The spring bloom is well underway at Sunnylands and there is much to do, including free outdoor movies, a nature-themed Family Day, estate tours, wellness activities, workshops, and more.
On Sunday, April 19, from 9 am to 2 pm, we are hosting Family Day: In the Gardens, a celebration of the native plants and wildlife of the Coachella Valley. Free to the public, guests are invited to explore the gardens, pot their own mini plants, interact with desert animals, craft their own scented spray, join a guided bird walk, and more.
Films in the Gardens returns in May with a trio of movies knit together under the theme “Growing Wild.” Pack some chairs and a picnic and join us under the stars. The first screening is May 1 at 8 pm. See the full movie lineup below.
A reminder about our outdoor wellness activities. While our yoga and Mindfulness and Meditation classes have already ended, we have two final tai chi sessions in April before it also concludes for the season. Our free guided bird walks on Thursdays will continue through May. These activities are always free, and guests of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to join.
And fans of our café should know we’ve added a wrinkle to our service schedule: Salads and sandwiches will be served from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm only. Grab-and-go items, drinks, and coffee service will continue to be served throughout our open hours.
May tour tickets will be available for purchase beginning Wednesday, April 15, at 9 a.m. Pacific Time. Late spring is an incredible time to tour the historic estate, inside and out.
The Center & Gardens is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 am to 4 pm, with free parking and admission.
See you around!
May tour tickets: Available April 15 at 9 a.m.
The 90-minute Historic House Tour takes guests inside the Annenberg home, highlighting the architecture, décor, and hospitality enjoyed by cultural icons for decades. Guided outdoor tours, such as the Open-Air Experience and the Historic Walk, also share the Sunnylands story while featuring the home’s midcentury modern architecture and stunning views of the golf course and grounds.
Current exhibition—Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands
The serenity of Sunnylands originates in large part from the careful selection of trees that founders Walter and Leonore Annenberg chose in the mid-1960s, transforming 200 acres of bare desert into a verdant oasis. Through beautiful imagery by photographer David Loftus, this new exhibition invites guests to view trees not just as landscape features but as art, each tree with its own sculptural form and seasonal expression.
Thursdays: Free guided Bird Walks
Offered most Thursdays at 8:45 am, November through May, guided Bird Walks are an opportunity to discover various local and migratory bird species in the Sunnylands gardens. These free 60-minute walks are open to all ages and experience levels. No reservations needed. Sun protection, water, and binoculars are suggested. Meet outside the Center entrance.
Wellness Series: Live Easy Meditation
Guided by instructor Lisa Botts, participants will practice wellness exercises in the Sunnylands gardens. Anchored in meditation, breathwork, gentle movement, and sound therapy, this program focuses on stress relief, emotional balance, and mental clarity. Fee: $11.90 per person. For registered participants only. Limited spaces available.
Tai Chi in the Gardens—final dates: April 18 and 25
Offered most Saturdays at 10 am, November through April, Tai Chi in the Gardens is an opportunity to practice the beginning positions of the Yang Family 108 Long Form. These free, 60-minute sessions are open to all ages and experience levels. No reservations needed. Sun protection and water are suggested.
Sundays at Sunnylands—final date: April 26
Offered most Sundays from 9 am to 2:30 pm, November through April, toys and activities, including large building blocks, hula hoops, ribbons, butterfly wings, and more, are available on the lawn for children to enjoy. Tote bags, with blankets, small toys, and activity books, can be borrowed from the reception desk. No reservations needed. Sun protection and water are suggested.
New program: Estate Tree Walk Series
Take a 60-minute walk on the Sunnylands estate exploring the notable trees, landscape history, and how and why Sunnylands started to produce olive oil. Enjoy an olive oil tasting at the end of your walk. Fee: $26.99 per person. For registered guests only. Available on select Thursdays, now through April. Walks are led by Center & Gardens Director Michaeleen Gallagher and Thom Curry, founder of Temecula Olive Oil.
Friday, May 1: Films in the Gardens
Featuring a trio of films with a “Growing Wild” theme inspired by the exhibition, Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands, our spring series will run for three consecutive Fridays, beginning May 1 with a screening of The BFG (2016). Gates will open at 7 pm. Screening begins at 8 pm. Admission and parking are free. No reservations needed.
Horticulture Workshop: Bonsai Bar
Join instructor Ben Kegel at Sunnylands for a bonsai-themed workshop. Participants will learn the fundamental skills and techniques behind the art of bonsai while they pot and prune their very own bonsai tree. Fee: $108.06 per person. All materials are provided. For registered participants only. Limited spaces available. Please note, there are two sessions available on May 3.
Floral Workshop: Mother's Day Ombré
Celebrate a mother figure in your life with a Mother’s Day-themed floral workshop at Sunnylands. On Saturday, May 9, 1-3 pm, registered participants will create their own beautiful ombré floral arrangement using a curated selection of vibrant seasonal blooms, designed in a custom vase. Fee: $68.59 per person. For registered participants only. Limited spaces available.
Beverages, light lunches, and tasty treats at the café
The Sunnylands café offers an appetizing selection of drinks (coffee, herbal teas, and soft drinks) and lunch options (sandwiches, wraps, and salads) as well as sweet treats (ice cream, cookies, muffins, and more).
Please note: Salads and sandwiches will be served from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm only. Grab-and-go items, drinks, and coffee service will continue to be served during opening hours.
Shop in person or online at the Sunnylands Shop
Grab a copy of the companion catalog for this season’s exhibition, Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands. Containing over 200 pages of visuals, essays, and photographs by David Loftus, this richly illustrated book invites you to experience the iconic trees of Sunnylands—a desert retreat shaped by vision, history, and design. Available in store and online.
This month's botanical spotlight: Palo Verde
The striking Palo Verde tree is easily identified by its dark green bark found throughout the east and west gardens. Bright yellow flowers fill the tree’s thorn-less canopy during its long flowering season, which typically begins in early spring, peaks in mid-April, and continues into the summer. Browse the gardens at your own pace or try one of five self-guided audio garden walks.