Last week, my family had the opportunity to experience Descanso Gardens: Forest of Lights for the first time. I was looking forward to this event for quite some time, as the gardens hold sentimental memories for me personally, and it was the first time I was able to return there with my family.
Photo credit:Â Jake Fabricius
I think Descanso Gardens is utterly beautiful during the day, but needless to say, it is âenchantedâ at night with all their light displays. The lights and music synced together made it magical and you felt like you were in some sort of whimsical fairytale. It was awe inspiring to walk among all of the tall trees and plants, that were beautifully lit up, and all of the different exhibits were easily marked so you couldnât miss any of them. The evening was chilly and the air was crisp so it made for a perfect night for hot chocolate. Although it was a popular night to attend, the gardens were so widespread, you didnât feel that it was crowded.
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My personal favorite exhibits were the "Flower Power" display of tulips, and the "Luminous Lawn!â We loved how each of the exhibits were accompanied with music that really fit the enchanted forest theme. The luminous and vibrant tulip rainbow cascades with its various shades of rainbow colors were breathtakingly magical. Even though this display was the first exhibit upon entering the gardens my family stayed here and just watched the tulips changing colors over and over for quite a while.
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Photo credit:Â Jake Fabricius
The "Luminous Lawn" was an exceptionally fun exhibit for both adults and kids with a huge lite up interactive playground. Kids (and adults) of all ages were having so much fun, hopping from square to square, with every step changing the color of the lights and making a kaleidoscope of color.
The "Enchanted Forest of Light" is definitely an event that is much better to see in person than through pictures or videos. My photos just do not do justice to how phenomenal it truly was and you must see it with your very own eyes. The lights display was absolutely mesmerizing, and there were other special effects around every corner, making the forest resemble a magical, enchanted, fantasy forest land.
Tips:
Definitely make sure you dress warmly. Although we went during the November heat wave, it does get really cold in the gardens at night! It would really be helpful if you can bring a beanie, a scarf, and mittens. There are refreshment stations throughout the forest so bring some extra cash to purchase refreshments and snacks .
The Descanso Gardens: Enchanted Forest was really amazing. We loved every minute of it and plan to come back every year to make this an annual holiday tradition.
 Get your family and guests into the holiday spirit with a visit to Descanso Gardens. To purchase tickets or for more information click here.
WHO:
Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, CA
WHAT:
Enchanted: Forest of Light is an exciting nighttime light experience in which Descansoâs hallmark oak trees and botanical collections are the stars of the show. The one-mile
walk, designed by Lightswitch, will take visitors through the Gardens to enjoy a variety of large-scale light displays, several of which are interactive, allowing them to
manipulate the lights and sounds.
Many new expansions and enhancements have been made to beloved displays such as âFlower Power,â a brilliantly illuminated sea of radiant, colorful tulips, and the âAncient
Forestâ where delicate dots of light dance and swirl in front of your eyes. In addition, a brand new display in this year's Enchanted is âAqueousâ by Jen Lewin, an interactive
landscape of meandering pathways of light.
Food and beverage options abound at Enchanted! Visitors can grab a quick bite, a hot chocolate or an adult beverage within the Enchanted experience. The Descanso CafĂ© will also offer casual cafĂ© favorites. To dine at Descansoâs restaurant, Maple, guests must book an Enchanted: Forest of Light ticket with a Maple reservation. No outside food or beverages are allowed.
EXHIBITS:Â
1. Flower Power: A sea of radiant, lighted tulips fills the planting beds that burst with colorful living tulips in the spring.
2. Rainbow Sycamores: The towering, stately sycamores are among Southern Californiaâs most impressive native trees. Guests can control the illumination of
these beautiful specimens, bathing their luminous white bark with a rainbow of color.
3. Starlight Garden Featuring Celestial Shadows by HYBYCOZO: Follow the glowing stars into the Rose Garden where you will be treated to the beauty of HYBYCOZO,
large-scale artworks which investigate geometry through light and shadow.
4. Lightwave Lake: The lake was installed by Descanso founder E. Manchester Boddy to store irrigation water. During Enchanted, it is an electric, colorful playground.
Join in by changing the colors or controlling the lights, creating your own natural artwork. You can enjoy the spectacle from the newly refurbished Lakeside Lookout,
which is a great place to birdwatch during the day.
5. Symphony of Oaks: The coast live oak tree is the keystone species of the Descanso forest. Make these oaks âsingâ with color as you direct a symphony of hues from
the platforms under each majestic tree. Throughout Enchanted, you might see some oaks bathed in white light. These are Descansoâs Heritage Oaks which are
around 300-500 years old.
6. Fantasy Forest: See Descansoâs famous forests of camellias lit in brilliant colors designed to showcase the 700 varieties in the celebrated collection of this winter-
blooming plant. Illuminated chandeliers and lighted gazebo shapes complement the experience.
7. Luminous Lawn Featuring Aqueous by Jen Lewin: The coast live oak and camellia forests give way to Aqueous, an interactive landscape of meandering pathways of
light which flow and glow in illuminated interactivity, engaging large groups in collaborative play. During the day Aqueous shifts in color and reflection, mirroring
the sky on its walkable surface.
8. Ancient Forest: There are certain species of plants called âliving fossilsâ because their ancestors go way, way back in time. Enjoy these ancient species as they are
highlighted with dazzling lights and special music.
9. Pixel Grove: During the spring, the heavy scent of the Lilacs wafts through the gardens, but during the winter, the Lilac grove is twiggy and dormant. Itâs just the
place to create a psychedelic wonderland of glowing reeds and prismatic lights.
10. Garden of Good Fortune: Hundreds of red lanterns greet you as you enter the Japanese Garden, illuminating landscapes designed by Eijiro Nunokawa.
WHERE:
1418 Descanso Drive La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. 818.949.4200
PARKING:
Free parking is available in Descanso Gardenâs main parking lot.
TICKETS:
Tickets to âEnchantedâ will be timed and must be purchased in advance. They are currently on sale at enchantedla.com. General admission (adults, seniors, children 2â18): $28â$30.
Children under 2 are free, but still require a ticket. Descanso Gardens members pay $23â$25 (depending on date and time selected).
HOURS:
Enchanted: Forest of Light runs daily from 5:30 to 10 p.m., November 19-January 7. Enchanted: Forest of Light is closed on November 23 (Thanksgiving), November 27, December 4, December 11, December 24 (Christmas Eve), and December 25 (Christmas Day).
Disclaimer: I was provided complimentary admission for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions are my own.
