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San Marino, CA, is a small residential city in Los Angeles County. It’s a great place to base yourself when traveling to LA as you can get the best of a quaint city while being just a short drive from the big lights of Los Angeles. San Marino is known for its wealthy houses, leafy residential streets, and unified school district. When in town there are excellent gardens, museums, and art collections for you to explore. Here are the best things to do in San Marino, CA:
1. The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
With three awesome attractions in one, it’s no wonder the Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens is such a popular tourist spot. You could spend days exploring all the attraction has to offer across this 207-acre complex. The library contains some of the rarest books in the United States, the art gallery boasts one of the world’s best collections of 18th-century art, and the Botanical Gardens is filled with exotic, beautiful plants, as well as plenty of trees providing much-needed shade.
2. The Huntington Desert Garden
If you like cacti and succulents, you’re going to be in heaven in the Huntington Desert Garden. It’s known to have the largest collection of mature cacti and succulents in North America, and you’ll be wanting to shop in the garden’s store and take home a succulent of your own. The gardens are almost one-hundred years old, and the desert-like landscape is definitely Instagram-worthy.
3. Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden
The beautiful Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a wonderfully tranquil place where you can spend an afternoon or a whole day exploring the traditional Japanese gardens. In the gardens, you’ll find beautiful ponds, waterfalls, benches, and rare plants. The gardens are also home to a traditional tea house where you can have a coffee and slice of cake. The garden is almost one hundred years old, having been built in the 1930s.
4. Edwin Hubble House
The Edwin Hubble House is a historic house in San Marino, California that was built in the 1920s. Edwin Hubble was a famous astronomer known for his revolutionary discoveries. Visitors can find out more about his work and life at the house.
5. Lacy Park
If you want to unwind in a relaxing green space, head to Lacy Park. It’s a leafy park with plenty of trees (great if you’re looking for some shade), benches, and walking tracks. Many locals visit the park for a morning run or walk. However, Lacy Park really comes to life on the weekend when it’s packed with residents exercising and families enjoying the green space.
6. Splash Zone
If you’re looking for a fun, family activity, head to the nearby Splash Zone. The small waterpark is home to slides and a large outdoor pool. There are also fountains and sprays. It’s fun for all!
And if you’re heading to San Marino as part of your trip to Los Angeles, why not check out the best things to do in LA at night? Or if you’re looking for a place to stay, what about one of these cool neighborhoods in LA?
7. Alhambra Park
If there aren’t already enough parks and green spaces for you in San Marino, head to nearby Alhambra Park, which is a large city park with a swimming pool and basketball and tennis courts. There are also walking and running trails here for visitors looking to get active.