About 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles lays a beautiful escape, worlds away from any form of modern day chaos. The 160 acres of Descanso Gardens house a breathtaking camellia forest, majestic rose gardens, and the Boddy House Gallery that features three to four different artists every month. The forest is home to an abundance of wildlife including deer, rabbits, and raccoons. Our favorite Zen Zone is the serene Japanese Tea House, located in the camellia-oak forest, where you can sip tea on the terrace, overlooking an acre of the exotic Japanese gardens.