Only about an hour drive away from Glendale on a good day with lighter traffic, lies the scenic city of Newport Beach. A place for upper class socialites, beach fanatics, and those looking for a cute day out. When looking for places to travel around Newport Beach, some will think of the fashion capital, Fashion Island, others surfer sweet spot, The Wedge, but the destination which can appeal to all is a little place called Sherman Library and Gardens.
The flowers, the obvious reason, are absolutely worth the very reasonable $5.00 admission fee all on their own. Some of the most popular features include the tropical greenhouse, multiple fountains, and the succulent gardens. The garden also has a vibrant exhibit with carnivorous plants including the majestic venus fly trap, perfect pitcher plant, and beautiful butterwort. They even have multiple rotating seasonal displays, a unique installation that wouldn’t be found in Descanso Gardens, a closer community favorite.
The little souvenirs are also great. The gift shop not only sells garden memberships, but is partnered with local businesses allowing them to reach wider audiences, and the Gardens get high quality, specialized inventory to sell. Supporting the Gardens thus ends up supporting multiple small businesses at once. Products include soaps, glass animals, books, vases, and more.
Every garden has flowers and gift shops, but not every garden has gourmet food. The restaurant on site, the 608 Dahlia, run by Executive Chef Jessica Roy, is absolutely phenomenal.Certain food-television geeks will recognize her as a winner of “Cutthroat Kitchen”, and of TnT’s “On The Menu”, where her KBBQ pizza joined the California pizza kitchen’s menu. She’s also worked in a three Michelin Star kitchen, serving delicacies daily. A variety of gourmet and vibrant dishes and drinks, with many dietary options, dazzle the palette. Also offered is a tea service menu, including multiple packages, wedding and big group menus to allow guests to cater through them, should a guest choose the gardens for a special day, and a special menu for younger guests…