Visiting Sunnylands
Plan Ahead
Sunnylands is in a desert environment, home to a variety of plants and wildlife. While you are here, be aware of your surroundings, watch your step, and help children explore safely. Visitors are encouraged to be prepared with water, hat, and sunscreen.
Throughout the season, guests are welcome to stroll the gardens, relax on benches, or listen to prerecorded audio for a self-guided walk through the gardens (personal mobile phone or tablet is required).
Sunnylands is a smoke-free environment. Pets are not allowed.
For further information, please visit our page of FAQs.
For a list of things to do, please see Visit the Center & Gardens.
Public Hours of Operation
Sunnylands is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 am to 4 pm, unless noted otherwise in a yellow notification bar at the top of this website.
Sunnylands is closed to the public each summer from early June through mid-September. The 2024-25 season concludes on Sunday, June 1. Sunnylands will be on summer hiatus from June 2 to September 9, reopening on September 10.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day.
Admission and parking are always free at the Center & Gardens (public access to the adjoining historic estate is limited to ticketed tours only).
Group Visits
Sunnylands Center & Gardens: groups of 20 people or larger are asked to complete a free registration form prior to visiting the Center & Gardens.
Historic Sunnylands estate: tour ticket sales to the historic estate are limited to seven per transaction. Group tours are not available. See Tours & Tickets.
Code of Conduct
- Obey all posted signage, conditions for entry, and staff instructions.
- Please be respectful toward our staff and other visitors at all times.
- Stay home if you’re experiencing signs of illness, such as fever or flu-like symptoms.
- Frequently wash or sanitize your hands.
Accessibility
Sunnylands is dedicated to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all visitors. For detailed information on accessibility at Sunnylands, please click or tap here.
Lockers
Lockers are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking
Parking is free. Carpooling is encouraged. EV charging stations are available.
Pets & Service Dogs
Pets are not allowed at Sunnylands. State and federal laws require the admittance of dogs that are trained to provide a service to disabled guests. Emotional support animals are not covered under the law. You will be asked if your dog is a service animal and what service it provides. Service dog owners must keep their animals restrained and controlled. Pet water fountains are not provided. Under California law, it is illegal to endanger the health of an animal by leaving it in a car unattended.
Photography
Visitors are welcome to take photos and videos of Sunnylands Center & Gardens and when touring the estate’s grounds for their personal use. However, staged photos (wedding, engagement, graduation, school teams, etc.) are not allowed as it disturbs other guests. Violation of this policy may result in your being asked to leave the premises.
Tripods are not allowed inside the Center, within 15 feet of the outdoor café seating area, or in vehicle pathways to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests.
Photography is not permitted inside the historic house. This no-photo policy is in place to enhance the visitor experience and to ensure guests look closely at and thoroughly enjoy Sunnylands’ art, architecture, design, and sculpture.
Commercial photography and videography require special permission, as does aerial photography, including the use of drones. The personal or commercial sale of photos of Sunnylands is strictly prohibited.
Picnics
While guests are welcome to picnic at Sunnylands, large coolers, ice chests, grills, and alcohol are not permitted. Café tables are reserved for patrons.
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the Sunnylands property.
Smoking & Vaping
Sunnylands is a non-smoking facility. Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited.
