Tickets

Descanso Gardens is a botanical oasis that welcomes all to its cultivated gardens and natural landscapes. We can’t wait to see you in the gardens!

Free Tuesday

As part of Los Angeles County’s cost-saving measures, Free Tuesday has been discontinued at all botanical gardens. 

The Descanso Gardens Foundation operates Descanso Gardens, but the Los Angeles County Parks Department owns the property and controls ticketing. 

As federal, state, city, and local governments face budget cuts, so will Los Angeles County Departments, including LA County Parks. Specifically, LA County Parks is facing a substantial $22.2 million budget reduction. 

This reduction includes cuts to programs, parks, and pools, as well as price increases for botanical gardens, including Descanso.

Descanso is committed to allowing access to the garden for everyone. Below is a list of programs that currently provide free admission to the garden: 

• School Visits – Field trips and programs are available free of charge for qualifying schools with advance reservations.

• EBT Card – Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cardholders are eligible for up to two (2) adult daytime admissions and four (4) children’s daytime admissions (for children under 18 years of age) per household. No reservations are needed; simply show your EBT card and photo ID at Guest Services on the day of your visit.

• LA County Summer Admissions – From Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, teachers, students aged 13-17, and military veterans with a valid ID receive free admission to the gardens. (This does not include free admission for accompanying friends/family members.)

• Blue Star Museums – The Blue Star program offers free admission to one active military person and up to five family members from the 3rd Saturday in May (Armed Forces Day) to the 1st Monday of September (Labor Day).

• American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions – Members of other American Horticultural Society (AHS) gardens that are 90 miles or more away from Descanso receive free reciprocal admission when they visit.

Visit Basics

Food isn’t allowed in the gardens

We invite you to purchase food at The Market and enjoy it in the Courtyard, or bring your own food and enjoy it on the picnic tables near Guest Services.

Please observe our code of conduct while in the gardens

• We welcome you to eat in the Courtyard or at the picnic tables outside of Guest Services.
• Please respect our staff and visitors at all times.
• Descanso will not tolerate inappropriate behavior, including, but not limited to: Yelling, violence, intimidation, threats, harassment, aggression, swearing, damage, abuse, sexual harassment, or those who are aggressive toward staff or other visitors. Individuals who exhibit these behaviors toward staff or other visitors will be expelled from the gardens.
• For immediate concerns, please go directly to Guest Services for assistance.
• If you have suggestions or questions, please contact visitorcenter@descansogardens.org

Still have questions that aren’t covered in this section? Our Visit FAQs cover a wide landscape of information to help you plan your visit to Descanso.