Exposition Park Rose Garden
The Exposition Park Rose Garden has been called "one of the city's best-kept secrets".
The Exposition Park Rose Garden sits between the Natural History Museum and California Science Center in Los Angeles, with over 20,000 rose bushes of 200 varieties around a central fountain. Four 1936 marble sculptures by Thyra Boldsen on motherhood and life, alongside gazebos, dot the grounds, drawing over a million visitors yearly.
History of the Rose Garden
The Rose Garden sits on land that functioned as a racetrack and gambling area from 1871 to 1911, originally part of Agricultural Park. The site was transformed in the mid-1920s when 15,000 rose bushes were planted in a sunken design using soil brought from Griffith Park, with the garden established by 1927. Four marble sculptures by Danish artist Thyra Boldsen were installed in 1936, depicting themes of motherhood and life, and the property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Best Photo Spots
This guide highlights 3 photo spots in Exposition Park: the Rose Garden, Central Gazebo, and California Science Center.
Exposition Park Rose Garden
Photographs of This Location
History of the Exposition Park Rose Garden
The Exposition Park Rose Garden occupies a portion of the former Agricultural Park, with construction plans announced in 1914 as part of the City Beautiful movement. In 1927, 15,000 bushes of more than 100 varieties were planted, and the garden was completed the following year. A circular lily pond marks the center, added during the 1921 California Flower Show, while Art Deco features and marble statues by Thyra Boldsen were installed in time for the 1932 Olympics.
Common Questions
The closest public transit is the Expo Park/USC light rail station on Line E, a 3 minute walk away.
The golden hours—shortly after sunrise and before sunset—offer the most beautiful, soft light for photography.
History of Exposition Park Rose Garden
The Exposition Park Rose Garden sits within Exposition Park, a site purchased in 1889 when it was known as Agricultural Park. Established in 1927 and designed by George W. Kelham and the Olmsted Brothers, the garden opened in 1928 as the largest public rose garden in the U.S. and has been operated by the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks since that year. The garden later served as an attraction during the 1932 Olympics and remains one of three major public-display rose gardens in Southern California.
Practical Information
Exposition Park Drive; Bus 204, 550, 754 at Vermont & Exposition; 701 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
$15; Drivers are directed to parking near 39th and Figueroa or Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Hoover.; Parking fills quickly on event days and rates vary by event.
9 a.m.-sunset daily; closed Jan. 1-March 15; 8:00 a.m. to sunset; daily, sunrise to sunset
Free; Free entry
Service animals allowed; personal/tripod allowed; commercial may need permit; Photography permits are available to allow recording special events among the floral displays.
Session Tips
- Exposition Park is a good rose garden choice for visiting with kids, thanks to wide grassy paths, four gazebos for shade, and a central fountain that cools the air.
- Arrive early or use public transit since parking lots can fill quickly on event days at the nearby Coliseum or stadiums.
- Unauthorized drone use is prohibited at the Rose Garden.
- The garden contains over 20,000 rose bushes representing over 200 different types of roses.
- There is little shade on the paths, so bring sun protection on sunny days.
What to Wear
- Visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sun protection during bright days, as shaded areas along the paths are limited.
When to Shoot
Best Time to Photograph
1:24 PM - 1:49 PM
1:49 PM - 2:49 PM
12:34 AM - 1:34 AM
1:34 AM - 1:59 AM
Best Season
Late March through June
Avoid
January 1 to March 15
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:58 | 17:07 | 10h 8m |
| Feb | 06:37 | 17:37 | 10h 59m |
| Mar | 07:03 | 19:01 | 11h 57m |
| Apr | 06:22 | 19:24 | 13h 2m |
| May | 05:51 | 19:47 | 13h 56m |
| Jun | 05:41 | 20:06 | 14h 24m |
| Jul | 05:53 | 20:04 | 14h 11m |
| Aug | 06:14 | 19:39 | 13h 24m |
| Sep | 06:36 | 18:59 | 12h 22m |
| Oct | 06:58 | 18:18 | 11h 20m |
| Nov | 06:25 | 16:49 | 10h 23m |
| Dec | 06:51 | 16:45 | 9h 54m |
What to Expect During Your Session
The Exposition Park Rose Garden contains over 20,000 rose bushes representing more than 200 varieties, arranged in a circular layout with multiple connected sections, and peak bloom runs from late March through June before continuing into fall. Weekends between April and November are heavily booked for weddings and family photographs, so arriving early or using public transit helps avoid the crowded lots on nearby Coliseum event days. The paths offer little natural shade, making sun protection essential, and unauthorized drone use is prohibited on the grounds.
The garden is best visited from morning until dusk.
A relaxed solo visit to the Rose Garden takes about 45 minutes.
“The four marble sculptures by Thyra Boldsen create quiet moments for reflection and observation as visitors walk through the garden.”
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Wheelchair access
- The garden has an ADA-compliant main entrance with no steps or stairs, and pathways through the garden are paved, providing level routes for visitors using wheelchairs or mobility devices.
- Parking
- Accessible parking is available in the nearby Exposition Park parking structures, including van-accessible spaces with striped access aisles.
- Public transit
- Metro E Line (Expo Park/USC station); 701 State Dr, Los Angeles
- Walking distance
- 3 minutes