Harry P. Leu Gardens

The Harry P. Leu Gardens is a 50-acre botanical garden on the shores of Lake Rowena that offers a serene respite from the theme-park razzle-dazzle. Paths lead through giant camphors, moss-draped oaks, palms, cicadas, and camellias -- the latter represented by one of the world's largest collections: 50 species and some 2,000 plants that bloom from October through March.

There are 75 varieties of roses in the site's formal gardens, as well as orchids, azaleas, desert plants, and colorful annuals and perennials. The attraction also has palm, bamboo, and butterfly gardens.

Businessman Harry P. Leu, who donated his 49-acre estate to the city in the 1960s, created the gardens. There are guided tours of his house and the gardens, built in 1888, on the hour and half-hour (at least 3 weeks advance registration required). The interior has Victorian, Chippendale, and Empire furnishings and pieces of art. It takes about 2 hours to see the house and gardens.