Two and a half acres of meticulously tended subtropical garden in the heart of Corona del Mar, with a small specialist research library focused on the Pacific Southwest tucked away inside. Founded in 1955 by businessman Arnold Haskell as a memorial to his mentor Moses Sherman, the gardens are now one of the prettiest small public gardens in southern California.
The plant collections include a fern grotto, a tropical conservatory, a Japanese-influenced tea garden, and the central courtyard fountain. The on-site Cafe Jardin in a glassed-in pavilion does an excellent lunch using produce from the gardens themselves. Open daily; modest admission fee (free on Mondays).