T he warm Mediterranean climate,lingering fog and maritime breezesare perfect for plant growth from

all around the world. Tour groupssearching for outdoor garden experi-ences, from native to creative, will findwhat they are looking for in California.

Beginning in the northern part ofthe state, San Francisco is the home ofGolden Gate Park, encompassing morethan 1,000 acres. It is larger than NewYork City’s Central Park and bordersthe Pacific Ocean. Like Central Park, itis an expansive, approachable and wel-come escape from the traffic and con-gestion of the city. Among parkattractions, the Japanese Tea Garden,San Francisco Botanical Garden andConservatory of Flowers are favorites oftour groups.

The Japanese Tea Garden, the oldestpublic Japanese gardens in California,was created by Baron Makoto Hagiwara

for the Mid-Winter Exhibition of 1894.On four acres densely packed with waterfeatures, groups experience an intenseawakening of the senses with the sounds

of an azalea-covered waterfall, sights ofdecorative lanterns and statues, andsweet smell of wisteria and other fra-grant blooms.

A kaleidoscope of colors and scentswelcomes visitors to the San FranciscoBotanical Garden (formerly known asStrybing Arboretum). Displaying morethan 7,500 varieties of flora from aroundthe world, the 55-acre garden is dividedinto four sections.

The Conservatory of Flowers inGolden Gate Park is the oldest remain-ing municipal wooden conservatory inthe United States. It features exotic-looking blooms, a tropical area, a waterlily garden and a rotating collection ofpotted plants. The distinctive Victorianarchitecture and colorful history haveearned the conservatory a place on theNational Register of Historic Places.

Los Angeles County Arboretumand Botanic Garden, located in the

54 April 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com

on location: west � sue arko

In early spring, wisteria frames

The Huntington’s Japanese Garden.

Lushly landscaped Balboa Park, in the heart of San Diego, abounds with specialty gardens and cultural attractions.

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heart of the historic Rancho SantaAnita in the city of Arcadia, is home toplant collections from all over the world,including many rare and endangeredspecies. Additionally, it houses outdoorhistorical landmarks representative ofCalifornia’s history. A narrated tram tourtravels through five botanical sections:Africa, Australia, The Americas, TheAsiatic and Historic Circle. Visitorstravel from Madagascar Spiny Forest, acollection of succulents with twistedtrunks punctuated with needles, to asoaring vista on Tallac Knoll, displayingthe beauty of the arboretum’s collectionof over 18,000 plants.

Huntington Library, Art Collec-tions and Botanical Gardens in SanMarino is an oasis of art and culture setamidst 150 acres of breathtaking gar-dens with 14,000 varieties of trees andplants showcased in more than a dozenprincipal garden areas, including Japanese, Rose, Shakespeare, Camellia,Jungle, Palm and Chinese. Like aFrench Impressionist painting, the gar-dens, lawns, arbors and pathways evokea feeling of tranquility. It houses thelargest public collection of camelliasand azaleas in the world in addition tomore than 1,200 varieties of roses in

the Rose Garden. The Chinese Gar-dens guided tour visits the traditionalSuzhou-style garden featuring a 1.5-acre lake, seven pavilions, a canyon waterfall and five hand-carved stonebridges set against a wooded backdropof mature oak, pines, camellias, bambooand blossoming plum trees.

The San Diego area’s mild Mediter-ranean climate makes it possible to growmore different kinds of plants than al-most anywhere else in the United

States. The Flower Fields at CarlsbadRanch, a springtime extravaganza, con-tain thousands of ranunculus plants cov-ering the hillside above the Pacificshoreline, separated into ribbon-likebands of color. Guided tours explain theplanting process and growing cycle anddescribe the variety of flowers grown.Picture paths allow groups to walk intothe fields and take breathtakingly color-ful photos. Favorite features include theAmerican Flag of Flowers, a brilliant

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*Weather permitting. Must be 21 or older to enter casino. The Mescalero Apache Tribe promotes responsible gaming. For assistance, please call 1-800- GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).

Brighter

InnoftheMountainGods.com1-800-545-6040 | Mescalero, NM near Ruidoso

Booking Info: jokazhe@innofthemountaingods.comFULL CASINO | CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF

Where heaven and earth meet, so can you. Incredible convention and meeting facilities are only the beginning of your experience at Inn of the Mountain Gods. From full casino action and award-winning dining to championship golf and unparalleled mountain scenery, even your keynote speaker will be speechless.

> 273 luxury rooms and suites> 40,000 sq. ft. of fl exible meeting space

> Championship golf course*> Fine and casual dining> Full casino

> Ski Apache*> Fishing*> Horseback riding*

Pay tribute to the Bard at The

Huntington’s Shakespeare Garden.

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56 April 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com

The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies cel-ebrates the music, dance and com-

edy of the 1940s, ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, withone amazing difference: Every memberof the Follies cast is from 57 to 81 years“young.” The Follies has been seen bynearly three million patrons and is pre-sented every November through mid-Mayin the historic Plaza Theatre, located inthe heart of downtown Palm Springs.

Each Follies edition is entirely new andfeatures a rotating roster of renownedguest stars and variety acts. The Follies’21st season opens with television andfilm star John Davidson (Nov. 2-Dec. 31,2011).

The heart and soul of the Follies arethe 16 ladies and gentlemen of the cho-rus, who have spent their entire careersperforming in television, film, Las Vegasshowrooms and upon the Broadwaystage. They have now returned to thething they enjoy most: singing and danc-ing for Follies audiences. Riff Markowitz,with his blend of cutting-edge satire andOld World savoir faire, is your personalguide through FolliesLand.

A D V E R T O R I A L

FABULOUS

PALM SPRINGS FOLLIESAmerican flag comprised of red, white

and blue anemone flowers planted on

the hillside, and the Sweet Pea Maze, a

living maze of fragrant and colorful

sweet pea blossoms.

Located in the heart of San Diego,

Balboa Park is renowned for the lush

landscaping and lovely gardens that offer

a magnificent backdrop for its cultural

attractions. The park contains more than

eight gardens, including the Alcazar

Garden, award-winning rose garden,

Japanese Friendship Garden, desert

garden and historic Botanical Building.

These are only a sampling of the

numerous gardens, farms and flower

shows that make for great inclusions on

any group tour itinerary. Something is

always blooming in California. Come

and let your senses run free. LGT

on location: west ❖

Stroll through 120 acres of breathtaking gardensSee world-class artworks • View rare literary treasuresIndulge in afternoon Tea • Group Tours available

THE HUNTINGTONNOW OPEN • CLASSICAL CHINESE GARDEN!

1151 Oxford Road • San Marino, CA626-405-2240

www.huntington.org • tours@huntington.org