If you’re looking for something a little different to photograph in Southern California, there’s a giant surprise waiting among the plants at South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes. TROLLS: A Field Study is included with general admission to South Coast Botanic Garden. The 2026 exhibition began March 1 and continues through October 4, 2026.
The garden is located at:
South Coast Botanic Garden
26300 Crenshaw Boulevard
Palos Verdes Peninsula, California
The garden is currently open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last entrance at 4:30 p.m.
General admission is currently $18 for members and $21 for the general public according to the garden’s current information.
Meet the Trolls
The trolls are the work of Danish environmental artist Thomas Dambo, who is internationally known for creating enormous sculptures from reclaimed and recycled materials.
For A Field Study, the 12 sculptures are presented as a group of curious giants who have come to study humans.
Instead of simply being sculptures placed on display, the trolls become part of the landscape. Their enormous size makes the surrounding trees, plants and pathways feel almost like part of a storybook.
The sculptures are made entirely from reclaimed wood, giving each troll its own character and appearance.
Exploring the Garden
What I enjoyed about the exhibit is that you don’t simply walk into a gallery and see all 12 trolls at once.
You have to explore.
The South Coast Botanic Garden covers 87 acres, so the troll sculptures are spread throughout the property. As you walk along the paths, you begin wondering where the next one will appear.
That makes the exhibit especially fun for photography.
One moment you’re photographing flowers or trees, and the next you come around a corner and discover a giant face looking back at you.
The scale of the sculptures also creates some interesting photographic opportunities. Standing near one of the trolls can make you appreciate just how enormous these creations are.
Planning Your Visit
TROLLS: A Field Study is included with general admission to South Coast Botanic Garden. The 2026 exhibition began March 1 and continues through October 4, 2026.
The garden is located at:
South Coast Botanic Garden
26300 Crenshaw Boulevard
Palos Verdes Peninsula, California
The garden is currently open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last entrance at 4:30 p.m.
General admission is currently $18 for members and $21 for the general public according to the garden’s current information.
Exploring San Diego 