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If anyone is in the LA region between now and July 23, by all means make tracks to the Huntington Library, Art and Botanical Collections in San Marino (an LA suburb adjoining Pasadena). Take advantage of a terrific exhibition on the history of the transcontinental railroad across America, brought to life through the Huntington's unparalleled photographic, document and artifact collectiona on the railroad's planning, construction and aftermath. You can easily spend two hours just perusing this single exhibition, which marks the 150th anniversary of the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862. The maps, letters, photos, pick shovels--all combine to make you feel you're living at that time and participating in the debate over how and where to place a line to unite the continent.
Try to make time as well for the Huntington's blossoming rose gardens, Chinese and Japanese gardens (among the largest in the Western hemisphere) and fabulous European and American art collections spanning a 600-year period. It's a beautiful location, the former home of magnate Henry Huntington, whose uncle Collis was one of the "big four" who owned the Central Pacific Railroad (as well as the C&O and the Southern Pacific in later years). Henry was instrumental in constructing the comprehensive streetcar network that spanned the LA region for a half-century.
You can get to the Huntington from LA Union Station by taking the Metro Gold Line light rail line to the Lake Station, then catching a taxi for about $10 to the Huntington, a 15-minute drive (or less). You can get near the Huntington by Metro local bus from downtown LA, but it's a 50-minute ride on congested surface streets and the nearest stop still leaves you with a 10-minute uphill walk.
Try to make time as well for the Huntington's blossoming rose gardens, Chinese and Japanese gardens (among the largest in the Western hemisphere) and fabulous European and American art collections spanning a 600-year period. It's a beautiful location, the former home of magnate Henry Huntington, whose uncle Collis was one of the "big four" who owned the Central Pacific Railroad (as well as the C&O and the Southern Pacific in later years). Henry was instrumental in constructing the comprehensive streetcar network that spanned the LA region for a half-century.
You can get to the Huntington from LA Union Station by taking the Metro Gold Line light rail line to the Lake Station, then catching a taxi for about $10 to the Huntington, a 15-minute drive (or less). You can get near the Huntington by Metro local bus from downtown LA, but it's a 50-minute ride on congested surface streets and the nearest stop still leaves you with a 10-minute uphill walk.
