Tours & Maps

Tram Tours

The tram offers you a front row seat to The Arboretum’s five botanical sections: Africa, Australia, The Americas, The Asiatic, and the Historic Circle. The tram travels from the Madagascar Spiny Forest, a collection of succulents with twisted trunks punctuated with needles, to the soaring vista on Tallac Knoll, surrounding you with the beauty and wonder of The Arboretum’s collection of over 18,000 plants.

In spring, the South American Tabebuia trees provide a canopy of pink blossoms to shade visitors from the gently warming sun. Then starting in June, the daylily (Hemerocallis) garden displays a spectrum of colors while basking under the scorching, tram blue summer skies. In the Fall, sleepy deciduous trees sprinkle colorful leaves reminiscent of ticker tape parades. During the middle of winter, the almost fluorescent aloe blooms along the Aloe Trail present shocking, almost day-glow red and bright yellow as the Hong Kong Orchids bestow royal purple petals to winter visitors.

You will feel the presence of the Tongvas as you view their homes called "kiys." You’ll learn about Hugo Reid, a Scottish expatriate who settled here in the early 1800’s and later became an advocate for native Americans. And you’ll raise an eyebrow or two when you hear the story of maverick millionaire Elias “Lucky” Baldwin. The Tongva kiys, the Hugo Reid adobe, the Queen Anne cottage, the Santa Anita depot, and the coach barn are structures that serve as settings for these stories.

tongva The tram also travels between The Arboretum’s two natural sag ponds. Migrating Wood ducks, Canada Geese, Mallards, herons, egrets, and coots can often be seen taking rest-stop here. And of course there’s the ubiquitous peafowl, a legacy of “Lucky” Baldwin that will delight you with their vibrant plumage. Guides Al Baroody, Eric Doyle, Eric Foemmel and members of Los Voluntarios will narrate your tour as they drive you around the 2 mile road that encircles The Arboretum’s 127 acres.

The tram runs daily. However, the schedule does change depending on daily events and weather. Please call 626-821-3222 for the tram schedule. We can accommodate group tours. Please call 626-821-3234 for information and scheduling.

'Plant Nerd' Tours

School Tours

The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden offers guided and self-guided field trips. Reservations are taken every Monday, Tuesday,Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:30AM to 12:30 PM. To make a reservation, call (626) 821-3212 (please leave a message).

Although reservations are not required for self-guided field trips, reservations are encouraged so that we can be prepared to welcome you and accomodate your program.

For youth groups other than school groups, such as Scouts and day campers, a group rate may be available; call 626-821-3212 for more information.

For more information, see Just for Teachers & Schools

Docent-led Adult Walking Tours

Experience the wonders of The Arboretum as you spend ninety minutes walking with one of our knowledgeable Docents. Tours can be geared to the visitors' interests (i.e. Around the Lake tour of the historical section, Outback in Australia, the African Garden Experience), and are offered most Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. Other days (Please note: tours are available ONLY on weekdays)and times can be arranged with advance notice. Reservations are not required for the Wednesday tours. Please note: tours are not offered during the month of September.

Tours are free of charge with admission to The Arboretum.

For questions, or to arrange for a walking tour at a different time, contact Nancy Carlton, Volunteer and Special Events Manager, at 626-802-8471, or nancy.carlton@arboretum.org, at least one week in advance of the desired date.

Self-guided Walking Tours

To help guide your visit around the grounds of The Aboretum, download the Self-guided Walking Tour Information.

Download Self-guided Walking Tour (PDF)

Visitor Map

For an overview of the Grounds, view The Aboretum Visitor Map

Events