The palatial villa is surrounded by outstanding formal gardens, statuaries, fountains, and hidden grottoes. Sadly, major damage from hurricanes has left in ruins such monuments as the sculptural breakwater barge in the bay that was designed to be an allegorical representation of Cleopatra's Barge, and the Peacock Bridge, which spanned a small canal that divides the estate with land now occupied by Mercy Hospital.

The gardens were designed by thelandscape architect Diego Suarez, a Colombian native whose taste had been formed in working with Arthur Acton in restoring the gardens of Villa La Pietra, Florence. The plan is of patterned parterres of scrolllwork set in oystershell paths radiating from the center of the villa, influenced by Renaissance Italian and French design. The statues which line the gardens and may be found all over the premise, are upon closer inspection pagan gods of the Greco-Roman era. The French Fleur De Lis, originally a symbol of France's original Merovingian bloodline of royalty can also be noticed outside the walls of the garden. Perhaps most fascinating among all the statues and architecture, is a white marble alter in one of the garden areas nearest the bay.

Inspection of this alter reveals identical sculptures on the front and back of a large centered cow skull, between two roaring lion heads, and with goat heads on all four upper corners. Two pillars made of coral stand beside this apparent alter, and have engraved geometrical symbols (possibly sacred geometry) which at first glance appear to be celtic, but more probably represent the Oak Tree of Gernika;a symbol of freedom to the Basque region of spain, (Basque is the namesake for the Biscay Bay area which the estate lies on)and the original Vizcaya province which was part of the Basque region. Notable botanical sights include a hedge maze, and a good collection of orchids in the David A. Klein Orchidarium. Collections include much of the villa's original furniture and works of art. It is sometimes called the "Hearst Castle of the East", and has been accredited by the American Association of Museums.