Neighborhood Travels

Huntington Library – Chinese Garden, San Marino, CA

I recently attended a photography workshop, a portion of which was spent at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens.  Our assignment was to photograph the Chinese Garden, a colloquial name for the Liu Fang Yuan, the Garden of Flowering.  Our timing couldn’t have been more perfect.  The Huntington recently announced that the Chinese Garden has received the funding needed to expand from the existing 3.5 acres to the originally planned 12-acre site.

Bridge spanning the one-acre lake in Liu Fang Yuan
Bridge spanning the one-acre lake in Liu Fang Yuan

Currently, the red-roofed structures in the garden enclose the lake.   The new construction will include an art library or artist’s studio and a bigger cafe.

Making magic in the kitchen

The existing cafe will be repurposed.  During my visit, it was doing a steady business providing lunch to the visitors.

Citrus Sesame Salad from the existing cafe
Citrus Sesame Salad from the existing cafe.

The food was good, but seating was at a premium.  A larger cafe may be a good idea.

After lunch, my group wandered off to photograph the garden.  I slipped back into the cafe to photograph the cooking.

Busy cooks in the Chinese Garden cafe
Busy cooks in the Chinese Garden cafe

I found these chefs fascinating. They didn’t stop for a minute.  The flames soared into the air as they worked a stir-fry.  It was thrilling to watch.  I was also in the way, so I didn’t linger.  Yes,  a bigger cafe may be a good idea.

A garden gives peace

The Chinese Garden is a great spot for strolling or quiet contemplation.

A couple quietly watch the lake
A couple quietly watch the lake

I didn’t spend long at the Huntington; the California sun was too warm for me.  As I walked back toward the parking lot, I passed the garden entrance with its stone lion statues.  These are the traditional two, a male and a female.

Male stone lion with his paw on the ball or globe
Male stone lion with his paw on the ball representing good fortune.

My visit was brief but enlightening.  The Huntington is a large garden with many smaller gardens within it.  I’ll return and explore another before the year is over.

Tips

  • The Huntington is open six days a week (closed on Tuesday)
  • Plan to spend the entire day;  the entire Botanical Gardens cover about 120 acres!
  • Get a reservation if you plan to eat at the Tea Room.  It’s always crowded.

To see more photos from my short visit to the Chinese Garden (including the second lion), please click here.

Elizabeth Boatman

Traveler, explorer, memory maker and someone who's just downright curious about stuff. It's all about finding joy.

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