Sunnylands Center & Gardens Reviews

Don't miss this when in Palm Springs. Make reservations. Incredible house and history. Furnishings in house are gorgeous. Could spend hours in library looking at photos and memorabilia.

This was huge. They had several cacti. There was several water places as well.

There was an labyrinth. That was fun!

The cacti were in the Sunnylands and outside near the cars.

We had fun exploring.

This is a must see. P.S. It was free!

Sunnylands is the estate of Walter and Lee Annenberg. Walter made a ton of money in media (Philadelphia Inquirer, TV Guide, Seventeen Magazine) and he was involved in politics, eventually named ambassador to England during the Nixon administration. His wife, Lee, was the ultimate socialite and party giver, and was named chief of protocol during the Reagan administration.

While the Annenberg’s were alive, Sunnylands, built in the 1960’s, hosted US presidents, foreign leaders, entertainers, and journalists. Early in the 2000’s, they created a trust that is focused on bringing world leaders together to engage in dialogues that advance the key mission established by the trust “to promote world peace and facilitate international agreement.”

When retreats aren’t being held, Sunnylands is open to the public.

There’s a light-filled visitor center that features a 20-minute movie (great overview), an exhibit (when we were there there was a fascinating exhibit of Lee Annenberg’s china) a comfortable cafe, and desert gardens that you can stroll through. They also do public events there and were having a massive yoga class (200 to 300 people) on the back lawn when we there there.

There are three tours you can choose from: a house tour, a walking tour of the grounds, and a shuttle bus tour of the grounds. The house tour is supposedly the most popular and the most difficult to book. You can sign up for the tours in advance and this is definitely recommended since they fill up very fast.

I was only able to get one ticket for the 1:30 house tour in advance but we arrived around 10 am and asked if we could get another tour if a space opened up. They were very accommodating and a ticket opened up on the 11:15 tour.

The Annenbergs were incredibly wealthy. Their beautiful modern style home was filled with priceless paintings by Picasso, all the impressionists, and many more. Many of the originals have been donated to museums, but they have the digital reproductions hanging in their place, exactly where they were when the Annenberg’s lived there.

The house looks the same as it did when the Annenbergs lived there, including family photos and memorabilia, most of which can be found in the family den.

The couple’s master bedroom was located in the main part of the house but all other bedrooms were located on a separate wing. Each room is distinguished by its color and many presidents (Obama, Reagan, both Bush’s, Nixon, Clinton) and famous people (Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Frank Sinatra) have stayed there and/or visited.

The tours are led by college students and our tour guide, who was a local studying radiologic technology, was excellent. I wish I could remember his first name!

Beautiful gardens easy to find off of Bob Hope Dr. We did not have time to tour the estate but the gardens were well worth the 2 - 3 hours out of your day and it's free with ample parking.

I have visited Palm Springs numerous times over the last fifteen years and had heard about Sunnylands, but not visited until today. We did not know what to expect, and were really surprised at the history, size and subtle grandeur of the property. This was Walter Annenberg winter home that has hosted most modern day Presidents and countless dignitaries. Beware, we were able to take the open air tour which was very worthwhile, the home tours were booked until March. Take the time and tour the beautiful and very interesting site.

Worth the visit plan to go again we were well inform on a one hour garden tour and will do the estate tour didn’t know the gardens existed

We participated in the tram tour of the property and learned so many interesting facts about the desert and the Annenberg family. We will be returning in Nov 19 to tour the estate. It's a 'must do' activity if you visit the Palm Springs area and the Coachella Valley. A beautiful tribute to a wonderful family that loved the area and their country.

You must follow in the internet reservation process to get oneof the limited spots for the tour of the estate, but it is worth it.

Sunnyland was the home of Walter Aand Lenor Annenberg and was built by them in the mid 1960s. The estate is 220 acres along with a 12,000 + square foot house and Annenberg’s private 9 hole golf course. Tours are available for the house and for the grounds. The property is now a museum and there is no charge for entrance to the immediate garden area. You must purchase tickets for the house tour and they go on sale on the 15th of each month for next month.
The home tour is worth the hassle in getting the tickets and I highly recommend it. The tour is approximately 90 minutes and you see all parts of this striking home built in the mid century style. Eight presidents have been guests in the home as well as Queen Elizabeth and other of the royal family. The tour is not for children. It really is a beautiful estate and shows you how one of the wealthiest people lived during mid to late 20th century.

Book in advance (15th of month prior) to take home tour: It’s worth every penny. The incredible guides bring alive this fabulous mixture of desert paradise, architectural marvel, presidential magnet, and the uber-power couple behind it. No other home in America is quite like it. It was so enjoyable we’d do it again.

Been to Rancho Mirage a few times over many years and for some reason never managed to fit a visit in.
We were disappointed not to be able to book a tour of the house on the website. Virtually every tour had 1 seat available. Turns out, the golf cart seats 8 and that includes the driver.
Turned up on the day and asked if there were spaces available. Turns out the website offers tours but there are extra tours depending on what staff show up.
So the house tour is $55. Bit pricey for a 90 minute tour, but we both agreed afterwards that it was well worth it.

The car park and gardens are free to visit and well worth seeing. It was extra worth it when we went as there were lots of “day of the dead” tributes up.

The Palm Springs visitor center recommended this attraction to us. It is worth seeing. The former owners had hosted almost every president for many years. The house can be toured (for a price) and the grounds were free to wander. Very nice area. We had lunch at the Cafe. Freshest produce we had at any restaurant in the area. The sandwiches and salads were very good. Likely go back for lunch next time we are in the area.

We love gardens and love to find them when we travel. The area open to the public was nice, small but nice. I recommend making a reservation to see the estate. Had I know I would have.

First, the video about Sunnylands is a must watch. History was made here and will continue to be in the future via the Annenberg Foundation. We could not tour the actual house, but we did tour the lands surrounding the house with a wonderful tour guide, Brett, who told us great stories about the Annenbergs and visiting dignitaries. If at all possible, get tickets to tour the home, if not, do the grounds. They also had a small art exhibit of the Morodo brothers from Mexico, one a sculpture and the other a painter and the garden was open to visitors. They do have events throughout the year including concerts and bird walk and a cafe serving delicious meals.

Last minute we decided to go to this free music event at this historical venue. We scored a bench in the shade which made the music even more enjoyable. Grounds are very manicured and interesting to see. Great visit

The visitor center building and grounds are spectacularly peaceful. There are some short trails to explore. The cafe serves Aspen Mills food and breads, which are outstanding. The exhibit is always interesting.

With all the negativity about partisan politics it was so inspiring to see two people who wanted to bring diverse viewpoints together to create a better place. The current crop of TV celebrities who focus on their shopping and plastic surgery is so sad compared to how the Annenbergs used their wealth.
the gardens are also just lovely and designed to mimic some of their favorite impressionistic painters. We are bird watchers and wanted to do the bird tour which is offered on some days with advance purchase but of course it was full. However we walked around on our own and saw plenty of wonderful birds.
The cafe was a welcome addition to being able to spend more time here.

Great trip to take with any elderly relatives. It was easy to walk along the garden - beautiful grounds. Don't skip the optional video they show. It was very informative and a bit patriotic :)

We didn't do to the full tour of the house - but we're looking forward to visiting again and making it a part of our visit.

I would raise Sunnylands six stars out of five. It is not to be missed if you’re in the Palm Springs area. The tours are terrific, with exceptionally well educated guides. The café is lovely. Don’t miss lunch. Even the gift shop is wonderful. Enjoy.

The best day vacation! Breathtaking landscaping, a darling cafe and a beautiful gift shop! This is where I take all my out of town guests when they are here. This is where I go to escape the daily grind.

The exceptional garden design and mountain views at the visitors centre are well worth the visit, even without the house tour.

I like the Sunnylands Center & Gardens. I love cacti.

There were a few statues.

The cacti are everywhere. Outside and outside.

The cacti are all straight making a beautiful place to enjoy the cacti.

The cacti looks like the soldiers. All straight for cacti.

There were other places with all kinds of cacti as well.

I love this place! Wow! This was so gorgous!

We didn't spend a lot of time here, but the brief film gives the amazing story behind this spectacular location and everything the Annenbergs contributed to the community and our country, and the estate continues the traditions. We strolled the garden and the labyrinth (I need one of those!), enjoyed the art exhibit, had a lovely snack from the cafe, and shopped unique items in the gift shop. Looking forward to exploring more, on future visits.

This was honestly the winner of our Palm Springs trip!

We had been told the gardens were lovely and to stop for a cup of coffee at the cafe … and it didn’t disappoint!

When we first arrived, we watched the video about the property and family - glad we did as we didn’t know much about the place. They were not giving home tours due to some events on property.

The garden in the back was super gorgeous but crowded. A lot of families and kids the day we went.

We stopped for a latte in the cafe and drank it on the patio by the water fountain. Lovely.

We then went on the walking paths through the front gardens and so glad we did. Definitely the jewels of the property. Quiet, beautifully done and the views of the mountains were amazing.

This center does not charge for parking nor does it have a fee to enter.

I would recommend…and would likely go back again if in the area!

A beautiful and historic place to tour. Friendly staff. Beautiful grounds. A must do while in the area.

Check for availability of the tours. If you are in the Palm Springs area you can still stop by and walk some of the grounds. THE official tour is 90 mln. The groups are 6 people at a time. Check their website but this residence is a famous political site worth your time.

Very special place to get educated on the history of this special place. Gardens are beautiful - although I wish they’d keep more of the old gardens and quit planting all drought resistant plants that take away some of the charm.

We always enjoy visiting. There is a great visitor center with beautiful grounds and helpful and informative pictures and a short video. The real action is, of course, the tour of the house but it is a bit challenging to get tickets. Need to plan well in advance and buy the tickets online. Even without tickets to tour the house, it is well worth visiting the visitor center to walk the gardens.

We had no idea this wonderful place existed. The visitor's center excellently gives you the feeling of being in the house. Next time, we will plan ahead and get tickets for the house tour.

My extended family spends every New Year's in the Palm Springs area, and we have a lot of fun together seeing sights, golfing and eating out. A couple of years ago I became aware of Sunnylands, and I've been trying to convince the others in our large group to get on board. I'm a huge MCM fan, so this was a must-see, and we finally managed to all go check it out. While I would've loved to have taken the house tour, it was just impossible to get tickets on the dates we'd be out there, so that was disappointing. They sell out fast, and days are limited because of retreats that are held at the house periodically. They're also quite pricey ($48/person). However, the free-to-get-in Visitor's Center is very much worth a visit, with beautiful, modern, desert gardens surrounding the sleek building, which houses a theater, cafe, shop, great views of the gardens and much information about the Annenbergs, their home and acreage. Lots of dignitaries have visited the place in the last few decades, as it is dubbed "the Camp David of the West". Definitely catch the short, informative film about Mr. Annenberg and the home. The gardens are wonderful for strolling or sitting peacefully, and taking lots of photos. You can sip a latte outside at a table right alongside the water features among the cacti. One disappointment is that one cannot view the house from said Visitor's Center, which would have been nice. You can, however, take a golf cart tour around the home's actual acreage and right up to the house for only $21, on a first come first served basis every day. Next year I definitely want to try to get the full house tour, I'm sure it's stunning, especially as it was designed by one of my favorite MCM architects, A. Quincy Jones. Overall, a great place, and we hope to be back next year for the full experience.

We drove thirty minutes from PS to get here when it opened to obtain tram tickets for the garden tour only to be told, Not Today! They said that information was on their website but it definitely was not or it was hidden so that four adults couldn’t find it even after we left.

No worries, we were told, just return on Sunday! And we did only to find the tour was already sold out...... no advance sales, lousy live website information and lots of wasted time seeing the lovely parking lot.

Look at the website before going - they reserve the right to cancel tours even after they’ve been sold... hmmm

This was one of our favourite spots on our visit to Rancho Mirage. The property is such an gorgeous example of desert garden design and the building itself is elegant. If possible take a tour to learn about the design and planning involved. We booked ahead online to also take a tour of Sunnylands Estate which was a glorious example of mid century design and worth the effort of getting a pair of the limited tickets.

Would love to see the whole your when it reopens completely. Just walking the gardens was a good time. Worth a visit. Watch the twenty minute movie. Very informative.

This is definitely a place to stop and visit when you are in the area. It has many things to offer, and you can visit it on more than one occasion. Right now, they have an excellent exhibition of bird photographs taken by a well known National Geographic photographer. You can also see a short movie about the history of the Annenbergs and the Annenberg estate. We went on a tour of the outside of the Annenberg estate. We came back the next day and went on a walking tour of the gardens, and it was extremely informative, with a delightful and very knowledgeable tour guide. I know I’ll be back the next time I’m in the area

Visited here while on vacation, beautiful desert gardens! Lots of birds and butterflies when we visited! Very tranquil and they had a great bird art display. They were also setting up for a concert on the lawn, which I wish we would have stayed for! A must see if you visit the area!

The gardens are beautifully laid out, and make a nice destination. They could be better marked in terms of the plants. There is a photo exhibit of birds that had some really spectacular photos. It was a pleasant way to spend an hour. All free, which made a nice change.

We brought out of town guests to tour the gardens and have lunch on the patio. To say they were impressed with the facility is a massive understatement. The salad and sandwiches from the cafe were fresh and delicious, and the coffee was even served press style. This is the type of attraction one visits many times and never grows tired of.

Get tickets for house and garden tours in ADVANCE on line or by phone. Limited days, limited hours, sold out in advance and too late once you get there.

We did get a taste of what we missed. The new Visitor Center reflects many mid-century design principles and materials used in Sunnylands, the house off-limits to us without tickets. There is a good 20-miinute film about Walter and Lenore Annenberg, both of them Ambassadors in a rare twofer. They hosted eight Presidents and many high level conferences and parties at their winter getaway. The Annenberg Foundation continues to host educational and cultural activities.

The public gardens were the real draw for us, 9.5 acres of the 200 acre estate. Mrs. Annenberg's beloved green grass perfection, superimposed on the desert, and her very extensive sprinkler system were ripped out after her death and replaced by a highly sophisticated landscape of single-specimen gardens, composed of desert hardy plants in palettes to imitate the collection of Impressionist paintings donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art by the Annenbergs. This 9.5 acre fantasy is visually STUNNING, not to mention "green" in the ecological sense.

Am already planning a return visit. The place just releases your stress as you drive in the gate. Great parking and nice trails before you even get into to lovely Visitor's Center. We did not have recervations for the home tour as there was a retreat being held there but from the 20 minute video at the center you got a wonderful idea of how the home was and the great meetings and parties that went on there. A bite to eat on the patio by the reflecting pool with a timer for my friend's tea so she knew just when to press the tea down depending on how strong she wanted it. A truly lovely place with great gardens, trails, sculpture and loved the exhbit of photos by a National Geographic photographer of the many birds that inhabit or visit the gardens.

Nice tram ride with a lovely but very inexperienced young woman.... we enjoyed seeing the grounds but what was shared was very canned and we didn't feel like we could ask questions. With that being said it was very enjoyable. The video was interesting and I sure appreciate everything the Trust is presently doing. Highlight was the Obama bench (-:

Difficult to get tickets on your own. Try to find a group or company that is selling tickets to this amazing historical landmark,

We were told to be sure and take the tour. A local encouraged us. We traveled from Kentucky and found Sunnylands to be awesome. We are so glad we went. What amazing history. The gardens are just beautiful! We are so happy the Annenberg’s got together. Talk about a power couple!

Very hard to get tickets to tour Sunneylands home but well worth the effort. It is an amazing house and wonderful history. Our tour guide was wonderful.

On our 3rd visit to Palm Springs, we were finally there on a day the beautiful home was open for tours, and I liked it way more than I even expected! Be sure to plan ahead, tickets go on sale on the 15th of the previous month, and they are small groups so can sell out fast. We had such an informative tour guide, and loved hearing the stories and seeing the photos of all the well-known past visitors and events. Arrive at least 45 minutes ahead of tour to check in and watch the short introductory film. The visitor's center is also interesting, and has a coffee shop & restaurant, and the gardens are pretty too.

Make a reservation and do the house tour. What a phenomenal experience. There’s nothing like it. History and setting are spectacular.

The whole tour was extremely well done. Our guide was knowledgeable and informative. He gave us an intimate view of life on the estate. Surprised that there was no tipping...pleasantly so.

Tucked in the middle of Rancho Mirage, Sunnylands gives a glimpse of the 1960's-1980s through the Annenberg home and estate. The gardens are lovely and available to browse for free- the house tour requires reservations and a approx. $50 ticket.

But well worth it to see some terrific art (albeit copies since the originals have been given to the NY Metropolitan Museum of Art), mid century furnishings and pictures of the "movers and shakers" - Annenberg (publishing magnate, former ambassador to UK) Reagan and other Presidents and the typical Hollywood crowd.

We only got to see the visitors center. Please be sure to get the tour information before you go. This was one place we would have like to see more of.

Get the 20-minute film presentation in the room to the left of entrance door to set the background of Sunnylands. Then you can better understand the various rooms and exhibits before walking outside to the beautiful gardens and grounds. It is a peaceful place, not too crowded, well maintained and good security.

Truly wonderful place to visit..beautiful grounds and amazing history make this a very special place...if you need a hour+ to relax take a,walk on the estate you won,t regret it

I discovered Sunnylands Center & Gardens while browsing the internet. Three of us Gals traveling to Palm Springs visited the Center. To our surprise, it was very enjoyable walking around and seeing many different types of plants. Then we enjoyed lunch at their little Cafe

Just incredible to see this home and the grounds. Remarkable story of a great home that has seen its share of history.

Very lovely gardens especially in spring when the trees are in flower. The yellow flowers contrasts beautifully with the hills behind. Free entry. Cafe and restroom and small shop. Pretty short walk around the garden. You can also book longer tours and visits to the historic house which we would love to do another time. Recommended. Interesting information about former owners

Found out about Sunnylands too late to book a tour of the house but found the Gardens and Visitor Center was open and free! So beautiful! Got there just as it opened at 830, explored the gardens and enjoyed an informational video on Sunnylands. So fascinating! Next time we will plan ahead and get tickets to see the house! Definitely worth the trip.

We saw the grounds and visitor center. Lunch was lovely and the weather allowed us to eat out on the patio. The movie at the center really was a fabulous and really gave a great historical perspective. I didn’t know this “western White House” existed. So glad we got to see it, I highly recommend!

My sister lives in the area, and we were visiting. She loves going here, and thought we would enjoy it as well. She was right! This is a beautiful piece of property and very relaxing to walk through. Everything is kept immaculate. If I was in the area, I would go there with a lawn chair and just sit and read while enjoying the beauty it has to offer. We watched the short movie, which provides information on the estate from the beginning stages to now. We were unable to do the house tour, as there was a retreat being held that day, but I would love to do that if we are ever back in the area. In addition to the grounds, etc., we saw a variety of birds. Roadrunners were fun to watch, and a few found some 'lunch' while we were watching them. There is also a café in the building, but we did not visit that, as we had more places to visit. Walking the grounds is free and plenty of parking is available.

We only took the free garden tour on our own. It was well worth the drive to get there. Great management of desert flora in full bloom and truly beautiful.

Walked the gardens and grounds and enjoyed the beauty of nature. It is landscaped beautifully. It is a huge place and it felt like we had the place to ourselves. Staff was friendly and informative

Just the Cole toons of golf balls is worth the trip. Collected from their private 9 hole course. General Ike. Mr Ambassador, Augusta, Bob hope, Frank Sinatra and many more. Art is worth the trip alone, the house is worth the trip alone. The movie explaining bipartisan attempt to get things done is very good.

Beautiful grounds, gardens and walking paths. The indoor areas are closed because of the pandemic. Parking and walking the grounds is free and the gift shop is open and worth a browse. Will definitely come back to have a paid tour when it is open again. Great history here and wonderful architecture.

Sunnylands is my Parents' favorite destination to bring close friends and relatives. We recently visited on a perfect March Afternoon.
Visitors' Center and Desert Garden are completely free to enjoy. You can even sit and take a photo on the "Obama-Xie" Bench.
For an additional charge, tours are offered of more of the Annenberg Property.
We also ate lunch at Sunnylands and the food was surprisingly good.

Really interesting and beautiful place! Terrific art, landscaping and gardens plus filled with much historical information.

Sunnylands, in Rancho Mirage, is a must see for anyone visiting the Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage/Palm Desert area.

There is a 20,000 sq. ft. single-story mid-century home built for the Annenbergs back in in the 1960's. The home is located on 200 acres on beautifully landscaped grounds.

Sunnylands has hosted 8 US Presidents with leaders from other countries. The Annenberg Trust, who now owns the property, runs tours. The historical house tour must be booked weeks in advance and always sells out. The open-air grounds tour can be booked the morning of arrival to Sunnylands on a first-come basis.

Sunnylands offers free parking & admission to the grounds & Visitors Center, with a lovely cafe, gift shop, 20-minute film and numerous historical points of interest to view.

The tours do charge a fee, but are totally worth the cost.

I highly recommend you plan a visit to Sunnylands. You won't regret it.

We did the house tour which was well worth the cost. It brought such insight to a place and way of life.

The tour was very interesting. I believe our entire group enjoyed and were especially impressed with our guide Brett. The property, home and concept were all very impressive. Brett added so much depth and interest to the sights. I do believe he was able to answer all of our questions - even the quite obscure ones!! What a gentleman with a passion for his work.

A memorable visit!

Pictures within the house are not allowed so you must go there to see for yourself. Tickets are a bit of a challenge to get but if you follow the instructions and are ready to on your computer at promptly 0900 on the 15th of the month prior to the day you want it is possible! Instructions are available on the web site - read carefully!

I am not very familiar with plants of the desert, and the Sunnylands garden audio tours/walks were a great way to learn a lot in a short amount of time. Everything is immaculately maintained. There is even a center grassy oval with colorful toys for children. The gardens were free as were the audio tours.

A peaceful relaxing morning walking round the grounds and a superb video showing why this place is a presidential favourite.

We visited Sunnylands with another couple in January. Weather was beautiful and the grounds are stunning. There are a couple of tours you can take but for a step back in history, take the house tour. The docents were informative and personable. It takes a couple of hours and they have a nice cafe in the Cultural center and public area. They were offering Tai Che in the garden area on the morning we were there. It is open and free to the public but for the House and Grounds tours you need tickets and be prepared to spend a bit of money for the tickets. ( about $50/person) I love history and these tickets were my Christmas gift and I loved it! Highly recommend visiting!

Beautifully manicured grounds. Plenty of shade during the walk. Lunch on the patio was an unexpected pleasure. Photo exhibit of birds was extraordinary.

Our visit to Sunnylands this morning was brilliant. A ‘must do’ activity if you’re staying in Palm Springs. Bookings open on the 15th of the month prior to your visit. Arrive well in advance of your tour booking so that you have time to watch the film first. The film runs for 20min, starting on the hour and half hour. We arrived at 8:55am, watched the 9am film, then had a coffee, and started our tour at 9:45am. Our guide (Brett) was fantastic - very friendly, interesting and able to answer all questions. After the 90min tour we stayed for another hour in the public garden area. Everything at Sunnylands is beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

Beautiful gardens. Had a chance to take the estate tour highly recommended. Hi light was the rose garden. I loved it so much I forgot to take a picture.

Cute gift store and cafe.
Free to walk the gardens. Very nice staff.
Next time I will tour the home.
Very very impressive gardens.
The best mountain views!

It's getting to be extraordinarily difficult to get tickets to tour the home, you have to be right on it on the few days per month when tickets become available. We didn't succeed this time, but decided to go anyway. Glad we did! There are two new tours for the grounds. One goes around the perimeter of the property and that was the one I took. It basically follows holes 1-6 of the golf course, the lakes, sculpture, large totem pole from British Columbia, the guest lodging from the 60s. I always wanted to see this stuff and it just wasn't possible before. The birding tour takes a lap inside the perimeter tour. I don't really care about birds, but I love the Annenberg estate so I may do that one in the future. I always watch the video to start and look at the exhibits on the walls of the visitor center. Amazing place. Lastly, tour the grounds of the visitor center and see the beautiful desert plantings and reflecting ponds. The labryinth. Rodin sculpture.

My sister bought us tickets to Sunnylands. I wasn't sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. The grounds are stunning as is inside the home. The history, the collection of personal pictures, the art collection, the mid-century architecture were all very impressive.

We took a tour of the house which had to be booked around a month before our trip. I didn't know what to expect but was bowled over by the beauty of the house and its location. The tour enabled us to see the various rooms in the house which were all beautifully designed and furnished with interesting photos and memorabilia of the Annenburgs and their guests. We also saw the grounds and were able to take photos outside.One criticism only - it would have been nice for the guide to have spent more time observing the art and providing the artists names. But overall we loved our visit here.

This is a beautiful place for a retreat. Did the tour inside and out. I would definitely go again. It need to make the reservations in advance they book up fast.

Couldn’t get tickets to tour the home so we visited the gardens and watched the 20 min video of the history of both. Startling views; meticulously clean.

I din't even know this place existed but what a very unexpected pleasant surprise. Make sure when you enter you watch the short film. The film puts everything about the visit into perspective especially about the Annenberg's, the U.S. presidential visits and the significant history of the grounds. The grounds, gardens and walks are just beautiful as well.

Even though it requires a certain effort to buy the house tour tickets online on the 15th of the prior month at 9am PST, it is definitely worth it. The architecture, art, furnishings and memorabilia make for a fascinating 90 min tour. The visitor center is beautifully landscaped with desert plants, has an informative movie and a pleasant cafe with indoor and outdoor seating.

This place is the place of Presidents. And it is beautiful. The main area is open and free. Starting at the end of September you can sign up for a tour of the whole property which is also incredible!

Expensive just like the taste of the original builders. But for history buffs, this is a nice must see in the Greater Palm Springs area. Lots of interesting art, furniture, and photographs along with the inside look at the lifestyle of the super rich and influential.

We had signed up for the house tour a month earlier and it was well worth the effort. It is WOW. We had been here before without the house tour--it was a WOW too and completely free but the house tour is well worth the additional price. Just spectacular. The Annenberg family: children of immigrants who came to America with very little, worked hard and came to great wealth which they donated, shared, and created this magnificent home which is now a retreat for visiting dignitaries. You see the interior and the gardens as well. We loved it.

Touring the vast former Annenberg estate is like a living history lesson. The expansive, magnificent home is surrounded by more than 200 acres of beautiful landscaping. The property is rich with historical significance, and the small guided tours give visitors an opportunity to see where many major events.... attended by both world political leaders and celebrities.....took place. Highly recommended, advance tickets a must. And be sure to view the excellent 20 minute film before or after your visit.

Beyond the immersion tour of the 50's modern compound of the widely known "friends of the rich and famous" Annenberg couple, one savors the ambiance of the grounds, dictated by Leonore's penchant for yellow in all things -- this captivating landscape provides food to breathe in the luxury of silence, beauty, architecture, art, nature and contemplation. The tour is affordable and a simple trip to the estate to enjoy the grounds is no cost. We love the café sandwich lunch among the soldier rows of cacti and broad expanse of Palo Verde trees, preferable in all their yellow glory in blooming season.

I have visited the Palm Springs area several times in the past eight years. I love The Palm Springs area. Now I have another reason to love it even more. I just visited the Sunnylands estate, the former residence of Walter and Leonore Annenberg. OMG there is so much to say and not enough words to capture the historical significance of this place, nor the beauty of the gardens. They offer house tours for a fee which sell out quickly. However, to visit the center and gardens are free. While my husband and we're there, a yoga class was taking place on the main lawn in this tranquil garden, so cool. There is so much to see here, I will return.

Although the home is closed to tours due to Covid you could still walk the beautiful grounds for free. Great way to stretch your legs. The Cafe is also open & has patio dining.

This is an amazing place. So much history. The art is unbelievable. We took the house tour. I didn’t want it to end. Lovely lunch and ice tea outside. This is not to be missed. Tour guide was fantastic. It is a lot to take in. Loved the Christmas cards from the Queen mother. Great stories- if the walls could talk!! Frank Sinatra got married there. I can’t wait to return.

I honestly was not looking forward to this tour at all. I was 3 months pregnant and honestly not a history buff at all but it really surprised me it was really really interesting. The tour guide was very nice at letting me sit when I needed to. All in all I think everyone should try this if you are in the palm desert area.

This is a super place to learn how Hollywood, the super rich and politics all came together in the past as well as how the estate is still used as a presidential retreat today. There is a trove of history here.
Be sure to catch the free movie that goes through the estates past.

Decided to try this and we were so glad that we did. What a wonderful place. Learning so many interesting things and experiencing such a wonderful place. GO - it's free and we all found it enjoyable.

Great visit and a top attraction in the area. The center and the staff are well organized, pleasant and helpful. 

We reserved timed tickets for the open-air tour around the huge estate gardens and grounds in a golf cart style shuttle with cushy seats and a driver/docent, who was a very pleasant young lady. She pointed out interesting features and let us out at particular spots. The site is really beautiful, especially for golfers who can appreciate a well-designed 18 hole course. I got a kick out of seeing lost golf balls collected from Richard Nixon and others.

The golf course takes up most of the estate, and is built around the house, which is a separate tour we would reserve for another day.

There are gardens and paths to enjoy and a modern, spacious and attractive visitor center with indoor and outdoor seating and a good cafe.

Sunnylands was the winter home of the 1960's tycoon Walter Annenberg, who traded business for elite, donor, hobnobbing philanthropy with Presidents and other celebrity and famous notables, as you will see in the visitor center. He and his wife enjoyed playing on their private golf course, which is now a tax exempt foundation where trustee descendants and their colleagues invite academics, officials and notable elites for discussion retreats.

We made reservations for our tour online and were glad we did! Chandra was our guide for the house tour at Sunnylands Center. She was really informative and able to answer the questions our group asked. The tour group was small, only seven. We were able to view the amazing house and some of the outdoor spaces too. We enjoyed the almost two hours we spent!

We came here for the free Friday morning bird-watching tour. We ended up with a group of 20 or so and walked through the garden. There were new birds at every turn and our guide, Frank, was able to tell us all about them.

We can't wait to come back and see more of the estate!

The grounds surrounding the Sunnylands estate are beautiful and the perfect for casual strolling or just sitting and enjoying the views. Tours, for a fee, are available but not required as entrance to the property is free. The visitor center provides background on this historic place, a small gallery and houses a great cafe.

The private tour of Sunnylands is not to be missed. The tours consist of 6 people in a small open-air covered vehicle with a guide. The tour includes the residential home of the Anenbergs as well as viewing a wonderful world-class art collection. Its very difficult to obtain tickets.

What I loved about this place was that there was no charge for visiting the centre or gardens. There is a charge to tour the house and you need to apply online the 15th of the month before to get a ticket for the next month. The gardens and grounds are immaculate. Everything is perfectly manicured.

House tours are open Thursday through Sunday, and limited to 7 people per group, therefore your chances of getting a tour of the home are none if you just show up at Sunnylands. BOOK ONLINE (a month in advance) the first day you are allowed to on their website. You can only book tickets a month prior to your planned visit, and they are gobbled up in hours. The first day (set a calendar reminder) you are able to book tickets, grab them early in the day! The house tour was expensive, but worth every penny. Just to see the office, with all their photos spread out, UNBELIEVABLE! The furniture, the kitchen, guest rooms - all of it stunning. Such original architecture and an amazing historic home. It is so lovely, tasteful and views from every room. Gorgeous.
The gardens and golf course are interesting. The visitors center has a film, gift shop, cafe, and garden for strolling, so if you miss out on booking a tour of the house, there are other things to enjoy.

Several years ago we toured the beautiful Sunnylands grounds and came back this year to tour the Annenberg home. It is a magnificent example of mid-century architecture. The tour is limited to eight people and you are taken through the entire home including the kitchen and bedrooms plus the guest accommodations in separate buildings. There is so much history here! The artwork and furniture are fabulous. We had a terrific docent - Gabriela who was a wealth of information.

There are really two Sunnylands. One is a newish public garden and mini-museum, while the other is the magnificent estate once owned by the Annenberg family.
The former is easy to visit. The latter is not.

The guided tours of Sunnylands book out almost as soon as they are available, and for a good reason. The opportunity to visit this beautiful building and appreciate its history is well worth the effort and cost of the booking.
Access to the visitor centre and gardens are free, and definitely worthwhile, but really don’t give the depth of experience that you get from the tour.

We arrived in Rancho Mirage to stay with a friend and we visited the Annenberg Center at Sunnylands first thing. It was a lovely way to meet the area — like the numerous world leaders and celebrities before us! We didn’t have time for tours of the house or estate, but we plan to do that next trip. Must see the informational movie and hang out in the sunshine on the grounds.

I have been to this venue many, many times. Most of the events I attend are wonderful and I am grateful they are available. I know I am going to catch some flack for this review, but there must be someone else out there who has similar feelings. Sunnylands offers free yoga on the great lawn during the busy season. I have attended many classes there. This season, I made it to two classes. The reason? I got tired of the entire class being insulted by the instructor, who is constantly "joking" about everyone's fat asses in their Lulu Lemon's. Many yogi's are dealing with body issues as it is and support is what is needed from a good instructor, not insults . I will no longer be attending those classes and I also quit recommending it to others.

This year we found a gem to share with family and friends when they visit our winter paradise. Sunnyland is an historically and currently relevant venue for the movers and shakers of the world. You’ll enjoy a short informative video (I’ve seen it four times and catch something new each time) and the grounds open to the public are a perfect place to stroll and bask in the most beautiful desert landscape design I’ve ever seen. You can relax with a cup of coffee or bring a picnic lunch and stay and enjoy the beauty, or see it and check it off your list. But you’ll be tempted to come back someday for one of the tours they offer after you see the 25,000 sf house and grounds displayed in the video. Definitely worth a visit!

Sunnylands is wonderful - interesting, visually charming and a great experience. You can visit the landscaping and visitor center anytime. However, you must have tickets to visit the residence and its interiors. Try to get tickets - it is worth it and lovely!

Once the home of Walter and Leonore Annenberg, the Sunnylands Estate is truly enormous at over 200 acres and is one of the closest equivalents in America to the Palace of Versailles, a home where the world’s elite would gather in lavish luxury and a power center where many historic political events (good and bad) have taken place throughout the second half of the 20th century (they also both share symbolic similarities with the sun as it was the “Sun King” Louis XIV who built Versailles).

The architecture of the estate is incredible and was built in 1966 by A. Quincy Jones. It combines the contemporary midcentury modern style with some exotic Mayan and Asian elements throughout, creating an opulent environment that’s both modern and regal. There are also numerous works of art inside and out from different times and places, some of which are genuine but a lot of them are reproductions after having been donated to the Met in NYC.

Parking is free along with access to the Center and Gardens, but I would recommend coupling it with a tour around the estate itself to make the trip more worthwhile (the historic house tour is about $45 in advance, I can’t comment on the other tours).

The docent I had, Zia I believe, was friendly and shared a lot of interesting facts about the house and took us through many rooms with great artifacts to look at. You’re allowed to take pictures outside, but not inside for some reason so keep that in mind.

Definitely worth seeing regardless of your politics and your perspective on events that took place here (I happen to be left wing, but that’s neither here nor there).

Visiting Sunnyland was a wonderful surprise. We were unable to take the tour because it was sold out. We did see the movie and walk the gardens. It's historical value to our country was significant and its beautiful setting was well worth our time. I wish I could tell you how to sign up for the tour but we got there late on our last day of our trip and didn't check into it. I'm sure there is a website to check all that out. I would recommend the stop.

Somehow, this experience makes the whole desert appeal make sense and come to life. Especially if you go in January. It's a 200 acre sanctuary (literally, for the birds) that was the winter estate for the Walter Annenberg's (Reagan "kitchen cabinet"), that was dubbed the "Camp David of the West". Besides being beautiful, it is interesting historically, whichever way your politics lean. Every President of the U.S. since Eisenhower has been here, with the exception of Trump. You need to book the house tour ($48) prior to dropping in, but I managed to get a golf cart tour of the grounds last minute ($21). You go up to the driveway of the house (25,000 square feet) and around the grounds. It gives you a feel of the place. I think the art collection inside the house would definitely be worth the admission price. The architecture is an interesting blend of mid century modern with a Mexican (Mayan?) influence. It reminded me of a version of Doris Duke's Islamic-influenced Shangri La in Honolulu. All in all, a worthwhile side trip.

This is just a cool historical place. Mid Century Modern extraordinaire!
The facility lends itself to simplicity and meditation. The gardens are so pleasing and the infinity pools are stunning.
I found myself wanting to just sit there and enjoy a coffee and soak up the view of the desert landscape while looking at the snow capped mountains in the distance.
I can see why this gem has been a destination for former presidents!

We have been here twice. First time we did not have tickets to tour the home of Walter Annenberg. You need to book ahead online only. A must home to see. The tour is reasonably priced and takes exactly 90 minutes. There are only 7 people allowed each tour guide. Up close and personal . Worth the effort. When you arrive leave enough time to watch a preview film so you can get educated about Ambassador Walter Annenberg who was a fabulous philanthropic person. Gave billions of dollars to great causes.
If you have time you can also tour the grounds. Gorgeous and well manicured. Highly recommend

A excellent place to visit. The grounds are spectacular and the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I would highly recommend a visit. Must book in advance for the tour. You can also get lunch there.

What an extraordinary treat to be able to experience such a remarkable and historical property. Every second there was amazing. I wish I had had more time.

Sunnylands was fabulous! I highly recommend the home tour, but make reservations in advance. One of the highlights of our vacation!

This place is a little off the beaten path for Coachella Valley visitors and is really lovely. If you want a quick site to see this will work. For the basic center and Center grounds an hour is plenty. That said you can go on tours of the larger Sunnylands grounds pretty much ona walk-in basis and with lots of advance planning and tickets the Annenberg Estate. At the Center the grounds are gorgeous and well maintained and is a peaceful walk. There is a nice moderately priced cafe with good food. During the season there are yoga classes, family games and other outdoor events. The center also has a small art gallery. Note that the they close during the summer - check the website if you are visiting July-September.

We were just driving down the street in Rancho Mirage on our way to Palm Desert when we came across a sign that said "Sunnylands." Had no idea what it was and decided to check it out. Glad we did. As it turns out we couldn't purchase tickets for the house tour, but just walking through the garden grounds was pleasant. The visitors center is an impressive piece of architecture in itself and there is a small museum inside that is quite nice. You can read all about Walter Annenberg at the visitors center and discover his relationship to many of our presidents and other VIP's. Fascinating.

I grew up in the desert and knew all about the Annenbergs. Seeing this estate (no budget in its construction!) was enjoying mid-century modern and a museum at the same time. Many rooms are filled with memorabilia and the only problem I had with the tour is that we didn't have enough time in some of the areas (and our tour guide was new and didn't really keep things moving along and interesting). Nonetheless, IF you can get tickets, DO IT! If not, go and enjoy the gardens.

90 minute tour, another 30 minutes for the grounds (optional); I don't recommend it for children

We took the shuttle around the beautiful property. It was very good but would be especially great if you were a golfer. Our guide was very informative.We were not able to tour the house because no tickets were available.

Since the Annenberg Estate was closed to tours due to a conference, we decided we visited the Sunnylands Center & Gardens and were not disappointed. The Visitor Center offers a movie covering the history of the estate and the life of the Annenbergs.

Our guide book gave bad directions on how to get tickets for house tour. At opening time on the 15th (usually 9 am) they sell for the next month for Thursday to Sunday tours, about 5/day or less some days, and only 7 seats in golf cart. They sell out in minutes.
Visitor center is free, as well as a 20 minute movie and 3 acre garden around, gift shop and grill.
We went anyway without tickets, nice staff gave a short tour of building and pointed out that there were also cart tour of the 200 acre estate for $20 every 1/2 hour for a slightly larger cart (9-10 ?). Take it, the guide was better than the house tour, which we were given free for one the next day that could not make and canceled, and since all that is done online they do not handle money or tickets at center. Guide at counter told us, w/phone #, I called, gave phone to guide said OK for us to use them. Absolutely amazing house and the history of presidents, sec of states, cabinet members, Sup Ct justices, foreign dignitaries who have been there will be astonishing. Also, though the art on walls are mostly reproductions, they are awfully good, and you can see how the House was used, and still is used for retreats by the same.
Go anyway there may be a cancellation while you are there.

Cacti that I have never seen before all artfully displayed in well tended beds. Serene water pools and bonus: you can sit on the famous Obama bench. Lots of free parking and lovely café.

The ticket is $49.00, a bit pricey, but well worth the price. The 90 minute tour is well your time to see the house. A 25,000 square foot house which is a treasure of art and mid century history. The Annenberg’s left a great treasure for all to see, and, you should visit Sunnyland.

Highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance! Groups are very small, and, Martin, our tour guide, was so professional and articulate in his presentation during the tour. His knowledge of the family and estate is awesome.

The Sunnylands Estate is a magnificent oasis in the larger Palm Springs/Palm Dessert area of California. The house has welcomed some of the worlds greatest leaders including all US Presidents from Ronald Regan to and including President Obama. As a meeting facility for leaders across the world, the home/mansion provides outstanding comfort and privacy for its guests. The grounds are spectacular, including a manicured golf course with beautiful mountain views, and a number of cactus gardens. A pleasant bistro cafe in the Visitor's Center is available for casual lunches or light snacks and beverages. ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED, so be certain to plan ahead and contact them to assure entry will be possible on your preferred dates

As you are driving up to Sunnylands, you will be in awe of the beautiful desert landscape. The grounds are meticulously kept and you feel like you’ve stepped into an oasis. The truly awe inspiring moment is when you enter the house. Not only is it a magnificent estate, but history comes alive in ever corner. From the dining room to the guest houses, from the private office to the kitchen, every corner is perfectly designed and flawless. You get a real sense of the friends and dignitaries that once roamed the estate. If you get a chance to tour this property, I highly recommend it. Make sure you see the movie, it adds another layer of perfection.

We have toured many historical houses over the years and have enjoyed them but thought the house tour of Sunnylands was the best of them all. The house tour must be booked in advance but is well worth the effort. Our tour guide, Dan, gave our group a quick introduction, and then we were off by golf cart from the visitor's center to an amazing house. Not only is the mid-century modern architecture just fantastic, the Annenbergs collected all kinds of art and decorative objects just for this house. They selected every item and every bit of decor to be exactly how they wanted it, and the results are striking. They also surrounded the house with magnificent gardens, pools, and recreational activities for their guests (Presidents, royalty, celebrities) to enjoy. Their foundation now hosts retreats on contemporary world affairs topics of all types -- the stories are great. We could have spent hours in just the "memorabilia room" alone. Thank you to Dan and Sunnylands for a fascinating morning!

Artists who check in at the front desk can get permission to paint in the gardens. They have a few rules to follow. Check their website. I had a wonderful experience painting there for a few hours. Very relaxing and peaceful.

Lovely, lovely gardens. Must go if you are a gardener. Plus interesting visitor center with videos and displays, nice lunch. Grounds and visitor center are free, tours are $ and mostly need to be pre booked as they are popular. I will return for more walks around the grounds and to go on the house tour, which requires tickets which you have to get in advance.

While visiting the former Annenberg home requires tickets and advance planning, the garden is open Thursday – Sunday, 8:30am – 4:00pm. Parking is free with plenty of disabled parking spots. Our visit was mid-February in the afternoon. We first watched the free video in the beautiful Visitor Center, then after a bite to eat in The Cafe (there is a lovely outdoor sitting area alongside an infinity pool), we explored the garden. The mid-afternoon light was perfect for photographs and the dappled light added to the serenity. The garden is beautifully laid out and the symmetry of the plantings is comforting. Probably the average semi-interested person would spend 30 minutes, but for avid photographers an afternoon might not be enough. The whole garden seems accessible to those with trouble walking.

I am not one to follow or gawk after celebrities, royalty, politicians or tycoons but it is hard not to be impressed by the list of guests that have enjoyed the beauty of Sunnylands. The tour of the house is highly recommended and tickets go on sale a month in advance and sell out quickly. A golf cart carries 8 guests at a time with the guide providing commentary throughout the grounds. Our same small group stayed together with the guide, Brad (10/10) to tour the interior of the house. The decorative arts and custom furniture were a highlight for me. The original painting collection has been donated to the Met but they kindly provided reproductions to be hung in their respective places in the living room. The film explaining the history and mission of Sunnylands is well worth viewing. Sunnylands is not just another pretty place; it continues to pursue its mission of promoting education and bringing together world leaders and thinkers to tackle today's challenging issues. I felt honored to be there.

Great, historic spot with excellent guides. Very small group allows for conversation about unique place

Sunnylands well worth a visit. BUT WARNING Planned on making on line reservation for tour months ago. Website blocked reservations for months with instructions to wait. Carefully checked website for months. Finally website announced a date reservations would be open for March tours. No hint nor warning that 9:00 a.m. Pacific time when web site reservations would begin would be sold out instantly! My error? I didn’t “click” at exactly 9:00 a.m. After failing to get tickets called concierge at our hotel who could not help and expressed frustration that even she has been unable to get tickets personally as a local resident. Do not know if tour companies are buying in block or if so few tickets are available they sell out so fast but Sunnylands needs to reevaluate how tickets sold on line are advertised. It is a difficult disappointment to wait months only for a blocked opportunity to buy tickets because the sales window opens for a few seconds and sells out.

Publisher of TV Guide. And other magazines ambassador to England, and great Philanthropist, Walter Annenberg built this magnificent estate, and now conference center for world leaders. It is an incredible place. The gardens are free, and it does cost to tour the house, but do it, you will not be disappointed. Beautiful and interesting, as well as a great education on the era. I will recommend this to all I know, and so will you.

Didn’t plan far enough in advance to go on the house tour but the garden tour was interesting. There is a set of five audio tours you can download from the website. A bit self congratulatory but also interesting info on what you are seeing and how it ties into the overall theme of the property.

Great example of landscape architecture master planned grounds incorporating native habitat and plants into a modern design that compliments the building architecture. The water features are incredible.

was here previously to see the garden but really wanted to tour the house. you are taken by shuttle to the house on a very large impressive property. The architecture is mid century modern with wide open views. The furnishings are intimate but the history is what really make this estate impressive. Definitely worth seeing and paying for the house tour.

This is one of the best tours when you come to the desert and there is nothing else around here like it. We have gone to a tour in the evening and have been able to see how they really lived and all the beautiful treasures !

Although we live nearby, we had not visited this beautiful desert gem. The visitor center offers a small café with a lovely patio that overlooks the grounds. Although the menu is limited, the food was excellent. There is a short film that give a great overview of the complex as well as a history of the Annenberg family and the area. We were unable to take the house tour, as you need to have prepaid reservations. these sell out quickly, so make plan your visit well in advance of the day you would like to be there.

The ground tours are available on a first come, first serve basis. All tour activities have an admission fee associated with them. The film and the main gallery are free.

Nice place to have a walk in the morning! You can plan 2 hours before of after lunch to the place... not a huge place but 2 hours should be sufficient to explore everything. You may also enjoy a cup of coffee with some snacks at their cafe

This is a calming place to visit, and excellent for a walk. That was our central purpose today , a walk . People do go there and walk the paths to get their daily 10000 steps and enjoy the gardens - some will circle around a few times to accomplish this. We stopped in at the desk to get the bew information on events. The mansion was being used for a retreat, so no tours. Good idea to check ahead if you plan to see the artwork there. There was plenty to see however- an exhibit of indigenous art and the pictorial history of the Annenberg’s and their famous guests. There is a very good film as well- but we saw that last year. New massive totems by Herb Alpert are set on the back lawn. All in all, a very satisfying way to spend an afternoon. Oh, the gift shop has several unique offerings.

Beautiful and historical. The grounds are worth a visit and the tours are interesting. It’s difficult to get tickets for the inside museum but definitely worth going. Most of the presidents stayed there and the Annenberg estate is in its full glory with interesting information about everyone and fantastic photos.

Sunnylands is on Bob Hope Drive. I must have passed this place hundreds of times coming and going to my house in Rancho Mirage. But I never stopped to see what it was. I had made a decision to stop last April, 2020, but that is when COVID hit and everything was closed. So fast forward and it is now re-opened. Sunnylands is the estate of the Annenbergs. The grounds are beautifully done and the views are wonderful. The cactus / succulents / desert plants are beautiful and the grounds are nicely laid out. The original house on the property is currently closed due to COVID, but will hopefully reopen for tours in September. I am excited to see the house, now that I have seen the grounds. Great outing for people with children.

The Annenberg Estate, entitled Sunnylands is an amazing combination of gardens, art exhibits and history. The tour of the residence must be reserved a month in advance. However, the grounds tour (including the golf course) and the information center are worth the visit. A movie of the history of the estate is a must. The visitor center also contains explanations of the art, architecture, gardens and family history. This is an American treasure.

very close to palm desert and palm springs..
huge estate and beautiful gardens owned by arnesson (sp?) trust. so interesting but rather well kept secret. museum area is open and free. there is a grounds bus tour, which we took. to see the actual estate, where every president has stayed since Johnson, you need to get tickets available the month prior to visit. grounds tours are available day of visit. excellent!!!
next time will get estate tickets. loved grounds tour.

We visited Sunnylands on a day when there were no house tours running. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit nonetheless. There was an interesting short film, a concert on the lawn and spectacular cactus gardens to tour. All of this was free. If we had done a house tour, there would have been a charge for that and tickets are hard to get. They go on sale once a a month only.

Sunnylands is true historical landmark, so many political events were set in motion or agreed upon after the relaxed conversations this place allowed. The Annenberg estate is a jewel of mid-century architecture, the gardens are a lovely respite in the dessert (definitely not sustainable in the long run!) and the history and celebrities that have stayed here is just mind-boggling. Th tours and restaurant as well as the views are well worth the trip.

Sunnylands is a beautiful garden and my favorite time was enjoying my French pressed coffee on their patio. I visited when it opens at 8:30 to take photos in the morning light and before it is crowded.

Plus, it was a nice bicycle ride from our villa at Marriott Desert Springs.

I would not necessarily say Sunnylands is anything particularly unusual as a garden. But the symmetrical plant design and clean beds make it a beautiful location on a 70 to 80 degree date to wander the gardens then sit on one of their benches to relax and meditate.

The garden is not huge and we saw all the “free” areas in a couple hours. It is worth a trip if you have the time.

We will go back but next time we will get tickets to tour the home which is in a separate protected area of the property. The home design is Palm Springs modern which means step back to the ‘50’s. You need to buy tickets a month in advance.

We would still go back if we did not have tickets. On a beautiful day it is very peaceful.

Even if you don’t have tickets for the house tour, I definitely suggest visiting the centre for a glimpse of the sunny.and splendour. There is a movie, art displays, beautiful gardens, gift shop & cafe in the visitor centre. All very good.
This trip we had pre-purchased tickets for the house tour which I highly recommend. It’s outstanding architecture, interiors & historical story that is pivotal in American modern history.

A nice spot that is away from all the noise as you walk around amazing gardens of cacti...would recommend for about 1-2 hours of relaxation.

We watched a very informative 20 minute film "A Place Called Sunnylands" where you learn about the history of Sunnylands. After the film, we spent an hour or two walking the gardens. The desert gardens are uniquely beautiful with varied different plants. We planned to take a tour of the house but could not. There was a retreat at the house the week we we going to visit Sunnylands. Schedule a tour of of the house before coming if possible, I understand that it is fabulous.

We had never been to Sunnylands & this is what we found: A prestine and perfectly planned space. We enjoyed the outside tour and would like to visit again for the house tour. The tour guide was knowledgeable and of course, the weather in January is a nice perk. The lunch was fresh and would recommend any salad on the menu. Make sure to add enough time for this and sit outside. It’s a must!

We didn't have tickets to view the house, but ate lunch, wandered the gardens, looked at the exhibits and watched an introductory movie. Entrance to the visitor's center and gardens are free. I highly recommend visiting. The food was delicious and we loved the outdoor seating. The gardens are pretty. There was an art exhibit, which I'm assuming is rotated. I learned quite a bit about the history of the property. Visiting the center has made me anxious to get tickets for the house and return at a future date.

My daughter took me to Sunnylands for Mothers Day 3 years ago. I have returned every year since, taking friends & family . We have so enjoyed the tranquil beautiful gardens, the home tour and history behind it. It is a photograper's dream & a lovely place for lunch.

I think if you are a historical beautiful site-for the pubic/.a price of $100 for 2 people is very high to look at copies of artwork & some guest rooms & celebrity pictures .the staff is wonderful but the place is just to elitist /the grounds tour is a golf course w/some pretty flowers

This is a well maintained garden in the midst of the desert area. The common area for visiting was not very large. It is beautiful at some spots for photo taking. Otherwise, I suppose this place is filled with history, with visits from the rich and famous people over the years.

Enjoyed being able to attend Grounds/Gift Shop without Fee. Didnt have time for Guided Tour. Interesting Annenberg Family

We toured the gallery and gardens at the Sunnyland Center (formerly Annenberg Estate) on a warm Saturday afternoon. Amazing variety of birds and desert plants, a very nice labyrinth.

After visiting the Coachella Valley for many years, we made our first trip to a Sunnylands. Reservations for the house tour need to be made about a month in advance and they sell out quickly. It was well worth the effort. What a treasure! The home and grounds are stunning, and equally impressive is the legacy left by the Annenbergs. Make time to see the free movie about the family and construction of the estate.

The Sunnylands visitors centre is a magnificent modernist architectural delight. It has some great art and sculpture, and many free events. It is very interesting to see that piece of history. The bistro is nice and friendly and serves good food and beverages.

This was a day full of history and beauty. We highly recommend the house tour. Our guide, Chance, did a great job, making the historical events that took place in this house very interesting and informative. The home itself is an impressive part of Americana. The ground and setting are amazing. This is a hidden gem . Thank you to the Annenbergs for sharing your home and lives with us.

Our group of five took the house tour and it did not disappoint. The Annenbergs were AMAZING people, and the collection of beautiful art and goo-gahs they collected is simply jaw-dropping. The mid-century house alone is worth the price of admission, but the grounds are stunning and the views are unbelievable. You have to book this place THE SECOND the tickets go on sale, cuz it sells out immediately. BE WARNED, the house tour is ALL standing, with one short break to sit down outside. My knees were killing me at the end, but it was worth it! Highly recommend if you enjoy this kind of thing - well worth the price of admission.

SUNNYLAND TICKETS AVAILABLE for Thurs 10/17. We live in Palm Springs and unfortunately will be unable to use our Sunnyland Tour Tickets. We have 4 Sunnyland tickets available for Thursday 10/17 at 11:30am. We will sell them at face value ($65 per ticket). Call 213-247-7268 (Patrick C) who has the tickets. and is sadly having to offer them for sale.

Sunnylands is an amazing site and place to see.

We were very pleased to visit Sunnyland. Our guide Jade was very well informed. The property is huge. The house is stunning with the mountains as a backdrop. No pictures inside but outside was great. Highly recommend the 90 min tour.

Second time at the Gardens. First time tours were all sold out, so this time made aan online reservation for a golf cart small tour of the property and it was really nice. Our driver, Sophia, was so knowledgeable and it was a wonderful tour. Amazing property.
Not open in the summer.

We were really happy to get house tour tickets (they sell out so fast!). We unexpected found out about the delightful free concert in the reception garden. Sunnylands is a wonderful and peaceful space for us. We will visit every time we're in Palm Springs.

Not open every day. Free. Well worth a visit to stroll the grounds, check out the interesting exhibits, or take a tour. Beautiful spot with amazing vegetation.

A visit to Sunnylands is an absolute visual delight. It is open Thursday-Sunday from 8:30-4:00 and closed in the summer. There are three ways to enjoy this little bit of paradise. Always check with the helpful staff for directions and a map.
1. For no fee, you can enjoy the guest lawn, walk the exterior gardens that border the main entrance drive, see an introductory movie, view the art gallery and visit the cafe and gift shop. Allow an hour to an hour and a half for this experience.
2. Purchase an “Open Air Experience” tram ticket for a drive through tour of the estate. There is no walking. You view the home exterior, golf course, and learn about the grounds behind the pink wall and some sculptures. These tickets must be purchased via credit card for $21.00 on your day of visit.
3. If you want to tour the house, find tickets online. They are $45.00 each. They sell out quickly and are released at 9:00 am Pacific time on the 15th of each month for the next month. For example, if you want tickets for May, check on April 15th.

A word of caution as to bringing children. They may enjoy the outside free garden area, but no children under the age of ten are allowed on any tours.

This is a must visit experience while in the Palm Springs area.

Though we had never heard of Sunnylands, we had a free day on our vacation in the area and friends recommended we visit. We took them up on their recommendation and we were so glad we did. We did not get there early enough to sign up for a tour, but we enjoyed the 20 minute film showing the history of the estate and gardens, had a bite to eat in the small cafe, visited the small gift shop and gallery and walked around the beautiful, well maintained gardens. Of course we chose a beautiful, sunny day to do all of this.

So peaceful and beautiful! They offered free yoga class on Thursday and free Thi Chi on Friday. Everyone seem so kind . Love this place so much

There is much history associated with this estate. The visitor can visit the center and museum without a reservation. To obtain a tour of the estate, reservations must be completed weeks in advance.

Great tour of a bygone era of the Annenbergs. Terrific guide with wonderful details of the construction and use of the house and grounds. Hard to get a ticket, but worth the wait. A true gem in the desert to see!

What a fabulously interesting place to visit- the historical significance as well as modern day politics abound. The grounds are beautiful. We did not get to tour the house- just the grounds tour, which was great!

Guided tours. Self tours. Amazing landscaping. Kids activities. Philanthropy done right... - Beauty in the desert

There is a saying, "The more you expect, you'll be more disappointed." That means if you don't have expectations, you may have better fulfilment. Since this place got almost 5 stars from the review, my expectations were high but I didn't see it worth 5 stars. It's a neat garden but don't expect too much; then, you won't be disappointed.

The Annenburg estate, Sunnylands, is an architectural treasure, a beautiful park, a most pleasant cafe and an art gallery.

If you tour the house itself, you can see what money, taste and thoughtfulness can create. You can imagine where the presidents played and how the generous wealthy lived. (The Annenbergs were truly generous to the rest of us in meany ways...)

The new visitors gardens are an example of desert landscaping crossed with art and view the looming an powerful mountains surrounding the valley. The cafe is soothing and refreshing and there are yoga, music and outdoors films programmed.

The re is a charge and a schedule for the very popular tours, and of course, the coffee and food. The rest is free!!!

Just check the opening and closing schedule and go...

First time taking the walking tour & wow! The grounds are pristine & gorgeous. So much history. Our tour guide Tristin was very nice & knowledgeable. Definitely a must do. :)

Took over a hundred photos. The grounds and landscaping were amazing. Took two horticultural friends and they loved it.

Beautiful Gardens and great history of the buildings and grounds, most every President (current one has not yet if ever) in modern day has visited Sunnylands or at least visited.

I really enjoyed the tour. The architecture is wonderful. The interior is stuffed with photos featuring presidents, world leaders, and celebrities. Priceless antiques, most of the paintings are reproductions (the originals are in the Met NYC). Great tour if you are a history buff or just love mid century architecture. Beautiful views of the mountains. well worth the cost. Tour guide was friendly and knowledgable (thanks Brett). Cafe has a small menu but the food is tasty.

I had to buy our tickets in January for our February trip because the historic home of Walter and Leonore Annenberg is open for tours on a limited basis (and takes only 7 people per tour). What an amazing tour it was, too! For someone my age (of the senior citizen species), this was a truly out-of-body trip down memory lane. There is SO much to see and having a well-informed guide was essential to getting the most out of the experience. The house is fantastic midcentury modern and the grounds are a real dreamscape. There is one room I believe called the "Room of Memories" filled with hundreds of framed photos showing all the well-known folks (presidents, prime ministers, kings and queens) who have stayed there, played golf there, eaten and held meetings with the Annenbergs and others. There are also numerous hand-written letters from presidents and Queen Elizabeth to the Annenbergs which are not to be missed. This experience should be on your list of must-see adventures but, as I noted earlier, plan in advance and get your tickets on-line.

If you cannot get tickets to the historic home tour, go walk amongst the many, varied desert plants at the garden and design center right next door to the home and grounds. There is no charge to experience the superb gardens.

Good for a brief respite. No charge, easy parking, interesting visitor center, then stroll through the many, mostly well-shaded succulent gardens.

This is a must-see for anyone interested in Mid-century Modern architecture and design. The home and grounds are stunning and expansive. You need to book your tour of the estate itself in advance (and it's not inexpensive at $50/person). The 90 minute home tour takes you through the home and private grounds of the estate, which is really quite impressive. You can also do a garden tour with no reservation, at any time.

We've been twice, and had different experiences each time. The estate is an architectural marvel, while the inside is an incredible vault for antiques and art, as well as historical memorabilia. Our tour guide on the second visit, Martin, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared tidbits and anecdotes of the Annenberg family. My favorite part was the Romare Bearden collage in a small hallway that would've gotten lost, had the guide not pointed it out. A hidden gem inside an impressive collection.

The grounds and home were breathtaking and the history contained within the walls is worth seeing. The views of the San Jacinto mountains from the floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as the patios are truly impressive. An oasis in the desert, it's not just a local treasure but a national one.

We were not familiar with Sunnylands before this visit. We noticed it on TripAdvisor, saw the favorable reviews, and decided to give it a try. So glad that we did! Sunnylands is fascinating and beautiful.

This is very important: there is a lot that you can do even if you don't have tickets for the interior house tour. You should still go to Sunnylands even if you don't have tickets for the house tour. It is extremely difficult to get tickets for the house tour, and they sell out within minutes of when they go on sale each month. This is explained on their website.

What you can do even if you aren't touring the inside of the house:
1. Walk the spectacular gardens, either with or without the free audio garden tour. The gardens are amazingly beautiful.
2. Watch the 20-25 minute film about Walter and Lee Annenberg and Sunnylands. It is a well-produced documentary about the Annenbergs, Sunnylands, and the important role they play in history.
3. Eat at the cafe, which has delicious lunch items.
4. Upon arrival, buy tickets for the open-air experience. This is a 45-minute shuttle tour of the Sunnylands grounds and golf course. Tickets can be purchased in person only and only on the day of the tour. You see the exterior of the house as well as the conference center on this tour as well as the golf course and grounds.

A truly impressive, fascinating experience. Not to be missed.

A wonderful tour of a beautiful house and surrounding gardens, full of amazing art (or replicas of what is now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art) and history with photos of every president since Nixon and other foreign dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth.
A 1 1/2 hour tour that goes by fast as a guide takes us room, by room, around the house and then the outside. Our only complaint was that our guide mumbled her words--and also stuck very closely to the script. She didn't seem to go beyond what she had memorized in answering our questions. But we still enjoyed the tour and thought it was well worth the trip, even at $55 a ticket.
Highly recommend.

Located in Rancho Mirage, an easy drive from Palm Springs, Sunny lands offers an opportunity to view desert landscape. One can leisurely walk through the grounds and enjoy the serenity. Inside the building are interesting exhibits, including photos of famous visitors.

We were in the area for only a week, so we did not have tickets to see the home. The garden had been recommended, and I’m so glad we spent a few hours walking the grounds. The variety of native plants and their arrangement is a feast for the eyes. Made me wish I could grow some in MN. I think it was too dry and perhaps too early for the wild flower garden, as there was little to see there. My elderly aunt was able to enjoy it, as you can rest on the frequent benches. What a great gift the Annenbergs have given to the area.

We went in the morning on a beautiful day. We walked around the gardens. Parking and visitor center is free. The film is worth viewing, telling the history of Sunnylands. I recommend stopping. I would like to tour the home next visit.

We went to visit some friends in Palm Springs who were visiting the area from Detroit and they had made plans to visit Sunnylands and had purchased tickets in advance. We had visited Palm Springs at least once a year over the past 15 years and to be honest I never knew of the existence of the Annenbergs estate property. What a pleasant surprise the cacti gardens and Visiter Center are just magnificent and the tour of the actual estate is something to behold the history of how many presidents dignitaries famous celebrities and the like that have attended major events at this property is something to behold. I would highly recommend anybody visiting the Palm Springs area to take the time to visit Sunnylands as it is one of Palm Springs hidden gems

Had a excellent guide who explained the history and purpose of this fabulous place. They also have a great video to explain the history. It was a beautiful day and even though the gardens were not in bloom it was still very pretty. Great gift shop where some purchases were made!!!

Take both the tours. The outdoor garden one gives you the history of the place and how the Annenbergs chose and built it with the envirornment in mind. We all benefit from their futuristic thinking.
Guests were leaders and kings/queens from around the world. Great pace to take friends visiting from out of town.

We took the 90-minute guided tour of the house. It's a small group tour of 7 people. The house itself is a great example of mid-century modern architecture. The history of the house is very interesting, and our tour guide was very knowledgeable and gave a lot of insight on the Annenbergs and how the family came to the area. The rose garden was especially beautiful. The scenery around the house is very calming and filled with desert plants and wildlife.

Wonderful gardens in middle of Rancho Mirage. Several historic meetings had occurred here. Nice way to spend a few hours.

Sunnylands, the former Annenberg Estate, located in Rancho Mirage, California, is a 200-acre property that was owned by Walter and Leonore Annenberg. The property is "rich with historical significance" and dubbed “Camp David of the West”. Sunnylands Visitor Center & Gardens is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 am to 4 pm. Free admission & parking for the Visitor Center & Garden. Upon entering the site, a circuitous driveway takes visitors through a desert art garden to the glass facade of Sunnylands Visitor Center. The Visitor Center and Garden with its two reflecting pools filled with river stones border the rear windows of the Center and its patios. To the west, a path winds through rows of plants, creating a beautiful and quiet space. Seventy different types of desert plants are spread out over this 9-acre garden. The spacious building houses a rotating art exhibition, café which serving light lunches and snacks, gift shop, and multimedia center that provides information on the history of Sunnylands and its founders, Walter, and Leonore Annenberg. Tables and benches can be found on the patio near the reflecting pools. Visits to the Historic Estate are by guided tour. The 1-mile Historical Walk Tour last about an hour and does not include access to the inside of the historic house. Tour tickets are priced at $ 25.00. All tours will end on June 6, 2021, as the facility goes into its annual summer hiatus. Extremely interesting facility. Extremely expensive and difficult to obtain tickets for the day you desire to visit. Tour tickets may or may not be available. Visitor Center and Gardens are beautiful. Wish my garden look like this one. Worth the visit if you can procure tickets. Would have like to seen the main house.

We've been to Sunnylands, the former Annenberg Estate, several times. Entry is free and is a must if you are in the Rancho Mirage area. The gardens are beautiful and a walk around them is great. It has been a meeting place for many world dignitaries as well as US Presidents. Guided tours of the estate, including the house are available and should be reserved in advance.

Wonderful gardens. Clean and neat coffee shop. Definitely see the video and walk the gardens. A great place to spend an hour or two.

Don’t forget to stop by this beautiful oasis Sunnylands if you are in Palm Springs or Joshua Tree National Park. The center and garden are not big and are free if you don’t buy ticket $21 for a special tour. The maintenance is doing very well.

We could not get on the tour of the house and grounds, but walking around was definitely worth the two hours we spent there. Be sure to see the video presentation that plays every 30 minutes - a lot of information in a short time.

We only saw the gardens and the visitor center (which included the 20 min history video). But it was time very well spent. The gardens are a kind and gentle way to get an appreciation for what grows in the California desert. Well designed, well planted and well maintained!

We had a number of interactions with various of the staff. You won't find nicer people anywhere

It was a clear day in December, and we spent two hours enjoying everything that was free about this fantastic spot in the high desert. The house tour is, for us, expensive, and grounds tour in a golf cart is too. But, we understand the monies needed for upkeep. We parked free, and enjoyed the orientation and history video, cactus gardens and the wildlife galleries available at the welcome center.

I was most interested as I knew of the from my Philadelphia roots and chilhood there in the 1950's and 60's ... the Annenbergs as the Philadelphians who inherited the Inquirer, et al., and WFIL TV, and went on to become a publishing empire. My feeling is that conservatives get more of a kick visiting the house, even though the Annenberg Foundation is know to be apolitical.

I had never heard of this place, but thank goodness my friend had. Not only is it a place of beauty and tranquility, but also offers a story of hope and positivity for the future of our democracy. Thank goodness there are people like this who promote diplomacy and are so very philanthropic.
I highly recommend signing up for a home tour. Very vintage decor and gorgeous art offerings throughout the home. Every president since Eisenhower has stayed here.

Absolutely fascinating history and beautiful cactus gardens - well worth a visit. We should have booked a tour of the house in advance, so we only got to see the Visitor Centre and the cactus gardens but even that was worth the visit. Next time we'll do the full tour. The house has a fascinating history, having hosted many past presidents and important historic summits - and there's an excellent cafe, that serves great salads!

We were not able to get house tour tickets because they were sold out during our visit. However, we were able to check out the gardens and visitor center. Amazing assortment of plants and a nice movie explaining the history of the grounds and house. Definitely worth checking out, if you get a chance while visiting town.

They don't profess to be a destination eatery. But after the tour it is nice to have a light lunch. They do a good job. Food is brought in from Aspen Mills Bread Co. and it it good.

What a beautiful estate! It is not always easy or available to tour the inside of the estate house, but I would recommend to sign up for any tour or just go and show up to see what may be available. I was fortunate to get a reservation on the “Bird Watching” tour led by a certifiable “ Birder” and University professor. The tour was on a 7 pax golf cart that toured the extensive acreage . In addition to the wildlife, there was commentary on the plant life, landscaping, and the unique problems in caring for the ecology. This was an excellent tour for seeing most all the grounds of the estate that otherwise can not be seen, and learning the history of the Annenbergs and their social/political connections with Presidents and dignitaries. The visitor center houses the Annenberg’s art collection, and a very nice cafe, gift shop and gardens.This is one of the best tourist attractions, I have seen anywhere.

We visited Sunnylands on the 90 min tour. Really enjoyed visiting the property and gardens. It was simply gorgeous. I would highly recommend it.

We were going to walk around the gardens because some friends told us to be sure to go...and they gardens are free. My husband wasn't too excited about seeing gardens, but the next thing I know he's the one buying the tickets for the outdoor cart tour.
We were going to stop and spend an hour walking around and spent nearly three hours. There is plenty to see at the Visitor's Center and the gardens are interesting and enjoyable...both have no charge.
The outdoor cart tour was good, but was impacted by wind. It was a really windy day and the blowing dust made the tour challenging for the driver. If it's windy, don't do the outdoor tour.

This is a wonderful tribute to the Anninbergs and all the wonderful philanthropic causes they helped, but how can you expect to go here and not be able to see the home and property. That is what you come to see.

This property is amazing. The tour guide was very informative on the history and architecture. We were able to go in the main house and guest houses, which were beautiful with unique pieces of furniture and copies of famous pieces of art. It was called the Camp David of the west for a good reason. The Annenbergs brought small groups of political people from around the world for very productive meetings as well as hosting parties for the rich and famous. They donated large sums to various organizations, wonderful philanthropists!

My mom and I reserved tickets the day they went on sale for the dates we would be in Palm Desert. Definitely worth the $50ish ticket. I would recommend following the instructions on the email and arriving much earlier than your ticket time so you can view the 15-20 minute movie. We watched it afterwards but would have enjoyed a little more background info. You can’t take photos in the house. We learned so much and loved seeing Ronald Reagan’s favorite guest room etc. The Annenburg’s were incredible. We also loved the “memory room” with all the pictures/Christmas cards. A must see!!

Mildly interesting and solidly beautiful grounds without the tour. With the tour, you get a glimpse of how the rich, powerful and famous people lived in the mid-century world on the Annbergs. Complete with a double nine hole golf course, Sunnylands is a dream sequence for the middle class, second generation American. Bring your camera, as you will want capture the images.

Located in Rancho Mirage the Annenbergs created a magnificent 200 acre estate in the early 1960's which included their private residences, guest houses and a 9 hole course. This home is in original condition and a takes you back in time to a very glamour period of time. Every President has had meetings, partied and played here since its creation. Tons of great photos.

Sunny lands gardens is a beautiful place to visit to enjoy the beauty of the gardens and experience the ability to reflect by yourself in a beautiful environment! The gardens a gorgeous and they have a wonderful cafe. Be sure to try their iced tea! The absolute best I have tried. Ginger peach iced tea makes for a perfect way to quench your thirst.

A most stunning house and amazing gardens, this is a must to visit and walk around the gardens. take your time

Never even heard of this place until someone mentioned it to us. After some research I found out that you must book well ahead to do the house tour. Go to their website to check when they go on sale. And they sell out quickly.
The house itself is preserved in that 60s era and it definitely has that 60s feel. The elite 60s that is. It’s an intimate tour of the house and grounds (7 people at a time) so it doesn’t have that museum feel. Many presidents and celebrities visited this property over the years

Take the tour if you can or just visit the property.

I'd been visiting Rancho Mirage for years in the winter and didn't know how fabulous the Sunnylands estate is until we went there. If you're going to be in the area you should definitely visit Sunnylands. The house, the grounds, the furniture and accessories and the history of the place are all amazing. It's hard to get a reservation for specific house tour dates if you're only in the area for a few days. You have to mark your calendar (weeks in advance) for the time the tickets go on sale for the dates you want to visit, and then call the moment the house tour tickets go on sale. It's worth the effort.

The visitor center is beautiful and the landscaping is gorgeous. During the winter season they have yoga classes and tons of super kid friendly activities. The main reason I give it only 4 is that it is the kind of thing you can see everything in an hour and then you are done. The tours of the larger estate are expensive and a little limited. If you are in the area drop in (open Thursday to Sunday) and you will be impressed and enjoy it.

Inspired by the Annenberg collection of Impressionist paintings, the gardens reflect the importance of this art to the Annenbergs, who donated them to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There is a grand collection of diverse desert plants along reflecting pools, and a winding labyrinth you walk through to take in the view. There are often artists on hand painting the landscape views. Inside the building is a collection of wonderful art pieces. Admission is free. sunnylands.org

Amazing place to visit — a beautiful and significant part of history and the legacy of the Annenbergs. Really worth your time. It was unfortunate though that our Historic Walk tour guide Anissa was the worst tour guide I have ever met. She was lifeless, a bit crabby, didn’t add anything significant during the tour (she just repeated stuff we learned from the visitor center video and displays), and did not have the stamina to walk and talk at the same time. She did not represent Sunnylands well.

The estate is a mid-century home and with historical grounds. You must see the film in the Visitor center before touring the grounds. Many heads of state have visited here, and it is truly an oasis in the midst of the Palm Springs area, with a golf course, expansive gardens, and walkways. You must have advanced reservations to tour the home, but the grounds are open daily. The entry to the grounds is free, and although we were there in late November, it was still beautiful, and calming. There is a cafe and gift shop, as well as an open art gallery in the Vistor Center.

It is so lovely to walk around the gardens and definitely watch the film about Sunny lands and how it came to be.

This place is great for lowering your blood pressure. Have been here before and brought other with me this time who have not enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere. Desert gardens, new Spring leaf growth on the trees and a grass lawn are featured. Small cafe and souvenir shop. Clean restrooms. Changing art exhibits. Tours available.

The toughest ticket in town is the tour of Sunnylands. We booked six weeks in advance and my wife and I were lucky to get the last spot on each of two tours one-half hour apart. Fascinating look into how the upper 1% lives and lots of history to go with the beautiful grounds and home.

We reserve 2 tours the day they became available on the website, a guided bird walk and a tour of the home interior. Both were excellent. The birding tour was led by Mark, a local birder. We rode a cart around the grounds, getting off frequently to bird. This also gave us a lovely overview of the property. After this we watched the 20 min. introductory film about the history of the estate, then took the house tour, led by an excellent young guide, Chance. The interior is beautiful and preserved just as when the Annenbergs live there. We learned a lot and enjoyed it immensely.
Lunch at the cafe was very good as well.
Highly recommended!

Sunnylands is the 200 acre former Annenberg Estate, located in Rancho Mirage. Every president since Eisenhower has vacationed or retreated here. The 20,000+ sq ft home is a mid century modern castle sitting in the middle of a 9 hole private golf course with 10 lakes. You can tour the estate without reservations but To tour the house you need to make online reservations.

This is a unique place that has been visited by many presidents and British royalty. The gardens are host to musicians on Sunday afternoons. The layout of the gardens is spectacular. The displays in the building give the history and there are many pictures.There is a beautiful statue by Rodin there. I enjoyed the enlarged photos of the wildlife that is found on the grounds. In the home there is a very large statue by Rodin in a room but I still haven't visited the actual home because it takes fore planning to get tickets.

Not only can you tour the Annenberg estate but you may come anytime to savor the landscape and sense of peace that the gardens offer. We visit regularly and enjoy the sandwich cafe also.

This is a great spot for a morning coffee and peaceful walk on the grounds. There’s a fair amount to visit for free, plus the added benefit of a reasonably priced cafe.

We're down in Palm desert visiting friends from Washington. One day we went to the sunnylands center to do the open air tour. We got there early and our tour started at 9:00. The grounds are just amazing. All the stories about the different people that have been there was very interesting. It's unbelievable what money can do to just broad desert land. The family and the trust that now runs it are very gracious to allow people to come tour it. I don't play golf but the golf club looked amazing green with lots of difficulties in it.

Nice cactus garden. Friendly staff. The took us out to see the just ok totem pole and the made us wait a half hour to get back. You are not allowed to walk anywhere.

The home and grounds are simply extraordinary and a must see if visiting the Palm Springs area. Not sure how they decide on guides for the home tour, but our guide was just ok. The presentation though informative was robotic in nature not very engaging with the group. Most of the guides appear young and this might be on purpose as a job creation goal, but it may not produce the best guest experience as our guide struggled with questions outside his core presentation. Still a must see.

Walking around the grounds is free and lovely and the visitor center had a movie about the history of the estate. We had booked the 90-minute house tour in advance and it was worth it. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the house, artwork and grounds. With only 7 people on each tour, it was very easy to maneuver and hear.

If you are looking for a one of a kind experience book a tour of the Sunnylands home (tickets go on sale the 15th of each month). You will see incredible sights , learn about a great couple who used their wealth to make the world a better place and get insight on what it takes to be a great host/hostess.

This was one of our favorite things on our trip to Palm Springs. Gardens are beautiful. Interesting history. Would have loved to do the house tour but it sells out well in advance.

We recently toured the beautiful gardens and Annenberg home at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. We were very impressed by the Annenberg collection of magnificent art, eclectic furnishings, mid-century design and architecture. Our art historian docent (and personal tour guide) provided us with interesting information, fascinating details and history about the estate and it’s many world famous guests. The house tours are very limited and require advance reservation with ticket purchase, which may be completed online. It is well worth the effort to plan ahead for this exceptional experience. Wear comfortable shoes and casual clothing. Cell phones should be turned off (or put in airplane mode) for the duration of the tour. Photographing the home interiors is not permitted. Conveniently located in the lobby are restrooms, a theater showing a documentary movie about Sunnylands, a lovely gift shop, and light food and beverage service. Enjoy!

I was sorry that I wasn't aware of this attraction in advance so I could have purchased tickets for the tour of the house. The garden and grounds of the Sunnylands Center were open to the public at no charge and were a real pleasure.

Attempted to obtain tickets for house tour up to two months prior and were still sold out! So very disappointing as we love the grounds and have been anxious to see the house during our previous visits. It is still a lovely place to visit and enjoy the beautiful grounds. There was an exercise class going on when we arrived and everyone looked so at ease with the instructor and surroundings. Maybe one day we will be able to obtain house tour tickets during our annual visits.

Had never heard of this place, we follow Monty Don on FB and saw his review so we came to visit. It’s amazing! We absolutely fell in love with the garden area around the Visitors Center. Came back for the Tram tour on Sunday. It’s a great find!

Expect “upscale” all the way - limited advance-only tickets, 7 person tours, $35 million dollar Visitor/Welcome Center, etc.
This tour gives fascinating insights to one of the biggest philanthropists of the 80s and 90s. The house and grounds are in themselves spectacular (although small compared to what they could have afforded to build), but it is the stories of the power people who’ve been invited here that is probably the most interesting part. The rooms that aren’t filled with artwork (now reproductions) are museums to the Presidents and other notables who’ve walked the halls. The guest bedrooms include signs listing famous people who’ve stayed there.
By the way; the tour guides do not accept tips. As per the Annenberg Trust stipulations, all guides are hired from certain college programs - and are paid for their summer’s work!
A private 9 hole golf course is included in the estate; sadly, you’re not going to get to play it, except at a fundraiser or maybe wit President Obama!

My family and I visited Sunnylands and were very happy to get tickets for the house tour, as they sell out quite often. After the house tour, we strolled around the garden and then grabbed a light lunch at the cafe. It was a great way to spend the good part of the day. Walter and Leonore Annebberg were a remarkable family and I' m glad I had the opportunity to learn about their life and view such an incredibly beautiful piece of history.

We always enjoy this desert gem. The gardens are peaceful and we always see interesting birds that fly in to enjoy the oasis. A particular favorite is the vermilion flycatcher.

A tour of this desert home of Walter Annenberg is an unforgettable experience. The size of the home, the décor, the fabulous art. the framed photographs of celebrities, politicians, and just plain old friends---all of whom visited on a regular basis-- takes you back to a time the world has forgotten------and this was just in the 70's and 80's! Each tour group is very small and the guides are terrific in detail. The grounds alone are magnificent, so not to be ignored. If you're in the desert, no matter your age, you'll love this experience. Book early as this is a popular place.

The house tours is the BEST! However, you need to make reservations because the tours are small groups. They take reservations 30 days prior and make sure you select the House Tour. The other tour of the gardens is interesting, but I like the House Tour the most.

We had heard about this place, and it is difficult to get a reservation, but worth it! Plan ahead! Reservations for the house tour open the 15th of the month for the following month. They sell out quickly!!! That said, it was a great day! We made reservations for both the house tour and the grounds walking tour. (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) had 90 minutes in between.... if available 60 would have been better. The house is the main attraction and wonderful. Tours are small, only 6 or 7 in each. The guides are well trained and keep everything on track in a timely manner. (turns out they... or at least ours...was an college intern as part of the trust) We were the only ones on the walking tour so that was the best! able to have real conversations with the guide. Masks are required when indoors. The movie before the tour is helpful to lay the groundwork. There is a small cafe and patio where we did eat lunch between tours. There are a few little paths to walk, but not much to fill your time in between. Do bring water if it's hot! Great day!!!

Karen was our tour guide and she was excellent. we'd heard the house tour was worth taking - both the time and expense - and it was. she was knowledgeable and personable and took enough time to answer our questions as we walked thru the house.

we highly recommend this tour!

This was a very interesting place to visit and after watching the film about its history, made it even more interesting. The grounds are beautiful and nice art work too.

For the house tour - tickets go on sale on the 15th of every month for the next month. They sell out fast for the house tour (like within the hour), but you can go to the welcome center and walk part of the grounds without tickets. The tour size is limited so you feel very special to see the interiors of this unique home. The history and the Annenberg legacy is very interesting. Tour guides are knowledgeable.

My husband and I were vacationing here for just one weekend. There were no tickets available for the home tour but we decided to show up to do the garden tour. It is well worth it. Our tour guide Grace was fabulous and informative.

We obviously didn't purchase our tickets online early enough to tour the main house, most of the time slots that worked for us only had 1 seat left. It turned out the golf cart seated 8 (driver takes up 1), so a lot of times after 3 couples book the time, only 1 seat would be left. Luckily when we walked the garden (free to visitors and definitely worth the time) and the area behind the visitor center, the staff told us to check back tomorrow around 9 am. They often open up tours if guides are on site and available.

So we returned the following morning and got two tickets for the main house. $55 per person may seem a bit steep, but please be assured that the tour is well worth it. 1.5 hours that starts with the golf cart ride. You can see the gorgeous grounds with lakes, sculptures, golf course.

The main house is absolutely stunning. Standing in the atrium, you can't but admire how the entire Coachella Valley and its mountains seem to be part of the living room. The art work that owned by the Annenbergs were originals, now located in The Metropolitan. The replicas still show how they complement the decors. Words cannot describe how beautiful the estate is.

On the history side, many US presidents spend time here as well as the Queen of England, other royalties, and of course many celebrities. The Annebergs obviously loved to entertain. Their wealth was immense, but they were also great philanthropists. We are very fortunate the estate is now available for touring so people can enjoy it.

Towards the end of the tour you can walk around the swimming pool. Then two more guest houses used to host their often famous visitors. While no photographs were allowed inside the houses, we could take pictures of the grounds.

Even if you don't have a reservation, the visitor's center and surrounding gardens are worth the trip. BUT advance planning will net a fantastic tour and look into how the Annenberg's lived and entertained. Check the website well in advance to secure your tour ticket. You may be able to get a tour of the grounds day of but never the full tour which includes the house.

What an experience! Not only are the grounds of Sunnylands absolutely stunning, if you are lucky enough to secure House Tour tickets take full advantage. The decor and history within the home are breathtaking and you could visit time and time again finding something new each time.

We took the house tour and it was fantastic. The house has many beautiful elements and is very interesting. The tour guide was very helpful and did not rush us. It's a pretty amazing place. And then we spent some time viewing the beautiful gardens. There was a very helpful 20-minute film, too. Much to do and see!

The Cactus Gardens were amazing, beautiful and well groomed. We had a peaceful stroll through all of the gardens. Some of the Cacti were in bloom and we enjoyed seeing hummingbirds and other little birds. We ate lunch from the cafe at a table in the beautiful garden. We also enjoyed the very informative movie and the room with the china plates, etc. We did not get a tour of the house, but maybe next time. We would definitely recommend these beautiful gardens.

Extraordinary place - a first rate example of mid-twentieth century design: landscape, architecture and interior decoration. It’s all one-story, emphasizing horizontality and lots of glass and lava stone. Just gorgeous. I don’t know of another place where you can see an intact William Haines design with all the furniture in its intended place (shame they donated some of the paintings to the Met - a big mistake if you ask me!). The property is well maintained and the tour guide we had seemed to really love the place. Probably the grandest home of its kind that is open to the public.

Its a tranquil beautiful place and worth the wait to get a ticket.The coffee shop is unique as all coffee is french pressed for each guest

Visiting the Gardens was a wonderful experience and with more careful planning we would have had an extremely outstanding experience. It’s necessary to check the website for specific tours and the very specific times to beet them, eg: the guided garden tour is only conducted on Thursday mornings at 11am. And the house/estate tours are only booked on the 15 th and 30(31?) of each month for the proceeding month!!!! Seven seater golf cart tours of the grounds are also available to book. We’d love to plan to return and do it all!

We've been waiting to visit Sunnylands (we live nearby), and finally did. First, there is a reception center, which is a later add-on, not part of the actual house. It is excellent, with a very nice coffee/snack shop, small gift shop and small art exhibit. Indeed, you can go to Sunnylands, park for free, not take the tour but walk the gardens and enjoy the reception center.

I was disappointed in the tour and the house. The tour guide was wonderful, but the tour was focused on memorabilia and who/when visitors.. Yes, that list is long and distinguished, given Sunnylands' role as venue for many famous international meetings. But the tour lacks pace, and stays far too long in some rooms.

The house itself is MCM (mid-century modern) and nice, but not as amazing as I had expected. In terms of size and importance, it's way up there. But in terms of architectural appeal, interior design and impact, it wouldn't be in my top ten in the Palm Springs Area (a high altar of MCM).

The great entrance is over-the-top, with reproductions of the many famous impressionism/post-impressionism paintings that hung there, most of which are now in NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art. But the room is in-your-face, more like a palace than a home.

The rooms, especially bedrooms, are surprisingly smallish, even the Annenbergs' own bedrooms. What disjointed me most was the decoration throughout the house. Sure, that's a matter of taste, but I expected a mostly MCM motif. Instead, it is highly - and oddly - eclectic. Too many plates, bric-a-brac and, above all, crystal. There was crystal everywhere: on tables, walls and ceilings.

For a few hours you can tour a unique locus for international affairs of the late Twentieth Century, and that alone may be worth the hefty price of admission. But, for me, it was not.

The staff, btw, are highly professional and excellent.

I will go back - to walk the incredibly gorgeous grounds and have coffee or lunch. But tour the house again?

My brother and I took a tour here in March of 2022. We did the outdoor tour - an hour long - and it was great. I'm a history nut and my brother is into outdoor landscaping so there was something here for everyone. We hung out afterwards at the visitor center. Beautiful and socially distant. Good for folks who like the outdoors and history. Sunnylands does a nice job respecting the local culture. Allow a couple of hours, probably in the morning. Cute cafe, too.

On the recommendation of a concierge at our hotel, we visited the Sunnylands visitor center. It is a recently built building in an exaggerated mid-twentieth modern style, which echoes features of the historic home of the Annenbergs. The center contains visitor amenities (cafe, gift shop, seating) along with a gallery of changing exhibitions and a theater where a film about the Annenbergs and the Sunnylands property is shown. It is also the meeting place for those who have secured reservations for tours of the historic house and gardens. The center is free. Surrounding the center are beautifully landscape desert gardens and water features.

You have to make reservations to tour the house and all reservations are booked through February. We have visited the house in the past and it is worth going through the process of getting a reservation. We went on a garden tour which took an hour and it was good. The art gallery always has a good show and the restaurant is lovely for lunch.

For fans of mid century architecture and Hollywood Regency decor and modern art, Sunnylands is the gold standard. Everything about Sunnylands is done to perfection even the modernization to desert landscaping in areas.
Summer and winter tours differ with more time inside during the summer.
The tours are very popular so go to Sunnylands.org where they explain the different tours and how to book if you want to see the house.
The visitors’ center is staffed with friendly, helpful people and has free exhibits. The gardens around the visito center are also free.
Lest I forget, there is an incredible history associated with Sunnylands.
Enjoy your visit. I’ve gone back several times and always learn something new

The tour sizes are small so you can easily hear your guide and ask questions. Do a little research on the Annenberg's before you go. Not the cheapest tour, but well worth the historical experience.
A plus will be if you visit when the garden is in bloom.

We were able to snag tour tickets to the house. We went years ago but they showed a few different things. Besides I’ve got a mind like a sieve. It is a great step back in time.

After being shut out of visiting last year by their last minute cancellation clause, we planned ahead and called exactly at the Open Ticket time available for March and found one ticket available and every other time sold out..... sounds like they do they things the Chicago Way - gotta know someone to get in.....

This is a very large estate now open to the public that was formerly owned by the Annenbergs who were both successful US ambassadors and who entertained many US Presidents at their home. Very pretty setting and gardens and good sandwich and salad options for outdoor lunch on a pleasant day.

We had heard positive comments from friends that had visited Sunnylands in the past, but this is the first time we visited. We only covered the 15 acre Center, and did not get a chance to visit the 200 acre adjacent estate.
We opted for the free orientation, the free introductory video, and walking the grounds of the center by ourselves. Such a beautiful gem in the middle of the deserrt, that blends in with the natural environment, yet stands out as an impressive example of midcentury modern architecture and desert landscaping.
While we enjoyed the free information described above, next time we would be interested in the fee based tours of the full estate.

Option 1...no ticket for house tour: Check sunnylands.org for visitor center hours and calendar of activities. The visitor center and gardens are open to the public, free of charge, no ticket required. Both are worth seeing. The gardens are extensive and contain desert trees, cacti and plants. Meandering paths and plant layout are quite beautiful as are the mountain and visitor center views. The visitor center is architecturally interesting and contains an exhibit on the estate and it's history, the life of the Annenbergs including the many dignitaries that visited and pieces from their art collection.. There is a restaurant and rest rooms.
Option 2: The house tour requires tickets which cost $48 and are released on their website at 9am Pacific Time on the 15th of each month. Be ready at your computer with your desired dates and give it a try...tickets go quickly. The tour is perfect for fans of mid century architecture, hollywood regency deisgn and latter 20th century history. Minimal walking is involved and guides are well prepared. The tour is about 90 minutes but leave time for the gardens and visitor center.

Wow, all I can say it's what one might do if you were a billionaire, and had the vision to know what diplomats and people of high order need to relax and get together in a place to great things. I can not express enough my true admiration for their work and legacy!!!! If you can take the home tour as it really shows the love for this unique place and is loving guided by a very knowledgeable staff!!!

Second time here. Great outdoor views of the grounds and surrounding mountains. Nice cafe with indoor & outdoor seating. Be sure to see the 20 minute video, maybe before taking either the tour of the property or the tour of the house. The tour of the property is not too expensive as to the house tour which is on the pricey side. Take a little time to walk the garden area behind the administration building as well as on the side and in front across the parking lot. One of the best places to go in the greater Palm Springs area.

We went with no reservations for the house tour. (the tickets sell out quickly, so go online a month in advance) but we loved the visitor center and the grounds. The landscaping is just beautiful. There is a 20 minute film which explains the history. And entrance is free.

I wish we could have toured the house. We didn't know that tickets go quickly, on the 15th of the prior month! But there's a video in the visitor center taking you inside and providing history of the Annenburgs, who created the entirety. Their place in hosting many presidents and other dignitaries over decades is significant. The gardens were constructed to provide a serene space for walks of heads of states to gather and calmly consider world affairs. Today, the play of sunlight and shadow on carefully tended clusters of plantings and benches attracts ordinary folk. Public yoga classes are offered in the main field in the center. It's lovely.

So pleasant to look at the art and walk the gardens inspiring
Landscape designs
Third visit for me and always a good time

The gardens are the star here- still quite new, it will be interesting to see if they are allowed to mature or be ripped up to maintain the current formal appearance with banks of each plant species in siccession around meandering paths. The visitor center is more imposing than impressive as architecture.

We wasted our time and a little money at Morten botanical garden. This place is so much better and free! Watch the movie to hear the history we were unaware of. Walking the grounds is sublimely peaceful with unearthly beauty.

This place took me by surprise. For those interested in modernism and the house tour, yes, reservations may be required and there's a fee. But otherwise the entire grounds are free and open to the general public. No steep walks, this is a great place for people of all ages to walk easily. The indoor lounge area is pretty and welcoming and so is the cafe. The insanely, perfectly manicured desert gardens in the back are a sight to behold and enjoy, but don't forget the beautiful less-tamed gardens in front of the center and parking, for there are far less crowds and also wildflowers and beautiful mountain views and bench seating.

We enjoyed it so much that we came back a second day and brought a restaurant take-out lunch with us and sat on a bench looking at wildflowers, with not a soul to bother us, out front. The friendly staff is there to answer all questions, but mostly I was just so impressed that here was a place where people left you alone and you were allowed to wander and sit and take your time, with no pressure or rush or ridiculous rules. A fun respite. We did not take the tour, but I'm sure that is nice as well.

Yes the gardens are beautiful, and yes, you can walk a very small portion of the property anytime of day without a ticket, but you will not see the Annenberg house without a ticket. Not only is it a stunning example of mid-century architecture and design, situated on a gorgeous 200 acre private golf course, but there is so much remarkable American history in that house! State dinners, "high level" retreats, iconic political and socialite American visitors - it's incredible. And the house has been so lovingly maintained - you really feel as though you're peeking into the lives of one of the wealthiest and most connected couples in modern American history. The photos, cards, menus, etc are a treat. And the scale of the entertaining that took place in that house is really magnificent. I had been told that it was very difficult to get tickets for the house tour, so I went online and saw that you can book 30 days in advance. And my advice is: book it. Book it first thing on the 30-day mark or you will miss out. They only take 7 people at a time on the tour, and the tours fill up within minutes online! I really highly recommend this event.

We took a private tram tour of the grounds which was pricey but worth it. We were lucky to get tickets and were able to see all outdoor sections of the property that aren't accessible to the public.

We also enjoyed sitting outside on the gorgeous shaded patio with drinks from the cafe while viewing the stunning public gardens. The garden designer is a genius- very impressive.

If you can plan ahead and book the house tour you will learn / remember much about USA history since the sixties. Also a long look at how the rich and famous played. Small group tours with a very knowledgeable guide. Gabby taught us a lot about the life and times of a fabulously wealthy and well connected couple with a good sense of humor. Well worth the time and money.

A must see attraction while in Palm Springs. Make certain to get your tickets to the mansion weeks ahead of time as they sell out quickly. You can view the garden for free and its worth seeing even if you cant get into the mansion. Make certain to watch the 20 minute introductory video to gain perspective on the historical importance of this site.

We went on the historic walking tour today, and sadly, our tour guide, Annisa, was absolutely awful. She wasn't able to answer any of our questions, and kept telling us to read online if we wanted answers. In addition, she was very sullen, low-energy, and seemed to dislike her job. We heard another tour guide with another group who was fun and energetic--we all wanted to slip off into his tour instead! Anyway, the Sunnyland grounds are lovely, which is why I gave this a two-star instead of one-star rating. It's worth the experience, but would be much better with a guide who tried harder to be friendly and knowledgable.

Take the house tour. It’s something you’ll not see anywhere else. An amazingly designed and decorated home for the rich and famous. The grounds are amazing. Everything has been perfectly maintained and manicured.

Very nice garden and museum display. The architecture is modern, lots of interesting information and history on the “Camp Davis of the West” and how diplomacy was done here. Cactus gardens are tranquil, with many different kind of cactus and succulents growing very large and arranged in neat formations.
They have special house tours which need to be reserved months ahead. So we didn’t get to see the actual house. Maybe next time.

As we were preparing for our visit to Palm Springs, friends of ours told us the first thing you need to do is book tickets to Sunnylands. So that’s what we did and boy are we glad we did. Check the website to find out when they go up for grabs and mark your calendar. I was on the website within 5 minutes of the tickets opening up and they were scooped up quickly. We went early in the morning, which seemed like the perfect time to go. It’s all very orderly. Staff at Sunnylands is great, very professional and knowledgeable. The tours are small - I think there were 7 or 8 of us. You’ll hop on a golf cart with your guide and see the grounds, then tour the main home, then the guest home. I think it lasted around 90 minutes. Definitely recommend seeing the film before your tour. Loved the views. It snowed the day before in the mountains, and to see those snow capped mountains with palms in the foreground was surreal. Very cool.

The Annenberg Estate and gardens is a beautiful place. Tours in general require advance reservations and also good luck to get a reservation. Otherwise one is limited to the reception center and a few gardens. Still worth the visit, Recommended

The tour of the house is absolutely worth the price. First we got there early to view the short movie and glad we did. Then a short shuttle ride with our tour guide brought us to the stunning home. The artwork, furnishings, and even the dishes are impressive, but the house design and its setting are truly awesome.

Amazing.....really. The architecture and landscaping are beautiful in all respects. A recent visit made the perfect weather even better.

This was a surprise and we had a wonderful time here. The grounds are gorgeous and it's worth a visit. There is an open play field for the kids with lots of things for them to enjoy their time. The little restaurant for a quick lunch is also excellent.

A very unique and special place! Sunnylands is a once in a lifetime mix of architecture, gardens, decor and history all wrapped up in astonishing beauty--both inside and in the gardens and specimen trees surrounding the property. History comes alive with all the photos of Presidents passed. Truly, a must see on your visit to Palm Springs. Tickets need to be order ahead of time, so do note that. There is a wonderful gift shop and cafe also. It makes for a memorable and very special day.

The gardens and architecture of the interpretive centre are amazing. I can see why it would be a excellent venue for world leaders to meet. I enjoyed watching the short movie on Sunnylands which lasted 20 minutes.

My friend and I were able to get tickets to tour the house and private grounds at Sunnylands. You have to go online on the 1st or 15th of the month at 9 am to get tickets. It is well worth the trouble. The Annenberg estate is something special.

We were pleasantly surprised by this under-the-tourist-radar but delightful botanical garden offering beautiful gardens of palms, cacti, succulents and pools. It is both relaxing and easy to tour the grounds. We would do the guided tour next time.

This is my favorite place. Seriously favorite place. Like a shrine for me. Kind of an unusual OCD relaxing mediation spot. My Palm Springs friends know ai need to go there every time I visit them. I live in New England. I pretty much come up with my own ideas for everything I do. But two landscaping exceptions: i did my best to replicate Sunnylands with boxwood and lavender, since cacti and other succulents wouldn’t make it here. (The other steal is the grass steps at Edith Wharton’s home, The Mount, in the Berkshires)

This time, when I arrived at Sunnylands, i was alarmed-damn, i’ve told too many people about it. The parking lot was filled to capacity. But, it was a Saturday morning. Turns out there was a huge group of folks doing TaiChi. It took me a minute to adjust, since even when there are people wandering around the gardens, they are quiet and basically invisible to me. I decided, to do my typical always different wandering, recording the soothing sound of the leader’s voice, since I’d never had a Sunnyland sound to bring home.

It’s really close to the airport and one of these days I’m going to remember to care about getting a window seat to see whether I can look down on it. Wandering is free. The garden is part of the Annenberg Estate, a beautiful mansion, with lots of interesting history. Some small free for the house tour.

A beautifully designed visitors’s Center with imaginative gardens of indigenous, desert plantings.
The paths, reflecting pools and labyrinth are highlighted by various cacti, yuccas and aloes set in large beds with repetitive, geometric patterns. The trees lining the walkways afford shade and there are sufficient benches for taking a rest.

There is also a small cafe where you can eat indoors or outdoors.

The visitors’ center is informative and highlights important visits during retreats by various presidents and celebrities. A small movie theatre tells the history of the Annenbergs’ estate. There’s a small gift shop inside the Center.

All these activities are free as is the parking.

It’s lovely to visit in the early morning or the late afternoon (before closing) when many of the gardens are backlit by the sun. Especially stunning are the tall, architectural cacti and very tall yucca flowers.

Visit the website to view the trolleys which cover other areas of the estate, their availability, how to get tickets and the cost for going into the Annenbergs’ home which is not the same as the visitors’ Center. They will also list other activities ie. music, retreat closures, etc.

We’ve returned three times and are always in awe of the gardens and sculptures.

This estate is beautifully maintained and it’s ever changing beauty varies by season (except peak summer when it’s too hot to be outdoors).

There are many ways to visit Sunnylands - the winter home of Walter Annenberg. The 25,000 sqsuare foot home sits on 200 acres. Plan ahead and purchase a ticket to tour the mid century modern house. The Annenbergs were enormous art collectors. Many of their paintings have been donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art but their are copies of those pieces that were originally purchased for this residence. The groups of tours are limited to 6 people. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the estate. , the art, the family and their guests. Don't miss an opportunity to enjoy this part of American history.

My wife and I spent an hour or so walking around the building and the grounds -- the free portion. It is a lovely facility and well maintained. The gardens are formal, with everything arranged in rows. We might have enjoyed the grounds more if the plant varieties were labeled -- but perhaps the focus is on aesthetics and not education.

The grounds and visitor center are an amazing collection of history of key moments in Our history as well as for the Annenburg family. We took the tour of the grounds which was also fascinating. So many important summits have happened here but it is never mentioned by name. A tour of the house is hard to get...tickets only go on sale once a month afford certain days. Have heard it is truly amazing but I haven’t been in person.

We did plan in advance enough (need to plan about one month ahead) for us to the house. We still went to see the gardens and watch the 20 minute informational video. All free when not doing the house tour. Well worth the time. The gardens are beautiful and the video taught the adults and our teenagers some history too.

This is a must see spot for visitors to the Coachella Valley. It is a fitting tribute to the philanthropic generosity of the Annenbergs. We did not have a chance to take a tour of the house, but plan to do so the next time we visit.

This is a must-visit spot when in Palm Springs. Not only the place is beautiful, it is also filled with history. Make sure that you reserve a tour to see the house -- well worth it. We loved the fact that students are the guides -- impressive. One of our best moments when we visited Palm Springs.

Sunnylands is a great place to visit for their visitor center and tour. It has a lot of the areas history right on its property. The art, decor, and golf course are amazing. The style and architecture are great reminders of the past and present.

Thoroughly enjoyed the home tour and garden tour. I’ve waited a few years to see Sunnylands. It met and exceeded all of our expectations. It’s a work of art and we highly recommend others visit. We will definitely return, to view it again.

I can't believe that I had not been here before. As a native Californian, I remember hearing about visits from various political figures to Palm Springs but never understood exactly where those visits occurred. Sunnylands is it! We were not able to get a ticket for the house tour (you have to do this on the 15th of the month before), but even taking the little cart tour and walking through the visitor center and grounds was most enlightening. And I would recommend starting with the film. It puts everything into perspective. I only gave this 4 stars because I did not love the landscape. It was true to the times, ignoring native species in favor of other plants, although we were told that there are plans to take out the tamarisks, for example.One would hope so -- they are an invasive species that soak up all the water reachable.

You need to plan ahead or be very lucky to get house tour tickets (see web site). Seemed to me that perhaps only 42 slots might be available per week! The tour lasts an hour and a half and costs $55. Our guide to the main house (25,000 sf) and the guest house was great - lots pf stories. No pictures inside the house and limited opportunities outside.

All in all a unique experience. Do it if you can.

Not far from Palm Springs in Rancho Mirage, sits Sunnylands Center and Gardens. Needing a break from the hustle and bustle of the scene, I escaped to this desert oasis to walk underneath the trees, among the cactus, and through gardens demanding to be photographed. As I searched out perfect angles and just the right amount of sunlight, I found the peace and calm that drew me here. Walking back to the parking lot, the hour or so spent here was like a breath of fresh air. Refreshed, I returned to Palm Springs ready to take on the night.