"Encompassing about 120
acres, [The Huntington
Botanical Gardens] feature
16 stunning themed
gardens. In 1903 Henry E.
Huntington (1850–1927)
purchased the San Marino
Ranch, with citrus groves,
nut and fruit orchards,
alfalfa crops, a small herd
of cows, and poultry. His
superintendent, William
Hertrich (1878–1966), was
instrumental in developing
the various plant
collections that comprise
the foundation of The
Huntington's botanical
gardens. The property—
originally nearly 600 acres
—today covers 207 acres,
120 of which are open to
visitors and include some
15,000 different varieties
of plants."