I have been to Descanso Gardens like 25 years ago with then family members. Since then, I haven't gone there until yesterday morning around 10am. One can't just spend time here in an hour. They have so much going on that you honestly can't see in a day, even if you try. I was there for a good 3.5 hours and still didn't get to see everything. I packed myself two sandwiches and bottled water, and decided to go and be in the arms of nature. I am so glad that I did. It was AMAZING in every way. Flowers blossom year round, but is more beautiful during Spring time. There is so much to see and every corner is peaceful, beautiful, and relaxing. Love it! Did like 15 minutes of hiking, before it was time to eat. This garden was established back in 1953. They have trails, benches, a gift shop, and a restaurant. Since I had my own lunch, didn't need to eat at their eatery. They also have a snack shop near the entrance that sells snacks/beverages. Admission is $18.00 for adults. Not sure for kids and seniors. Didn't buy anything from anywhere. Ate my own lunch and drank my water. The landscape is huge and the meadows were kept well maintained. If you do a lot of walking, then you need to chill for at least 15 minutes, recharge your own batteries and start moving again. It was a nice way to clear my head. From where I was standing, I saw this cute, small house decorated with lots of pumpkins. Some of the gardens that they have are: a Rose garden, Japanese garden, huge section for festival camellias, native oak trees (that's always beautiful to look at). They also have indoor and outdoor venues that you can hold events such as weddings, meetings, and corporate events. It was a nice way to start my day. I highly recommend Descaneso Gardens to anyone who loves zen, nature tranquility and more. Great place to go on a date, solo, with family and friends. Plenty of parking spaces free of charge! read more

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We visited Descanso Gardens' Carved Halloween experience as a surprise for my son's birthday, and it was a lovely family outing! Everything was cute, festive, and family-friendly, especially for kids. There are plenty of fun spots to take pictures and enjoy the Halloween decorations. We were able to see everything in about an hour and a half. The experience is on the smaller side, and you can see the map in my photos to get an idea of the layout. I paid $29 per ticket on a Tuesday, which felt reasonable. However, weekend tickets are around $50, and personally, I think that's a little too expensive for the size of the experience and what you get to see. Overall, it's a cute Halloween activity for families with kids, especially if you enjoy taking pictures and getting into the Halloween spirit! read more

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Overall, the gardens are beautiful, but I left feeling a little disappointed with the overall experience. I understand charging an admission fee, but it's hard to justify when many of the flowers and plants didn't appear to be very well maintained. On top of that, several areas and gardens were closed off due to private events, which meant we couldn't fully enjoy everything that was included with admission. I was also surprised that the train ride required an additional fee, especially since the ride itself lasted only about two minutes. Between the entry fee, limited access to parts of the property, and extra charges for attractions inside, the experience didn't quite feel like a good value. I hope this feedback is taken constructively because the gardens have a lot of potential. Better maintenance, ensuring guests have access to the advertised areas, or adjusting pricing when sections are unavailable would make for a much better visitor experience. read more

Overall a nice botanical gardens. I've now been to both the Halloween and the holiday lights special events, and the Halloween one leaves a bit to be desired. The price for these special events is over the top, in my opinion, and they can be very crowded. Parking is rough for these events but otherwise not a problem in their free lot. The gardens are lovely for spending a regular day, though much walking is required. The tree groves and the Japanese garden are my favorites. It's very relaxing. Try to go when things are in bloom! The gift shop is nice, and they sell lots of live plants and garden supplies. The attached restaurant is cool too. Very family friendly. I'd definitely say check it out. read more

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We went to carved with a reservation at 8 PM for decansos gardens halloween night event. The tickets were $20 for adults (as members) and my infant was free. Parking was extremely packed which was suprising for a monday night, but we got lucky. They also offer free valet for members. They had different themed sections, I believe 10 total. They had some food stand and drink stands (including alcohol) at section 3. We got the pretzel churros with dulce de leche ($7) and it was a nice lil snack for the walk. My baby is 11 months old was entertained for the most part my the lights which was nice! read more

Descanso Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - La Canada Flintridge, California

I got to visit today, for the first time in many, many years. My friends and I had a great day. Though it was hot, we were able to catch some shady spots throughout our visit and a few nice breezes. It was great to have my baby along as well, for the very first time. We brought food and enjoyed picnicking at the tables just outside the garden. I would highly recommend. Because it is summer, there was not a ton in bloom, but the bits that were, were quite lovely. As my child gets older, I hope to get a pass here, so we can stop in from time to time, and hopefully ride the cute train! read more

Descanso Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - La Canada Flintridge, California

WILDLIFE CAN BE SEEN HERE ======================= I love Descanso Gardens and being able to enter at 8:00 a.m. as a member. The dual membership where you can take a guest is about $85 I think. Check their website. Saw a Black Bear this morning, May 22, 2026. Staff was herding it away from the duck cabin with an air horn. I snapped at video of the bear. Turn the sound down. Love all the birds, flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, the Great Horned Owl family, the Jones Coffee Trailer, the Gift Store and more. read more

A nice place to take a long stroll and look at nature. They offer a wide variety of plants, trees, artwork and some water features. I would highly recommend that you go on a day when the weather is moderate and that you wear comfortable shoes. There are some cool ponds with Koi fish. Parking is free and there is a lot of it. There is also a restaurant called the Farmhouse on the property which had some pretty tasty food in a nice setting. read more

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Surrounded by mountains, Descanso Gardens is a botanical garden, living museum, and urban oasis. There are multiple paths and trails you can take when exploring these gardens. Tickets are currently $18 per adult and $8 per child, which can be either purchased online in advance or in person at the entrance. Members get free admission. My husband and I enjoyed a nice stroll through all of the open gardens, spending a few hours total here. It was really nice to see the large collection of camellias and the historic landscapes. I suggest paying attention to the bloom calendar to see what flowers are blooming. Many flowers like cherry blossoms, irises, and lilacs are in full bloom in March, making spring a very popular time to visit. Roses are in full bloom from April through October, with 5 acres devoted to the rose garden. Regardless of which season you visit during, you can always get lots of beautiful pictures at this place all year long. My husband and I took plenty of nice photos throughout the various gardens while admiring the beauty of nature. It was definitely a good thing that we visited on a weekday, so the gardens were not crowded whatsoever. read more

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Came here with the hubby to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday. The celebration was held at the old house in the hill, it's a great setting for special events and intimate weddings. It's a compact garden but it's a nice little refuge from the city. Nice and easy walking paths. read more

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This is one of the most unique gardens I've been to and for good reason. For general admission, it was $18 per person, was able to take my wife here for a scenic walk. As we both love walking/hiking, this garden was the perfect spot to visit. Parking is free which is a nice sight to see. I recommend buying tickets online before visiting to avoid waiting in line to get in. It can get busy at times because of how popular the garden is. We visited during winter season so some of the flowers/plants weren't in season. Regardless of that fact, the route and trails were still very pretty. There's a map which I recommend taking a picture of to keep track of where you're. There are some parts of the garden where it's quite a steep incline, recommended to wear proper shoes to avoid any injuries. Each part of the garden is designated to a specific theme and they overlap pretty well. Tons of pretty and colorful flowers all around. Most popular is of course, the rose garden, very much a perfect spot for beautiful photos. During the holidays, Descanso has holiday lights, which my wife and I are very interested in as we missed out this year. Will definitely be back to check that out and to see other flowers when it's in season. read more

I love visiting Descanso Gardens -- this is not our first time here, and we keep coming back again and again. The gardens are beautiful in every season. Right now, roses and poppies are in bloom, and there are still a few camellias left. Lilacs, magnolias, tulips, and mimosa have already finished blooming, but there's still plenty to enjoy and see. One of the great things is that you can visit for free with an EBT card -- just show it at the entrance, which makes this place more accessible for families . There is a large free parking lot, which is very convenient. Inside, you'll also find a few cozy coffee spots and a nice gift shop. It's a perfect place for a peaceful walk, to relax, and to enjoy nature. Highly recommend! read more

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I still enjoy this place but it seems like more people are starting to as well. It can get busy on Saturdays - so we try to get there early to enjoy the peace and quiet The art exhibits they have right now are super cool and I recommend walking to the top to see those I love walking through the tall trees and just finding a spot to observe nature. When the area by the train and rose garden get noisy this is a nice tranquil spot read more

Descanso Gardens - Poppies - Botanical Gardens Near Me - La Canada Flintridge, California

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Descanso Gardens is an absolute must-visit. This stunning botanical garden offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature, with expansive grounds and numerous scenic trails that make it easy to explore without ever feeling crowded. My main goal for this visit was to see the cherry blossoms, and luckily I made it just in time. The blooms were breathtaking and created such a serene atmosphere throughout the garden. Unfortunately, I just missed tulip season, but Descanso rotates seasonal horticultural displays, so there's always something beautiful to see no matter when you visit. Beyond the gardens themselves, there's also a museum on the grounds, adding another layer to the experience and making it easy to spend a few relaxing hours here. I highly recommend purchasing tickets online--it's quick and easy. Admission is also very reasonable at just $18 for adults, which feels like a great value for such a well-maintained and expansive space. If I lived locally, becoming a member would absolutely be worth it. A couple of tips: wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water, as you'll likely want to spend plenty of time wandering the trails and soaking in the scenery. read more

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It was my first time visiting Descanso Gardens, and I had a wonderful time looking at all the flowers and greenery. An adult ticket cost $18; it was convenient to purchase online. I arrived when they opened at 9 am and had an easy time finding parking. Thankfully, it didn't feel crowded during my entire visit of around three hours. Near the entrance, I first visited the Japanese Garden and saw Akebono cherry blossoms. These usually have a pale pink color that fades to white. They mostly looked white when I visited. Interestingly, there were a few vibrant roses that were a little hidden in this area. It was ideal as I wasn't in the way of others while taking pictures. Next, I made my way to the Lilac Garden. These exist at Descanso because a plant researcher by the name of Walter Lammerts hybridized lilacs to grow in California's warm climate. The "White Lace" lilacs were one of the most fragrant that day. After smelling the lilacs, I took a slightly steep path to the Hilltop Gardens. There were stairs that led to a dirt path with an expansive view of the San Gabriel Mountains. I then headed down to the Camellia Forest. Descanso contains the largest camellia collection in North America. I walked along lengthy pathways of evergreen shrubs blooming with many pink camellias. The walkways were also lined with bushes of blooming clivia: vibrantly orange lilies. I then visited other areas and got to see owls and a turtle. Back toward the main entrance, I saw the model train area with its elevated bridges and railway system. I've never seen garden-scale model locomotives, so it was a serendipitous moment taking pictures and admiring the area. Finally, I walked over to the Rose Garden. With an area of five acres holding 1,600 colorful roses, there was so much to see. One rose, the Baronne de Rothschild, was especially large. Overall, Descanso Gardens has an amazing collection of flowers and greenery. I could see myself visiting next year to see different types of blooming flowers. It was worth the admission cost to explore the gardens and take as much photos as I could on my camera. Going during the morning on a weekend was ideal even during the spring when I expected a peak attendance. read more

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This place is magical! There are so many gardens to explore. I have two young children that love to walk around and see different varieties of flowers. We love to be on the lookout for unique flowers. The staff is so friendly and helpful! We've been coming here for 7 years and really enjoy how peaceful and beautiful everything is. If you have a chance to visit Enchanted Forest or Carved, they're amazing! We go with the family each year to one or the other. Sometimes both. They have yummy snacks, adult and children's beverages. It makes for a magical night to help welcome the fall or Christmas season. read more

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I've only ever been to Descanso Gardens at night for the Enchanted Forest of Light, so this was my first daytime visit, and honestly... where has this version been all my life? It was such a beautiful place to spend the day. That said, I did show up at a slightly tragic time thanks to the recent heatwaves. I just missed peak tulip bloom (still not over it), and a lot of the lilacs were looking a little... crispy. The Sun said "not this year," apparently. But even with that, what was in bloom was still really pretty. The camellia forest completely stole the show for me. I think I have a new favorite tree now? The rose garden was also lovely, and we basically turned the whole visit into a little scavenger hunt trying to find anything still blooming. It ended up being such a fun, whimsical way to celebrate my 37th birthday, even if the flowers didn't fully cooperate. I'll absolutely be back next year... and I'm coming for those tulips at their peak this time read more

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Descanso Gardens is a great place to spend a beautiful day out in nature. The price is reasonable and there's a discount for children and seniors. The gardens are quite large but manageable so you can see everything without spending too much time. The Japanese garden was our favorite area. The 12k sf Boddy House is interesting to visit as well. Currently there's an exhibit on "therolinguistics", which is the science of non-human languages of plants and animals. I never knew such a thing existed. We went to see the cherry blossoms which were supposed to be in full bloom, but we were a little late for the peak. Nevertheless we saw some beautiful remnants, as well as tulips and many other varietals. There's a nice gift shop and a farm to table restaurant on site. read more

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First time here and I have to say I was a little underwhelmed. The grounds are nice, but a bit smaller than what I was expecting. We came on a crisp, cool day, so it was very cold at first, but it was nice because being surrounded by all the trees made the air feel extra clean and mountain-y. The staff I interacted with were all nice and the gift shop has some cute and unique items. There is a cafe with outdoor seating, and they sell beer and wine as well. A nice place to check out, but I preferred the botanical garden. read more

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A beautiful, manicured, serene and grand piece of land that showcase nature in its splendor. Love the location. Love views. Always an enchanting experience. read more

Visited Descanso Gardens on Valentine's Day - it was a beautiful day during peak camellia season so thankfully got to see many of them bloom! The rose garden of course was fairly barren since it's winter, but considering the size of the camellia forests I'd say it's definitely worth your time to check it out in the winter. We saw a lot of families with little ones (they had a kids activity station and a cute mini train that winds around the garden). Their nursery and gift shop had a lot of cute/neat stuff and is located outside the entrance to the garden. Also appreciated how many trash cans there are to dissuade littering. We saw a small variety of creatures as well (squirrels, geese, ducks, lizards, spiders). read more

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I would not recommend the Carved event. I woke up feeling ill and proactively contacted customer service to ask if I could reschedule for another day rather than risk spreading an illness to other attendees and their families. I was told that rescheduling was not an option. It's incredibly disappointing that a company would rather enforce a rigid policy than show a little understanding toward someone trying to do the responsible thing. Since customer service left me with no reasonable alternative, I guess I'll show up sick and risk exposing everyone else. Hopefully, they reconsider how they handle situations like this in the future. Trying to protect others shouldn't be penalized. read more

Descanso Gardens is a 100-acre, year-round botanical garden, known for its extensive oak woodlands, camellia collection, and seasonal blooms like March tulips. It's a peaceful, picturesque place for walking and nature enthusiasts. It's the largest collection of camellias in the western hemisphere. It also has a curated rose garden and native oak forests. It offers a 1.5 hour, low-energy walking experience, the "Sturt Haaga Gallery", a Japanese Tea House, and a mini-train ride for children. March/April is the best time to visit for the superbloom. Popular events include the fall carved pumpkin event and the winter enchanted light show. We came here on Saturday for the newly opened restaurant for brunch and took a relaxing nature stroll in the afternoon in the garden. It's a very beautiful garden. Definitely will be back for the superbloom! read more

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La Canada, CA We absolutely loved our visit here. We visited on an afternoon where it had been raining pretty decently for the last day or so. Visiting the garden when there was a slight reprieve from the rain was unbelievable. Moisture and condensation was still on the leaves of the plants and we were totally surprised by the Ancient Forest which is a mixture of oaks, redwood trees and ferns, absolutely breathtaking. We did a loop around the property in about an hour and we met some really nice folks on our walk. It was wonderful to visit on a day when it was not crowded it was actually rather quiet and peaceful. To hear the birds in the forest and enjoy the brisk clean air, it was really quite lovely. We took a quick peek into their nursery and gift shop. This place is so much nicer than I remember it from years ago. We have visited larger and botanical gardens with a larger variety of plant species although our experience here on this particular day is what garnered the five stars. Nevertheless, we will definitely return! read more

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I stopped by here for a quick visit with my one-year-old in May 2025, thinking it was a large, open entry park we could stroll around for 15 minutes or so. When I saw the ticketing counter upon entry, I realized it was actually a full-on botanical garden! The lady at the counter was super kind and happy to provide tons of information about the gardens. We were short on time, so it wouldn't have made sense to purchase admission, but this place is most definitely on my bucket list! Even though we didn't get to go in this time, the 5 stars was for how amazing customer service was from the kind and patient lady at the counter as well as how beautiful even just the blossoms and trees in the parking lot were! Can't wait to set aside a day visit here in the future, hopefully next spring! read more

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Descanso Gardens is a local treasure. We became members and we walk there on a very regular basis. In the hot months we'd go right at 8 am (members get to enter an hour before it opens to the public) to beat the heat. The ancient grove is a fav spot. The air is different and a prehistoric feel envelops you. Strolling through the rose gardens is always a treat both visually and aromatically. The historically significant camellia collection is stunning as well. There is a treat awaiting you if you've never been, and if it's been a while, I recommend a visit read more

Descanso Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - La Canada Flintridge, California

First time visiting. The place was decorated for the running "carved" event. The displays for the day of the dead, the pumpkin carvings and everything relative were welcoming to family outings. The museum about boddy was interesting and the other museum had Japanese works of art. My only complaint was that there was a spider web with a tiny dead spider over one of the displays and there were webs with spiders outside on the windows too. Wish they'd read more

After dinner at the Farmhouse, we decided to check out the Enchanted Forest of Light. This holiday event transforms the gardens into a different realm of magic, mystery, and glowing lights. This was my first time visiting the gardens, so I don't know what they look like during the day. Honestly, if it weren't for already being at Descanso Gardens for dinner, I probably wouldn't have spent the money for the Enchanted Forest of Lights. It felt more geared toward adults with children running around and enjoying the space. It wasn't really my thing, but since we were already there, we figured why not. I did appreciate that they offered sweets, hot drinks, wine, and beer for purchase throughout the garden. I tried the "spiked" hot chocolate, but there was nothing spiked about it. My husband and I didn't stay long--we walked through, took some photos and videos, and then made our way to the exit. Things to note: * Dress warmly--it gets very chilly * Expect lots of kids running around and kicking up dirt * Tickets are non-refundable, have timed entry, and must be purchased in advance read more

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Descanso Gardens are a treasure. Give yourself about 1-1.5 hours to take it all in. You will probably go back multiple times, different seasons for different blooms. Parking lot is large. (Non members) Check online for their free days for the following month, note: spots fill up fast. Plenty of shade all around. Only slightly steep incline is up to the Boddy house. Definitely check out the Lilac Garden in Spring. The Camellia Garden is beautiful as well. The Tea House, red bridge and koi pond are a must see. March superbloom is gorgeous especially the tulips Check the Gardens social media for current blooms. Whenever there I ask Garden team members for their favourite spot. *I had to add all of my many other photos to Descanso page, not in this review. read more

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Came here with my daughter and this place is amazing has beautiful rose gardens and places you can walk and feels like so relaxing. It's my first time here with my daughter , we enjoyed it very much. It's very quite place a lot of trees plenty of shade place as well. It's $18.00 to get in. read more

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When family members who live in town come to visit in the fall, there's no other place to go other than to a beautiful garden. Descanso Gardens were the perfect outing and although there weren't as many blooms as one would see in the spring, nonetheless it was amazing. We wandered around the grounds admiring just how lovely the gardens always are. Reservation are suggested with ample parking. read more

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A lovely hidden gem, especially in February when the extensive camelias are in bloom, as well as the tulips. There are plenty of wide trails, a cute train area, an upscale restaurant and a plant store. Its a pleasant forested oasis just off the 210. read more

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We've been coming here for years and it never disappoints. The lush natural beauty is calming and there's rarely a big crowd. The rose garden is breathtaking in Spring, the many paths wind around under canopies of oaks and other foliage. The train is a joy for kids to ride. It's home to one of the oldest oaks in California. Plus it's a good spot for weddings. Pair the tour of the grounds with a meal at the Farmhouse and you've got a memorable outing! read more

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A wonderful spot to wander about and have a nice lunch under the trees. Descanso Gardens grew from a private estate to a lovely botanical garden. Still has one of the largest collections of Camellias anywhere. Also, a large rose garden, Japanese Garden, oak woodlands, and a tiny gauge rail line to ride around on. read more

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Ate at the Farmhouse and loved it and then went in and walked all around the rose gardens and saw the train too. So fun and flowers were blooming everywhere. Made my friend and me and my mom very happy. Thank you to all who work there. We come about 5 times a year and love it! I miss the summer music though. read more

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Came here with a member, so it was free. We came on a weekday so it was not crowded at all. It was a lovely stroll. The flowers are so beautiful, and the environment is serene and tranquil. We saw a lot of wildlife, from parrots, to cayotes, and herons. Beautiful place to reconnect with nature. read more

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Absolutely amazing gardens. So much to see. Japanese gardens, rose gardens, forests.lovely walks and so peaceful read more

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Beautiful. Hard to believe you're in the LA area. We went on a Monday afternoon, busy, but not too crowded. We spoke with a landscape staffer (tending plants) and he shared with us that Descanso Gardens is not a park as so many people think but rather a bontanical garden. As we walked around, our eyes, when gazing down, or around or upward, were greeted with beautiful sights and color. The themed areas, Rose, Japanese, Lilac, Camellia Gardens were particularly inviting. The Descanso website will mention current events and what is in bloom. The restaurant is convenient for a relaxing meal or snack. We may return for their night event "Enchanted Forest of Light" later in the year. read more

Descanso Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - La Canada Flintridge, California

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It's beautiful serene calm and feel so zen on a walk there! Great restaurant as well on the premises!

Honestly come here during spring, it'll probably have more flowers. Its a nice area, you can see the mountain range in the back. Plenty of parking, but limited shaded parking. The area inside is big (restaraunt / gift shop). However, the garden was smaller than expected. In the summer it was mostly trees and dried up prairie land, I was surprised to have walked the whole thing when we expected half. The lake kinda dried up and is full of some green algae. There is a really pretty spot in front with a miniature train track and flower garden (roses), but that was pretty much the only place with plants this season. The staff are nice and overall vibes are chill, not much people. It can get quite sunny (around a fourth to a half is not shaded, sort of like hiking in socal) so bring a hat. They do have water bottle filling stations in the front the merch kinda needs redesign. The dragonflies are red and really pretty. Overall seems to just be an off season right now! read more

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