located at 1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (by appt only)

When you enter through the private driveway of the Virginia Robinson Gardens, your car ascends a hill along a smooth curve surrounded by dense foliage. You then drive through a car tunnel and into the parking lot. It’s not often that entrances to a public space is this grand. Virginia Robinson Gardens evokes a historic past with a mansion, pool, a pool house, and impressive gardens on six-acres.

The mansion and the gardens are historically significant to the Los Angeles area. This residence was owned by Virginia and Harry Robinson, the heir of the Robinson Department store. The mansion was designed by the architect, Nathaniel Dryden, who is also Virginia’s father (and is also the architect for the Brand Library in Glendale). This residence is the first large estate within Beverly Hills and is a fine example of the type of Beaux-Arts architecture that is found in Southern California when wealthy Midwesterners adopted Southern California as their winter home.

The tour I took was a brief overview of the estate and the gardens. The Robinsons are both amateur botanists and own a library filled with botany books which are bookmarked and have notes attached. In 1911, they moved into their house and work on their grounds began. Each part of the estate has sections of garden that has its own theme.

The Great Lawn features the pool house, pool, water garden, and lawn which connects to the main house. The water garden was initially a small pool but has been converted to a water garden.

The Italian Terrance Garden features terraced levels and fountain features along with several large trees including magnolias and cypress. It is here that you can exercise all your five senses including a spectacular view of the city. There is a walking trail that Virginia Robinson would walk on a daily basis for her health and to experience her gardens. The trail was closed for our tour but from this vantage point, you can see how this is a welcoming point to embark on garden meanderings.

The Front Meadow which surrounds the front of the house features California natives and flowers that produce a meadow like feel. There were many butterflies, bees, and birds in this Certified Wildlife Habitat site.

The Display Rose Garden surrounds the sitting area by the tennis courts as well as the space which leads to the Palm Garden. There is an array of vintage roses in many different colors. Roses are cut and used to display within the house.

The Kitchen Garden is located near the servant quarters and the kitchen. It has a more formal look with marked paths and shrubs enclosing the vegetables and herbs. There is large chicken coop at the back which was previously used for the Robinson’s many animals including monkeys.

The King Palm Forest is an impressive garden as it harbors a large variety of plants and is one of the oldest palm forests in Southern California. The rustling of the leaves and waterfall disguises any big city noise. It remains one of the largest palm gardens outside of Queensland and Australia.

Virginia Robinson was known for throwing lavish parties, the benefactor for the opening night at the Hollywood Bowl, and for being a philanthropist. She was said to have a kind and generous heart. Upon her death at 99 years of age, she bequeathed the estate to Los Angeles County along with one million dollars for its upkeep. It is through her that the public can enjoy this garden and its history.

Visits are by reservation only. To book a tour, visit their website at Virginia Robinson Gardens. This garden is part of the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department and requires you to complete their login information.