Throughout the property, students encountered reflecting pools filled with lily pads, formal garden pavilions, towering trees and galleries displaying artwork from multiple centuries.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard that it\u2019s one of the wonders of San Gabriel and Pasadena,\u201d Rios said.<\/p>\n
Beyond the museum galleries, lively garden paths carried students past lily-covered pools, fountains and carefully maintained landscapes before opening into themed garden spaces across the property.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just beautiful,\u201d Rios said. \u201cI just really loved looking at it, like, the flowers and the plants that grow here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The visit followed a stretch of record-setting heat across Southern California. On Sept. 9, two days before the trip, Downtown Los Angeles reached 105 degrees, tying the daily record<\/a> set in 2024, according to the National Weather Service. An extreme heat warning covering Downtown Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Valley and other parts of Los Angeles County remained in effect through the following evening.<\/p>\n Despite the heat, Rios said a light breeze helped make the weather more manageable.<\/p>\n Between garden walks and an outdoor lunch, Rios moved between air-conditioned galleries, collections and gift shop displays, where unexpected details caught her attention. What caught her attention the most?<\/p>\n \u201cThe teacups and the ceramic works,\u201d Rios said. \u201cI didn\u2019t expect there to be a lot of very unique pieces of teacups and plates.\u201d<\/p>\n Throughout the afternoon, Rios also spent time getting to know other participants. Between garden pathways, fountains and exhibit spaces, small groups formed as students stopped to talk, take photographs and explore together.<\/p>\n \u201cI took a lot of pictures and videos today with the new people that I met,\u201d Rios said.<\/p>\n That opportunity to connect with other students stood out to Alma Alvarez, a third-year marketing and social media major in the College of Business and Economics. Alvarez also serves as the college\u2019s representative on the ASI Board of Directors.<\/p>\n \u201cMy favorite part of today is meeting new people,\u201d Alvarez said.<\/p>\n Before arriving, Alvarez said she did not have many expectations, except seeing a new place and getting out of her usual routine.<\/p>\n \u201cI just knew I was going to go somewhere and be able to see good spots, good views,\u201d Alvarez said. \u201cAll my expectations were met.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond the gardens and exhibits, Alvarez said the trip offered something that can be difficult to find on a commuter campus: time to meet people outside of class.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s kind of like the goal of this event, to connect with people, meet new people,\u201d Alvarez said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a good experience, a good way to get ready for when it gets to midterms and finals.\u201d<\/p>\n The event was organized through a collaboration between ASI, CSI, and Housing. `<\/p>\n River Foskey, ASI\u2019s program coordinator, said organizers wanted to expand opportunities for students to leave campus and experience destinations throughout the region.<\/p>\n \u201cWe wanted to find someplace that would be affordable for lots of students to be able to come,\u201d Foskey said.<\/p>\n When asked whether The Huntington trip could become a recurring tradition, Foskey welcomed the possibility.<\/p>\n \u201cI would really love that,\u201d Foskey said. \u201cNext time, we\u2019ll pick when it\u2019s a little cooler outside.\u201d<\/p>\n Foskey said ASI, the Center for Student Involvement, and Housing worked collaboratively to organize the excursion.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe equally contributed by coordinating with The Huntington regarding admission, arranging bus transportation, supporting marketing efforts, and providing staff support and chaperones during the event,\u201d Foskey said.\u00a0<\/p>\n They added that the three organizations split the transportation costs equally.<\/p>\n \u201cWe received 125 student registrations through The Nest<\/a>, and 95 students ultimately attended,\u201d Foskey said. The Nest is Cal State LA\u2019s online platform where students can discover and register for campus events.<\/p>\n
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