Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Serene, stunning, absolutely gorgeous. This hidden gem is a great place to take a date and explore the well maintained Japanese garden with lots of history. It is quite small, but you get transported to another time the second you enter. It is super peaceful and beautiful. There is a $12 entrance fee but it is worth it as a one time thing. Be ready to take lots of photos, and say hi to the cute ducklings!

A cousin got married here and it was really a beautiful place!

The scenery was great! alot of remarkable things to remember! Remember to take photos!

Absolutely lovely. My daughter's wedding was held here. It is a hidden gem.

Such a lovely and wonderful place! Koi fish, turtles, as well as a ton of other fish come up to meet you when you stand at any of the two ponds' edges! Too bad today was way to hot (110°🌡♨️) too really get the most outta my visit but, I will be back!

It was a beautiful and peaceful experience. Parked on Arlington right next to the entrance. Gotta live free and easy parking. The admission price was very reasonable and I was able to make reservations the day before. I emailed the staff to ask questions and received a response very quickly.The grounds were gorgeous and mostly covered making it perfect to visit at anytime of year. There was also plenty of seating all throughout the gardens.

A nice quiet but small Japanese garden. I love that they have seats everywhere, so it's a nice place for dating. But not a lot of features here. You can see the majority of it in 10 minutes.

This Japanese garden is so peaceful and beautiful, it's not that big but that's all you need for tranquility and peace, they also have a gift shop and they have koi fish and you can feed them with food they sell for them. I had a good time here I love it.

This place is amazingly beautiful and quiet. We came here for a wedding and everything about the evening was perfect. Weather cooperated so that was a plus. They transformed one of the open garden areas into a dining space for 100 guests and it turned out great. Dance floor and open bar was setup at the top of the garden area and the host was accommodating. Everyone seemed to have a great time and the catered food was not bad. Highly recommend this place for smaller party gatherings and get togethers. Parking is valet as they don't allow street parking without a permit.

The place is nice but the entrance fee is $15. The garden is tiny so you will see everything in 10-15 minutes. Not a big fan, won't be returning.

Pretty but not worth $12 to go in, it's super small and if there are even four other people in there it feels crowded and less peaceful. Super overpriced, especially since there's a free community garden right across the street.

Only open on weekends, Fri-Sun; must make reservations online in advance. It is a small garden but what's nice is that you can bring your own wine... There are several places to sit down and admire the garden from different views. What this place offers that no other Japanese garden offers (in the local area) is that they actually allow you to go inside the Japanese house... You can also buy some fish food, and I like to sit on the engawa and feed the koi fishes from there... It's such a unique experience unlike any other. You do have to take shoes off and keep socks on before stepping in. There's a tea station in the middle of the house, and all the shoji screens are opened to allow light and air through. A beautiful, other worldly experience... highly recommend for garden, nature lovers or those who appreciate history.

Courtesy counts. I witnessed a unnecessary act of total rudeness while checking into the garden yesterday. My regrets are that I didn't react faster and that I didn't find someone in authority when it happened. The situation was simple. A clearly distressed, nicely dressed young lady, also not a guest of the garden, politely asked the attendant (Rita, i think) to use the restroom or if she knew of one nearby. The snobbish attendant answered, "No. You can't use ours and the park (Arlington Garden, next door) doesn't either." The young lady, urgently in need of a restroom, bolted from the park before I could interject. I confronted the attendant informing her that Arlington Garden had restrooms at the far side. She responded telling me knew that already. I asked why she didn't tell the girl. The rude attendant looked past me and invited the next couple to check-in. Sadly, that act of ugliness tainted my visit. I stead of enjoying the garden, I focused on the sloppily stored hoses laying about, the poorly kept ponds. the weeds, and the features, statuary, and buildings in disrepair. I understand that a business cannot open its facilities to everyone, but there is no excuse for not sharing something as simple as the location of a nearby restroom. Shame on you.

Beautiful, serene, majestically calming garden! Looking for a peaceful spot, to unwind and let it all go?! Yup, this is your spot. You can bring food, and drinks, and get your garden picnic on. There are benches, and tree stumps throughout garden. Do take a moment to sit and really enjoy it. The ponds have small fish, and koi. There are also turtles. Whoop whoop. The pathways are inviting, love the little bridges, they all add a little flavor to it all. Small waterfalls, are music to my ears. Flowers, were so beautiful as well. Sometimes you just wanna be infused between lush greens, and forget the daily grind. I can't wait to come back! I really enjoyed Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden. I hope you enjoy your visit too! Tips- -Buy tickets online (adults $15), and reserve your time frame. -You Can buy tickets at gate. Limited supply, and sometimes they have private events. So call ahead maybe. To be on the safe side. -Street parking (free) -Arlington garden across street is super cute as well and it's free. -If you're a real yelper... look up (Fork in the Road) also very close proximity!

While the nearby Huntington Japanese garden gets all the accolade, this little known 1.45 acre garden at a private house is worth seeing especially if you have limited time and wanted to just focus on seeing a Japanese garden without 10+ other gardens trying to compete for your attention. Since it's at a residence the availability is more limited with it being open Fridays and Saturdays at nights and Sunday in the day. It seems they rent it out a lot for filming and events so best to plan according ahead of time, you can't just rock up there. There were 3 different sessions for admission. I'm not sure if this is a Covid thing or it's always been like that, but it makes a visit to the garden much more pleasant because there aren't too many people around all at once. It had sort of a private members club feeling. Out of all of the Japanese gardens in the LA area this one is by far the most shaded which is nice because Pasadena can get really hot in the summertime.

For only $10, you can get a taste of japan! You must make a reservation first before you can come explore here. Clean restrooms, plenty of gems to look at. Bring food to sit, relax and eat since they allow you to have picnics here. Streams and ponds full of koi fishes and turtles! My son loved them just as much as I did!

Calming and soothing well kept grounds. Transports you to a quaint Japanese province, complete with koi, buddah and green tea ceremony house. It's not big, but not small. After learning the love and dedication to this garden, I appreciate it even more. Visit Groupon for $5 off admission!

These gardens are such an enchanting space to spend a late afternoon. I like to bring tea, snacks, books, and tarot decks with me and spend an hour or two pretending that I'm in my own backyard. I wish that they held tea ceremonies or taught classes or did almost anything in the beautiful tea house that is on the property. As always, I'm anticipating my next visit.

I have lived in the SGV practically my whole life and had no idea this place existed until recently! They are open on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday during the day. Normally Sunday admission here is $12/person, but I bought a Groupon for admission for 2 so it came out to be $9/person. Definitely worth buying the Groupon because this place is pretty small so I don't think it's really worth paying full price... They do provide a parking area but it's more of a corridor than anything. You drive into the driveway, turn around, and then park on the side in a row with other cars. Street parking is also available so I would probably recommend doing that if you have a larger car. Once we parked we walked into the entrance and then checked in on the terrace of the house. I showed the lady my Groupon and marked it as redeemed and then she gave us stickers to show that we were registered paid visitors. They say that they are wheelchair accessible but my experience today involved quite a few stairs so I question whether they are fully accessible or not... I'm glad that I came here with my ankle braces on and without my rollator because I didn't see a continual accessible path. We walked around two large ponds and went inside their teahouse. It was really nice in there and there are also multiple benches/chairs around the garden for people to sit and relax in. My friend was getting bit by bugs though so we didn't really sit and relax much. In the end we spent a little over 30 minutes there and then left. I would recommend using bug spray when you come to avoid getting bit like my friend.

Beautiful venue for a wedding or other event. The staff was very professional. We really enjoyed it! Outdoor only though so it's just good if weather permits. Amazing photos

Very pretty and worth a look. A hidden gem for sure. I didn't even realize it was there. I really like this area and I'm glad I found it.

Third time was the charm to finally catch this private garden open. Owned and operated by a nonprofit group, they are open only two Sundays a month. They do open several weekdays each week, but that doesn't mesh with my work schedule. When we visited last Sunday, they were celebrating a tea festival. For that event they charged an extra $5 per guest, $15 versus $10. We received a small China teacup to use for tasting at six different stations. That many vendors came out to offer their teas, plus explain the benefits of the various blending. It was an enhancement to a visit to the garden, while also a distraction from the natural beauty of the space. Fairly well attended late in the afternoon, it made for some challenges in taking photos of the landscape. People were respectful in speaking in low tones, and the waterfalls and bamboo fountains kept the sounds in a natural zone. Numerous seating areas afforded places to stop and soak in the inspired design and peaceful atmosphere of this historic garden. Almost lost to "progress" and development of the surrounding neighborhood, it thankfully is now preserved as an historic site. We enjoyed the overall feeling, plus the flowering azaleas and camellias. Koi live in the ponds, providing a fascination factor. Elevation changes, meandering pathways, and variously styled bridges offer character to the two acre garden. It took us a while to learn of this gem, then hit the right day to visit. Glad to have finally made it!

A gem of a hidden Japanese garden in Pasadena which was once part of the Storrier Stearns estate. The estate was subdivided & eventually the mansion was torn down, but the Japanese garden remained. Luckily, the new owner of the property more or less continued to care for the Japanese garden until it was refurbished around 2005 by a Japanese specialist. It's a contemplative garden that has many aspects depending on the season & on the weather. We went just after a rain so all the leaves were shiny, clean & bright light & dark green. Colorful azaleas were post peak as well as dark red camellias still hanging on. The trees gracefully frame the pond w/ aesthetically placed large stones to mimic rocky shores. Koi food is sold at the gift shop. Go to the zigzag stone bridge & gently throw food into the water nearby. Koi come arunning to grub out good naturedly jostling each other to eat the most food. Tall stone lanterns, Buddha statues adorn quiet spaces. In the Japanese teahouse, the practioners of Chado or Sado were holding a formal tea ceremony. Apparently it is held every second Sunday at 1pm. Go to Storrier Stearns website for days, time, and to register to attend this ancient ceremony while in a magical peaceful, serene garden in order to rebalance one's own inner psyche. Met Chucho who is fluent in Japanese having lived there for 6 years to learn more about advanced agricultural techniques and is also the head gardener at Storrier Stearns. Friendly & hospitable w/ wealth of information about the garden, he was a great PR person. He also has the ability to call over the turtle, that is often in hiding, to show his face to us. 4+ Yelp stars where our 2 alloted hours went too quickly.

I really wanted to go check out the japanse garden i sherman oaks, but due to this pandemic it was closed, so i looked up alternative Japanese garden and found this one... its a small japanese garden... its a good, maybe 15-25min stroll in the garden.. not really much to see... i still like the japanses garden at the huntingon better... price to get in is cheap.... good place to just kill some time and relax..

This was such a fun night in the garden! My girlfriend and I went there for our anniversary with a bottle of wine and some yummy takeout. What a lovely evening!! It was so nice to sit next to the koi pond and enjoy the tranquility around us. We were there for 2 hours and got to enjoy the ambiance as the sun gratefully set. We took some amazing pictures and even danced in our little oasis. I would highly recommend this experience! We will absolutely go back!

What an exquisite experience. For a paltry entrance fee, you can wander one of the most expertly-designed gardens in the country. The gardens are small, but the attention to detail is enormous, and the area is remarkably-well kept. After seeing this, the Huntington Gardens were, frankly, a disappointment. The gardens include a koi pond, tea house, and an exhibit room, as well as a series of poster-boards explaining the history of the gardens. Secluded, tranquil, lovely.

Great location to have an event I will recommend this venue to anybody this looking for an outside event.

You know, I've never knew or heard of this place before, but when a good family friend of ours got married here on Saturdays, I fell in love with this place. So everything here is decorated with a Japanese theme. this place is on about a quarter of an acre lot, so it's bigger than a large backyard, but smaller than your average public park. With a lake, many trails meandering throughout the park, this place seems bigger than it really is. There are lots of trees, bamboo, and other miscellaneous foliage, koi ponds with ginormous koi fishes, a decent size lake, stone figurines, bridges, running streams, and sitting areas located all over the place. Great place for photo ops. If needed, there is a small party room available if you need to have something inside. Restrooms availabe. I believe this place is open to the public for a small fee, but also, it can be rented out for private gatherings, party's and weddings. If your planning to come visit for the day, and if you walk fast, and don't have a lot of patients, then maybe this place is not for you, but if you like to walk slow, take the time to take pictures, and just simply relax, decompress, and enjoy the scenery, then this place might be worth it. For sure, a great place to have a small wedding and or reception. Wish it was a little bigger, but I'm definitely a fan, 4 stars for this place.

As always the spring is all around!!! Love this tranquil setting, what a hidden jewel in this lovely garden in Pasadena. Highly recommended:-)))

It's never open. We drive by there n park to see closer, but they are always close. Maybe we have to buy tickets. However I'm on the website it says it open from a certain time. Although, we arrived during those hrs and they are not open.

Fantastic! I took my children for a little stroll around the garden and a look at the Koi pond. I really like how they are being cautious and only accepting visitors by reservation. There are only a limited amount of people allowed in and people are spaced far enough to not get In each other's way. Lots of cute photo opportunities for the family. Very peaceful and beautiful surroundings. My children enjoyed the Japanese tea house and the small bridges that connected the paths. The entire stroll lasted about 20-25 minutes. The kids were able to explore the different colors or Koi and statues. Prices are reasonable and would definitely return.

Something pulled out from Japan and dropped into Pasadena, is this charming little garden, off of Pasadena Avenue near the "fork" in the road. The location is smaller than I expected, and was I was hoping it would be more like the UCLA Japanese Garden, which is now closed. However, there are many things I enjoyed about the decor of the garden, and felt it was tranquil and a reprieve from Los Angeles. The cost of entry is a little expensive, but probably covers the maintenance and upkeep of the Garden. We also paid an additional $20 for a tea class, which was informative and nice to learn the culture of Japanese tea. With a Groupon for 2, the whole 2 hours ran about $40, which is like having a lunch or a small dinner for two. Nice photo opportunities and ideas were gained during this expedition, with thoughts of having our own garden at our home...

It's a small garden with only a few and brief walkways to wander around. However, this garden has its own charm with lots of beauty and tranquility to take in. There's a giant pond with a few floating lily pads. You will also find koi fishes swimming along too. In addition to their pond, another key feature to this place is their traditional Japanese Tea Room that's perfect for relaxing and pictures. They also have a small artwork exhibit to look at inside the house. But what's my personal favorite about this place is how there are comfortable seats and tables all around. For a good chunk of our visit, my boyfriend and I pulled seats together and just sat there while enjoying each other's company. I also noticed some people bringing their lunches and turning it into a picnic, which is something that I'll be doing during my next visit!

A nice refuge from the city, it was formerly someone's private garden so it is on the smaller scale. I know tons of people who live in this area who don't know of its existence, that just goes to show you how secluded it is. I've been here on several occasions for different events, the movie nights were my favorite but they've since been phased out. We did the matcha class and while it was expensive ($22.50 each for entrance and class), it was a fun experience. I don't think I'd do it again but for those who are new to matcha this is a good introductory class. It is a bit of matcha making and a bit of Japanese tea ceremony etiquette. You probably will get bored after 30 minutes and in that time you can walk around the garden at least a few times. They have a beautiful koi pond and a Japanese tea house (you can't enter it unless you've signed up for a class), there are plenty of great photo opportunities regardless of the size. They've put a lot of thought into designing this garden and crammed a lot of details into this tiny space. The only thing that I dislike is the outside noise of traffic that can not be filtered out. Check out their website and look at their upcoming events, you can also buy tickets online. If you become a member you will get a discount on classes, that's something to consider.

Blink and you just might miss the Gardens all together. Storrier is directly across the street from the much larger Arlington Gardens of Pasadena. You certainly can't miss the Arlington Gardens so park anywhere on the street and make your way to the driveway entrance to Storrier Stearns as there is no parking besides the street. I purchased a Groupon and really it was kind of a waste. The cost of the tickets would have been the same for my 10 year old daughter and I had we just showed without the Groupon. It saves a couple bucks tops for adults so if that is a motivator for you then fire away. It is a serene and beautiful setting to be sure but it is on a very small lot. You can see the entire property end to end in a short amount of time. There are all of the fine details that add to the beauty of the gardens. The small traditional Japanese Tea House sits at the far southern portion of the property and it is the one traditional structure on the property. I have to be honest that we expected the location to be larger with more to see and enjoy. In comparison the The Japanese Garden https://thejapanesegarden.com/ is a 6.5 acre public Japanese garden in the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area is worth a morning or afternoon visit. Thankfully Storrier Stearns is next to a wonderful and free park as noted above the Arlington Gardens of Pasadena. In combination, the two make for a nice time when you want to pass some time in a scenic, immersive and rejuvenating experience in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the L.A. area.

It was okay , the garden was small . I enjoyed it somewhat until the lady got upset for taking pictures with my friends . And she screamed it across the garden like we was doing something very illegal . Very disrespectful for her to yell like we were some kids .

Enchanted hidden jewel in Pasadena. It is so zen and healing! One of the old friends from museum arts council organized a get together luncheon at the Garden, we had relaxing lunch by the tea house under the trees. After lunch, Mr.Jim (the owner) gave as a detailed tour, the history, the family tide and the passion. He showed us the cork tree, the original waiting/ check in booth, every little detail and stories behind the Garden. I even got to run on the Devil's bridge! Currently the Garden is only open on Thursday, it is SO WORTH a tour. It is not just another Japanese garden in the area, it is a piece of history :)

At first, I didn't like this place... $10/person to get in for a VERY small garden. Like very small. There is a lake/large pond, and a path that circles around it. It is cool to see the koi fish and to see how pretty it was. They had limited seating, but once we did sit down, it was very peaceful. If you have 30/45 minutes, I do recommend this place. Again, it's very peaceful. Once you are sitting it's nice to take a second and breathe it all in and to enjoy where you are. They have VERY limited hours! Open on Thursdays and like once or twice on the weekends during the month. This Japanese Garden does have restrooms, and they offer little postcards you could buy as well. Once we sat down, I did appreciated it more and enjoyed the quiet. Probably will not return, but did enjoy the experience while I was there.

Was here for a friend's wedding. The place is a perfect setting for one with the tea house as the backdrop during the ceremony. The area where the ceremony was was also the same place for the reception. We went to another area for appetizers while they set up. One thing I warn you of are the bugs. I actually got bit on each leg by spiders. Wear thick clothes and socks.

Had a Groupon and booked via email as they open the last Sunday of the month. When we parked outside the sign mentioned sold out and reservations only. The location of the garden is not that large but there's fishes and nice picture spots. In addition they do have activities for children such as origami, face painting, calligraphy, etc.

This Japanese garden was extremely beautiful. I came here with my family early Sunday morning when they opened. Its not that big but it is a very relaxing and beautiful. The paths are cute and there are plenty of spots to sit.

Open only on certain days of the month to the public. Online reservation only $7.50 whereas $10 if you do a walk-in. Nice tranquil garden to sit and relax. Very small but peaceful retreat from the bustling urban city outside.

Very well kept and beautiful garden. Clearly a lot of effort put into maintenance. The entrance fee is low (only $10) and the garden is in a large space. This garden rivals Huntington Library's Gardens and Descando Gardens in care and attention to detail.

Quiet and serene garden. Perfect to spend a afternoon/ evening in. Staff were also very friendly.

I booked 2 tickets to this Japanese Garden on Groupon. I was expecting to see something amazing. Unfortunately I didn't like it that much. It is a very small Garden and paying to enter this small garden is not worth it. Just drive to the Palisades and go to the temple, it's bigger, nicer and FREE !

This place is usually a wedding venue and somehow they are open it again for public on certain days. Check their website for the open day. It's a small Japanese garden , hidden gem in South Pasadena. Very green and tranquil especially if you lay down on the "balcony" of their tea house... PEACE.... We got the chance to experience afternoon tea in the teahouse. The lady in kimono served you cookies and then she will explain how to hold the cup and about the tea. Great experience.

This is one of the loviest gardens I've ever been to! It's not extravagant or super big, but I felt serene and relaxed my entire time here. I went here in the morning so there were only older folks there and no loud children or teenagers (no offense to them, it's just quieter in the morning!). Be sure to check their website to see when they are open. I paid for my tickets in advanced just to be sure. There's a lot you can do here like read up on the history of the garden, browse the tea house, and of course, take pictures!

**Storrier Stearns is "open to the public" but it isn't actually very friendly to the public. IMO, offering a Groupon was a terrible idea for a place like this. Best kept as a neighborhood gem for people in the know. What a mess....any peace I will experience by visiting the gardens was proceeded by terrible customer service. I purchased a Groupon, which instructed you to email for reservations on one of the very selective days they are open. Having not returned my email after multiple days, I found that you can make a reservation online, but pay in advance, of course. After asking for a refund due to my duplicated purchase, I emailed back and forth and received no help. It was my fault. There are easier gardens to visit in Los Angeles, especially in Pasadena! Disappointed

Surprisingly a really cool place! I say surprise because it's a "venue" in a residential neighborhood with no signs or parking. I do think it adds to it's charm. The unassuming venue is actually really beautiful and would be perfect for so many different events. I like the simplicity of the background - trees, flowers, a few seating areas sporadically set up, and a beautiful pond in the middle of it all. The stage is tucked in the corner, so one would have to be creative in the setup, but overall, a really nice area. Things to keep in mind: There is no parking, so valet is necessary and they'll park your car on the street, which is fine. BUT picking up your car would be hectic and would take awhile because they have to run around the neighborhood to retrieve them. The paths are not cemented, plus they are windy and on a slope. Some ladies had a hard time walking in heels. The bathroom is currently in construction, and it is also tucked away, so it's a trek up to the main level if need to use.

Beautiful hidden gem! They're only open on select days and require a reservation. They have different events for reasonable prices. Staff was very friendly and informative.

This is not a public garden. It is somebody's backyard. But the couple opens it to the public once a month and rents it out for special events and weddings. The amount of work they have put into this garden, from the waterfall, to the giant pond to the Japanese Tea House is amazing. They also hold workshops which you can check out on the website. If you need to get away from the noise of the wedding party, then walk 20 feet across the street to Arlington Garden, which is a free public park. Lots of sitting areas for thinking time and even in November, the orange grove is blooming. Free street parking.

This place is smaller then usual Japanese gardens we been to but is lovely , very peaceful and relaxing place . My kids enjoyed sitting on the Japanese house playing with the tea set. My toddler enjoy waking around exploring the place. The entrance is $10 per adult kids under 12 are free . Well the place is not that big but if you sit and enjoy the views is well worth it , and if not you could just walk across the street and walk at the other garden for free lol

Took my family to the Storrier Japanese Gardens in July 2018. The garden is located in a typical residential neighborhood. They are open Wednesday/Thursday/Friday from 10-4pm. They are also open the 2nd and last Sunday of each month. The cost to enter is $7.50 with an online reservation, or $10 at the gate. Children under 12 are free. The garden is like stepping into an ancient Japanese garden. Very authentic, from the structures, plants, tea house, and koi ponds. The garden is not very big. Taking your time, you'll be able to circle the entire garden in less than 30 minutes. Not much else to do expect enjoy the sights and sounds. This venue looks like it would be great for special events. Thought the price was a little high for experience. I'm glad I experienced the garden, don't think I would go again.

Very serene and zen like. Gorgeous! The people are veey friendly and very accommodating. It is very well maintained. But i was hoping to see the original house of the owner, maybe I just missed it because i was so enchanted by the garden.

We went for a tea exhibit this pass weekend ... Place is really small, you can walk it in 5 minutes without breaking a sweat ... 10 bucks a bit steep IMO, especially for being really tiny! They want you to park a block away at a school, limited parking spots are there ... Neighbors do not like you parking on the street ... The near by Arlington Gardens was a lot better place to visit ...

Very limited hours as it is such an unknown place. Open Thursdays at 10 and two Sundays. It is absolutely best to have reservations. We didn't and got in anyway but while we were there the parking lot had filled up. While $10 could be viewed as a steep price for the hour or so we spent there, we were warmly welcomed and all our questions were answered. They compost all the garden trash and return it to the soil. The employees love their place and it sure shows. The $10 was well worth the tranquility and beauty right in our own backyard! The transformation from a 2-acre suburban plot to this garden is truly amazing! When you are done, you can cross the street and go to Arlington Garden, a swath of land that was eminent domained for the 710 freeway and the city of Pasadena and friends lovingly care for the Mediterranean/California garden.

Small and quaint... Beautiful place ... visited for a wedding a few weeks back. Would love to come by during open hours to check it out. There was a japanese tea room that I would love to check out as well.