Descanso Gardens Visitor Center — Attraction in La Cañada Flintridge

On the way to the visitors center, if you're walking from the nearest bus stop, it's quite a walk uphill (at least 20 minutes), before you turn and walk down hill. Good thing there's a sidewalk leading most of the way, because it's quite winding, and even though the speed limit says 20mph, of course people driving their cars are barrelling down way faster than that. If police want to set up shop and help the city earn some extra revenue, this would be the hill to set up on. Once you're finally at the center though, be careful of the cars also trying to get in, rushing for a parking spot. Hopefully they don't run you over. The Visitors Center itself is actually really helpful in answering your question and directing you where to go. If you have your tickets purchased ahead of time, but even if you have to buy them on the spot, it's easy. Before you go through the ticket scanning, there's a tiny market on one side, and the other side is the gift shop (behind the ticket purchase/visitor's center). But for pedestrians, when you're leaving, you gotta walk uphill before walking back down, so get ready for...

50/ 50 split on experience. Carved was fantastic. Enchanted was dismal compared. Some vendors are lackluster. Food and drink wayyyy overpriced and not that good. I did have a wonderful experience both visits at the plant vendor. Though 99% is way overpriced, I scoured the entire shop and found a few bargains to propagate. The staff at the shop have been amazing both times. I did have online issues attempting to buy a membership, but they were resolved and compensated. Side note I bought my granddaughter a toy again way overpriced, but it was what she picked. When she got home, it didn't work. I called, but the only remedy is to drive back 40 minutes to return it. I hope to make a day trip soon. Second, I got my granddaughter a mini vanilla cupcake. I was floored to find out after paying, it was $9.95, so make sure to ask. They had no pricing displayed. Lastly, on the membership that advertises colors with other Botanical Gardens. There is an OVER 90-mile clause, so be careful. I was looking forward to using it at the LA Botanical, but they won't honor it. Call outside location to check...

This is a great place unless you have someone that is overweight and uses a push wheelchair, if you have a motorized wheelchair, it will be a lot easier but you still may not be able to to take all the paths. That being said, if you are looking for a hike, hiking paths through a forest path, or want to take a nice walk with some steep hills or a calmer walk walkways, there are different pathways for you're liking all with gorgeous plants, trees, flowers, and a lake with marsh type areas which helps the wildlife. Each area is gorgeous in there own right and depending how much time you have, you can enjoy and take your time all day or rush through in about 1 hour 30 minutes. Depending who is in your group for this visit will be amazing and I would recommend, but if you have an individual that you have an individual to push in a wheelchair, and they are overweight, I would suggest looking for something easier to visit, unless that person likes to sit in one...