Robinson Gardens plays host to various fabulous events all year round. Most famous for our annual Garden Tour, the Friends of Robinson Gardens hosts lectures, art classes, book clubs, and many diverse events guaranteed to pique your interest. In addition, the Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation Department offers courses that invite you to explore the garden and discover the beauty within this magical 6.2-acre estate. Please check back as we update our schedule regularly.
We look forward to seeing you in the garden!

Docent-Led Tours!

Explore the sights and sounds of Virginia Robinson Gardens guided by one of our master storytellers, a.k.a. docents! Tours last approximately 90 minutes and are offered by reservation only. Please see the link below for a schedule of our public programs.

October 5, 12, 17, 24, 27
Register

Botanical Illustration & Watercolor Class - Beginner Level

Join artist Jennifer Cunningham and explore beginner-level botanical illustration and watercolor painting at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. Learn step-by-step instructions on basic drawing and various watercolor techniques to create your painting. Whether you have never picked up a paintbrush or are a seasoned watercolorist, we invite you to take part in this class in our beautiful gardens! We will provide all materials.

Los Angeles-based artist Jennifer Morey Cunningham graduated from Massachusetts College of Art with a BFA in printmaking.  After moving to California, she found her passion for watercolors and got her degree from Otis College of Art and Design. She has made a name for herself by painting bold, vibrant, and realistic styled watercolor paintings. Inspired by her love of Impressionist painting, Jennifer lives by her motto: “A creative outlet is a wonderful way to move through life’s passages.”

Please email [email protected] to join the waitlist.

$35 Members | $40 Non-Members
Thursday, October 26 - 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Oct 26 - Sold Out

Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club

For our next meeting, we’ll enjoy our reading of Hedge by Jane Delury, who herself will be present virtually. This novel’s main character Maud is an experienced garden historian, and the story involves poignant life-changing twists and turns. Please join us!
$20 Members | $25 Non-Members
Saturday, October 7 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Yoga in The Garden

Join Nora Harris for outdoor yoga classes in one of the most beautiful places in Los Angeles County. We’ll connect for a rejuvenating hour at The Virginia Robinson Gardens in Beverly Hills.
Bring a yoga mat and some water and sprawl out beneath the swishing fronds of the palm forest. Listen to the tranquil sound of a nearby waterfall as you delight in the beauty and life surrounding you. Connect to your breath and body to feel sparkly and glowing from the inside out.
Saturday, Oct 7 - 9:30 - 10:30 am

Happiness Class

Join us for an interactive wellness program that will include activities in the garden. This mental health workshop explores the idea of “Happiness” using the teachings of Harvard Professor Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar. Class leader Karen Sisman, a practitioner certified in the psychological and philosophical principles of Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar’s “Happiness” study, will speak about mental well-being as we learn to deal with the stresses of daily life. Our level of happiness strengthens our mental state of mind, ultimately allowing us to live better, work better and learn better.

Please email [email protected] to join the waitlist.

$20 Members | $25 Non-Members
Friday, October 27 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

A Learned Journey Under the Canopy of the Living Giants

The King Palm Forest on the east slope of the Robinson estate serendipitously arose from a failed attempt to grow a Mediterranean Garden.  The two-acre piece of land was first laid out as an intended extension of the Italian Terrace Garden that still exists on the west side of the property.  Both areas were planted at the same time near the inception of the estate.  Sensibly, a Mediterranean garden was to embrace and enhance the Italian-style villa built and designed by Nathanial Dryden, Virginia's father.

A garden is a great teacher for many of life's lessons if we only pay attention.  In this case, the lack of full-day sun or well-drained soil leads to the slow decline and loss of many of the Mediterranean plantings.  By the early 1930s, Virginia reacted to the gradual but obvious decline of the east slope garden and hired the landscape architect Charles Gibbs Adams.  It would be his job to re-image a new type of planting more appropriate for the site.

Join Superintendent Emeritus Tim Lindsay for a 90-minute walking tour of the King Palm Forest. Tim spent over twenty years restoring the forest by adding additional plantings and designing new water features which he will be discussing during his tour. This class is limited to 15 people where you will learn more about the history, design, care, and future of the largest King Palm Forest outside of Queensland, Australia. As one visiting botanist from Queensland told Tim, it's completely authentic and has everything but the "crocs."

$20 Members | $25 Non-Members
Saturday, October 28 - 10:00 - 11:30 am

Getting The Most from Culinary Herbs in Your Garden and in Your Kitchen

Growing culinary herbs is an easy way to bring flavorful, useful plants to your garden. Master Gardeners Julie Strnad and Lucia Burke will teach you the basics of how to grow organic herbs in containers (indoors/outdoors) or outside in your garden.

You will learn:

  • What to plant, seeds or seedlings.
  • How and when to plant.
  • How to harvest.
  • How to preserve.
  • And a little herbal history as well.
$20 Members | $25 Non-Members
Thursday, November 2 - 10:00 - 11:30 am

Sound Bowl Healing Meditation

Devon invites you to embark on a meditative journey with her that consists of pure relaxation through a sound bowl healing meditation. The sound bowls activate and energize chakras within your body and work with your individual needs and intentions to align and create a deeper connection internally. Sound bowl healing meditation benefits include relieving stress, anxiety, insomnia, and will also enhance your state.
$35 Per Person
Saturday, November 4 - 10:00 - 11:30 am 

Holiday Watercolor Cards

Say “Happy Holidays” by making your very own custom holiday cards! Join artist Jennifer Cunningham as she shares basic drawing and watercolor techniques, assisting you in making your very own custom-designed cards.

Paint one card or paint up to five. Once you find your favorite design, you can have your card copied at your local printer and ready to be sent out during the holiday season.  All materials provided. Join us in the holiday fun!

$35 Members | $40 Non-Members
Saturday, November 11 - 10:00 am - 12:15 pm 

George's Gorgeous Centerpiece Class

The holidays are fast approaching! You were just invited to a holiday party, or you forgot to order flowers for the event that you’re hosting. OH NO, the madness! Your go-to florist or local flower shop is closed for the day. What do you do? Well, you pop by your local grocery store, pick up random pre-made flower bouquets...and then what? Fear not, dear ones! Your fabulous friends at The Virginia Robinson Gardens are here to help! Join us as we learn how to make a holiday floral centerpiece. George Martinez from George’s Garden will teach us how to make our own arrangements by sourcing flowers where we least expect them! Yes, the grocery store or the street vendor selling flowers. And let’s not forget we can snag a flower or two from our own gardens to add that special touch. Please bring 2-3 bouquets and any tools. Extra tools will be available.
$75 Members | $85 Non-Members
Thursday, November 16 - 10:00 - 11:30 am 

Please check below to view past events and see what the Friends of Robinson Gardens have been up to!