The Huntington: A Library, Museum and Garden in One Place

Today, I want to focus on a place that wears many hats at the same time.

And when I say many, I mean it.

Here is a sample of what this place is:

Mansion
Museum
Library
Botanical Garden
Japanese Garden
Tea Room
Art Collection
Conservatory
Research Center

Do you know what place I am referring to?

I’ll give you one hint.

It is located in San Marino, California.

Ok, I know what you are thinking.

Where the heck is San Marino located?

San Marino is a small city located about 30 miles east of Los Angeles (closer to Pasadena).

The major landmark of the city is The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens. This is an educational and research institution establishes by Henry Huntington, the nephew of a railroad tycoon.

Henry had a passion for collecting art and rare books. When he relocated from San Francisco to San Marino, an opulent mansion was built in a plot of land he bought. He filled the house with all sort of International (mostly European) furnishings. At the same time, experts helped him to acquire valuable pieces of art. One year after his death, the final collection he put together (valued in $50M) was opened to the public (as he ordered in his will).

Nowadays, The Huntington is a fresh respite of air in the middle of one of the world’s largest metropolis. If you enjoy all things beautiful, take a day to discover what Henry Huntington left for the generations to come.

Some pictures:

Mansion

The Huntington Mansion

Inside the mansion

Mansion Gallery

Dining Room

Living Room

Grand Staircase

Outdoor Sculpture

Avenue of Statues

Outdoor Decoration

Tea Room (or building)

Tea and Cafe Building

Fauna

Hummingbird

Butterfly

Gardens

Shade in the garden

Cactus Garden

Couple walking around flowers

Pond

Path meandering thru the garden

Paintings

Work of art

Painting

Have you visited The Huntington? Let me know in the comments section below.

Comments

Sylvenstein Dam – a Great Route in the Alpine Landscape, Germany

Sylvenstein Dam, Upper Bavaria, Germany. The man-made lake embedded in the alpine landscape is one of the most exciting sites in the Isar valley. Situated at an altitude of 750 meters in the Karwendel Alps, the lake is fed by the Isar river. Water reservoir is surrounded with hiking trails, that are loved by visitors. Sylvenstein Bridge is a picturesque feature, providing visitors a scenic ride. Tourists come here to admire the views, hike, climb or bathe in the lake. A popular cycle track Bavaria Tyrolensis on the southern bank links Bavaria and Tyrol Alps. The destination is also loved by photographers, who are fascinated by this idyllic place. Why to go there? Various activities, picturesque sites and route. When to go there? Anytime: the place offers all year round activities and great sites. How to get there? Best way to get there is by car. Use the German Alpine, Mittenwald Germany or Wallgau roads. Lead photo by Gavin Hellier Photo by Gavin Hellier Photo by HL_Photog...

Things to do in Luxembourg City: A Delightful Weekend Guide

This roundup of things to do in Luxembourg City was created in collaboration with Visit Luxmbourg, who graciously hosted me on this trip. Imagine if you will, a miniscule wonderland packed with castles, greenery and slate grey rooftops over hues of pastel yellow and pink. A place where everybody speaks four languages, where trams are rainbow, and where electric buses are capable of driving themselves. It appears this wonderland does exist, my friends… and it’s called Luxembourg. *brief pause for gasps and shock* Landlocked between France, Germany and Belgium, Luxembourg is a micro-country known mostly as a metropolitan hub for civil servants, bankers and pleeeenty of cross-border commuters. As such, it’s no surprise that Luxembourg hasn’t quite acquired the tourist magnetism of its nearby neighbours. But you know me, never one to judge until I’ve seen it for myself! And truthfully, when I was invited to explore Luxembourg City for 24 hours with Vis...

The Perfect 12-Day Northern USA Road Trip Itinerary for Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas

I've said it before but I'll say it again: there's no better way to see the United States than by taking to the road. Road tripping is the ultimate way to explore America, and there's no shortage of options whether you want to travel for 10 days or 10 months. Certain US road trip routes are more popular than others, though; we've all heard of Route 66 and California's Highway 1. You've maybe looked into driving through the American Southwest, or perhaps through New England in the fall. But what about the states that tend to be overlooked? While Utah and California and even Florida have great road trip potential, the truth is that there's something to see in EVERY state in this union. Grand Tetons Which is why my sister and I decided to tackle a slightly less-popular road trip route last summer: we decided we wanted to focus on the northern states that never seem to get enough love. States like Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and So...

Among My Souvenirs

Search This Blog