The Virginia Robinson Garden’s Annual  Tour is one of my very favorite springtime events. On this day, chic women decked out in sunglasses, pearls, garden hats and flats, and men sporting that bare ankled “I just stepped off my yacht look” delight in being Looky Loos of the highest order! The tour is a highlight of the Beverly Hills Spring social season and offers a rare opportunity to step behind the gates of some of Beverly Hills most gorgeous estates.

This year’s tour honored Grand Marshall Ron Burkle and was entitled “Legendary Beverly Hills”. Everything about the day was legendary with a Capital L! We  began by visiting the Edie Goetz Estate built for the daughter  of Louis B. Mayer.  As Hollywood royalty, Edie was  the queen  of Beverly Hills’s social scene in  the 60’s and 70’s. Her home, decorated by the famous interior designer Billy Haines, featured an incredible art collection with works by Picasso, Van Gogh and Renoir.  We were allowed to walk through the entry way and living room of this home as it has been recently purchased and was empty except for a certain “feeling”! We could almost hear cocktail hour laughter wafting  over the garden. How exciting it must have been to attend one of Edie’s legendary star filled parties or private movie screenings in this spectacular setting.   Since this  is Beverly HIlls, there are two pools,  a lake, a tennis court, guest houses, water falls and even a funicular.

 

 

The Harry Warner Estate is a  enchanting Tudor style home surrounded by lush gardens  We were told that it’s guest house (where it is rumored that Marilyn Monroe once stayed) is available to rent from Airbnb.  Hum, that could be a fun weekend in town get away!

 

 

The Liliore Green Rains Estate belonged to the daughter of the developer of Beverly Hills. It was later purchased by Merv Griffin and now belongs to Pamela Skiat-Levy, co- founder of Juicy Couture.  It has a beautiful formal rose garden near the house where Nancy Reagan once came by to pick roses for her home.  But this  gives way to a wild pine forest and an Adirondack style cabin at the top of the property which has incredible views of the entire city. We loved the the flow from perfectly manicured to rustic wildness married together in the heart of Beverly HIlls.  Merv Griffin had wanted to cut the pine forest down and build there.  Thankfully, the City of Beverly Hills denied his request!

Concierge level guests were treated to a walk through of the incredible estate  known as Sunset House.  Standing in the pool house and looking back at this perfectly manicured Beaux Arts estate, you could swear you are somewhere in France rather than the heart of Beverly Hills.  It is truly perfection! This home belongs to Lynda and Stewart Resnick, the philanthropic owners of Pom Wonderful, Fiji Water and FTD. among other  enterprises who purchased and restored the home that was once in danger of being torn down.

 

We returned to the Virginia Robinson Gardens just in time for a spectacular Beverly Hills style  lunch prepared by The Kitchen for Exploring Food.  The menu featured Beverly HIlls classic dishes like curly fries,  and the Polo Lounge’s famous McCarthy Salad.   We love this caterer and have used them for many of our own parties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson! It was an absolutely fabulous day!   Congratulations to the event chairs, Maralee Beck and Leslie Kavanaugh and the over 100 volunteers who made the day such a huge success. Can’t wait for next year!