Have guests in town? Here are 22 essential L.A. spots for every tourist

It’s best known for the plant life: There are 16 themed gardens, including a Chinese Garden, lily ponds, a conservatory of humidity-loving species, and areas dedicated to greenery from California, Australia, the desert and the subtropics. There’s even one inspired by the works of Shakespeare. You’ll recognize a lot of spots as backdrops from movies and TV shows, including “The Good Place,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Scandal” and many more.

The gardens are at their most spectacular when the Rose Garden is in bloom — which spans from late March through Thanksgiving — but I’ve been there in the dead of winter and got a full day out of it.

The library has volumes dating back to the 11th century. Anyone can peruse the books, maps and other pieces from the library’s permanent collection on display. In between the gardens, there are galleries filled with European, American and Asian art.

If your visitors are interested in art, the outdoors, rare books or California history, make plans to spend significant time here. Don’t miss the Children’s Garden, which has kid-sized fountains, a hedge maze and lots of things to touch and climb through, on and under. Wear comfortable shoes.

Ticket reservations are required for weekends and strongly encouraged for weekdays. Weekend tickets are $29 for adults; $24 for seniors, students and military; $13 for kids aged 4 to 11; and free for children under the age of 4. There is a large dedicated surface lot and parking is free. The Huntington is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Tuesdays. It’s is open year-round except for New Year’s Day, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

If you happen to be here on the second Sunday of the month, the Rose Bowl Flea Market is not far.

Locals know: The Huntington offers free tickets for the first Thursday of every month. Those “Free Day” tickets are limited and are released at 9 a.m. on the last Thursday of the month. You need to secure one of those tickets for entry. Limit five per household.