The Exquisite Beauty and Offerings of Sunnylands
Prior to arriving in the Coachella Valley in 2004, I knew almost nothing about the late Ambassador Walter and Leonore Annenberg. Living in San Diego, I’d heard the Annenberg Foundation name on public radio, but I didn’t know about the Annenbergs’ extraordinary legacy of philanthropy in arts and education, and their unprecedented generosity to Eisenhower Health.
Sunnylands, the Annenberg estate in Rancho Mirage, is a 25,000-square-foot home that was built on 200 acres by Southern California architect A. Quincy Jones in the 1960s — truly a midcentury modern wonder. It was the Annenbergs’ winter escape, named after a family home that once belonged to Walter Annenberg’s father in Pennsylvania. Hosting multiple U.S. presidents, dignitaries, celebrities and visionaries, the Annenbergs created a peaceful retreat for their guests at one of the most beautiful and unique estates in the world.
Since the Annenbergs’ passing, the Annenberg Foundation’s philanthropy has continued through Walter’s daughter Wallis Annenberg, and her family in Los Angeles. Here in the desert, the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands, whose board consists of the Annenbergs’ children and grandchildren, continues Walter and Leonore’s mission of education, equity and the arts.
The Sunnylands Center & Gardens
Before her death, Leonore shared her vision of building a visitor center on the property, something that, in essence, would belong to the community. She worked with designer James Burnett, who created an impressionistic “painting” using desert landscape and colors. The result, in part, is a circular garden bordered by varieties of cacti, palo verde trees (with bright yellow blossoms in spring), infinity water features and a host of other common and unusual desert plants. Grass fills the inner circle, a perfect spot for free weekly yoga and tai chi classes, and Sunday family days and concerts.
There are even quiet spaces within the garden, hidden off the main path, with benches and paths for meditation, or simply a place to rest.
The Center
The Sunnylands Center takes inspiration from the estate home’s midcentury modern architecture — volcanic rock walls framing the open interior space, and nothing but windows between guests, the outer garden, and a breathtaking view of the San Jacinto Mountains.
William Haines Exhibit
The Center features free, rotating exhibits, lasting between one and two years. The current exhibition, Variations to a Theme: William Haines at Sunnylands, highlights the custom-made furniture and interior design by legendary designer William Haines. More than 450 pieces were designed for the Annenberg home, the largest collection of William Haines furnishings in the world.
The Center also features a small viewing room with a 20-minute video about the Annenbergs and Sunnylands, and there is a small café with delicious baked goods, salads and sandwiches, French press coffee, iced tea and other drinks. Choose a table inside or outside the café, linger and enjoy the day. The gift shop — small but mighty — features beautiful books, art, hand-made cards, gifts for children, and much more.
Health and Wellness Programs
Free community programs and offerings of health and wellness — bird walks, yoga, tai chi and Sunday family days — are one of the highlights at Sunnylands. There are also instructor-led art workshops available for a nominal fee and a mindful meditation series, plus school programs. A complete listing can be found at Sunnylands.org.
Historic Estate Tours
Tickets go on sale on the 15th of each month for the following month’s tour of the historic Annenberg estate. And yes, tours sell out quickly, so plan ahead.
Tour Guide Internship Program for local college students
One of the best programs offered at Sunnylands is their Guide Internship Program for local college students. The students, generally working in the program for one to three years, are trained as interpreters — to meet, greet and inform visitors, and to lead tours. During their training, they also work with retreat teams, often interacting with world leaders. Students are paid, receive college credit and their work hours are scheduled around their school classes. A link to the application can be found at Sunnylands.org/guide.
Sunnylands
Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday,
from the second week in September through May.
Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
37977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
760.202.2222
contact@sunnylands.org
For detailed information on visits,
tours and programs, visit sunnylands.org.
