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, 
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.
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.
The tram operates Saturday and Sunday at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Tickets are $4 per person and can be purchased at the admissions desk. Tours, which last about 30 minutes, may be cancelled because of weather or other factors. Please call on the day of your visit to check the schedule (626) 821-3222.
'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
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:00am with the exception of "free" admission day on the Third Tuesday of the month
Experience the wonders of the Arboretum as you spend an enjoyable morning walking with one of our knowledgeable volunteer docents. Tours can be geared to the visitors' interests. Reservations are not required for the tours. Other weekday times can be arranged with at least one week's advanced notice by contacting Nancy Carlton, Volunteer Manager, at 626.802.8471, or nancycarlton@arboretum.org. Please note: tours are not offered during the month of September.
Self-guided Walking Tours
To help guide your visit around the grounds of The Aboretum, download the Self-guided Walking Tour Information.
Visitor Map
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For an overview of the Grounds, view The Aboretum Visitor Map
Events
Wednesday, June 19
Wednesday, June 19
Thursday, June 20
