Beautiful Gardens and Rich History at Sherman Library & GardensDiscover the compelling history of the Pacific Southwest along with a museum of living plants at the Sherman Library & Gardens. The library, originally an adobe house, has been transformed into an exhibit room that illustrates various facets of California and Arizona, as well as adjacent portions of Nevada and the area around the upper end of the Gulf of California. It contains substantial amounts of historic materials, including books, pamphlets and other printed materials, maps and photographs, and reels of microfilmed material, including files of the Los Angeles Times dating back to its beginnings in 1881. The gardens feature botanical collections that span the globe, from desert plant life to exotic vegetation of tropical climes. A tranquil environment, the gardens provide a museum of living plants displayed amidst a setting of fountains, sculptures and seasonal flowers. Enjoy “coastal garden” cuisine at Café Jardin from renowned Orange County chef, Pascal Olhats. Admission to the library and gardens is $3 for adults and $1 for children ages 12 to 16; Monday admission is free. 2647 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.673.2261. slgardens.org.