The new season has officially begun at Sunnylands Center & Gardens and we’re excited to welcome guests back for estate tours, the return of our Trees at Sunnylands exhibition, and the continuation of Films in the Gardens.
Films in the Gardens resumes this Friday, September 18, with a screening of Big Fish (2004). Inspired by the exhibition, the outdoor movie series, “Roots and Reveries,” spotlights films in which trees serve as symbols of connection, relationships, nature, and imagination. Please see below for details.
Tickets for October tours will go on sale tomorrow, Tuesday, September 15, at 9 am Pacific time. Options include the 90-minute Historic House Tour and the 45-minute Open-Air Experience.
For a second season, we are proud to present Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands. This photographic exhibition explores the 60-year history of trees on the Sunnylands estate through stunning images captured by renowned photographer David Loftus.
Browse below, or see our events page, to register and learn about the many workshops available this fall.
When you visit, you’ll notice that we’ve revamped our café menu, thoughtfully updated with fresh flavors, potential new favorites, and something delicious for every taste. Take a look at the details below and discover your next favorite bite or sip.
Plans are well underway for Coachella Valley Days of Los Muertos and the return of our full slate of tours, walks, and outdoor wellness programs, beginning in November. Much more to come.
See you around.
October tour tickets: Available Sept. 15 at 9 am
The 90-minute Historic House Tour takes guests inside the Annenberg home, highlighting the architecture, décor, and hospitality enjoyed by cultural icons for decades. On the 45-minute Open-Air Experience, guests enjoy stunning views of the 200-acre grounds, including the golf course, outdoor sculpture, and midcentury modern architecture.
Free 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 exhibition invites guests to view trees not just as landscape features but as art, each tree with its own sculptural form and seasonal expression.
Our café menu is getting a few delicious new updates
We’re excited to share that the café menu is getting a fresh update, with more breakfast favorites and new grab-and-go options to make your visit even easier and more enjoyable. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite or a relaxed meal, there’s something new to discover. Click or tap below to preview the full updated menu.
Now seeking high school students who love art
Local high school students are invited to apply for this season’s Art Ambassadors program, a hands-on experience exploring art, history, architecture, and creativity. The program is free and meets once per month from October through April. Engage with professionals and peers while exploring art-related careers. Limited spaces available.
Films in the Gardens: Sept. 18 and 25
This fall’s Films in the Gardens series features movies, rated PG or PG-13, where trees help tell the story. Gates will open at 6 pm, with the film starting at 7:30 pm. Admission and parking are free. No reservations needed. Snacks and drinks will be available at the café from 6 to 8:30 pm.
Sept. 18: Big Fish (2004)
Sept. 25: At Eternity’s Gate (2018)
Workshop: Poetry & Play
Framed by the Sunnylands gardens, participants will explore the colors, textures, sounds, and movements of trees, connecting with the natural world around us. Following a brief discussion on poetry and nature-inspired language, attendees will craft and share their own original writing.
Fee: $24.91 per person. All materials are provided. For registered participants only. Limited spaces available.
Wellness series: Live Easy Meditation
Guided by instructor Lisa Botts, participants will practice wellness exercises anchored in meditation, breathwork, gentle movement, and sound therapy to help gently awaken the mind-body connection.
Fee: $11.91 per person. For registered participants only. Limited spaces available. This series is offered on various dates throughout the season.
Art workshop: Candle Making
Chicano Candle Co. will host a hands-on workshop in the Sunnylands studio, where participants will create and take home their own 8-ounce, custom-scented candle while learning the basics of candle making, including wax, wick, and fragrance oil types.
Fee: $82.89 per person. All materials are provided. For registered participants only. Limited spaces available.
Art workshop: Blooming Cactus Tote Bags
Enjoy an acrylic paint class as you design your own blooming cactus tote bag. With step-by-step guidance from artist Danielle Guerrero, participants will create their own personalized piece inspired by the beauty and vibrant colors of the desert.
Fee: $42.49 per person. All materials are provided. For registered participants only. Limited spaces available.
Art workshop: Day of the Dead Mosaic Skulls
Join artist Mary Clark-Camargo for a Day of the Dead-themed art workshop and create your own 6×8-inch mosaic skull, known as a calavera, using hand-crafted glass and colored ceramic tiles.
Fee: $71.97 per person. All materials are provided. For registered participants only. Limited spaces available.
Horticulture workshop: Happy Worm
In this hands-on workshop, participants will pot their own herb garden using locally grown worm castings from Happy Worm. Everyone will leave with a living terra cotta planter of basil, chives, and thyme and everything they need to grow fresh herbs at home.
Fee: $55.59 per person. All materials are provided. For registered participants only. Limited spaces available. Please note, this workshop offers two separate sessions to choose from.
Accessible Birding Day
Birdability Week, October 19-25, celebrates birders with disabilities and other health concerns while promoting a birding community that is accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to everyone. In honor of Birdability Week, Sunnylands invites you to join a Bird Walk at the Center & Gardens led by Audubon California.
Free for all participants. No registration required. Binoculars can be requested at the front desk.
Art workshop: Tabletop Nichos
Join Raices Cultura staff artists for a fun, hands-on studio session where you’ll create your own miniature nicho—a Latino folk art shadow box honoring a loved one, figure, or idea. Using paint, collage, and mixed media, this workshop is open to all skill levels and offers a creative, relaxed environment.
Fee: $28.29 per person. For registered participants only. Limited spaces available. All art supplies are included.
Shop in person or online at the Sunnylands shop
Browse our online shop to find the perfect gift, including Sunnylands-branded hats, mugs, visors, and notecards, plus books and exhibition catalogs. In-store shopping and pickup for online orders are available Wednesday through Sunday, from 8:30 am to 4 pm.
Try our new meditation-themed audio walk
Come stroll the gardens with our downloadable audio garden walks teed up on your personal device. With a new meditation-themed walk to the lineup, these files are free to download and range between approximately six and 16 minutes long. Headphones or earbuds are recommended for the best experience.