too bad it can't be in mid August... the largest cactus/succulent show, supposedly in world, is the intercity Los Angeles show and it's Aug 14-15th at the Los Angeles arboretum 5 minutes away. So, if you are staying in the area 2 days, I recommend one whole day at the Huntington (about 1/4 of that in the cactus area alone) seeing the palm garden, Chinese garden, the conservatory (lots of really cool plants in there), the Australian Garden etc. Then the next day go to the nearby Los Angeles arboretum whos cactus and succulent collections are growing by leaps and bounds. And of course you'll have to visit California Cactus Center, one of the most amazing cactus/succulent nurseries there are, right nearby both Huntington and the Arboretum. There's two full days right there. If you have only one, you better jog through both gardens and spend the last hour of the day at CCC. If you have three days and are not burned out on gardens yet, you can see the LA zoo, which has a great cactus and succulent collection as well, and a huge cycad collection now (so does the LA arb), and there are several other great gardens and nurseries to visit as you slowly head south to San Diego... heck, you could spend 2-3 weeks here just seeing cactus and succulent gardens and nurseries!

I'm going to make time for the Huntington while I'm at the Intercity show

Although I was born in Pasadena and have relatives there, I have not been to the Huntington in a while. I heard recently that on the first Thursday of the month admission is free (I may have the day wrong). I remember when admission was always free which was one of the best deals in the world.
But yes, you will like it (all of it, not just the desert garden). Stay on the paths! The CCC is pretty cool also, I agree. 216 Rosemead Blvd I believe is the address. If you forget the address drive down Rosemead and look for the big Saguaro!

The secret to success here is to plan your visit. Go to their website and download the map and visitor guide. Plan how you are going to walk through the garden, because it's a lot of walking and it can be hot. Avoid backtracking. Prioritize so you don't waste time looking at things which don't interest you. I do recommend the Conservatory for sure, Pinkie and Blue Boy in the Huntington Gallery. You can enjoy the A/C there too.

As you look at the map, you will see the cactus and palm gardens are on your left after you pass through the entrance buildings. This is a good place to start. (As you enter the cactus garden, be sure to watch for the cactus greenhouse on your left.) You will walk through the cactus garden to its farthest point from the entrance, then you can walk to the right on a road around that end of the garden. Honestly, there isn't much to see there and it's a long walk; I would recommend turning around back through the cactus garden and continuing on to your points of interest that way.

Comfortable shoes, maybe a hat and water. Arrive when they open, and on a day they are open.

California Cactus Center is a really interesting place to visit as well, as a previous poster mentioned. It's a nursery, not a botanical garden.

Here's a picture I took in the cactus greenhouse some time ago:

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Here is a link that might be useful: Huntington Lib. visitors' guide

Be aware that the conservatory is open only on certain days - I think only on weekends but check to be sure, fantastic plants there! The whole place is unbelievable, and a full day is not too much to spend there. There is an excellent cafeteria on the premises for lunch as well as some fantastic art, so you may well want to schedule 2 days! Bring lots of film, and if you use digital cameras bring spare batteries - I found out the gift shop does not sell them. A spare memory chip may be a good thing to have also! Comfortable walking shoes are a must. It has been cool and foggy so far this summer, but August can be extremely hot. I seciond the info about CCC and the Arboretum. They are both very short drives away. The pottery at the CCC is unbelievable! I wish I had bought much more!

Call first and check and see if the Cactus conservatory will be open. They now use the hot weather to keep it closed. We don't have the manpower to keep it open anymore, nor the money at this time. If that is what you want to see, ask first before you pay, call and see if they have a free day. Norma

Thank you all for the informative and detailed responses, they were absolutely helpful. I wish I had extra time to spare and do more succulent-related things, but going with the family makes that close to impossible. We are also going to Anaheim for a couple of days of Disney, Catalina Island, Venice to visit some friends, and some time in the Santa Barbara area. Pasadena/ Huntington will be squeezed in there somehow.

I will take lots of photos!

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While your at Disney (just got back yesterday) keep an eye out for all the succulents they use in the landscaping. You'll see all sizes, from tiny Kalanchoe to gigantic Aloes and Dracena draco. Also saw a 4-5ft diameter Beaucarnea at Bug's Land in Californa Adventure

Disney does indeed have a good palm and succulent collection, but if you're in Santa Barbara, you might try to get a tour of Lotusland... THAT is an outstanding garden!! Worthy of Huntington quality and incredibly cactus gardens.

The cactus conservatory is only open on Saturday, as I recall from the last time I was there. It may be brutally hot, so an umbrella or a hat and a tolerance of heat will come in handy. Run into one of the well air-conditioned galleries to cool off.

We usually stay out of the desert garden in the summer, just too hot. It's wonderful in the winter with all the Aloes in bloom and hummingbirds flying everywhere.

I was at Disney last spring and I enjoyed the landscape. SD's Wild Animal Park was impressive as well.

How hot can Pasadena be - 95? 100? That's nothing. I've been to Palm Springs too.

I'm pretty sure my itinerary will allow for a Saturday Huntington visit.

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