Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a botanical facility in Arcadia with numerous themed gardens spread across roughly 127 acres (51 hectares), showcasing plants from Mediterranean climates and worldwide ecosystems. The site includes water ponds, palm collections, Australian and African sections, plus a tropical greenhouse zone where visitors can walk through different plant worlds.

The grounds belonged to Santa Anita Ranch in the 19th century before being transformed into a public garden for botanical research and education. Rancher Lucky Baldwin acquired the land in the 1870s and built his private residence and stables for his horse breeding operation here.

The garden preserves a Queen Anne Cottage and Coach Barn that now serve as a museum and popular photo location. Visitors come here to walk through the historic rooms and imagine how wealthy ranchers lived during Southern California's founding years.

The grounds open daily in the morning and close in the late afternoon, allowing ample time to walk through the different garden sections. Wide paved paths make walking and wheelchair access easier, though some areas include slopes and shaded rest stops are advisable during warm weather.

Peacocks roam freely across the grounds and are descendants of birds Lucky Baldwin brought from India in the late 19th century. They nest in the trees and strut along the paths, sometimes displaying their open feathers, which often surprises and delights visitors.

Location: California

Inception: 1947

Architects: Harry Sims Bent

Fee: Yes

Address: 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, California

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:00-16:30

Phone: +16268213222

Website: http://arboretum.org

GPS coordinates: 34.14160,-118.05400

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30