Suiho-en

Never has an area downwind from a water treatment facility been so worth a visit for its utopian beauty. The Japanese Garden hidden within the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area is called Suiho-En, meaning "garden of water and fragrance." Japanese black pines dominate a verdant, stone-laden landscape around a narrow lake teeming with fish and wading birds. A glassy, futuristic-looking administration building borders the lake, partly suspended over the water. Renowned designer and architect Dr. Koichi Kowana modeled this otherworldly realm after a feudal lord's estate of the Edo Period in Japan, blending traditional and modern Japanese garden designs.

The lake's rock islands represent the realm of immortality where auspicious beings live and no mortal can go (although cormorants and ducks often hang here). The evergreen plants symbolize timelessness. Cherry trees speak of perfection and chivalry. After traversing wending pathways and wooden arched bridges, at the lake's far end enter a Shoin-style dwelling with a traditional Japanese tearoom. Further on, past a waterfall and weeping willow, a raised walkway leads to a viewing platform overlooking the treatment tanks of the Tillman Water Reclamation Plant, from where the garden gets its water. Be sure to cross the zigzag bridge, or yatsuhashi, over a pond of white irises before leaving the garden. A legend from the ancient waka collection Tales of Ise recounts how demon-possessed individuals could ditch their devils by walking over such a bridge.

Directions: Head towards Van Nuys. Exit Victory Blvd. from the 405 and head west on Victory, then turn left onto Woodley Ave. Look for a "Japanese Garden" sign and turn left at a curve in the road. You'll reach a security kiosk. Tell the guard you're there for the Japanese Garden. No dogs.