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San Gabriel Lunar New Year Festival
The dragon at San Gabriel Lunar New Year Festival If there’s anyone that likes free things, it’s got to be me.
As a freebie lover, I attended the San Gabriel Lunar New Year Festival, a free event held at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse.
Parking wasn’t an issue as I was able to park on the street for free. Their event parking lot was also for free but already full by the time I had gotten there and I actually had gotten there before the start time of the festival. Meh. So, even though I had arrived early, by the time I decided on a parking spot, the festival had already begun.
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A San Gabriel Valley Gem: The Huntington Library
I honestly do not know what type of So Cal local I am simply because I never once knew the city of San Marino existed. This city is beautiful. And what’s even more beautiful is the fact that The Huntington Library is located in this city. I can’t tell you how many gorgeous homes I passed by on my way into and out of the Huntington Library. I would sooo love to own a home there. (If only I could actually afford to buy one, that is… Someone that owns one, please just propose to me and I’ll say yes without a second thought! lol I’m coming off a little looney now, but I suppose that expresses exactly how much I adore San Marino and its homes. It was just love at first sight!)
Silliness aside, allow me to get back on track to San Marino’s Huntington Library. I visited the place on a gloomy day, prepared. I came with an umbrella and open-fingered gloves just in case it would rain. It rained and this was a good thing because I find gloomy weather/rain rather romantic. While others were busy frolicking about with a significant other, friends or children, I was having the time of my life exploring the expansive grounds alone as self deserved me-time. (I think I only came across 2 other people that came alone. One was a male and the other was a female. The female actually approached me to inform me of a wonderful Kodak moment – a rainbow shot and I must say I am thankful for her random kindness and for being cool, like me to frolic around alone. lol)
Contrary to its name, the Huntington Library is more than just a library. While it’s true that the Library contains an extensive collection of books, art and even furniture, the grounds of the Library are truly something else as they contain a plethora of amazing gardens.
My most favorite garden at the Library would have to hands down be the Japanese Garden. If you’ve been reading my blog, you probably remember the time I visited CSULB’s Japanese garden and was quite disappointed by its small size. Huntington’s Japanese Garden was not only big, but impressive and pleasing to the eyes.
In addition to the Japanese Garden, the Huntington Library is home to the Chinese Garden, a Jungle Garden, a Shakespeare Garden, a rose garden, an Australian Garden, lily ponds, a Desert Garden and I believe, even more gardens. Each garden, with an exception to perhaps the lily pond was big and took a good amount of time to explore and enjoy. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll probably love every garden featured here. I ended up taking a lot of photos and for the first time ever, I ended the day with just 1% of battery left on my cell phone. (Seriously!)If I could squeeze all of my experiences and photos from the Huntington Library into this entry, I would. But since it’s impossible for me to do such a thing, expect to see at least two additional follow up entries in the near future! 😀