Here are a few elements that I think make the perfect date. A walk together, nature’s beauty all around you, discovering something new together, and ending it all with a spot of tea and scones. Cheerio my friends! And the best part; you don’t have to belong to the Tea Party to appreciate a moment like this. It’s open to everyone and it’s in Pasadena. The Huntington Botanical Garden is a privately funded space, which means they have deep pockets to keep the place looking beautiful. There are over 12 different specialized gardens that sits on 120 acres. It’s damn big and beautiful! My favorite are their Japanese gardens. Voted #1 location for Karate Kid II re-enactments by O Magazine. 
Along with world-class botanicals there’s classical art in 3 different galleries. The most unique part of The Huntington is their Tea Room. The British have given us so much; Sacha Baron Cohen, Benny Hill, and in the early 1800’s Anne, Duchess of Bedford gave the world of Afternoon Tea. It’s hard to find something more refined and romantic than sipping tea and eating scones with a 3 acre rose garden as a backdrop. It costs $28 per person and you eat and drink as much as you want. Imagine Hometown Buffet with a British swagger. On second thought, don’t do that. Entrance to the Huntington is extra, but they have Free Day the 1st Thursday of every month. The bottom line is, even if you don't know the difference between poison sumac and oregano, you'll have a great time and be listening to Barry White and El Debarge sing "Secret Garden" on the ride home. (In case your 80's R&B IQ needs a refresher)
Here’s the details:
-Free Parking-Closed Tuesdays
-Hours 10:30-4:30 Everyday
-Admission is $15 during the week and $20 on Saturdays and Sundays
-Free Day is the 1st Thursday of every month. Up to 5 Free Day Tickets can be reserved online and by phone the 1st day of the month preceding the month you want to go. So if you want to go in July, you can reserve beginning June 1st
-If you make reservations for the tea room on Free Day, it automatically comes with Free Day tickets.
-Tours are available for an extra fee
-Theres a café on sight for lunch
dear joel,
ReplyDeletei saw the niecy nash interview on yahoo which of course led me to your blog. i live in the outskirts of los angeles and want to find some fun and relatively cheap dates with my husband but driving to la is a bit too far. can you find some dates in the san gabriel valley area?
p.s. the japanese gardens at the huntington library is where my husband proposed to me.