Field Trip: Sunnylands Center & Gardens

If you love architecture, history, or exploring beautiful landscapes, we’ve got the perfect field trip for your next visit: Sunnylands. Once the winter retreat of philanthropists Walter and Leonore Annenberg, the striking 200-acre estate called Sunnylands is considered to be one of the most important examples of midcentury modern architecture in southern California. Walter and Leonore loved to entertain, and Sunnylands became a rare social hub where U.S. presidents could relax alongside celebrities, diplomats, and artists. Touring the Sunnylands residence is fascinating and super-entertaining, but advance tickets can be hard to get (more info on that below). In 2012, Leonore expanded the estate to include a new cultural center surrounded by 9-acres of dreamy desert landscapes. Sunnylands Center & Gardens is open to the public free of charge Wednesdays through Sundays, September to May. So even if you can’t get tickets to tour the private estate, the gardens are definitely worth a visit.

The Center & Gardens

Designed to reference the midcentury architecture of the Annenbergs’ historic home, the Sunnylands Center houses a welcome desk, rotating exhibits, a mini-theater playing a short film about Sunnylands, a gift shop, and small cafe. Outside, desert gardens radiate in all directions, featuring more than 70,000 arid plants in both formal and informal plantings. Inspired by the sweeping patterns and calming color palette of the Annenbergs’ Impressionist art collection, lush swaths of flowering aloes, agaves, and sculptural cacti line over a mile of gravel paths. The garden has a meditative quality, with several shady places to sit and even a labyrinth to encourage lingering and contemplation.

For horticulture enthusiasts, there is a self-guided audio tour that takes a deeper dive into both the plant life and the garden's sustainable irrigation design. If you’re into gardens, this one is a must-see.

Historic Sunnylands Estate

The historic heart of the property is the Sunnylands residence, which continues to this day to serve as a high-level private retreat center for global leaders. Designed by renowned architect A. Quincy Jones and completed in 1966, the 25,000 square foot single-level home includes 7 bedrooms and multiple spaces geared toward large-scale entertaining. Eisenhower, the Rat Pack, Queen Elizabeth II, Truman Capote, Gore Vidal, Obama… they’ve all spent time at Sunnylands. Lavishly decorated in Hollywood Regency style, many of the rooms remain unchanged (including the bedroom where the Reagans always stayed on New Years Eve).

Advance reservations are required to tour the estate, with tickets released on the 15th of each month at 9:00am PST. Guided tours are limited to small groups, departing from the Sunnylands Center and traveling by open-air electric shuttle to the center of the estate. The Historic House Tour is the only tour that offers access to the Sunnylands residence. Other guided tours like the Open-Air Experience or a 60-minute Walking tour provide a broader overview of the residence’s architectural highlights, outdoor sculptures and landscaping, without entering the house. All estate tours require advance booking and often sell out quickly, especially during cooler months, so set yourself a reminder to book those tickets.

Whether you're a design enthusiast, history buff, or nature lover, a visit to Sunnylands offers a multifaceted experience that captures the beauty of California's desert landscape and its rich cultural heritage.

Insider’s Tip: Check the Sunnylands Events Calendar for special programs including free outdoor yoga, movie nights in the garden, and guided bird walks. Sunnylands is located in Ranch Mirage, about a 20-minute drive from Descanso.