Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a 1.3-acre traditional hill-and-pond stroll garden located on Earl Warren Drive on the northwestern edge of the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) campus at 1250 Bellflower Boulevard in Long Beach, California. Dedicated in April 1981 through a philanthropic gift from Loraine Miller Collins in memory of her late husband, Earl Burns Miller, the garden was designed by renowned landscape architect Edward R. Lovell after extensive research at the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo. Combining classical Japanese horticultural techniques with native and coastal Southern California flora, this living museum draws travelers, students, and botanical enthusiasts for its koi-filled lagoon, timber zig-zag bridge, dry-landscape Zen meditation courtyard, and traditional teahouse.

What to Expect at Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

Entering through the traditional wooden main gate, visitors step onto a winding pathway that circles a central koi pond fed by a cascading stone waterfall. The layout follows the classic chisen-kaiyushiki (pond-and-stroll) aesthetic, revealing carefully framed perspectives at every turn in the gravel and paved walkways. Rather than replicating an exact plot in Kyoto or Tokyo, Lovell blended authentic Japanese stone lanterns, pruned black pines, and weeping willows with heat-tolerant California trees, camellias, azaleas, and flowering irises. Three distinct bridges cross the water, including an angular wooden zig-zag bridge (Yatsuhashi) engineered according to traditional Japanese folklore, as well as an arched timber moon bridge and an earthen viewing bridge where guests pause to watch dozens of lively Nishikigoi swim beneath the surface.

Along the water’s edge, a contoured black pebble beach contrasts with emerald moss and manicured shrubs, while a secluded dry-landscape rock garden (karesansui) showcases raked gravel waves surrounding weathered boulders. On the eastern side of the lagoon stands the wood-and-shoji Teahouse and the newly expanded Educational Center, which hosts tea ceremonies, calligraphy workshops, bonsai exhibitions, and the university’s Blue Sky Classroom environmental programs. Guests can purchase small packets of pelleted fish food at the entrance kiosk to feed the koi or sit quietly on carved stone and timber benches positioned in shaded alcoves around the perimeter.

• Central Koi Pond & Waterfall: A tranquil lagoon inhabited by hundreds of colorful Japanese koi and turtles, fed by a multi-tiered natural rock waterfall at the northern end of the property.
• Zig-Zag Bridge (Yatsuhashi): A low, planked wooden walkway crossing a shallow iris marsh, built in crisp angles that encourage slow, mindful walking across the water.
• Karesansui Zen Dry Garden: A contemplative walled courtyard where raked white gravel symbolizes rippling ocean currents around stationary volcanic stones representing mountainous islands.
• Black Pebble Beach (Suhama): A gently sloping shoreline of smooth dark river stones bordering the main pond, modeled after coastal inlets found in classic Edo-period stroll gardens.
• Traditional Teahouse & Viewing Deck: An authentic Japanese pavilion featuring sliding screen doors and an overhanging timber veranda that extends directly over the water for unobstructed pond views.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

While general admission to the garden is free, all guests must book an advance timed-entry reservation through the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden website before arriving, and weekend hours are frequently adjusted to accommodate private weddings and university events. Weekday mornings between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM offer the quietest conditions for photography and contemplation before campus foot traffic peaks. Drivers should enter the CSULB lower campus via Earl Warren Drive off Atherton Street or Bellflower Boulevard and park in Lot G4 directly adjacent to the garden entrance, where short-term paid parking is managed via campus pay-by-plate kiosks. Multiple Long Beach Transit bus lines—including routes 91, 92, 93, 94, and 121—stop along Atherton Street and Bellflower Boulevard within a five-minute walk of the front gate.

The primary loop path is level and surfaced with compacted decomposed granite and paved stone, making most of the garden navigable for wheelchairs and strollers, though the narrow zig-zag bridge and stepped stone pathways require a brief detour along the main perimeter trail. Accessible restrooms and shaded seating are available near the entrance pavilion. After exploring the garden, pair your visit with a ten-minute walk south across the 322-acre campus to the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, which offers free gallery admission and an outdoor sculpture collection, or head five minutes west by car to the historic Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens to explore four acres of California native and formal estate gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the opening hours and best times to visit the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden?

The garden is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on Sundays from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, remaining closed on Mondays, Saturdays, and major university holidays. Arriving right at 9:00 AM on a Tuesday or Wednesday provides soft morning light over the koi pond and minimal campus crowd noise. Spring (March through May) showcases blooming azaleas, irises, and cherry blossoms, while autumn brings warm foliage colors to the Japanese maples.

How much does admission cost and are reservations required?

General public admission is free of charge, though donations and memberships help fund the care of the koi and living botanical collection. Every visitor is required to reserve a free timed-entry pass in advance on the official garden website. Small packets of koi food can be purchased on site for a nominal fee.

How much time should I budget for a visit?

Most visitors spend 45 to 75 minutes strolling the 1.3-acre perimeter trail, feeding the koi from the viewing bridges, and sitting quietly in the Zen dry garden. If you are attending a guided educational tour, botanical workshop, or cultural event at the teahouse, plan for 90 minutes to two hours.

Is the garden accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and families with kids?

Yes, the main loop trail is step-free and accommodates wheelchairs and strollers, and accessible restrooms are located inside the gate. Families with children are welcome, and feeding the koi is a favorite activity for kids, though visitors must keep children on designated paths and refrain from touching the water or climbing rocks. Pets, bicycles, tripods, and professional portrait photography shoots without a paid permit are not permitted inside the gates.

When planning your Long Beach travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Long Beach, pair this stop with standout local spots including Gladstone's Long Beach, Lions Lighthouse, The Belmont Shore Inn, and Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum (0.5 km away).