Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Los Angeles

Mar 20

Celebrate spring with an afternoon at one of these cherry blossom-filled spots around L.A., plus a few cherry blossom festivals.

Well before the jacaranda trees bloom and just as the California poppies begin to flower, Los Angeles also greets the springtime with cherry blossom season.

If you’re after blossoming buds, you’ll largely want to head to a botanical garden or Japanese garden between March and April, though sometimes slightly earlier (other pink trees like peach blossoms can pop off as early as February).

You’ll also find some cherry blossom festivals, where a handful of Southern California cities salute their Japanese roots. Oddly enough, while some of these fests take place in parks and along city streets adorned with those delicate pink flowers, some don’t actually feature any cherry trees.

Peak blooms are pretty short-lived, so we suggest checking each spot (Instagram tends to be particularly useful) for up-to-the-minute photos before you trek on over.

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Descanso Gardens

Witness the springtime bloom at the La Cañada Flintridge garden during monthly guided tours (Mar 17, 18; Apr 21, 22; May 19, 20 11am–noon). As for those beautiful pink-flowering trees, you’ll want to head to the Japanese garden. Make sure to check the garden’s bloom status before you secure your reservation; as of early March, the Okame cherry trees have hit the end of their bloom cycle, but the Akebono and Beni Hoshi trees are expected to blossom later in the month.

Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens

It’s tough to pick a favorite themed area at the Huntington, but the Japanese garden makes a pretty strong argument for the top spot—especially during cherry blossom season. Look to the rose garden-adjacent entrance as well as the steps near the ceremonical teahouse to see “Pink Cloud” cherry trees and the not-a-cherry-but-still-pinkish Japanese “Momo” peach tree. The path around the Chinese garden is also typically dotted with blossoms, too, as well as look-alikes such as the flowering peach. Check in with the Huntingon’s exhaustively detailed bloom map for a sense of when each spot will hit its peak (as of early March, you’ll find quite a few pink trees in bloom).

South Coast Botanic Garden

Set a course for this Palos Verdes landmark to spot some blossoms this spring. While there’s no sign yet this year of the annual cherry blossom festival or docent-led tours, you should still be able to easily spot them on your own—specifically by the rose garden and the adjacent amphitheater lawn (blossoms were already spotted around the gardens in early February this year, but as of early March you should still be able to see some pink). Just make sure to have a reservation before you go.

Lake Balboa + The Japanese Garden

This popular lake and picnic spot in the Valley springs to life each March as cherry blossoms color the path around the lake’s perimeter (and just to be clear, since the neighborhood is also called Lake Balboa, you’ll find the actual lake just inside of the corner of Victory and Balboa Boulevards, north of the L.A. River).

The lake sits just down the block from another key blossom spot: the Japanese Garden, a recycled oasis that’s fed by the water reclamation plant next door. You’ll need a reservation to visit right now, which become available seven days in advance (and book up pretty quickly).

Torrance Cherry Blossom Festival

Spend an afternoon underneath the cherry blossoms as dancers and Japanese folk musicians perform alongside a craft fair at this annual Pan-Asian celebration.

Columbia Park, 4045 190th St, Torrance. Mar 26 11am–4pm; free.

Huntington Beach Cherry Blossom Festival

Head to Huntington Beach’s hopefully-blossoming cherry tree grove for a festival stocked with food vendors as well as drum, dance and musical performances by ensembles from around Southern California.
Huntington Beach Central Park, 18000 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach. Apr 14–16.

Cherry Blossom Festival in Monterey Park

While Monterey Park may be best known locally for its concentration of Chinese culture, the city honors its Japanese influences with this free fest featuring drums, martial arts, a tea ceremony and handmade crafts.

Barnes Park, 350 S McPherrin Ave, Monterey Park. Apr 15 11am–7pm, Apr 16 11am–6pm; free.

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