Sunnylands invited Blue Star Families, a support organization for U.S. military families, to a special Family Day on April 2, 2025.

The families were invited to join in a number of activities, from bird watching and playing games in the gardens to golfing and fishing on the estate. April is the Month of the Military Child.

“The Annenbergs left an endowment for us to do educational programs, and we select partners who are doing good works in the community, who have a constituency that needs a place to just be,” said Michaeleen Gallagher, director of Sunnylands Center & Gardens.

“When you come to a place like this, knowing that you’re walking in history and seeing the beautiful surrounding mountains, it gives you joy and if we can give these military families a day of joy for that bit of time, that makes all the difference,” said Maggie Meza, executive director of Blue Star Families’ San Diego chapter.

Photographs below courtesy of Blue Star Families