Spring is in the air, and with it comes the beautiful sight of wild flowers and cherry blossoms in bloom. If you’re looking to see some of these beautiful pink flowers, there are plenty of places near Los Angeles where you can do just that.
Here are a few of the best places to see cherry blossoms near Los Angeles:
Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge
Descanso Gardens is a beautiful botanical garden and home to over 2,000 cherry blossom trees. The blooms typically start to appear in late March or early April, and they usually last for about two weeks. The two main ornamental cherry tree varieties are ‘Akebono’ and ‘Beni Hoshi’.
The ‘Akebono’ cherry tree produces an abundance of pink flowers in spring, creating soft clouds of color. The flowers gradually fade to white as they open fully, adding depth and dimension to the canopy of blooms.
The ‘Beni Hoshi’ is a crowd-pleaser, producing vivid pink flowers with long petals that hang below the branches. The two tend to bloom in tandem, and when they do, the Japanese Garden is seemingly aglow in pink. The blooms don’t last long, adding to their ephemeral nature and beauty.
Descanso Gardens is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, Pasadena
The Huntington is a sprawling estate and home to a variety of gardens, including a Japanese garden with cherry blossom trees. The blooms typically start to appear in late March or early April, and they usually last for about two to three weeks.
For over a century, the historic Japanese Garden has been one of the most beloved and iconic landscapes at The Huntington, with its distinctive moon bridge, picture-postcard views of koi-filled ponds and the historic Japanese House. One of the most popular spots at The Huntington, the Japanese Garden has attracted millions of visitors and remains a site of both fascination and contemplation.
Balboa Park, San Diego
Balboa Park is an urban park home to a variety of gardens, including the Japanese Friendship Garden, which has over 1,200 cherry blossom trees. The blooms typically start to appear in late March or early April and last for approximately two weeks.
Echo Park, California
This park is home to a variety of cherry blossom trees, and it’s a popular spot for picnics and people-watching. The blooms typically start to appear in late March or early April, and they usually last for about two weeks. You can also rent a paddle boat and enjoy the blossoms from the lake, or simply stroll through the park and take in the beauty.
The Japanese Garden, Van Nuys
The Japanese Garden in Van Nuys, California is a beautiful garden that is home to a variety of cherry blossom trees, and it’s a popular spot for tea ceremonies and other events. The blooms typically start to appear in late March or early April, and they usually last for about two weeks.
The Japanese Garden is pleased to welcome guests to their outdoor strolling paths. Reservations may be booked online up to 8 days in advance.
Cherry Blossom Festivals near Los Angeles
If you’re looking for a more festive experience, there are also a few cherry blossom festivals held near Los Angeles each spring. The festivals typically takes place in late March or early April and feature a variety of Japanese-themed activities, including a parade, a tea ceremony, and a food festival. Here are a few of the most popular ones:
Cherry Blossom Festival, Monterey Park
Planned and coordinated by community volunteers, the Cherry Blossom Festival strives to provide a cultural arts event that offers a forum for learning, entertainment, fun, and support of the community.
So take the time to see, hear, and taste a bit of the Japanese and Japanese American culture through a first-hand experience of watching traditional Japanese dancing, hearing the resounding beats of the taiko drums, observing the mastery and various skills of martial arts, participating in the ancient art of the tea ceremony, or buying hand-made crafts or food with an Asian flair. Other highlights of the Festival include games & crafts for children and numerous cultural displays.
Japanese Friendship Garden Cherry Blossom Festival, San Diego
Blush pink hues of blooming flowers have made for a picturesque sight at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, which stars in its annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
Nearly 200 cherry blossom trees have been planted at the garden and their stunning flowers bloom for only about five weeks. The short-lived beauty is celebrated in a big way in San Diego and in Japan, they’re honored with a custom called hanami, which translates to flower-viewing.
This Cherry Blossom Festival boasts hourly performances each day of the event, 20 merchants, nine food vendors and a cosplay contest. With the event’s popularity, the garden sees as many as 7,000 visitors every day of the festival.
Cherry Blossom Festival at South Coast Botanic Garden, Palos Verdes
The yearly festival at the South Coast Bontiac Garden is designed to celebrate the Cherry Blossom, the national flower of Japan. At this festival you can expect food, beer and wine, picnicking, performances, guided tours, self-guided tours of the blossoms, crafts and activities for the kids, and enjoying the Garden.
It’s not a guarantee that blossoms will peak during the festival. At the Garden the blossoming period ranges from February to late March, and each tree has a blossom period of only 7-10 days.
There will be entertainment and traditional performances throughout the day celebrating the Japanese culture. At the festival there will be a kids’ craft booth provided by the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute. There is the Children’s Garden, and the whole family can participate in the Incredible Journey – a treasure hunt throughout the Garden!
The festival is free with Garden admission or membership. Free parking is available on site all day long.
No matter where you choose to see cherry blossoms near Los Angeles, you’re sure to be in for a beautiful and memorable experience.
Happy Field Tripping!
Jilleen