Large Crowds Expected At Sunnylands

The much anticipated opening of the Sunnylands Center & Gardens to the public is set for Thursday in Rancho Mirage.

The gates will open at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 1, according to Michele Cirone-Collier, a spokeswoman for Sunnylands.

The public will be able to visit the 1.25 miles of garden trails and watch A Place Called Sunnylands or interact with multi-media kiosks, Cirone-Collier said.

Pre-reserved tickets allow will allow some access to tours of the historic residence and estate.

Six hundred and thirty tickets went on sale at 9 a.m. on Feb. 15 for tours March 1 through March 15 and were sold out in just over ten minutes, she said.

If the crowds are too large, some guests may be asked to come back in the afternoon, according to Cirone-Collier.

She said parking at Sunnylands is limited and carpooling is strongly recommended. People with reservations will be guaranteed admission.

Sunnylands was dedicated in a on Feb. 13, which featured U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy and Rep. David Dreier.

Tickets can be reserved at: http://sunnylands.org/page/24/tickets-tours.