Newport Beach city feature
About this landmark
A library and gardens founded in 1966 that blend cultural history with plant collections.
Sherman Library & Gardens is located at 2647 East Coast Highway in Corona del Mar, a seaside neighborhood within Newport Beach, California. The institution was founded in 1966 by Arnold Haskell and named for his friend and mentor, Moses Hazeltine Sherman. Today it operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization through The Sherman Foundation. The gardens span 2.2 acres and house collections including desert and tropical vegetation, a Succulent Garden featuring a California pepper tree, a tropical conservatory with orchids and heliconias, a Fern Grotto, and an herb garden.
Origins and growth through the decades
Arnold Haskell acquired the property in Corona del Mar in 1955, at that time a former nursery site. The Sherman Foundation had been established four years earlier, in 1951, by Haskell and the daughters of Moses H. Sherman. When the gardens opened to the public in 1966, the institution began developing its core facilities. Between 1966 and 1974, the conservatory, central garden, gift shop, café, and library were built, establishing the physical and operational foundation for the institution that operates today.
The organization has grown under sustained leadership and community support. The Sherman Foundation's mission combines the preservation of historical and cultural collections with public access to the botanical gardens. An 11-member Board of Trustees with members including Brad Avery, Tim Collins, Jennifer Cook, Dan Daniel, Gary Pickett, Judy Posnikoff, James Walkie Ray, Janet Ray, Peter Rooney, and Kristin Yokomoto oversees operations under Executive Director Scott LaFleur.
Visitor experience and capital expansion
The gardens are open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed only on New Year's Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Visitors explore the Succulent Garden, tropical conservatory, Fern Grotto, herb garden, and central garden, alongside the library and café. A restaurant and gift shop serve the visiting public throughout the year.
A $17 million capital campaign called "Grow The Gardens" broke ground on February 26, 2026, with expected completion in late summer 2027. The revitalization includes a new Bell Tower entrance, garden area restoration throughout the campus, relocation of the restaurant to Pacific Coast Highway, and redesignation of the central garden for educational programming. Tim Collins chaired the Building Committee for this expansion effort, which represents a significant reinvestment in the institution's facilities and visitor experience.
Insurance connection: Earthquake coverage
Properties in California face earthquake risk regardless of age or location. Insurance companies must offer earthquake insurance every two years with 30 days to accept. A basic earthquake policy covers dwelling damage and personal property. Deductibles range from 5% to 25%, though homes over $1 million or older structures without seismic retrofitting carry a minimum 15% deductible. California law requires that homeowners and renters insurance cover fire caused by or following an earthquake, independent of whether earthquake insurance was purchased. Eligibility and limits depend on the individual policy. The issued policy controls.
Primary sources: Sherman Library & Gardens official website, Wikipedia article, and the American Public Gardens Association.
Insurance context is general information only. The issued policy and its endorsements settle coverage.