Murphy Sculpture Garden
Rate this placeNearby: Dickson Plaza Spaulding Field
Last Updated: December 4, 2025
The Murphy Sculpture Garden is located in the state of California and is a beautiful and peaceful oasis in the heart of the city of Los Angeles.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The garden is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and there are many good reasons to visit. One of the main attractions is the collection of sculptures, which includes works by some of the most renowned artists in the world. Highlights include pieces by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, and Barbara Hepworth.
Visitors to the Murphy Sculpture Garden can also enjoy the beautiful landscaping, which features numerous trees, plants, and flowers. The garden is home to a variety of species, including exotic and rare plants that are not often seen in this part of the country. There are also several fountains and water features, which add to the tranquil ambiance of the garden.
Interesting facts about the Murphy Sculpture Garden include the fact that it was created by the late Edward W. Carter, a prominent businessman and philanthropist. Carter was a passionate collector of art, and he donated many of the sculptures in the garden to the University of California, Los Angeles. The garden is now managed by the university and is open to the public free of charge.
The best time of year to visit the Murphy Sculpture Garden is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the flowers are in bloom. However, the garden is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy the sculptures and landscaping at any time of the year. Overall, the Murphy Sculpture Garden is a must-see destination for anyone interested in art, nature, and the beauty of California's landscapes.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Musch Hike-In Camp
|
||
Musch Ranch Hike-In
|
||
Dockweiler Beach RV
|
Dickson Plaza
Spaulding Field
Holmby Park
De Neve Square
Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden