This spring and summer Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (RSABG) is abuzz with activities including the Butterfly Pavilion and David Rogers’ Big Bugs art exhibition. A new event—Bugs and Brews offers adults an opportunity to enjoy California’s native garden and party, too.
The Garden is opening the gate Thursday nights from 6 until 8:30 p.m., for Bugs and Brews, May 24 through June 21, 2012. Guests 21 and up are invited to enjoy evening strolls in the Garden, view David Rogers’ Big Bugs and mingle with others over beers for just $10 for RSABG members and $15 for public. Local brothers Curt and Andy Dale bring their mircobrews to California’s native garden and live music provides a soundtrack to the Big Bugs playful art exhibit. Tickets available at the gate or by phone at (909) 625-8767 ext. 224.
The opening weekend of the third annual Butterfly Pavilion (May 12 and 13) at RSABG welcomed approximately 500 visitors. The seasonal exhibit, featuring Southern California native caterpillars and butterflies along with their habitat plants, is open daily 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., through July 29, 2012. Tickets are $2 in addition to standard Garden admission for all guests 3 and over..
David Rogers’ Big Bugs, a traveling exhibition of gigantic proportions, is on display at the Garden until July 15, 2012. Big Bugs is a collection of huge sculptures of arthropods created by carving and polishing beautiful hardwoods and manipulating young willow saplings. The exhibition is free with standard Garden admission. A free audio tour is available; please check in at the admission kiosk for details.
About RSABG
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, founded in 1927 by Susanna Bixby Bryant, is the largest botanic garden dedicated exclusively to California’s native plants. The Garden is located on 86 acres in Claremont, approximately 35 miles east of Los Angeles. RSABG, a private, nonprofit organization, offers educational programs and special events throughout the year and is home of the Botany Department for Claremont Graduate University. The Garden offers a superb selection of California native plants for sale at Grow Native Nursery in Claremont and West L.A. (Westwood).
Visitor information
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, located at 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, is open daily from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., except Jan. 1, July 4, Thanksgiving and Dec. 25. Free parking; accessible paths throughout the Garden. The California Garden Gift Shop is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission: free for RSABG members; $8 adults; $6 seniors and students; $4 children 3-12. For more information please call (909) 625-8767 or visit www.rsabg.org.
