The Huntington Library in San Marino, CA covers 207 acres of gardens with more than 14,000 varieties of plant life. Its art galleries feature paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as sculpture, tapestries, porcelain and furniture. The Library’s collection of rare books, manuscripts, prints, photographs, maps, and other materials in the fields of British and American history and literature totals more than six million items. But, if you want something fun to do, then head directly to the Children's Garden where little ones are allowed to splash in tot-size fountains, run under miniature arbors, dance in the foggy mist and get lost in tunnels of foliage.While, the Library is dedicated to research and education, I only had the chance to take in some of the beauty. The Chinese Garden is the newest attraction opening in early 2008. The grounds also include lily ponds, the Jungle Garden, Rose Garden, Shakespeare Garden and many more. You'll want to keep your kids away from the Desert Garden -- one of the most amazing cactus collections you'll ever see. The Japanese Rock Garden is equally wonderfully, but Alex wanted to rake the gravel into his own zen designs.
