on location: west ❖
sue arko
Brett Shoaf/Artistic Visuals
Lushly landscaped Balboa Park, in the heart of San Diego, abounds with specialty gardens and cultural attractions.
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for the Mid-Winter Exhibition of 1894. On four acres densely packed with water features, groups experience an intense awakening of the senses with the sounds
©e Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
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he warm Mediterranean climate, lingering fog and maritime breezes are perfect for plant growth from all around the world. Tour groups searching for outdoor garden experiences, from native to creative, will find what they are looking for in California. Beginning in the northern part of the state, San Francisco is the home of Golden Gate Park, encompassing more than 1,000 acres. It is larger than New York City’s Central Park and borders the Pacific Ocean. Like Central Park, it is an expansive, approachable and welcome escape from the traffic and congestion of the city. Among park attractions, the Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco Botanical Garden and Conservatory of Flowers are favorites of tour groups. The Japanese Tea Garden, the oldest public Japanese gardens in California, was created by Baron Makoto Hagiwara
In early spring, wisteria frames The Huntington’s Japanese Garden.
of an azalea-covered waterfall, sights of decorative lanterns and statues, and sweet smell of wisteria and other fragrant blooms. A kaleidoscope of colors and scents welcomes visitors to the San Francisco Botanical Garden (formerly known as Strybing Arboretum). Displaying more than 7,500 varieties of flora from around the world, the 55-acre garden is divided into four sections. The Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park is the oldest remaining municipal wooden conservatory in the United States. It features exoticlooking blooms, a tropical area, a water lily garden and a rotating collection of potted plants. The distinctive Victorian architecture and colorful history have earned the conservatory a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, located in the LeisureGroupTravel.com
©e Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
the Rose Garden. The Chinese Gardens guided tour visits the traditional Suzhou-style garden featuring a 1.5acre lake, seven pavilions, a canyon waterfall and five hand-carved stone bridges set against a wooded backdrop of mature oak, pines, camellias, bamboo and blossoming plum trees. The San Diego area’s mild Mediterranean climate makes it possible to grow more different kinds of plants than almost anywhere else in the United
Pay tribute to the Bard at The Huntington’s Shakespeare Garden.
heart of the historic Rancho Santa Anita in the city of Arcadia, is home to plant collections from all over the world, including many rare and endangered species. Additionally, it houses outdoor historical landmarks representative of California’s history. A narrated tram tour travels through five botanical sections: Africa, Australia, The Americas, The Asiatic and Historic Circle. Visitors travel from Madagascar Spiny Forest, a collection of succulents with twisted trunks punctuated with needles, to a soaring vista on Tallac Knoll, displaying the beauty of the arboretum’s collection of over 18,000 plants. Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino is an oasis of art and culture set amidst 150 acres of breathtaking gardens with 14,000 varieties of trees and plants showcased in more than a dozen principal garden areas, including Japanese, Rose, Shakespeare, Camellia, Jungle, Palm and Chinese. Like a French Impressionist painting, the gardens, lawns, arbors and pathways evoke a feeling of tranquility. It houses the largest public collection of camellias and azaleas in the world in addition to more than 1,200 varieties of roses in LeisureGroupTravel.com
States. The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, a springtime extravaganza, contain thousands of ranunculus plants covering the hillside above the Pacific shoreline, separated into ribbon-like bands of color. Guided tours explain the planting process and growing cycle and describe the variety of flowers grown. Picture paths allow groups to walk into the fields and take breathtakingly colorful photos. Favorite features include the American Flag of Flowers, a brilliant
Brighter
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 flexible meeting space
> Championship golf course* > Fine and casual dining > Full casino
> Ski Apache* > Fishing* > Horseback riding*
InnoftheMountainGods.com 1-800-545-6040 | Mescalero, NM near Ruidoso Booking Info: jokazhe@innofthemountaingods.com FULL CASINO | CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF *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).
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on location: west ❖ American 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
ADVERTORIAL 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
THE HUNTINGTON NOW OPEN • CLASSICAL CHINESE GARDEN!
Stroll through 120 acres of breathtaking gardens See world-class artworks • View rare literary treasures Indulge in afternoon Tea • Group Tours available
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1151 Oxford Road
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San Marino, CA
626-405-2240 www.huntington.org
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tours@huntington.org
FABULOUS PALM SPRINGS FOLLIES
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he Fabulous Palm Springs Follies celebrates the music, dance and comedy of the 1940s, ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, with one amazing difference: Every member of the Follies cast is from 57 to 81 years “young.” The Follies has been seen by nearly three million patrons and is presented every November through mid-May in the historic Plaza Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. Each Follies edition is entirely new and features a rotating roster of renowned guest stars and variety acts. The Follies’ 21st season opens with television and film star John Davidson (Nov. 2-Dec. 31, 2011). The heart and soul of the Follies are the 16 ladies and gentlemen of the chorus, who have spent their entire careers performing in television, film, Las Vegas showrooms and upon the Broadway stage. They have now returned to the thing they enjoy most: singing and dancing for Follies audiences. Riff Markowitz, with his blend of cutting-edge satire and Old World savoir faire, is your personal guide through FolliesLand.
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