Virginia Robinson Gardens - Beverly Hills, California

Botakoz Arystanbekova

Virginia Robinson Gardens is a true oasis in the heart of Los Angeles. The gardens are stunningly beautiful, rich in history, and feature magnificent architecture. I was impressed by the variety of plants and flowers, which create a unique atmosphere and bring a sense of tranquility. Visiting the historic house was a special delight; it retains an authentic ambiance and the spirit of past eras. The tour was informative and interesting, with guides sharing many fascinating facts about Virginia Robinson and her contribution to creating this place.

It's important to note that visits must be booked in advance through their official website, and ticket prices start at $15.

I also had the chance to attend a sound meditation session for $35. Everything was great, but the meditation was held indoors, and the floor was cold. Unfortunately, the yoga mat didn't help with this issue.

Nonetheless, I highly recommend Virginia Robinson Gardens to anyone looking to spend time outdoors, enjoying the beauty of nature and historical landmarks.

Gregory Tung

Wonderful little tour of a historic house with beautiful gardens. Would like to have seen more of the house as well as some free walking thru the garden as it is very controlled. Still very much worth the $15 for the 1.5 hour tour.

Sarah

One of the best tours in LA by far! Amazing views, stunning gardens, and history that expands over a century. I did the 90-minute gardens tour which went by so quickly and still felt like there was much left to explore. The docents were all friendly and we learned many fun facts.

Mark Pitts

This 6 acre estate in the midst of Beverly Hills is a hidden gem!
Built in 1911 by the Robinson family (owners of Robinson’s Department Stores) it was the first luxury estate built in the Beverly Hills area. It was gifted to LA County by Virginia Robinson in 1977, just before her death.
The house was built in a “Beaux” style, and the pool house was modeled after the Villa Pisani in Tuscany.
Since then, the 6 gardens surrounding the home have been meticulously maintained.
Plants from all over the world are featured, and there is a large rose garden, as well as a King Palm forest that is the largest in the world outside of Australia.
At one time, it was a Mecca of celebrity parties and tennis matches.
The pool house and main house are also part of your tour, but access in the main house is somewhat limited as this home is in it’s totally original condition with all of the furnishings and decor that Virginia left behind.
You will have to book a private tour through their website.
Be prepared to walk a lot of steps on the walking paths through the terraced gardens with your guide and docent.
The gardens can also be booked for photo shoots, and it’s a popular place for wedding or engagement photos.

Zan Lee

Today was my first time visiting and it was a wonderful experience, I would go back again. Elyse was a terrific guide and really knew a lot about the property and was able to answer all of the group’s questions. Due to Covid we were unable to go into the interiors but the tour takes you around the entire property through five different types of gardens. The palm tree forest was my personal favorite, I believe it’s the largest collection anywhere in California. This is also the oldest estate in Beverly Hills and for that alone it’s worth a visit.

Parking can be a little tight in the parking guest lot which is towards the back of the property and the driveway leading up to it is very narrow so if you have an especially wide or tall car (especially a large truck or suburban size SUV) you may want to park on the street. It’s incredibly beautiful inside and funded mainly by the neighboring residents of Beverly Hills. It would be nice if they let you free roam so you could sit and enjoy the property solo but I understand how that would be hard logistically wise. Overall I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of botanical gardens, history, or Beverly Hills.

J Tan

This is a beautiful mansion and garden located in the heart of Beverly Hills. It was the family property of the Robinson's Department Store owner, who donated it to the LA County. It's open for guided tour on select days for $15 per person. The volunteer guide was very knowledgeable and friendly and you can learn a lot about the history, the flora, and landscape of the property during the tour. No photos are allowed inside the mansion, but you can take pictures outside.

Martine Monaghan

Beautiful, beautiful place. Make reservations in advance. A lot of walking with stairs throughout. It's a BIG place.

Lauren B

It’s been almost a decade since I’ve been here and I can’t stop thinking about it. One of the most beautiful hidden gems in L.A. wear comfortable shoes and really get into every corner of the estate if you can!