Blue Ribbon Garden

https://onthegrid.city/los-angeles/downtown-la/blue-ribbon-garden

On the Grid : Blue Ribbon Garden

"Quiet in the city. As rare as that is, we find it in the Blue Ribbon Garden, a hidden place of zen on the rooftop of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. We enjoy strolling through the garden to gather our thoughts and admire the beauty of the lush landscaping juxtaposed against Frank Gehry's sculptural steel architecture. A nice find is the Lillian Disney Memorial Fountain, which sits in the middle of the garden and pays tribute to Lillian's love for Delft porcelain and roses. The metal type in donor names adorning the marble floor is an elegant signage touch." - TypeEd

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/great-places-to-write-your-next-screenplay

11 Great Places To Write Your Next Screenplay - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Perfect For Writing: Historically inaccurate Oscar bait, Sister Act 3. When this acoustically perfect performance hall opened in Bunker Hill in 2003, it became an instantly recognizable architectural landmark, not just in Southern California, but around the world. And yet sitting quietly on the roof of this modern masterpiece is a sanctuary most people have never even heard of. The Blue Ribbon Garden is an oasis filled with sculptures, ponds, mosaics, and a garden of edible flowers in case you get hungry. With over an acre of land, there’s plenty of room to ponder one’s greatest ideas. No outlets or wifi here." - brant cox

"Blue Ribbon Garden, Downtown La. Quiet in the city. As rare as that is, we find it in the Blue Ribbon Garden, a hidden place of zen on the rooftop of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. We enjoy strolling through the garden to gather our thoughts and admire the beauty of the lush landscaping juxtaposed against Frank Gehry's sculptural steel architecture. A nice find is the Lillian Disney Memorial Fountain, which sits in the middle of the garden and pays tribute to Lillian's love for Delft porcelain and roses. The metal type in donor names adorning the marble floor is an elegant signage touch."

Los Angeles

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/blue-ribbon-garden-at-walt-disney-music-hall

Blue Ribbon Garden at Walt Disney Music Hall - Review - Downtown LA - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"When this acoustically perfect performance hall opened in Bunker Hill in 2003, it became an instantly recognizable architectural landmark, not just in Southern California, but around the world. And yet sitting quietly on the roof of this modern masterpiece is a sanctuary most people have never even heard of. The Blue Ribbon Garden is an oasis filled with sculptures, ponds, mosaics, and a garden of edible flowers in case you get hungry. With over an acre of land, there’s plenty of room to ponder one’s greatest ideas. No outlets or wifi here." - Brant Cox

Aitana Blose

Google

Wow. A sunny morning with a little pleasant breeze after a simple breakfast, I decided to visit here. I had been inside Disney hall one time for a hypnotic white Christmas concert, and had been outside Disney Hall more than 30 times, or passed by 100 times. I even had seen some people just climbing up the side stairs, but I’ve never got here. This is literally my first time here. I loved the layout of this place. It was a little mysterious like a maze or a wonderland. Spring is coming, the pink trumpet tree is right in from you once you get here. breeze is naughty flowing in your hair. Then through a kinda like “antelope canyon” lane you can overlook the city. The blue ribbon flower with its fountain coming in your view. What a lovely place! What a best getaway just from the traffic, from the human shit. A place you can meditate, and just enjoy the holy, and pure me time.

Manuel Rosas (El Profe)

Google

This garden gives you an opportunity to explore the space outside the curves the building has. It creates a unique experience full of light, shadows, shades, and reflection. It makes you feel you are near water, splashing against the curves of the building. There is also an outside amphitheatre that has lots of shade and would be a great place to host an activity or private event. I highly recommend you visiting the Walt Disney concert Hall and tour the building to explore one of the most iconic buildings in the world, especially if you like art, theater and architecture.

Elisabet Perez-Vega

Google

Beautiful garden and structure on top of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. There are chairs and tables to sit and enjoy the shade and views

Coco

Google

A really nice garden right behind the walt disney concert hall. Very quiet and away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby areas. Nice place to have a lunch break or just to sit and enjoy.

Trey Saunders

Google

This is a hidden oasis tucked in away behind the concert hall, the Blue Ribbon Garden is a nice getaway from the concrete jungle of LA. This is a nice and peaceful area that would be suitable to read a book or enjoy a coffee. It is lovely that the area is free to enter for all to enjoy.

Gabriel Forrey (Gabe)

Google

Lots of folks taking grad and wedding photos here as well as an Instagram model who must have taken the same shot 100 times. This space outside the Concert Hall is very special. The lines and spaces create an intimate feeling and simultaneously a feeling of being small as the building climbs into the sky. I’d highly recommend coming in the morning or evening for the best light which produces some amazing colors and shadows!

Diego Tamayo

Google

A well-kept and beautiful gem! The juxtaposition of lush, vivacious vegetation and slick, curved metal panels is quite the visual spectacle.

Matthew Bain

Google

A nice quiet shaded spot at the back of the concert hall. Can get busy on weekends or during events.

Cris I.

Yelp

Nestled amidst the architectural wonder of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Blue Ribbon Garden is a hidden gem offering a delightful escape in the heart of Los Angeles. Lush greenery, cascading fountain, and a calming atmosphere create a serene escape from the bustling city. The garden seamlessly integrates with the iconic design of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, offering stunning views of the building's curves and angles. It's a beautiful marriage of nature and architecture. Enjoy the calming sound of the Lillian Disney Memorial Fountain. This Royal Delft porcelain fountain known as "A Rose for Lilly" was designed by Frank Gehry, and made in the shape of a large blooming rose, thus the name.

Jeremy S.

Yelp

During concert intermissions, audience members like to step out here to take in some fresh air and congregate. I really like the small garden here, and I noticed once that the facility changed a few of the garden plants. The fountain called "A Rose for Lilly" is beautiful, and many people like to take pictures with it in the background. The concert hall has an outdoor walkway that snakes around along to allow a view of Grand Ave. While following it, you can head to the garden.

Kary T.

Yelp

Direct entrance is to the left of asterid by Ray Garcia / first set of staircases across from The Broad. A quaint, peaceful garden with a gigantic lotus (?) shaped fountain. Plenty of shade to keep cool in the downtown daylight, lush and well-manicured garden with a wide array of greenery (plants, trees, shrubbery). Ample seating and tables for pairs, groups, or individuals. Overall a wonderful breath of "nature" amidst the sounds of LA

Jislaine C.

Yelp

I love this garden but is it still open to the public? I've tried to visit about 4 different times in the last year and it is always closed when I have tried to go in.

Sophia C.

Yelp

Nice free garden to take photos and relax. Really clean and not that difficult to get to. The only issue I ran into was parking (I parked close to The Broad Museum and walked, but it was expensive) :( Be prepared to walk up some stairs to get there though.

Eneka C.

Yelp

Confirmed with multiple staff members that concert tickets are now required to gain access to this garden. To save money, look for nights when complimentary tickets are given out. Parking in the garage is $9.

Mia K.

Yelp

Home to the LA Philharmonic & the LA Master Chorale, architecture looks like soaring sails filled with the wind. Impressive to wander around these walls and garden or sit and relax (chairs & tables by the rose fountain). May see a photo shoot going on like we did. Design -by Frank Gehry (& Minoru Nagata) -is postmodern deconstructivist style where design elements are fragmented. -used computer aided 3D interactive application (CATIA program used to design French fighter jets) to design each wall panels (no 2 panels are alike). Frank Gehry was a fan of sailing and designer of 1. The Dancing Bouse in Prague 2. Guggenheim Museum in Balboa, Spain (which was designed after this concert hall but completed before this). Lillian Disney, widow of Walt Disney, 1. started the project with her $50M gift in 1987. $84.5 from Disney family and $25M from The Walt Disney Co. It opened in 2003 and over the budget at $265-274M. 2. came up with the Mickey in Mickey Mouse 3. died exactly 31 years later on the same day Walt died when he was 73 in '66 and she 98 on Dec 15, 1997 Building Exterior is covered with 6.500 mostly matted stainless steel panels. The ones not matted and with a mirror-like polish were later dulled in 2005 to reduce the glare, heat, and resulting high a/c bills for nearby residents. Fountain A Rose for Lilly is for Lillian Disney and her love of gardening influenced the design and landscaping of this garden. A fan of Dutch's Royal Deft porcelain, Gehry created a mosaic fountain made up of 200 Dutch vases & 8,000 tiles.project took 4 months. The Blue Ribbon Garden -located above the parking garage, -made up of 45 trees of 6 varieties Interior has 1. perfect acoustics (1st priority in the design) 2. seating for 2,273 is wrapped around the orchestra area and designed as a ship hull 3. Douglas Fir Tree columns were inspired by Lillian's vision the lobby as an old vine-covered English cottage. Columns cover the a/c & lighting 4. PIpe Organ has dramatic (curved) wooden pipes (Gehryms nickname "French fries"); checcorgan recitals 5. The Library of Congress/Ira Gershwin Gallery (2nd floor) 6. Restaurant Asterid (Yelp 4.5*) with chef Ray Garcia (replaced Patina with chef Nolan Murphy) Tour 1. free guided hour tour available on weekdays (meets in the Grand Lobby) 2. free 60 minute self-guided audio tours (narrated by John Lithgow) Located between 1st & 2nd Ave and between Hope St & Grand St.

Alexis M.

Yelp

Gorgeous scenery. Thought there would be way more to look at but it was still beautiful nonetheless

Veena M.

Yelp

It was almost like a secret garden. The blue rose fountain is beautiful. A true retreat from the hustle bustle of the city.

Yolanda S.

Yelp

Honestly, I feel like not so many people know about this garden(?) I've even asked a few friends who work in DT, still they have no idea where Blue Ribbon Garden is! It's well-hidden, and it's super quiet! 100% a hidden gem, a little charming secret garden! I feel like it's a great place for you to escape from reality sometimes. I used to live a few blocks away from this Blue Ribbon Garden, I missed the time that I could just talk a stroll here when the weather is nice. You'll be surprised about the view! Bonus point: you can't really hear the cars around! It's super relaxing! Some people say that Blue Ribbon Garden is like a city oasis, which I totally agree, and not gonna lie, I kind of want to keep this place as a secret to myself, but it's too beautiful not to share, I do hope you all have the chance to come and experience what I have felt in here. It is a magical place in the heart of LA! *Tips* -Next to Walt Disney Concert hall -You can enjoy your lunch, coffee and books on a bench -Come at sunset for an unmissable view -Key word: FREE

Henri V.

Yelp

Small garden with pathways situated above the steps from Walt Disney. This manicured garden is designer high heels walkable friendly for either a pre or post dinner and drinks at Patina Restaurant or a concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Midway the flight of steps, there's entry to the concert hall. A great little area for escapism.

Hazel C.

Yelp

During one of my solo explorations of DTLA, I took a respite from the heat and hustle and bustle of the city, and rested on this rooftop garden for a while. My husband and I had found out about this garden during a guided tour of the Music Center. I sat under the wide canopy of flowering trees, relishing the cool breeze and quiet. It was mid-afternoon, so I was practically alone. The sculpture, "A Rose for Lilly," the focal point of this garden, is a tribute by Frank Gehry to Lillian Disney who loved Delft porcelain and roses. It is a gift of Lillian's grandchildren to the city of LA. You must stop by here and enjoy this beautiful piece of art. Did you know that the trees and plants were brought from all over the world and transplanted here? Trees' roots go down up to 10 ft below, according to our tour guide. Frank Gehry wanted to have flowers all year round, so he had various plants put in to bloom in the spring, summer, fall and winter. To get to the garden, walk up the stairs on Grand Ave by 2nd St. You can also take the stairs on 1st St. Enjoy!

Tina C.

Yelp

Nestled at the apex of a staircase atop Frank Gehry's Walt Disney Concert Hall is a charming secret garden. The Blue Ribbon Garden, the concert hall's rooftop oasis, presents a peaceful acre-wide respite of exotic plants, shady winding paths, tables for lunch/coffee/sketching, and a Gehry-designed mosaic fountain dedicated to Lilly Disney. We discovered this garden while searching on Yelp for a way to kill an hour in between activities. If you live in DTLA and/or are hanging at the Broad/MOCA, catching a performance, and/or dining nearby, this garden's a great addition to your day. LOOK: Named for and maintained by the Music Center's volunteer group, the petite garden houses a startling collection of exotic, ornamental, and culinary plants. The soft sensibility of the garden contrasts boldly to the modern concrete and steel shapes surrounding it. There's a small outdoor amphitheater that looked to be prepping for a performance. We also spotted a bride and groom doing their wedding shoot around the garden. LEARN: Patina Restaurant grows herbs and edible flowers here! Planted amidst the regular garden are Alpine violet flowers, nasturtium, rosemary, fennel, chickweed and borage (used in salads, sautes, and as delicate colorful garnishes) which the kitchen team harvests and changes seasonally. The blue mosaic rose water fountain, which is made of thousands of pieces of Delft porcelain vases and tiles, pays homage to the late Lilly Disney's passion for Delft china and roses. TIP: open daily from 7am-10pm. Caution: it closes 1.5 hours before matinee performances, re-opens 1 hour after morning/matinee performances, and stays closed after evening performances. There are lots of performances so you may want to check the schedule before coming by!

Isobel L.

Yelp

An oasis in dtla. Peace, calm and greenery. Beauty. A place to breathe. Take the stairs up above the concert hall and you will be in a somewhat-secret garden, with tables and chairs hidden away, probably the best place to brown-bag your lunch anywhere around. And did I mention it's 100% free? Peace be with you.

Nadine C.

Yelp

What a hidden treasure in Downtown Los Angeles! I wouldn't have known about this garden if Tim C. and Alana M. hadn't mentioned it! Tim said that there had been a Yelp event in the past and part of a Scavenger Hunt involved this Park. He dropped me off at the bottom of the stairs on Grand Avenue so that I could take a look! Alana had been to this garden before and she suggested that I take a look! It's AMAZING! I haven't seen many of the unusual flowers, trees and plants that get to live in this rooftop oasis! The really good thing is that everything is labeled with its common name and it's Latin name! That's a lot of work done by the The Blue Ribbon members. They are a group of women volunteers and their names are engraved on the huge swirl design on the ground near the big blue Lotus fountain. I didn't take a photo of the swirl so that you can go look for it! Consider this a Scavenger Hunt item for you - to look for the swirl! There are some benches for sitting and hanging out or you can sit on the tiered steps of the amphitheater (in the middle of the garden) and have some lunch, read a book, or have a chat! Note: There is no admission fee! Let's go!

Kislev A.

Yelp

What?! No review? Walt Disney Concert Hall's Blue Ribbon Garden is a true hidden gem. There are, surprisingly, numerous small gardens in DTLA, pockets of green oasis scattered throughout the urban jungle. But some of them are truly beautiful and well-maintained, and this is one of them I read on person say it wasn't hidden. This garden is well known. But to the average pedestrian, and first time visitors, you will have to search for it to find it because you won't see the garden if you're walking down the street. You won't even see it if you are looking over a wall, like you would most gardens. You have to climb and look for this garden to find it. I think this is what most people meant when they called this place "hidden". That is certainly why I chose that word. It is free. But like I mentioned before, you will have to go out of your way to see this garden. Especially since parking in the immediate area is a challenge. Saw a wedding here. Yes, special events are allowed. Photo shoots too!

Scot E.

Yelp

A beautiful little garden "hidden" on the roof of the Disney Concert Hall. It's not really "hidden." It is right there, out in the open. It is a public park. However, it is up stairs and there are no big signs pointing to it. I know of at least three different staircases that access the park. There is not much to do here except relax and enjoy the scenery. There is a beautiful sculpture/fountain designed by Frank Gehry. It is called A Rose for Lilly. It is a tribute to Lillian Disney, who loved Royal Delft porcelain vases and roses. I enjoy the view from the south west corner of the park overlooking the west side of the city.

Travis W.

Yelp

Hidden gem. Picturesque beauty. Untouched tranquility. A place to escape to every chance you get.

Bryan M.

Yelp

Walt Disney Concert Hall is the perfect place for any engagement photo, as the atmosphere brings to life the fun and passion in a couple. With all the beautiful architecture surrounding, its easy to get lost into a real life fantasy. So many angles and edges to work with!

Britania J.

Yelp

This secret garden atop the Walt Disney Concert Hall can be accessed by anyone willing to climb up a tall flight of stairs or stroll up a long, windy ramp. The difference between Frank Gehry's contemporary architecture and modestly designed terrace is stark. This is evident as soon as you finish your climb and lay your sights on this tiny park for the first time. It is both a jarring and memorable experience. At the center of this rooftop wonder sits a giant, mosaic rose. Its petals are made from shards of blue Willow china that reflect the sun's gleaming rays. It's whimsical design is unlike anything up on the veranda. Plants hardly seen thriving in public spaces are scattered throughout and offer shade for visitors during the sunniest of seasons. This is a perfect place to spoil yourself with peace and quiet or to share an intimate moment with someone you love. Whatever you choose to do here is bound to be momentous!

Shelley D.

Yelp

One of the hidden gems in downtown LA. The perfect stop to sit, meditate and practice some mindfulness during your lunch break. A wonderful group of volunteers keeps the garden well maintained and there's always something in bloom. It's fairly quite, there are tables and chairs in the shade and in the sun, and the Lilian Disney fountain is beautiful. A veritable garden oasis in an urban jungle.

Viv A.

Yelp

Beautiful little quiet area right inside/outside of Walt Disney's Concert Hall. Parking is a little bit tough here, you're going to have to park in one of those paid public parkings across from the concert hall (make sure you have cash). It's a nice place to take pictures, maybe have a quick lunch or just to maybe stroll around to explore LA. There's two entrances, on the two sides of the main entrance of concert hall.

Colby S.

Yelp

This is a beautiful hidden gem in the heart of DTLA. In order to get to it, you have to climb around the structure of the Walt Disney Concert Hall but once you do you're in for a treat. It is a peaceful, serene area with a fountain made out of smashed china plates and planted trees. There's tables and chairs set around for anyone to take a breather and just relax. I was able to find time to meditate while I was here and tune out the chaos of the surrounding city. It is open to the public regardless of whether or not you're seeing a show in the concert hall, so definitely check it out if you have the time and want to escape some of the urban madness.

Bianca H.

Yelp

A beautiful park where you'll probably find a few photographers shooting during golden hour. It's a nice pocket of greenery and has views of the city in DTLA :)

Melinda T.

Yelp

Way back when, in 1998, my office began designing this garden with Gehry Partners. In 2002 my team and I selected the trees for it, and in 2003 the garden opened to the public with the opening of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. From the outset of design work, the garden was planned to be a garden to be enjoyed by everyone-- all Angelenos, and the greater public at large, whether concert-goers or not. Fifteen years have passed since the garden opened, and it has become an important part of the fabric of the city. It is home to outdoor concerts, celebrations, and ceremonies of many types. It is visited by groups, families, and individuals from all over the world, and from just around the block. I see many of the same folks in the garden week after week- having lunch, practicing tai chi, reading, sketching, or just sitting quietly, enjoying the garden. We designed the garden to feature a palette of flowering trees and shrubs that would change with the seasons, beginning in Fall, when the LA Philharmonic's season begins in the concert hall, and ending in late Spring, when the Philharmonic's season in the hall ends for the year. We selected climate-appropriate shrubs and perennials for the garden that would complement the tree palette, and that would give visitors a beautiful, cyclical combination of plants to enjoy throughout the year. We provided plant identification signs throughout the garden, so that visitors could learn the names of the garden's plants, increase their own knowledge of plants, and grow these plants in their own gardens, if they desired. We set out to create a "gardener's garden" for the city, one that would really express both words of the phrase "public garden". We have worked hard to sustain this public garden over these past fifteen years. It has been a labor of love for me and my staff, and we are very glad to have had the opportunity to do this for you, the garden-appreciating public!

Kerry K.

Yelp

This review is for the staff ONLY: I tried to take my boyfriend and his parents to the garden at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and there was a guard standing at the middle portion of the stairs. When we tried to enter the garden, he could not give us any reason at all why we couldn't enter, just that he was told to stand there and not let people in. If the garden was closed for a private event, that would have been a totally valid answer, but he stood there with zero explanations or answers for why we couldn't enjoy the garden and he had no information on when the garden would be re-opened for public use. They really need to train their staff better to at least provide answers to people who had come to downtown LA to check out the concert hall, especially the garden. What a shame we couldn't see this amazing public space because of one incompetent employee.

Jamie B.

Yelp

Just visited the garden! Feel free to check out my video for more information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hkdywm_Ggmk

Alexia G.

Yelp

Utterly boring. I worked there for 6 months. Maybe tourists from Iowa or Ohio like it. But anyone with true knowledge of HORTICULTURE would not. I wonder why the State of California continues to give licences to so-called "landscape architects" who have NO IDEA where to plant the right plant. The witch that was the Landscape architect for this place kept DELIBERATELY planting the WRONG PLANTS so that she'd be called in for subsequent replacements. Every time that there was a big concert, they brought her in to replant entry ways with more plants that were going to die in a couple of weeks. A REAL GARDEN lives on, it isn't treated like exchangeable furniture! BTW, don't throw your plastic champagne glasses, cigarette butts, and used condoms into the flower beds. I got nothing from this experience except an adult appreciation for Sibelius (very heavy going), thanks to the French Horn player taking his daily constitutional around the grounds. Finally, the Disney Concert Hall is the UGLIEST architecture I've had the misfortune to see.

https://onthegrid.city/los-angeles/downtown-la/blue-ribbon-garden

On the Grid : Blue Ribbon Garden

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/great-places-to-write-your-next-screenplay

11 Great Places To Write Your Next Screenplay - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

Los Angeles

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/blue-ribbon-garden-at-walt-disney-music-hall

Blue Ribbon Garden at Walt Disney Music Hall - Review - Downtown LA - Los Angeles - The Infatuation