It's always a nice time when visiting the arboretum. You can buy tickets ahead of time or at the…read morefront. There are no paper maps, but there is one at the entrance and throughout the park. Bring sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, a fan, water and some snacks.

Growing up in Arcadia, the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden was a place everyone…read morealways talked about when looking for things to do. It's a beautiful spot to visit, take photos, and explore the variety of plants and animals. It's a great activity for families, and kids under 2 get in for free. I did a full loop and was able to see everything in about 2-3 hours. Daily admission can be a bit pricey at $18, but if you have someone with an EBT card, you can get two adult entries for free. Student tickets are also discounted to $14. Definitely worth stopping by. Parking is completely free and located right in front.

I spent the day there with my sister who just turned 86. I hadn't been there since I was a young…read moregirl and didn't remember the challenging hills, probably because they weren't challenging to me then. Pushing my sister in a wheel chair was good exercise for me but thank goodness for the golf cart people who were so kind and gave us rides to wherever we wanted to go. We got to see much more than we would have without them. Our lunch was so tasty at the 1919 Cafe, and even enjoyed a glass of wine on the patio. It was a wonderful day. The Museum and gardens where beautiful and inspiring!

We went on a Sunday when advanced purchased tickets are required. We waited until the day of to buy…read morethe tickets and only the 3pm and later times were available. Luckily we were able to go in an hour early! Parking is free. The parking lot was very full but we found a spot eventually. We later found out that valet was complimentary. Would have used that if we knew. This is such a beautiful botanical garden set in a quiet residential neighborhood of San Marino. We were there for almost four hours and explored about half of the place. It's so big! We took our time and didn't even go into the museums yet. We will definitely have to come back again.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience here at Rubel Castle. Our host, guide,…read moreand local "Rubelligent" volunteer, Ms. Kathleen had all the intel about this historical property. She was so knowledgeable and helped set the stage for us to slip into a forgotten era and get a glimpse of how imagination met inventiveness with a DIY charm. ~ A LITTLE BACKSTORY FOR YOU ~ It's not pronounced Rubel as Barney from Flintstones. Rather, it's like Target is to Targét when we are trying to be fancy. So that's Rubel as in "Roo-bell." Unlike modern-day construction, Rubel Castle wasn't built overnight. It was made of collected recyclables and construction rubble that spanned many decades and took several friends and volunteers to build it. For Michael, however, the lifetime inspiration was first sparked at the age of 9. His love for canons was where it started and the rest is history you can hear about on the tour. But don't just show up like we did randomly one day. To book, visit RubelTours.org and make a reservation. ~ OUR TOUR EXPERIENCE ~ It's as if Michael Rubel, the creator and mastermind of this enchanted dominion had intended it to be--magical. Built in the castle period of wood and tin, every corner captured our interests, from antique cars to the 1890's Seth Thomas Tower Clock with a unique backstory (and only six in existence today). There were old vending machines, tools, trinkets, and machinery that time had long forgotten. Did I mention there was a drawbridge? Yes, and a dungeon too. I was just waiting for a dragon to come swoop down on us next. Walk in the footsteps of famous visitors like Alfred Hitchcock, Dwight Eisenhower, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope. It's a feast for the eyes no matter where you glance. I particularly enjoyed the bottle house that Michael built in 1968 as his "home" as a kid. That independent spirit was quite charming to see. ~ WATERCOLOR NATURESCAPE ~ We were fortunate to have our gracious host lead us on a tour and organize a special art crafting experience outdoors. It was absolutely lovely beneath the trees and between rusted vintage cars from the turn of the century. We each got a small canvas to paint our flowers in watercolor. (This particular experience takes place in the Spring and Fall, weather permitting.) We heard the squirrels rattling in the leaves and birds chirped and sang in the trees above. We discovered that peacocks apparently originated from this property, compliments of Michael Rubel. And did I mention that on the far side of the property, a custom garden was in full bloom? BOOK A TOUR Help support the Glendora Historical Society and keep this magnificently unique city-castle maintained. It's worth it.

A castle in Glendora? Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you--Rubel Castle is real, it's magnificent,…read moreand it's gloriously eccentric. Thanks to the sheer persistence (and probably delightful stubbornness) of Michael Rubel, we now have this quirky, towering State Treasure sitting right in the middle of Glendora like a fairy tale that accidentally took a detour through a hardware store. This place is beautifully done, and part of its charm is that it's a full-on hodgepodge of relics, antiques, crystal trinkets, and "wait... what is that doing here?" moments tucked into every nook and cranny. You'll marvel, you'll laugh, you'll squint in confusion--honestly, it's everything you'd want in a castle built with love, imagination, and a dash of madness. And let's talk about the makeshift cemetery. Quirky? YES. Fun? Absolutely. Slightly spooky? Only if your imagination is over-caffeinated. But it fits the vibe perfectly--like the castle whispered, "You know what I'm missing? A tiny cemetery." The tours are fantastic, the guides are passionate, and the whole experience feels like you're stepping into a living scrapbook of California history and charming chaos. Overall: Amazing, amazing place. Book your tour. They only do tours every first Sunday of the month, so set your alarms, mark your calendars, tie a string around your finger--just don't miss it. Rubel Castle is truly a California State Treasure, and an absolute must-see for anyone who appreciates creativity, history, and a little eccentric sparkle.

It was a great place for a date…read more Clean fun silly and somewhere I'd definitely take her to again

we love going to these little pop-up stuff that we see on social media or on Google and everything…read moreand this time we went to bubble world in Montebello. It wasn't that far of a drive for us and parking. There was a lot of parking and it was free and I believe you had to purchase your times to go and you wait in line and then you also have to sign like a waiver or something We love seeing all these high technology and everything. It was so cool so much opportunities for photos and a lot of things to do with your kids and they seem super entertained. I think we went in and it took probably a good hour or so to see everything and do everything so if you were ever in the area, then totally check it out just kidding. The exhibit was closed now LOL

A MUST DO! A FREE EVENT EVENT & FREE PARKING! This is someone's home not a museum so Please be…read morerespectful & DO NOT BOTHER THE HOMEOWNERS they live there. Just take a look from the sidewalk. The Devil's House is the famous house from the movie Hocus Pocus with the Sanderson Sisters Bette Middller, Sarah Jessica Parker & Kathy Najimy. The movie was filmed in multiple locations including Whittier & Altadena California, Salem Massachusetts & Warner Ranch. This is the home where in the movie you meet the Devil - Gary Marshall & Penny Marshall from the TV Show Laverne & Shirley. There are also Trick or Treating Scenes filmed here as well with several houses right next door. There is also a park across the street you can check out as well. You can also drive by East Whittier Middle School which was Jacob Bailey High School in the movie. Some Interior Shots were filmed there on 14421 Whittier Blvd. To make it worth your trip check out some other Cool Local Spots in Whittier. Back to the Future Mill Valley High School was filmed @ Whittier High School on 12417 Philadelphia St. King Richard's Antiques is one of the largest antique shops in California. It is Fantastic with multiple levels with over 60,000 Square Feet of Vintage Merchandise. Also check out Nixon Plaza - Richard Nixon's Law Office was located here in a historic 100 year old building that has now been transformed into a Food Hall There are multiple restaurants with a Large Indoor & Outdoor Dining Area. You can grab something to eat & a brew @ Whittier Brewing Company in the Food Hall. Also check out the Whittier Village Cinema. It is a small beautifully restored Art Deco Movie Theater that was originally called The Wardman Theater which was built in 1932. The Architecture, the Tile & the Lights are really beautiful. It is located in the Uptown Section of Whittier that has lots of nostalgic charm & charisma. Also check out some of the other restaurants & breweries in the area too. So Much Fun in Whittier! It used to be, you had to have Mega Bucks & be really Rich to have the Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like a King on a Limited Budget!

There's two floors so much amazing collections to see. The garden area is a work of art. I really…read moreenjoyed it. It's easy to get lost wondering thru each art piece. Can't believe the museum is here in our area. We watched the history of Norton Simon in the theater. Great job narrating his work. I would go again so much to see and be inspire. The Staffs were very professional and courteous.

I've been to this museum twice already since I was amazed at what this location has to offer. It's…read morea smaller museum compared to the Huntington library. If you're a student or have EBT you can access this museum for free. Parking is free as well. You reserve your tickets online & just present your proof of ID for student or EBT. There are 2 floors to this museum & an outdoor garden as well. A mix of European art , modern pieces , sculptures , & Southeast asian art as well. I was here for a good 2 hours for my last visit since I was taking it all in. Once done, I love to grab some kettle chips & a signature drink from their cafe by the garden. I sit & journal for a bit then walk around the gardens. The small souvenir store is delightful in where you can purchase small or large prints of your favorite pieces. Books , trinkets, & museum merchandise is also available. I will come back for their next exhibit to see what other pieces will be displayed.

The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage is a small museum that exhibits exclusively to preserve and…read morerecognize Arcadia's heritage. This museum is maintained and operated by the City of Arcadia; admission is free. Museum is named after the Ruth and Charles Gilb, both long-time residents of Arcadia. This museum features 7 interpretive galleries. The main gallery features a chronology of Arcadia's history. Moreover, museum offers community programming for adults and youth. You can swiftly complete the entire museum (galleries and collections) in less than 40 minutes. Free Parking available. Friendly staff. I'm glad I was able to check out the Gilb museum. Overall, it's a modest museum to visit.

I have wanted to visit the Gilb for nearly a decade and I finally visited over the summer…read more It is not a large space, but there is some good information about Arcadia and how it was formed in there. I loved seeing some Olympics volunteer outfits from 1984, pictures from the military, and the hall of fame of famous Arcadiana. A neat place. And it seems that they have activity kits for kids to complete.

This is the most difficult Botanical Garden to get in touch with…read more The hours they have posted on their website are wrong, no one picks up the phone after calling several times and leaving several messages. I went in person last weekend, and it was closed despite their online hours posted. The lack of clarity even upon walking up to the venue is not clear. They have no signs stating they are closed and it's clear they do not care to return voicemails. Please do not waste your time going there.

Background On Visit: Last Sunday (4/12/26), the venue hosted the Pasadena Festival Of Tea. We were…read moreone of the participants for this event. Hours Of Operation: They welcome visitors to the garden on many Friday and Saturday evenings and during the day on Sundays. You can check out their schedule of events and admission cost on their website: https://japanesegardenpasadena.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/japanesegardenpasadena/event.jsp?;=&event=1612& Admission Cost: Mostly, $15 on Friday and Saturday. Sunday, it's $12. For other events, they post the cost on their website. Location/Parking: Located across from the Arlington Gardens (Free). It's kinda hidden, but just use the gps on your phone to guide you. Parking can be found along Arlington. For special events, they encourage you to park at Westridge School (Orange Grove and W. State St.) and walk up to Storrier Stearns. Ambiance/Decor: The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a beautiful and charming retreat with a quiet and tranquil elegance. The place is small which contains many of the much admired design features found in the most lavish of Japanese-style gardens of its era. As Kendall Brown states in his book, California Japanese-style Gardens, "this is the genius of Kinzuchi Fujii: this was once a flat area of two tennis courts; now it is a masterwork. 1) Classic Niko-an Teahouse, the garden landscape offers a variety of other beautiful details. 2) Numerous gathering points, seating areas & vistas 3) Four original bridges plus the original cedar log Japanese Waiting Bench 4) Two large interconnected, irregularly shaped koi ponds 5) The sounds of two waterfalls, one cascading down a 25-foot hill 6) An artful dry riverbed for rain overflow winding through the garden 7) Cooling shade everywhere from spreading sycamores & old oaks 8) Many tons of boulders & stones 9) Granite statuary & stone lanterns Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden For Thought: Wouldn't mind coming back to re-center myself. I did a have nice time.

The Kidspace Museum in Pasadena is one of the better children's interactive museums we've been to…read more It has a huge, shared parking lot near Rose Bowl Stadium. Outside, there are two adjacent outdoor kid's playgrounds. Near the entrance they have juice and fruit vendors and a balloonist. Entry fee is very reasonable at under $50 for family of three with in-and-out privileges. Inside the museum, its like 80% outdoor exhibits and 20% indoor. They have an onsite cafe and food vendors throughout. The outdoor exhibits has a park area dedicated to physics. You'll see fans, pulleys, etc. to help your child appreciate scientific concepts while having fun. They also have tie-dye stations, climbing structures, tricycle race tracks, live music, and my son's favorites - the sandbox and pretend farmer's market and veggie patch. I noted lots of friendly staff dressed as camp rangers working with the kids and maintaining order with a smile, which is huge. Inside the buildings, you'll see traditional kid activities like toy trains, quiet reading areas, legos, and even more climbing structures. Looking forward to coming back next time we're in the area. The in-and-out policy is nice since they have lots of nearby offsite restaurants in nearby Old Pasadena.

Back in April 2026, I participated in the Ronald McDonald Walk for Kids that was held at Brookside…read morePark in Pasadena. As a participant, I received a free entrance to the Kidspace Children's Museum that happens to be within the park's vicinity. Very cool! Kidspace is a nonprofit museum designed to "delight and engage children emotionally, intellectually, and physically through joyful, kid-driven experiences." It is a place for play, discovery, creation, and exploration. It offers a world of curiosity and intrigue. It features 40 hands-on exhibits for small children from ages 1-10. Outdoor spaces include an opportunity to climb into a giant hawk's nest, splash and play in naturalistic water features, bring out inner musicians, and get physical with rockets and giant levers. Indoor space consists of galleries, active beehive, imagination workshop, ant tunnel, climbing towers, etc. Bookstore with books and merchandise for purchase. Deli with food, drinks, and refreshments for sale. Tables and chairs are outside in the patio. Restrooms are available throughout the museum. I was so happy to have gotten the opportunity to visit. I enjoyed it very much. It is a place for all ages for sure. Come see it for yourself! Enjoy and have fun.

My mom and I took my kids to see the Christmas markets in France this past December. It was a…read morebucket list trip for my mom, and while my boys had a great time, the travel was complicated and arduous, mostly because of my wild three-year-old Wade B. A couple weeks later, my husband and I took the boys to the Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens. They had an absolute blast, and my five-year-old Leo B. declared, with utmost sincerity, "I think this is the nicest place I've ever been." Matt B. and I had been once before, almost a decade ago, with our friends Caroline Y. and Scott S., when we were all young and childless. We came back together, this time with five kids, and as much as I enjoyed it back in the day, I found it even more compelling this second time around. The magic was amplified ten times by the presence of my sons, who absolutely loved all the beautiful, colorful lights. I did buy them shitty Christmas light necklaces, one of which broke almost immediately, causing considerable strife. The alternative, of course, was to deny Wade his request before even entering the garden, where he would badger me every time he saw another child with the necklace. I was not surprised to see that most of the children seemed to have them, every parent having made the same calculation on their way in. Smart and evil of Descanso Gardens to put that vendor right by the entrance. I'm guessing Enchanted is their big revenue generator for the year, and this is a McKinseyish way to maximize. The kids oohed and aahed at every exhibit, marveling at all the colors and lights. We oohed and aahed right with them, and had the additional pleasure of watching them play and interact with the elaborate, immersive displays. They loved the tulip fields, the model trains, the stained glass houses, the trees and music and light. There was also a large platform that served as a dance floor for small children, who partied to the ambient music. Wade was especially taken with this stage, and the one part of the night that did not go well was when I yanked him away so we could see the rest of the installations. It was cold and the kids were up way past their bedtimes, but we all had a blast at the Enchanted Forest. When pressed, Leo admitted that Paris was in fact as nice as Descanso Gardens, but the point was made. Come Christmas, we can take the boys to France or we can just drive to La Cañada and buy a few tickets that support a wonderful botanical garden. We might even manage the latter every year.

Wow! What an unexpectedly cool experience!…read more Pro tips: 1. Bring whatever you like to keep you very warm in weather that seems cool normally but in the woods is icy cold. It was 51 and according to the weather app felt like 47 but I'm here to tell you it was COLD COLD more like 32 imho and head, hands, neck and feet coverage is a must so you can enjoy it. Suggest a warm beanie, gloves, and a down type jacket. Definitely jeans or long pants. I grabbed a blanket from my car to wear! 2. It's an easy walk, but for those with wheelchairs or canes or walkers it can be bumpy and some areas are a bit tricky. Also given all the rain, it can be dirty dusty muddy so wear shoes you don't care about. 3. Bring your best camera bc the photo ops both with people and without are plentiful. Make sure everything is charged as there's no common area to charge things easily. I'm sure you can try the restaurant or store in case of emergencies. Or go back to your car. 4. Be prepared to walk a very slow mile. Lots to see and photograph. Took me about 1:15 and I took my time. You can definitely do this much faster if solo and not easily amused or maybe not big on pics. And you can take a lot longer if you like detail and creativity amidst a natural space. 5. It's dark despite tons of lighting so be wise when walking. 6. Parking is free and easy. Just follow the signs or people. There is a walk to the line from the car. Lots of walking in general. 7. Our park reservations were for 6pm. I arrived around 6:10 and the line took about 20 mins. Was done by 7:40. 8. Cute shopping at the beginning before entering an next to the line to get in. It is an outdoor nursery type shop and two small indoor Knick knack type stores. Prices are typical tourist type prices. Also next to it is a coffee and pastry stand but you have to go first and then get in line or get out of line if you have people to hold your place as there's a line to get goodies. 9. Farmhouse is a restaurant on site. Checkout their Yelp. Make reservations as they book up fast. Good for groups. Food imo is average. Standouts were the beet salad, French fries, short rib appetizer, salmon and halibut. They use minimal seasoning at this place so if your health requires less sodium you're good! Get the pan fried crispy skin salmon lol. 10. If you're trying to cut costs there's an El Pollo Loco right as you exit the freeway coming here and before going up the hill to the park. 11. Great holiday thing to do with a large group. Entertainment for most everyone. If you're an outdoorsy, artsy, creative loving, enjoy exercise and family time type, this will be right up your alley!