Arcadia

Day Trips

Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast at a charming local café, savoring freshly baked pastries and artisanal coffee. Stroll through the quaint downtown streets to get a feel for Arcadia’s small-town charm. Take a moment to check into your accommodation and unwind before exploring further.

Head to the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden for a self-guided tour of exotic plants and peacocks roaming the grounds. Pause for lunch at the on-site café, sampling seasonal salads and homemade sandwiches. Enjoy a tranquil walk around the historic Queen Anne cottage and Japanese Garden.

Dine at a family-owned restaurant serving farm-to-table cuisine, indulging in locally sourced dishes. After dinner, take a sunset stroll through the nearby park to watch the sky change colors over the San Gabriel Mountains. Return to your lodging for a good night’s rest in preparation for tomorrow’s adventures.

Start early with a guided birdwatching tour in the Arboretum’s lake area, spotting herons, ducks, and other native bird species. Enjoy refreshments supplied by the garden staff as you learn about the Arboretum’s conservation efforts. Capture photographs of rare flora and the historic waterfalls.

Enjoy a picnic lunch under a shady cypress tree, sampling local cheese, bread, and fresh fruit. Participate in a horticultural workshop to learn about desert succulents or sustainable gardening practices. Wander through the rose garden and take time to sketch or journal your impressions.

Return to downtown Arcadia for dinner at a lively gastropub offering craft beers and gourmet burgers. Catch live local music or a comedy show at a nearby performance venue. Unwind with a nightcap at a cozy lounge before heading back to your accommodations.

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast of eggs, toast, and fresh fruit at a beloved neighborhood diner. Drive to Eaton Canyon Natural Area and begin the scenic waterfall hike along well-marked trails. Stop at viewpoints to admire the rugged canyon walls and flowing creek.

Reach the waterfall and enjoy a packed lunch by the pool, cooling off in the misty spray. Spend time exploring side trails and learning about the native wildlife from interpretive signs. Head back down at a leisurely pace, taking in the valley vistas.

Treat yourself to a Mexican-inspired dinner at an authentic taqueria, sampling street tacos and horchata. Explore the Arcadia nightlife by visiting a gelato shop for dessert and strolling along illuminated streets. Reflect on the day’s adventure before returning to rest.

Visit Santa Anita Park for guided access behind the stables and the chance to watch the morning workouts. Learn about horse training techniques and meet jockeys during the stable tour. Cheer on your favorite horse in a morning workout session.

Grab a casual lunch in the track’s picnic area, choosing from gourmet food trucks offering everything from sushi burritos to sliders. Afterward, indulge in shopping at the Westfield Santa Anita mall, exploring both high-end boutiques and local artisan stalls. Stop by a café for a refreshing smoothie or iced tea break.

Dine at an upscale steakhouse near the park, enjoying premium cuts and fine wine. If races are scheduled in the evening, place a friendly wager and soak in the stadium atmosphere. Conclude the night with a stroll through the park’s illuminated grounds.

Set off on a scenic drive along historic Route 66, stopping at classic diners for coffee and pie. Capture photos of retro motels and vintage signage that harken back to mid-century Americana. Visit a roadside museum to learn about the road’s storied past.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at a roadside park, sampling local deli meats and signature salads. Continue westward to Pasadena, exploring the colorful murals and quaint antique shops along the way. Drop by a famed soda fountain for an old-fashioned malt or float.

Arrive back in Arcadia and unwind with dinner at a family-run Italian restaurant known for its pasta and tiramisu. Share travel stories over a bottle of regional red wine. Finish the evening with a leisurely stroll along tree-lined avenues under soft streetlights.

Begin with breakfast at a hip café featuring local roasters and fresh pastries. Head to nearby galleries and studios, meeting artists and viewing a variety of contemporary and regional works. Participate in a painting or pottery workshop to unleash your creativity.

Lunch at a vegan-friendly bistro, sampling colorful grain bowls and plant-based desserts. Continue your art immersion with a guided tour of a public art installation or mural walk in downtown Arcadia. Stop by a craft market to browse handmade jewelry and textiles.

Attend a live performance at a small theater showcasing local talent in drama, dance, or music. Dine afterward at a cozy bistro offering seasonal small plates and craft cocktails. Reflect on the day’s cultural insights while savoring a decadent chocolate dessert.

Rent bicycles and explore the scenic Arcadia trails, weaving through eucalyptus groves and alongside bubbling creeks. Stop at a lookout point for a photo op with panoramic views of the valley below. Pause at a shaded bench to enjoy bottled juices or energy bars.

Set up a picnic at a grassy riverside park, unpacking gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, and chilled fruit. Relax under the canopy of oaks while reading or playing a friendly game of frisbee. Take a leisurely post-lunch ride through shaded paths back toward town.

Refresh with a shower before heading to a waterfront restaurant for seafood specialties and crisp white wine. Stroll along a nearby promenade as the lights dance off the water. Conclude the evening with artisanal ice cream in a variety of inventive flavors.

Have an early breakfast and drive to the Mount Wilson Observatory, arriving before the crowds. Tour the historic telescopes and learn about pioneering astronomy research. Hike short trails around the facility for sweeping mountain vistas.

Enjoy a packed deli lunch while picnicking on a scenic overlook, breathing in the cool mountain air. Visit interpretive exhibits detailing the observatory’s role in space exploration. Meet with an astronomer to discuss upcoming solar observations.

Stay for an evening stargazing session, peering through high-powered telescopes at planets, nebulae, and star clusters. Warm up with hot cocoa and conversation in the observatory lodge. Head back to Arcadia under a blanket of stars, reflecting on the cosmos.

Begin with a gourmet coffee tasting at a local roastery, sampling single-origin brews and learning about roasting techniques. Enjoy brunch at a farm-to-fork restaurant known for inventive egg dishes and fresh juices. Chat with the chef about sourcing local ingredients.

Embark on a guided tour of regional craft breweries, tasting IPAs, sours, and barrel-aged ales. Tour the brewing facilities and learn about the fermentation process. Savor small plates pairing cheese and charcuterie with each beer.

Dine at a modern bistro offering fusion cuisine and inventive cocktails. Join a mixology class to learn how to craft signature drinks using local spirits. End the night at a rooftop bar, enjoying city lights and a nightcap.

Sleep in and enjoy a slow breakfast at your accommodation or a nearby café, savoring freshly baked muffins and barista-grade coffee. Take a final stroll through downtown Arcadia, revisiting favorite shops and landmarks. Reflect on your itinerary highlights while journaling over a pastry.

Pack up and check out of your lodging. Enjoy a relaxed lunch at a local deli, ordering your favorite leftovers from the trip. Take one last walk through the Arboretum or a nearby park to soak in the scenery.

Share a farewell dinner at an acclaimed neighborhood eatery, enjoying a multi-course tasting menu. Raise a toast to your immersive Arcadia adventure and plan future return visits. Head to the airport or onward destination with memories of a perfectly curated ten-day stay.