112002:Zen

Time seem to stop here in the heart of "old" Pasadena near California Technical Institute (Caltech): there is 150+ acres of public, open space/garden founded by a real estate developer!!! Yes, a real estate developer. (Believe it or not: "The Huntington Garden was founded in 1919 by railroad and real estate developer Henry Edwards Huntington and opened to the public in 1928." Real estate developers, are you listening?!) Many types of art museums and gardens are here, but the Japanese Garden is the most interesting one to visit (next to the Desert Garden) with many samples of Bonsai trees and other Eastern landscape design/ elements: rare to see such a traditional Zen garden at this size in U.S. It's quite authentic and carefully maintained.Be careful not to miss its hidden entrance. Also, prepare to spend most of the day walking... and go back each season to see how landscape changes.