Address: Earl Warren Dr, Long Beach, CA 90840
Hours: Monday (Closed) Tuesday-Friday (10 AM-5 PM) Saturday-Sunday (9 AM-1 PM)
Overview
The gorgeous grounds at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens make a great spot to take a leisurely walk or to spend a few hours. Dedicated in 1981, the gardens encompass 1.3 acres of beauty on the campus of the University of Cal State Long Beach. Visitors will love feeding the energetic koi fish and walking the winding pathways to see the different plants. The zen garden is a great place to reflect and soak in the peacefulness of this garden. There is also a very pretty tea house that visitors will want to check out. Each season is host to different cultural celebrations and exhibits. While reservations are required, entrance is free. Visitors must make an account online and then book their entrance date and time. One reservation is good for a group of up to 6 People. Reservations can be made here.
Feeding the koi fish is a free activity that the gardens offer, however, reservations must also be made for this.
The gardens require reservations to feed the koi fish to monitor the amount of food the fish are getting and to ensure that the koi fish are not being over fed (you can use the link above to make reservations to feed the koi fish). Dress attire must be casual or the gardens may deny you entrance if they deem you are too dressed up. This is to ensure that visitors are not taking professional photos without permits. The closest parking is in lot G4, directly across from the gardens entrance. Parking pay stations are located in the lot but only accept debit and credit (no cash).
The fees are as follows.
- 30 Minutes = $4
- 60 Minutes = $6
- 90 Minutes = $12
- Daily = $15.
Scout’s Story and Visit to Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
As our daughter, Scout, had just turned 1, we were actively adjusting to not being able to hike or travel quite as much as we had been used to in the past. Still, we wanted to get Scout outside as much as possible and introduce her to as many new things as possible. Today, we decided to visit the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden for a quiet and relaxing stroll.
The gardens are gorgeous but are not nearly as big as some of the other gardens in southern California. Therefore, a walk around the gardens can take as little as 20 or 30 minutes or as much as an hour or two for those really wanting to soak it all in.
We had an amazing visit and although Scout was unable to feed the koi fish due to us not reserving a feeding time, she enjoyed walking the gardens and smelling all the different flowers and taking in the sights.
The koi fish are clearly used to being fed and are super friendly. It totally makes sense as to why they limit the feeding times. Overall, we had a great visit and we spent close to an hour in the peaceful surroundings of the Japanese garden.
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Getting to Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
Park in parking lot G4. This is a paid parking lot and multiple kiosks are available to pay at. The gardens are located directly across the street.
