Landscape transformation
California coast sunflower blooms
Discover oaks, chaparral, and more
A view of the San Gabriel Mountains
California poppies bloom in spring
Heritage L.A. Basin landscape
Leisurely wander the Oak Woodland and experience its mix of woodland, meadow, and chaparral plants. Descanso’s 7-acre Oak Woodland recreates the heritage landscape of the Los Angeles Basin – a plant community that included grasses, perennials, shrubs, and, of course, oaks. The Oak Woodland is situated northwest of Descanso Gardens lake and connects the California Garden with access to the Rose Garden, the lake, and the bird observation area.
Green waste dump reinvented
You’d never guess that the area now known as the Oak Woodland was planted with eucalyptus in the 1980s and used for green waste disposal until its renewal. The Woodland opened to the public in 2014 thanks to funding from the Ayrshire Foundation, Men’s Garden Club of Los Angeles, and others.
Ongoing reinvention and discovery
In 2024, construction will begin in the Oak Woodland area for a Children’s Nature Discovery Garden, designed to teach kids about this important heritage landscape.