Visiting Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage
Sunnylands is a place to explore gardens and the history of Walter and Leonore Annenberg in Rancho Mirage. The Center & Gardens welcome individual visitors without an admission ticket or reservation, while the historic estate is accessible on a paid guided tour. Treat those as two distinct parts of a visit when planning your day.
The center's exhibition and film introduce the Annenbergs, and the gardens offer an outdoor setting against the mountains. The public Center & Gardens opened in March 2012 and cover 15 acres. The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands operates the site. This guide is independent of the trust.
Find the entrance at 37977 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage. Parking at the center is free. If your plans also include the mountains, see the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway; for a different garden and animal exhibits, explore Palm Desert.
Sunnylands opening hours and admission
The published regular schedule for the Center & Gardens is Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; it is closed Monday and Tuesday. There is a summer break, generally from early June to mid September, and closures at Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. Check the visit calendar for your date before setting out, particularly around the seasonal reopening.
Admission and parking in the public area are free. Individual visitors do not need to reserve that part of the visit. Groups of 20 or more are asked to register in advance. If you want to see the historic estate, reserve the specific guided experience separately online rather than assuming that a garden visit includes the house.
Bring water, a hat and sun protection for time outside. Smoking and vaping are prohibited. Pets are not permitted; trained service dogs are allowed under the operator's rules. Estate tours are described as wheelchair accessible, and it is sensible to discuss individual access needs before booking.
Explore the Coachella Valley
Consider a separate regional outing alongside your Sunnylands plans.
Choosing an estate tour
The Historic House Tour lasts 90 minutes and has a maximum of seven guests. Its published price is $58.19 per person. The Open-Air Experience lasts 45 minutes, accommodates up to seven and costs $30.11 per person. It stays outside rather than entering the house. Both offer different ways to approach the estate, so choose according to whether the interior is important to you.
Birding on the Estate lasts 90 minutes, with up to seven guests, at a published $41.55 per person. The Historic Walk lasts 60 minutes, has a maximum of ten guests and costs $28.03 per person; it is an outdoor experience. The published amounts are per person, and the visit calendar is the place to check the selection and price for your chosen date.
Estate tour guests must be at least 10 years old. Tickets are released at 9 a.m. Pacific Time on the 15th of the preceding month. Book online in advance, especially if your dates are fixed. High-level meetings can lead to a booked tour being cancelled with a refund, so leave room in your itinerary for a change. Photography is prohibited inside the historic house.
How to fit Sunnylands into a valley itinerary
A garden-only visit is a flexible way to learn about the Annenbergs without committing to an estate tour. A tour requires a separate decision about dates and the kind of experience you want. Check the center's calendar as well as your tour reservation, since seasonal schedules affect your options for the public grounds.
Rancho Mirage is a city in its own right in the Coachella Valley. Destinations are spread across neighboring cities, so plan transport between stops rather than assuming they share an entrance or a walkable center. Our arrival guide explains airport and local transport choices, while the season guide helps with outdoor planning.
For a longer day, compare a quiet garden visit with a separate regional excursion. Keep the estate booking distinct from any activity elsewhere in the valley and allow time for travel, parking and the conditions on the day.
Sunnylands questions
Can I visit the gardens without a ticket?
Individual visitors can enter the Center & Gardens free without a reservation. Estate tours have separate paid tickets.
Can children join an estate tour?
Estate tour participants must be at least 10 years old. Check the particular tour's availability before making plans.
Can I photograph the historic house?
Photography inside the historic house is prohibited. Follow the visitor instructions during your tour.