Need a pre- or post-feast escape? Descanso Gardens is open on Thanksgiving

When I was an energetic little kid, my mother would dress me and my siblings in bright red jackets and have us run around Descanso Gardens for hours. Smart woman, my mother.

While I'm not suggesting you do the same, it sure seems like Thanksgiving -- with its family stresses, overwhelming carbohydrate intake and back-to-back football games -- is a good day for a visit. Heck, why not try to hike all 160 acres? You've got the calories to burn, or an appetite to build.

For, much to my surprise, Descanso Gardens is open today. In addition to offering a Patina-catered buffet at noon and 2 p.m., the public gardens will be open during regular hours, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you've never been, Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive in La Canada Flintridge. Admission is $8 and $3 for kids. Red jackets not required. 

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credit: Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[SusieMcGreger]

Aww, that is a really sweet story. Your mommy also had the right idea by having you wear the bright red jackets to know where you were, so easy to spot.

I love Descanso Gardens, better still, to live near there too, with the surrounding foothills of the Angeles National Forest. Unfortunately the recent Station fire disrupted our nature up there.

[Nureet Cohen]

This place is always beautiful. Can be visited year round.