroom from 9am–4:30pm. Meets at Center Circle. No advance registration required, free with admission.
Enjoy the garden for free! Free Tuesday occurs on the third Tuesday of every month. Advance tickets are required and are released on the first day of the month at 10am. Tickets are not available at the door, and must be reserved in advance on our website. Click here for Free Tuesday ticketing information. Please […]
Please note that this class is sold out. Explore the beauty of the garden with a plein air watercolor class! Instructor Pete Morris leads a relaxing and beginner-friendly class. Students will receive a class supply list in confirmation email. $25 members, $30 non-members. This program is generously funded, in part, by Perenchio Foundation. About Pete […]
Get hands-on gardening experience and help care for Descanso at this volunteer opportunity. Instruction will be provided. All experience levels are welcome. Ages 16 or older. Must be able to lift, bend and stand for long periods of time. Moderate to heavy lifting involved. Bring gardening gloves and water. Remember to wear comfortable clothing and […]
Los Angeles-area poets will gather in the Rose Garden to read their own works, celebrating nature and the beautiful environments that make up Los Angeles. Free with admission, no advance registration required.
Come join our monthly walk for birders of all levels. Bring binoculars! Keep your bird count tallied on the updated and now downloadable Descanso bird checklist. No reservations required, exclusively for Descanso Gardens members.
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.
Join us for songs, puppets and of course books! Great for children ages 2–7 with a caregiver. Meets at Feather Falls in the Camellia Forest, which is near the Main Lawn. No registration required, free with admission or membership.
Interested in volunteering at Descanso? Information sessions for new volunteers will be held over Zoom and will describe Descanso’s history, mission, volunteer program, current opportunities, and how to complete the application process. Please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form to receive a Zoom invitation.
Please note that this class is sold out Explore the beauty of the garden with a plein air watercolor class! Instructor Pete Morris leads a relaxing and beginner-friendly class. Students will receive a class supply list in confirmation email. $25 members, $30 non-members. This program is generously funded, in part, by Perenchio Foundation. About Pete […]
Don't miss the opening reception of Daphne’s Wardrobe–Metamorphosis Into Nature at the Sturt Haaga Gallery. Meet the artists and the Curator Carole Ann Klonarides, and enjoy a no-host bar and live music. Daphne’s Wardrobe draws on mythologic and folklore narratives to examine themes of metamorphosis, revealing humanity’s deep connection to the natural world. Opening reception and garden […]
Interested in volunteering at Descanso? Information sessions for new volunteers will be held over Zoom and will describe Descanso’s history, mission, volunteer program, current opportunities, and how to complete the application process. Please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form to receive a Zoom invitation.
Descanso Gardens presents Daphne’s Wardrobe—Metamorphosis into Nature, an interdisciplinary exhibition of artworks by women who explore transformations of the body into nature. Curated by Carole Ann Klonarides, the exhibition features wearable garments, photography, sculpture, painting, and works on paper. Daphne’s Wardrobe—Metamorphosis into Nature is open at the Sturt Haaga Gallery and Boddy House from March […]
See the Daphne’s Wardrobe exhibit through new eyes as curator Carole Ann Klonarides, accompanied by exhibiting artist Phyllis Green, conducts a tour of the exhibition. Speakers will share inspiration, methodology, and meaning behind the mythology and folklore explored in the exhibition, revealing humanity’s deep connection to the natural world. Included in the price of admission […]
See the Daphne’s Wardrobe exhibit through new eyes as curator Carole Ann Klonarides, accompanied by exhibiting artist Phyllis Green, conducts a tour of the exhibition. Speakers will share inspiration, methodology, and meaning behind the mythology and folklore explored in the exhibition, revealing humanity’s deep connection to the natural world. Included in the price of admission […]
