Where to find Cherry Blossoms in Los Angeles
This Post May Contain Affiliate LinksEver since I was a little girl, I’ve had a deep love for cherry blossoms. So, you can probably imagine my joy when I found Cherry blossoms in Los Angeles!
It was always my dream to visit Japan during the Cherry blossom season and see the splendor for myself. The cultural significance surrounding cherry blossoms has always fascinated me. People love these trees so much that they hold festivals dedicated to them.
While I haven’t made it to Japan yet, I have managed to find four beautiful gardens around Los Angeles County that host a few of these beautiful trees. Keep reading to discover them as well!
Table of Contents
Enjoy Cherry Blossoms in Los Angeles
Where to find Cherry Blossoms in Los Angeles
1. Descanso Gardens
Address: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Website: descansogardens.org
Description: Descanso Gardens is a botanical garden located in La Cañada Flintridge, that boasts a wide variety of plants that are segregated into their own themed sections. You can find Cherry Blossoms in the Japanese Garden in Descanso Gardens.
“Descanso’s Japanese Garden incorporates features found in many different
styles of gardens in Japan, including a stroll garden, a stream-and-pond garden,
a tea garden and a raked-gravel garden.”
2. Huntington Library Botanical Gardens
Address: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
Website: huntington.org
Description: The Huntington Library is an absolutely gorgeous display of botany and architecture located in San Marino, just North-East of Los Angeles. Similar to Descanso Gardens, the Huntington Library boasts 130 acres with 16 unique gardens throughout. The cherry blossoms are located in the Japanese Garden.
“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.”
3. South Coast Botanic Garden
Address: 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Website: southcoastbotanicgarden.org
Description: South Coast Botanic Garden, located in Palos Verdes, is a unique botanic garden, in that it was developed over a sanitary landfill! You can find the cherry blossoms if you walk straight through the entrance and go slightly downhill. The massive pink cloud Cherry Tree is so hard to miss, you can see it on Google Maps!
“The Garden is a masterpiece of creative land reclamation and environment improvement for all to share. It is a living testimonial to the fact that land reclamation not only offers a practical solution to refuse disposal problems, but also beautifies and improves land values at the same time.”
4. The Japanese Garden
Address: 6100 Woodley Ave, Lake Balboa, CA 91406
Website: thejapanesegarden.com
Description: This beautiful little garden is located in Lake Balboa in the San Fernando Valley. It features three unique Japanese garden themes, a Dry Zen garden, a “Wet-Strolling” garden (featuring waterfalls), and a Tea Garden with a traditional teahouse.
“A Japanese Garden is created to be enjoyed for each of the four seasons. The combinations of flowers such as azaleas, cherry trees, magnolias, wisteria, raphiolepis indica, iris and lotus, along with the other garden features, provide varying modes and interest throughout the year.”
When to visit the Cherry Blossoms in Los Angeles
Early March
Cherry blossom blooms are hard to predict, but they generally bloom sometime in March. When I visited South Coast Botanic Garden on March 9th 2024, the pink cloud Cherry Tree (picture above) was full of beautiful pink blossoms.
Thankfully, all of the gardens I listed above have attentive staff. You can always call the garden you wish to visit and ask if the cherry blossoms are blooming!
Tips to Enhance your Cherry Blossom Experience
1. What to Wear
Color Palette: Soft, pastel shades like blush pink, lavender, light sage green, sky blue, beige, or white complement the blossoms beautifully.
Comfort First: Choose breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, or lightweight knits for comfort during walking or picnicking.
Layering: Since LA weather can vary, bring light jackets or cardigans for layering.
Accessories: Sunhats, sunglasses, and comfy shoes are essentials!
2. Attend a Cherry Blossom Festival
Shoseian Teahouse
When: March 16th, 2025 from 10:00am - 3:00pm
Website: glendaleteahouse.org
Admission: Free - Tea Ceremonies require advanced reservations. Tickets are $25.00 each.
Monterey Park
When: April 12th-13th, 2025
Website: www.montereypark.ca.gov
Admission: Free
ESGV Japanese Community Center
When: Saturday, April 26, 2024 from 2pm – 7pm
Website: www.esgvjcc.org
Admission: Free
3. Avoid Crowds
Best Days: Aim for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays, as they are typically less busy than Mondays (post-weekend visitors) or Fridays (pre-weekend visitors).
Morning Advantage: Arriving as soon as the garden or park opens ensures you can enjoy the blossoms in peace and have unobstructed photo opportunities.
Early Mornings: Arrive before 9:00 AM for soft, golden light, cooler temperatures, and fewer crowds. This is also ideal for photography and peaceful walks.
Evening Visits: Some places like Descanso Gardens or Huntington Library may have extended hours. Visiting an hour before closing provides a tranquil setting as most visitors leave.
4. Book a Photoshoot
Cherry blossoms only bloom for a few weeks, so why not try to get a photoshoot among the delicate blossoms while they last!
Many of the gardens listed above allow photoshoots on their grounds, as long as you procure a permit that is. Contact the gardens directly for permit information!
I’m offering limited Cherry blossom sessions in March, 2025.
Bookings for my Cherry Blossom sessions open on February 1st for my email list subscribers, February 3rd for the public.
Enjoy Cherry Blossoms in Los Angeles
I truly hoped you enjoyed reading about Cherry Blossoms in Los Angeles, and learned how you can further enjoy these fleeting blossoms! Happy Spring everyone!!
Interested in a Cherry Blossom Session?
About Megan W Photography
Megan is a Fine Art Maternity, Couples, and Family photographer who was born, raised, and is still living in Malibu, CA. She is here to capture you and your loved ones in images that you will want to cherish, and pass down to future generations.
Not only is she a photographer, but she is a mother, wife, daughter, and sister.
Maternity, family, and couples hold a special place in her heart because she knows how quickly time flies by. Megan W Photography wants to help you preserve those sweet little smiles, those tender, affectionate moments, and the love you share with each other.
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Hi! I’m Megan
I’m a boutique, Malibu, CA based photographer who specializes in Maternity, Couples, and families. I serve Los Angeles and Ventura County, as well as all of California. I value tangible, heirloom art pieces versus digital and I focus on quality over quantity.
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