I love visiting Descanso Gardens -- this is not our first time here, and we keep coming back again…read moreand 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!

A nice place to take a long stroll and look at nature…read more 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.

A hidden gem in Glendale you'll definitely want to save…read more Brand Park is such a peaceful and beautiful place, perfect if you want a quiet break from the busy city. The park is quite spacious, with scenic trails, lots of greenery, and lovely picnic spots. There's also plenty of free parking, which makes it super convenient. One of the highlights is the stunning Brand Library & Art Center. The building itself is -- with unique architecture that really stands out. It feels more like visiting a museum than a regular library. You can easily spend a few hours here just walking around, enjoying the views, and exploring the area. Highly recommend for a calm, relaxing day in nature

Brand Park is a cute little spot in Glendale, though it's definitely on the smaller side (for me) ~…read moreI couldn't quite hit my 6,000 steps here. Still, it has a lot to offer for all ages. The Japanese Friendship Garden is a peaceful highlight, with a beautiful koi pond and well-kept landscaping. It usually opens around 10 AM, so plan accordingly. There's a small playground for kids and a few picnic tables around, which makes it family~ friendly. The library on-site hosts events sometimes, and the big staircase in front is perfect for photos. Parking inside is pretty limited, but there's usually plenty of street parking nearby if you don't mind a bit of a walk.

It would be hard to express all that is wonderful about this place, there's just too much to…read moremention. The best host and location we've ever had the pleasure of being a part of. Our Bulldogs didn't want to leave and neither did we. Don't miss this one if you have the option... Georgia is a person of magic and nothing but a giver. We may have found the most amazing VRBO but the true gift of the trip was meeting and being hosted by such a special human. She's also incredibly logical, level headed and generous as hell as a host. She's the best yet.

We were looking for a unique venue for our November wedding. We knew we wanted it to be outdoors…read moreand a place for both a reception and the ceremony so that our guests wouldn't have to travel between the two. The Enchanted Manor was the first place we looked at and we both felt that it was the right fit. Georgia has created a little oasis in her back yard that we felt fit our vibe - lowkey, but classy. We had booked originally for approximately 60 guests, however once all the pieces fell into place we were closer to 50. Unfortunately our guest count dropped below 50 just after our window to let Georgia know, but she was kind enough to offer us the price difference. We applied that balance towards renting some heaters and lighting the fire pits as the weather got colder than anticipated, as well as to handling the trash. (Pay attention to the contract, you are responsible for removing trash or there is a fee.) One thing I didn't realize before booking was that there is space for a kitchen, but it needs to be built out for your event, so make sure you consider that into any costs. Georgia was really helpful and responsive to all of our questions (we had so many) and anything that we couldn't do she had very reasonable reasons. (For example, at one point I thought I'd like confetti, but she explained why she doesn't allow that on her property which made total sense!) The weeks before I became worried that there wasn't enough decor, so we bought some items that we ended up returning. Once the rentals arrived, combined with the lighting, everything was beautiful as it was. Though there is excellent lighting, I would recommend watching your step as we did have a few tripping incidents (that were not alcohol fueled in some cases) as the ground changed. It was more due to the way things were spaced and we'd have to make sure to look down as we stepped around things, but we managed to survive. We've started to see some photos and everything looked beautiful; it was a romantic but relaxed vibe which was just what we wanted. I worried it wouldn't feel like a wedding, but it did. Georgia was a gracious host, our guests enjoyed her home (we made sure to tell them that they could rent it as well for an overnight getaway) and we can't wait to start reading her book. She gave us the sweetest compliment after, saying how kind our guests were and how that spoke to who my husband and I were as well. We stayed in touch after the wedding and I hope we meet again in the future for events or just a dinner to hear of her adventures! PS - her cats were big hits all around, too!

A very cute and cozy park tucked away in a residential area. We were driving in the area for work…read morewhen we spotted this park. We parked and walked through the park and learned about the history of the place. It's all dated back to 1847. There was a huge oak tree planted here which died in 1987 and was cut down. The Oak of Peace played an important role in the history of California. it's a historic spot to be at it feels very serene here beautiful trees and plants all around picnic tables and restrooms available I also learned that you can rent it out and do private parties here. How nice would that be, specially kids birthday parties where they can be in nature, explore and run around. Very lovely find.

Small park, trees, no grass, and old building with history. residential houses all around.read more

Miguel and his team are seriously the best -- I worked with them on a large project involving tree…read moreremoval, tree bracing, landscaping, serious weeding (months of overgrowth from last residents), mulching, gutters, trimming fully grown palm trees requiring harnesses etc, sprinkler/irrigation system planning and repair, hauling, hardscaping, planting and more I don't have the words for how awesome they are -- I feel like I have a brand new front, back and side yard and my place finally feels like a home and manageable with their expertise, wisdom and experience. THANK YOU! Appreciate the time, effort and incredible value they bring as a team -- every dollar was hard-earned by them and money well-spent. Miguel came to give estimate and walk through strategy, plan, timing to make sure we were aligned from the beginning -- and he made sure he and team could meet timeline I needed given some constraints on my side. He and his team are a true pleasure to partner and do business with, insightful and kind and deeply knowledgeable. I was really impressed and humbled by how much they can do in such a short time, all the more amazing given how high-quality and comprehensive their work is. I am so grateful to Miguel and his team and can't wait to work with them again, hope to work together going forward.

He and his crew did a fantastic job. I highly recommend Miguel. He was on time and did exactly what…read morewe spoke about. Hire him, you won't be sorry!

Shakespeare wasn't wrong. Smells just as sweet. But roses are way more fun by other names…read more Come to Wrigley Gardens and gaze at the elegant 'Hollywood Star'. Enjoy the lovely 'Crowd Pleaser'. Be astounded by the vigorous red of 'Let Freedom Ring'. Discover that 'Sunnyside Up' is not just a breakfast item. The garden is free and open daily to the public. It sits fittingly on the grounds of Wrigley Mansion, headquarters to the Tournament of Roses. The garden, though not particularly large, is home to dozens of rose varieties. The individual flowers are brilliant in color and superb in form. You might be caught of guard at how long you can get lost in each bloom.

What a lovely rose garden and I especially love how the roses are labeled so you can identify which…read moreones are which. It's quite a peaceful garden and a lovely stroll with adequate parking.

My mom and I took my kids to see the Christmas markets in France this past December. It was a…read morebucket list trip for my mom, and while my boys had a great time, the travel was complicated and arduous, mostly because of my wild three-year-old Wade B. A couple weeks later, my husband and I took the boys to the Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens. They had an absolute blast, and my five-year-old Leo B. declared, with utmost sincerity, "I think this is the nicest place I've ever been." Matt B. and I had been once before, almost a decade ago, with our friends Caroline Y. and Scott S., when we were all young and childless. We came back together, this time with five kids, and as much as I enjoyed it back in the day, I found it even more compelling this second time around. The magic was amplified ten times by the presence of my sons, who absolutely loved all the beautiful, colorful lights. I did buy them shitty Christmas light necklaces, one of which broke almost immediately, causing considerable strife. The alternative, of course, was to deny Wade his request before even entering the garden, where he would badger me every time he saw another child with the necklace. I was not surprised to see that most of the children seemed to have them, every parent having made the same calculation on their way in. Smart and evil of Descanso Gardens to put that vendor right by the entrance. I'm guessing Enchanted is their big revenue generator for the year, and this is a McKinseyish way to maximize. The kids oohed and aahed at every exhibit, marveling at all the colors and lights. We oohed and aahed right with them, and had the additional pleasure of watching them play and interact with the elaborate, immersive displays. They loved the tulip fields, the model trains, the stained glass houses, the trees and music and light. There was also a large platform that served as a dance floor for small children, who partied to the ambient music. Wade was especially taken with this stage, and the one part of the night that did not go well was when I yanked him away so we could see the rest of the installations. It was cold and the kids were up way past their bedtimes, but we all had a blast at the Enchanted Forest. When pressed, Leo admitted that Paris was in fact as nice as Descanso Gardens, but the point was made. Come Christmas, we can take the boys to France or we can just drive to La Cañada and buy a few tickets that support a wonderful botanical garden. We might even manage the latter every year.

Wow! What an unexpectedly cool experience!…read more Pro tips: 1. Bring whatever you like to keep you very warm in weather that seems cool normally but in the woods is icy cold. It was 51 and according to the weather app felt like 47 but I'm here to tell you it was COLD COLD more like 32 imho and head, hands, neck and feet coverage is a must so you can enjoy it. Suggest a warm beanie, gloves, and a down type jacket. Definitely jeans or long pants. I grabbed a blanket from my car to wear! 2. It's an easy walk, but for those with wheelchairs or canes or walkers it can be bumpy and some areas are a bit tricky. Also given all the rain, it can be dirty dusty muddy so wear shoes you don't care about. 3. Bring your best camera bc the photo ops both with people and without are plentiful. Make sure everything is charged as there's no common area to charge things easily. I'm sure you can try the restaurant or store in case of emergencies. Or go back to your car. 4. Be prepared to walk a very slow mile. Lots to see and photograph. Took me about 1:15 and I took my time. You can definitely do this much faster if solo and not easily amused or maybe not big on pics. And you can take a lot longer if you like detail and creativity amidst a natural space. 5. It's dark despite tons of lighting so be wise when walking. 6. Parking is free and easy. Just follow the signs or people. There is a walk to the line from the car. Lots of walking in general. 7. Our park reservations were for 6pm. I arrived around 6:10 and the line took about 20 mins. Was done by 7:40. 8. Cute shopping at the beginning before entering an next to the line to get in. It is an outdoor nursery type shop and two small indoor Knick knack type stores. Prices are typical tourist type prices. Also next to it is a coffee and pastry stand but you have to go first and then get in line or get out of line if you have people to hold your place as there's a line to get goodies. 9. Farmhouse is a restaurant on site. Checkout their Yelp. Make reservations as they book up fast. Good for groups. Food imo is average. Standouts were the beet salad, French fries, short rib appetizer, salmon and halibut. They use minimal seasoning at this place so if your health requires less sodium you're good! Get the pan fried crispy skin salmon lol. 10. If you're trying to cut costs there's an El Pollo Loco right as you exit the freeway coming here and before going up the hill to the park. 11. Great holiday thing to do with a large group. Entertainment for most everyone. If you're an outdoorsy, artsy, creative loving, enjoy exercise and family time type, this will be right up your alley!

It is always a struggle to write beyond a cliche. Case in point, I want to express that the…read moreArlington Garden in Pasadena is a green oasis amidst urban noise and pace but that would say little since people consider their backyard and their local parks to be a green space of peace. And they would be right- who am I to judge the green that someone holds precious whether it be jade from feudal China or a patch of blades that are bed for the soul to rest. So I am left with one task: to express the serene beauty of this place that is also engaging in a quiet way, with almost ethereal words to truly defend and display that this, in all its glory, is a green oasis that wins by a short shot. The grounds are not huge, it is small but comes close to being medium. But what I loved is that its green branches and brown barks and twigs were immersive. I had entered a green swirl that moved all around me in stillness of movement but blurs of garden spirits. The place was like an outside museum that honors mother earth and her mantra of tender care that explains how flowers grow best. One of the most engaging experiences was their wishing tree. It was about two to four big trees with hanging wishes written by everyday folk. As I walked the steps to the trees, as I passed between them my skin could feel the words of hope hanging from branches. It was like the cards spoke in lovely whispers that reminded me that days of beauty are created when people do not forget to see that joyous petals that are in the wind and all around in the everyday. And as one note reminded us, joy is not ready made, to find it takes action. Reading the notes was a way in which I elected joy, as an act of resistance toward anger and disapointment. There was also this gazebo with a statue of a greek goddess. These are guesses of mine, I did not find some type of placards to confirm my notions. She was framed in the gazebo by a quasi-window. I entered the small gazebo and sat in the only green bench maybe big enough for two.I did not understand why she was giving me her back, I wanted to face her. But then I realized that Demeter or Gaia (maybe?) was not facing me because she was looking at her creation, like any person would when they have a garden to admire. From that seat I saw a man doing Tai-Chi and being filmed by his partner in all red. I sat and viewed him quietly and ask that whatever he was calling forth with his movements also entered my own person. From this seat, I also saw a pregnant woman taking pictures. She was wearing a white dress with a tasteful floral pops around. At times, she laughed with a wide smile, at times she held the bundle with her hands. It was seeing a place of growth, welcome a being with life about to begin. Her partner joined and they were directed into stances that made sense--- like the one where they look longingly at each other while he held her, and she held the coming boy. I could see their happiness, I could see their true connection, and I knew that the baby was being born into comfort and love. It was great reminder that sometimes life blooms with ease into joy. I also saw a lizard run and move its neck, both in a funny way. I saw a sole butterfly flutter. I saw folks sitting, relaxing, eating, all in with a calm demeanor. So I would like to think that this place is a green oasis or at least a place where rest is each to come by.

Nobody told us they could rent out a entire section of a public botanical garden…read more 1 star.

It's time to explore the unseen. Without further ado let's begin the adventure…read more Deukmejian Wilderness Park is a public park which occupies a rugged 709-acre site in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mts at the northernmost extremity of the City of Glendale. There are 10 trails throughout the park which varies in length, elevation and level of difficulty. They are as follows: Le Mesnager loop, Rim of the Valley, Dunsmore Canyon, Vineyard, Mummy Rock, Crescenta View, Cooks Canyon, Haines Canyon, Mt Lukens and Pickens Spur. Moreover, trails on the site provide spectacular views of the Crescenta Valley and the Los Angeles basin. I arrived early morning and decided to do the easy Dunsmore Canyon (elev gain 600 ft) is a mile long with extremely rocky trail; this canyon intersects with Crescenta View, Le Mesnager Loop, Mummy Rock and Vinyard trails. The view was amazing! Dogs are allowed as long as they're on a leash. Public bathroom is available. Parking lot is free albeit limited. Overall, it's a great park to go on a hiking adventure. I highly recommend you visit.

This park is very high uphill so if you want to go to a park that's pretty much in the mountains…read morethis is it, just be aware there are bears and you may encounter one.

Rudy and Miguel and the rest of the guys do a great job for fair prices. I have used them many…read moretimes and recommend them strongly. You can trust their design ideas and instincts, which will support and enhance your environment. They also have good advice for which trees and plants to add if you would like input.

Rudy is meticulous in his approach to plants--this is exactly what we were looking for when we…read morenoticed our heirloom camellias and newly planted olives needed trimming. Watching him address every branch one at a time, snipping with small tools (rather than hacking away at the whole thing with a hedge trimmer) was like watching a master at work. This is the level of detail our trees deserved, and Rudy's expertise and labor was thus fairly compensated. The going rate for most gardeners these days is appallingly low and this is why they aren't usually detail oriented. We highly recommend Rudy!