Claude Monet called his garden “his true masterpiece” which is saying a lot for the celebrated impressionist painter. For many artists before and since, gardens have long inspired creativity.
But you don’t have to be an artist to enjoy the life-affirming and peaceful ambiance of gardens. For us mere mortals, gardens are simply one of life’s sublime pleasures.
Practically every town or community has some kind of a garden or park that invites visitation. Wherever I travel anywhere in the world, I try to visit public or private gardens to revel in the beauty of nature. I find that visiting a garden in a new destination offers a nice counterpoint to my other preoccupations — historic sites, architecture and museums.
Particularly during COVID, I’ve made a point of visiting gardens and I’ve managed to discover some new ones and revisit some favorites during these past long months. If you’re so inclined, here are few notable gardens around California to consider:
Filoli Gardens - Woodside, CA
Not far from Silicon Valley, you’ll find Filoli Gardens, the former estate of Agnes and William Bowers Bourn ll, prominent residents of San Francisco and owners of the Empire Gold Mine in Grass Valley, CA. They built a sprawling 15,000-square-foot Georgian home in 1917 surrounded by 16 acres of magnificent gardens. Bourn named his gardens Filoli, his own acronym for his personal philosophy: “FIght for a just cause; LOve your fellow man; LIve a good life.” Wise words to live by.
The historic house and gardens, now encompasses 654 acres, are now owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
After a self-guided tour of the home and a stroll through the expansive gardens, the Quail’s Nest Cafe offers a respite to fortify yourself and to contemplate the magnificent beauty of Filoli. Purchase tickets in advance at: filoli.org.
Descanso Gardens - Arcadia, CA
The very first date I had when I was 16 years old was to Descanso Gardens so it has always been a special place to me. Pictured here is one of my favorite areas — the Japanese Gardens with its graceful understated ambiance and numerous azaleas.
Descanso, which means rest or relax in Spanish, is notable for its California native plants and oak woodlands but its claim to fame is its collection of camellias — the largest in the Western Hemisphere.
Descanso Gardens has been designated an International Camellia Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society. You can see more than 700 species of camellias! You can catch them in bloom from early autumn to spring, but the most dazzling floral displays are in winter, from January through February. Plan your visit accordingly and purchase tickets in advance at: https://www.descansogardens.org/
Sunnylands Center & Gardens - Rancho Mirage, CA
Set on 200 dazzling acres, Sunnylands is a spectacular oasis in the desert. The former winter home of the late Ambassador Walter Annenberg and his wife Leonore, Sunnylands offers free admission to the public for its magnificent gardens and exhibitions. However, tours of the 25,000-square-foot historic midcentury modern residence require a ticket but I highly recommend the tour. The 90-minute tour will give you a fascinating history lesson through the roster of presidents, royalty, political luminaries, and celebrities the Annenbergs hosted during the 40-years they resided at Sunnylands. For an informative overview and inspiring sense of place, first catch the brief film in the theater before venturing forth to visit the sprawling gardens. A stop at the gift store and the cafe will enhance your Sunnylands experience. Yoga and live music concerts are held on the Great Lawn during the “season.” Sunnylands is closed for most of the summer months; to plan your visit or to purchase tickets to tour the Sunnylands Residence: sunnylands.org
Whenever and whichever garden you choose, you are sure to experience nature’s amazing gift — a sense of calm and a smile in your heart.