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.

To be perfectly honest, if you were to ask me how to describe/explain what The Huntington has to…read moreoffer, I wouldn't even know where to start - quite literally. When I've told friends and family about this place, I've almost always been at a loss for words because there is just so much to detail. And yet, if/when they ask me if it's worth checking out, the answer comes out quick, clean, and clear - absolutely! Sitting on what is/was the Huntington family's estate, this place is very impressive. Within their expansive, palatial grounds, there's a library, multiple art galleries and museums, several botanical gardens, a conservatory, a research center, an educational center, a Japanese heritage house (Shoya House), a tea room, a Chinese restaurant, a milk tea shop, numerous smaller gardens, and so much more. What's more, each of those museums, galleries, and gardens are distinctly different from each other - galleries and exhibits featuring American, British/European, and Asian artwork, a Japanese garden, a Chinese garden, a desert garden, a rose garden, a bonsai garden, a California garden...and the list goes on. Despite having spent the better part of a day walking around and exploring the grounds, I'm pretty sure we only managed to get through roughly half of what there is to see here. Of the ones we did make it through, my favorites were the Chinese and Japanese gardens, as they felt the most tranquil and offered the most shade of all of the gardens we saw. Not to mention the fact that we ended up spending a lot of time here before and after stopping in for lunch at the Jade Court Cafe in the Chinese garden. Among the galleries, I also enjoyed walking through the Huntington's Art Gallery, which seemed to hold most of the oldest American and European pieces, as well as historical info about the Huntingtons themselves. Given how much there is to see here, The Huntington is worth the price of admission, even if it does appear to be a little hefty ($34 for adults, with discounted rates available for seniors, students, military, and kids). They do offer free admission on the first Thursday of each month as well, but you'll need to claim tickets in advance starting the Thursday before. Also, if you're short on time, the visitor center has a list of highlights and suggested itineraries, but you'll inevitably miss out on a lot to see. Whenever you do come here, though, even if it's just to go to their tea room, make sure to bring sunscreen and wear some comfortable shoes, as you'll end up doing plenty of walking outdoors. They do have a tram that circles loops around the grounds, but you'll still have to walk from the stop to wherever you want to go. Just make sure to stop and smell the many flowers along the way!

An amazing & beautiful experience! Came w/ my mom on a Wednesday and it was so packed!…read more I want to give a Honorable shout out and thanks to the shuttle busses! T-T ^_^ The shuttle lines really saved my mom, as she wouldn't have been able to enjoy the park or walked that far apart from the gardens. Thank you so much for having and keeping this feature! Staff were welcoming and friendly. The Japanese & Chinese garden was def their main features alongside the Rose Garden blooms which were beautiful in the spring bloom. They also have a huge gift shop for people to enter w/o the need of a ticket as well(:

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.

Angel, his son Diego, and their team are exceptional. From my very first interaction with them they…read morehave been highly communicative, professional, courteous and are extremely knowledgeable. Angel is a horticultural expert. I use many of the services they provide: tree cutting and trimming, ongoing maintenance, landscaping, planting fruit trees, and many more projects to come. I highly recommend

My back yard was overgrown and neglected. Angel and his crew came and trimmed all the shrubs and…read morecleaned around all the garden boxes. They also removed some dead branches off an avocado tree. My backyard garden looks so good now. I highly recommend Angel's Gardening Service.

Background On Visit: Last Sunday (4/12/26), the venue hosted the Pasadena Festival Of Tea. We were…read moreone of the participants for this event. Hours Of Operation: They welcome visitors to the garden on many Friday and Saturday evenings and during the day on Sundays. You can check out their schedule of events and admission cost on their website: https://japanesegardenpasadena.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/japanesegardenpasadena/event.jsp?;=&event=1612& Admission Cost: Mostly, $15 on Friday and Saturday. Sunday, it's $12. For other events, they post the cost on their website. Location/Parking: Located across from the Arlington Gardens (Free). It's kinda hidden, but just use the gps on your phone to guide you. Parking can be found along Arlington. For special events, they encourage you to park at Westridge School (Orange Grove and W. State St.) and walk up to Storrier Stearns. Ambiance/Decor: The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a beautiful and charming retreat with a quiet and tranquil elegance. The place is small which contains many of the much admired design features found in the most lavish of Japanese-style gardens of its era. As Kendall Brown states in his book, California Japanese-style Gardens, "this is the genius of Kinzuchi Fujii: this was once a flat area of two tennis courts; now it is a masterwork. 1) Classic Niko-an Teahouse, the garden landscape offers a variety of other beautiful details. 2) Numerous gathering points, seating areas & vistas 3) Four original bridges plus the original cedar log Japanese Waiting Bench 4) Two large interconnected, irregularly shaped koi ponds 5) The sounds of two waterfalls, one cascading down a 25-foot hill 6) An artful dry riverbed for rain overflow winding through the garden 7) Cooling shade everywhere from spreading sycamores & old oaks 8) Many tons of boulders & stones 9) Granite statuary & stone lanterns Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden For Thought: Wouldn't mind coming back to re-center myself. I did a have nice time.

This is the most difficult Botanical Garden to get in touch with…read more The hours they have posted on their website are wrong, no one picks up the phone after calling several times and leaving several messages. I went in person last weekend, and it was closed despite their online hours posted. The lack of clarity even upon walking up to the venue is not clear. They have no signs stating they are closed and it's clear they do not care to return voicemails. Please do not waste your time going there.

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!

This is such a convenient and gorgeous location for an intimate wedding ceremony. We stayed in the…read morethe airbnb located behind the venue. We had to just walk a few steps to the venue when it was time for the ceremony. The airbnb and venue are gorgeous. We also had sandwiches made by Kim for guests following the ceremony which were delicious. We loved our wedding ceremony and this was the perfect location for what we wanted.

Kim is very approachable and friendly. Her artistic talent made this place a beautiful location for…read moresmall to medium sized parties. This placed saved our wedding during COVID - we live streamed our wedding to 300+ guests from here and it was extremely memorable to all. It also helped that they have 2 airbnbs adjacent available to rent for our wedding preparations. I then had my baby shower at this location, hosting up to 25 people. The conservatory is a beautiful backdrop, and there are many niche spaces that are wonderful for photographing. Highly recommend.

Ambassador Mansions & Gardens is a very quiet, peaceful, and truly beautiful place. It's hidden…read morebetween buildings, and if you don't know it's there, you might easily miss it -- which makes it feel like a secret garden in the middle of the city. The territory is incredibly well maintained, with huge mature trees, beautiful flowers, fountains, mini waterfalls, and small ponds where you can see fish and turtles. There is also a lovely grassy area in the center where you can sit, relax, or have a small picnic. Geese walk freely around the gardens, and colorful parrots fly overhead, adding even more charm to the atmosphere. In April, the garden looks especially stunning -- the pergola and trees are in full bloom (I wish I remembered the names of those gorgeous flowers!), and the whole place feels alive and magical. Honestly, this garden is beautiful in any season of the year. You can come here with dogs, which is a big plus, but it's important to respect the property rules: pets must be on a leash, owners are responsible for cleanup, professional photography requires a permit, and activities like skateboarding, drinking alcohol, or organized sports events are not allowed. These rules help preserve the calm and cleanliness of the space. There is also a secondary school located on the property, which adds to the unique character of the place. Parking-wise, we were able to find free street parking nearby without any issues. This is a perfect spot to slow down, enjoy nature, and escape the city noise for a while. Highly recommended for a peaceful walk or a quiet moment surrounded by beauty.

Great place to relax and sit for a bit. This was one place I've heard about through a friend and…read morewanted to take my pal Jack to go for a walk and check out this scenery. Very peaceful and quiet. Dog friendly of course. There was multiple benches to sit on and enjoy the flowing water and koi fish ponds. The building structures were beautiful and well kept. I would recommend this place if you want to take a break and sit and enjoy the area. People were friendly and welcoming. Parking is a bit limited as we had to park across the street. This area is located behind apartments and a bit hidden from the public. Once you walk around you'll find your way. Overall great place to visit.

he grassy open areas, shady tree-lined paths, and landscaped garden spaces make it feel peaceful…read moreand scenic--even on busier days. It's clean and family-friendly, with plenty of room for kids to run around and for dogs to stretch their legs (on leash). The walking loops are great for a casual stroll or a longer walk, and there's a nice mix of open lawn and shaded areas to relax. Be aware that it can get packed on weekends--especially midday--so if you're looking for a quieter visit, heading over earlier or on a weekday helps. Overall, it's exactly what you want from a neighborhood park: pleasant, clean, and easy to spend a couple of hours in.

The city recently remodels the play structure! It's much bigger and the kids love it…read more Also, this place is ideal place to take photos (family, engagements, kids, etc.) It does get crowded at times, especially during the weekend. They also have open fields where you can play catch or have a picnic. They have some pave roads where kids can bike, scooter or rollerskate. They also have tennis courts on the side of the park and they also have lessons for those who were interested. Unfortunately, they recently implemented charging non residents during the weekends. I don't support this charge since public parks should be for everyone. Whether or not you are living in the city. Other than that come to visit during the weekdays when it's free!

I am going to start this review with a preface about how this work was done as we were emerging…read morefrom the COVID19 lockdown. I probably was a crab, or I should say crabbier than usual. It didn't seem to phase this exceptional business. I feel like I hit the jackpot when I had Pasadena Garden Care respond to my call for help. Bryce went out of his way to ensure we had a great experience and as a result, we have hired this business to do our monthly maintenance. We hired Bryce and his team to help on many problem areas in our yard - including an area where a beehive lives with a cycle of very territorial bees. Pasadena Garden Care worked with us and wore bee suits to attend to our needs in this special garden. It's not just the bees. We also have a HUGE salcata tortoise that devours everything in its path. We have a fenced in garden where the bees are and Gamera tried to break in and devour my tomato plants, strawberries and most likely knock over a hive for some honey. The workers worked with our little monster to ensure our plants and "child" were safe. I am so happy we decided to go with Bryce and Pasadena Garden Care. I have only had an exceptional experience. In a world of mediocrity and disappointment, working with Pasadena Garden Care is truly a miracle!

Really wanted to work with this company. I met the owner at my house and I told him that I wanted a…read more150 foot fence and some hardscaping. He kept on emailing me to say " I'm gonna send you the estimate tomorrow by noon." Well, that was 2 weeks ago and he has not responded. He seemed very nice and acted motivated to work on my yard. It's a shame how some businesses act in an unethical manner with no honor or respect. I initially felt comfortable allowing this business into my home because we live a few blocks from each other *****Counter response to ARMEN's post***** There seems to be some discrepancies to Armen's response. He texted me stating " I will have the estimate ready for you tomorrow." If he needed more information from me, why would he text me stating he would email me the estimate? I'm not sure why he is mentioning city plans and plan checking. He is unlicensed, uninsured and unbonded. There is no way a city would give him permits because of his lack of credentials. Mr. Armen, before you start telling lies, Remember that everything is either digitally documented (i.e. text message) or recorded. Check out my text message thread from the owner. *MIC DROP!