Plan an excursion through our urban oasis of cultivated gardens and nearly wild, natural landscapes. Set aside a smidge of extra time for unexpected garden secrets and delights along the way!
Come to Descanso Gardens to experience, learn, and expand with an activity, class, program, or event designed to inspire.
Discover our world-class botanical and horticultural wonders and how we care for them.
Dive into a wellspring of opportunities for kids and adults to learn, observe nature, and participate in the garden.
As a non-profit public garden, we welcome you to join us in supporting our mission through membership and giving. With you, we grow in gratitude!
At Descanso Gardens we connect people with nature and one another. Read about our rich history and future plans to preserve the beauty and heritage of the gardens.
After-hours and daytime events with programs designed to connect garden visitors of all ages to nature. Join us for festivals, immersive installations, music, workshops, tours, and more.
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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2 events,
Come join our monthly walk for birders of all levels. Bring binoculars! Keep your bird count tallied on the updated and now downloadable Descanso bird checklist. No reservations required, exclusively for Descanso Gardens members.
Included with Descanso Gardens membership
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […] |
1 event,
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […] |
1 event,
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […] |
1 event,
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […] |
1 event,
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […] |
3 events,
Explore, play, and create with us at Little Explorers. Families with young children (aged 2–5 years old) will enjoy doing arts, crafts, and nature exploration each month. Specific projects and activities vary, come see what we’re up to this time! This program is generously funded, in part, by Perenchio Foundation. Free with admission.
Included with admission or membership
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […] |
6 events,
In honor of our Ancient Forest’s tenth anniversary, come experience a peaceful 15-minute guided meditation walk through the Ancient Forest with Mariko Tu. Free with admission, no registration required. Join one of the walks from 9–9:15am, 9:30–9:45am, or 10–10:15am on October 4. About Mariko Tu Mariko Tu is a certified meditation teacher and educator who […]
Included with admission or membership
Explore, play, and create with us at Little Explorers. Families with young children (aged 2–5 years old) will enjoy doing arts, crafts, and nature exploration each month. Specific projects and activities vary, come see what we’re up to this time! This program is generously funded, in part, by Perenchio Foundation. Free with admission.
Included with admission or membership
In honor of our Ancient Forest’s tenth anniversary, come experience a peaceful 15-minute guided meditation walk through the Ancient Forest with Mariko Tu. Free with admission, no registration required. Join one of the walks from 9–9:15am, 9:30–9:45am, or 10–10:15am on October 4. About Mariko Tu Mariko Tu is a certified meditation teacher and educator who […]
Included with admission or membership
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […]
In honor of our Ancient Forest’s tenth anniversary, come experience a peaceful 15-minute guided meditation walk through the Ancient Forest with Mariko Tu. Free with admission, no registration required. Join one of the walks from 9–9:15am, 9:30–9:45am, or 10–10:15am on October 4. About Mariko Tu Mariko Tu is a certified meditation teacher and educator who […]
Included with admission or membership
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2 events,
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […] |
2 events,
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […] |
2 events,
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […] |
2 events,
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […] |
2 events,
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […] |
2 events,
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […] |
5 events,
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Help care for Descanso Gardens and get service hours for school at this student volunteer opportunity. Instruction will be provided. All experience levels are welcome. For ages 12-15. Adult chaperones must be present. Bring gardening gloves and water. Remember to wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes. Limited space available, please RSVP. RSVP to volunteer@descansogardens.org by Saturday, […]
Free
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […] 
Enjoy beautiful displays of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana in the Japanese Garden. From 10am–2pm, children are welcome to join a fun drop-in activity where they can learn to make an ikebana arrangement to take home! Supplies will be provided. The workshop will continue while supplies last.
Included with admission or membership
In honor of our Ancient Forest’s tenth anniversary, learn about how ancient plants reproduced (spoiler alert – flowers are fairly new!). Use microscopes to investigate spores, seeds, and other plant parts, and examine how some things have changed and some things have stayed the same in the vast history of plants. Free with admission, no […]
Included with admission or membership
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3 events,
Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World invites visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees play in making urban neighborhoods livable. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool presents artworks in the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the gardens. […]
Enjoy beautiful displays of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana in the Japanese Garden. From 10am–2pm, children are welcome to join a fun drop-in activity where they can learn to make an ikebana arrangement to take home! Supplies will be provided. The workshop will continue while supplies last.
Included with admission or membership
|
4 events,
-
Get hands-on gardening experience and help care for Descanso at this volunteer opportunity. Instruction will be provided. All experience levels are welcome. Ages 16 or older. Must be able to lift, bend and stand for long periods of time. Moderate to heavy lifting involved. Bring gardening gloves and water. Remember to wear comfortable clothing and […]
Free
In honor of our Ancient Forest’s tenth anniversary, come learn about California’s prehistoric environment with Gabriel-Philip Santos from the Alf Museum of Paleontology. From 10–11:30am, learn how fossils are found through hands-on activities and interactive exhibits. Afterwards, join Gabriel from 12–1pm for a lecture that will take you back in time about 45 million years […]
Included with admission or membership
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Exclusively for Family and Friends, Nature Lover, and Perennial Circle members Members at the Family and Friends and above levels are invited to an exclusive daytime celebration of Carved! Harvest Acres will transform into a festive autumn party with Halloween music and crafts, face painting, a scavenger hunt, fun giveaways, and of course, our popular […] |
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2 events,
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Mark your calendar for Homeschool Day! Visit Descanso Gardens on this special day for homeschools and enjoy free entry, education materials, and a great day in the gardens. Free for all students and one adult per student. Advance registration required, register here.
Free for all students and one adult per student
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2 events,
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Join Dr. Joey Curti to learn more about Los Angeles native bat populations, their diversity and ecology, what services they provide, and what you can do to support them. Come see why they're not so scary after all! Free with admission, no event registration required. Photo © Joey Curti About Joey Curti Joey Curti (he/they) […]
Included with admission or membership
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3 events,
Come join our monthly walk for birders of all levels. Bring binoculars! Keep your bird count tallied on the updated and now downloadable Descanso bird checklist. No reservations required, exclusively for Descanso Gardens members.
Included with Descanso Gardens membership
In honor of our Ancient Forest’s tenth anniversary, Diana Nightingale, former Descanso Horticulturist, will teach about cycad ecology, evolution, and unique characteristics. After the talk, explore our Ancient Forest to see the cycads in person. Free with admission, no registration required. About Diana Nightingale Diana Nightingale is a former Descanso Gardens horticulturist. She has a […]
Included with admission or membership
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2 events,
Interested in volunteering at Descanso? Information sessions for new volunteers will be held over Zoom and will describe Descanso’s history, mission, volunteer program, current opportunities, and how to complete the application process. Please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form to receive a Zoom invitation. |
2 events,
Join us for story time in the garden! Great for children ages 2–7 with a caregiver. No event registration required, free with admission or membership.
Included with admission or membership
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0 events,
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3 events,
Interested in volunteering at Descanso? Information sessions for new volunteers will be held over Zoom and will describe Descanso’s history, mission, volunteer program, current opportunities, and how to complete the application process. Please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form to receive a Zoom invitation. 
Searching for Serenity explores how communities can harness the healing power of art and nature. A response to 2025 wildfire disasters in Los Angeles County, this exhibition bridges creativity with personal storytelling. Participating professional and community artists share how a deep connection to nature can serve as a tool for individual transformation, renewal, and collective […]
Included with admission or membership
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Join us at the Sturt Haaga Gallery for the opening reception of Searching for Serenity. Meet the artists and the arts community, take a first look at commissioned and recently created works, and enjoy music and a no-host bar. Searching for Serenity is an exhibition of artwork made by professional and community artists exploring how […] |
