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.

This review is for the January 2026 Thailand tour…read more What an amazing trip, as we are still talking about it. Supera did an excellent job in showing us the highlights of this beautiful country. We were spoiled and treated like VIPs throughout. Highlights include: Temples - so many Buddhist temples, beautiful and unique. Elephant sanctuary - A highlight! Up close and personal with these majestic creatures. We walked with them, made and fed them medicinal treats. Tuk Tuk tour - a VIP tour of the streets of Chang Mai. So fun and enjoyable. Hotels resorts - beautiful, elegant and top service including massages and buffet breakfasts. Food - Supera goes out of their way to handpick local specialties that most tourists don't know about. The food was unique and delicious. A real treat. Transportation - buses, longboats, flights - all handled for us, including all luggage transfers. Our tour guide Betty Tsai. What a pro! She's the perfect mix of organization and keeping it fun. Her attention to detail kept us moving smoothly through the trip. She even managed to work with the Mandarin Oriental to get me a personal item I accidentally left at the hotel after checkout. Ms A - so cute, with excellent knowledge of Thai culture and history. This was our third Supera tour, and it won't be our last!

My wife and I have been very happy travelers with Supera/Signet tours in the past. But they…read moredemonstrated awesome above-and-beyond customer service for our latest trip to Hokkaido. A family emergency necessitated my cutting my trip short and return to the U. S., and as soon as the tour staff learned of my predicament, they reached out to me and had the return flight arranged for me within 2 hours. I cannot describe how valuable it is not having to find my own flights during that stressful period. They made sure I was taken care of from the hotel taxi all the way to the airport drop off. Many thanks to Roy, Junko, and Eriko for their 5-star customer service! We will be back!

I've been an active member of the LA County arboretum for years and FINALLY got to explore the…read moreinterior of the Queen Anne cottage this holiday season (2025)! The inside is as beautiful as the outside and full of local history. The guides were thoroughly knowledgeable and enthusiastic in discussing the details as we meandered through the cottage - and I especially loved that they were dressed in Victorian era clothing! Elias Jackson Baldwin (aka Lucky Baldwin) was a very prominent figure in this area in the late 1800s. He owned over 13,000 acres here - land that included the present day cities of Arcadia, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Pasadena and San Marino. I always enjoy hearing about history involving Lucky Baldwin because he still technically has an easement on our property and his name is on the title to our house haha! He built this cottage and coach barn in the late 1870s for his 4th wife but apparently they split up not long after they were married so he turned it into a memorial for his 3rd wife who had passed away (drama drama lol). It was then used as a guest house for visitors to the ranch. The cottage is quite opulent with ornate fireplaces, ceilings, and chandeliers, as well as some of the most intricate and colorful stained glass window pieces I've ever seen! I absolutely loved them! They are all original to the house - as well as all the beautiful tile accents in the floors and around the fireplaces. There's some original redwood paneling in the bathroom that you'll also find in the coach barn which is gorgeous and in excellent condition. Unfortunately, Baldwin's daughter who inherited the house after his passing, threw out all their furniture and belongings. So all the other items you see are not original to the house - but are still period appropriate antiques belonging to the era. I believe they do suggest children not do the tour as there are many fragile items in cramped spaces so be aware. The tours are pretty brief as you can only explore the downstairs rooms and there aren't that many - the receiving room/entryway, the music/entertainment room, a small hallway room, a bedroom, bathroom, and the library with butlers pantry. But still definitely worth a visit! The stained glass windows in the library have portraits of Shakespeare and Lord Byron in the glass - those alone are worth going on the tour if you ask me! Several movies and TV shows have been filmed in parts of the cottage as well (of course) - such as Fantasy Island (from the 70s) and even an episode of American Horror Story! The coach barn is always open during garden open hours, but the cottage has been closed as long as I've been visiting (over 5 years now). So when I saw the member email saying they were offering tours, I jumped on it lol! The tours aren't available very often from what I read. So far, they've only offered the tours on weekends during the holiday season starting in November this year and it looks like they are sold out online for the rest of the season. But when I visited, they were offering tickets for tours on site so you may still be able to tour. There are staff in a blue tent outside the cottage to ask when you arrive. Online tickets do include entry into the garden as well, which is worth exploring in its own right - would make for a great day out! If you're at all into Victorian era architecture and culture and the local history, I'd suggest signing up for the arboretum newsletter and keep an eye out for when they offer tours of the cottage.

I have been a member of the LA Arboretum in Arcadia for several years now. There is so much to see…read moreat this garden. I'm sure I haven't seen every cranny of this place as of yet LOL. Never once did I checked out the Queen Anne Cottage, Coach Barn, and Adobe until most recently. The cottage, barn, and adobe are located along side and/or around Baldwin Lake. Cottage was not open for tours at the time so I wasn't able to go inside. I admired its beauty from the outside and walked around its serene and calming perimeter. I did take a peek inside through its windows and snapped a few photos. Funny, I was actually hesitant to take photos of its inside... wasn't sure if an alarm was going to sound off LOL. Whew, no alarm! One thing I found peculiar is how small the bed is. It's not even the size of a full size bed... I think it's in between a twin and full size IMHO. Anyway, I read the cottage didn't even have a kitchen so the meals were prepared at the adobe. I walked around the abode, but didn't peek inside for some reason. I may have the courage to do so next time LOL. I also got a chance to walk inside and through the coach barn. Saw some displays of antique carriage and stuff. There were a few horse stalls. I didn't walk towards them for some reason. I guess the energy didn't call for it at the moment. Maybe I will next time. Be brave Linh! LOL Definitely, a lot of history surrounding the cottage, coach barn, and adobe. If you haven't been at the LA Arboretum or have been and just haven't seen the cottage, barn, and adobe, it's time to make it happen! Go get your cool morning stroll or a sunny afternoon walk or just an evening sit around visit!! I'll see you here...

Here's a sentence that I never thought I'd ever write. Pyrenees Castle made infamous due to…read morelegendary record producer Phil Spector's unique solution to relationship discord and conflict resolution makes for a smashing wedding venue and party space. The homicidal music savant and notable wig aficionado once rambled around this nearly century old French chateau only to see it's lush grounds and mid-century aesthetic launch more than a few happy couples into wedded bliss. I just loved the gestalt of the entire property and applaud any couple brave enough to not settle for the same old, same old wedding factory homogeniety. Five easy stars.

The architecture isn't exactly gothic. It isn't exactly modern. It's more of a mishmash of an…read moreattempt at medieval. Just the same it has an extensive history and is very interesting. Most people will remember this when it was in the media referencing the house that was built in 1925, owned by Phil Spectre & that actress Lama Clarkson was shot in. You cannot access the property it is behind a huge wall. So please do not trespass. But you can get glimpses of it as you drive around its perimeter or head up to higher elevation.

My fiance and I booked a trip to South Korea and Japan last year with Charming Travel Destinations…read more We had the privilege of working with David, who kept in contact with us from the initial booking until we went on our trip. David was amazing! He is very prompt, professional, and helpful, which helped to put our minds at ease taking this tour (which was a first for both us). Our entire trip occurred just as planned. We participated in all of the events/activities planned at the locations on the itinerary listed on their website. If there are any changes, they will email you an updated itinerary or the tour guides will update the tour group the day before or day of. The hotels included in their tour packages were just as described. They were clean, well kept, and cozy. The hotel staff were amazing as well. As stated on their website, some meals are included. A buffet breakfast is usually included with each hotel stay. Lunch and dinner may or may not be included, just double check your itinerary. Our tour guides for both Japan and South Korea were amazing! Han is hilarious, personable, and very knowledgable of both Korean history/culture and American culture/history. Oba-san is very respectful and also very knowledgable of Japanese culture/history. Both were very unique, interesting tour guides that kept our tour group together and entertained. I wouldn't mind booking another trip with Charming Travel Destinations!

I would like to recommend this tour, from the beginning Davis was so nice and He helped us to pick…read moreeverything, David was a very good help. I called him many times and he always answer in a good manner. He always was telling us in detail about this tour. As we arrived to Osaka, our guide Brian was waiting for us. We were very lucky to have him as our guide. He was very professional, nice and responsible. we had a very good time, we were a group of 5 and my husband and my kids enjoy all the tour. The hotels in Osaka and Kyoto were plus, the one in Tokyo was very well located but the room very small, that was the only complain that we have. The tour was very well planed and very organize as we were a big group. Brian always was on top of everything and everyone. All the places that we went were the main places to know. Thank youDavie and Brian, We hope that you will get a kudos for you job as it was very well done, above we were expecting.

Came here with the family on my duaghters suggestion since they did a field trip to the place…read moreduring the week. Lived in Whittier the last 10 years or so and never bothered. Its free to visit, and you get a guided tour of the house. Very interesting and fascinating. The people giving the tours are well versed with the history of the house. Open certain days, so check the schedule.

Would you expect a relic of the past next to a 1980s apartment building?!…read more This old house is a Time Machine, leaving the modern world behind for a moment. It brings you back to an era when, according to a story our docent told us, the couple living here would signal to their daughter living in downtown LA... that they needed help, by hanging a white sheet in the tree on their backyard! Before phones before internet before anything I can even imagine. It's a cool place, leaving you imagining what life was like in early colonizer times in LA.

JUST AMAZING tour with docents who not only give details but actually care about the property…read more I was lucky to get a spot the day before. 100 out of 10 Oh and the bookstore shop is a must

If I just say "Gamble," that may not mean much. But if I say "Procter & Gamble," now you have a…read morebetter idea who these people were and how much money they had. I can almost guarantee the company makes many of the products you buy all the time. The Gamble House in Pasadena is an architectural (Craftsman) gem. If you want to go inside, you need to book a guided tour. Book your tour well in advance or you will likely get shut out. We saw it happen. There are multiple tour choices but the basic option is a one hour docent-led one. I highly recommend it. The docents are passionate about this property and it shows. By the way, if you don't want to spring for a tour (or you get shut out), you can still walk around the porch and/or the grounds for free. You don't have to be an architect or a design junkie to appreciate the tour. If you like style, or even history, you will enjoy the experience. (Or maybe you are a "Back to the Future" fan; yes, the exterior was shown in the movie.) And it is only a one hour tour, after all. The exterior is gorgeous but the interior is beautiful, too. The lighting, furniture, materials, and just the colors are lovely. For a home that was built about 115 years ago, it is in remarkable condition. It is well worth visiting.

Blaze Lovejoy was a wonderful tour guide on our OJ Simpson/Menendez tour, very kind, knowledgeable,…read moreand entertaining. This is a really cool way to see the swanky areas of LA and get some history along the way. The ride was cool & comfortable in a vintage funeral limo!

I booked this tour with Grave line for my husband's birthday because he loves true crime, and it…read moreended up being the perfect gift! Our guide, Ansley, was respectful, knowledgeable, approachable, and friendly. She really brought the stories to life and made everyone feel comfortable asking questions. The vintage funeral car was such a cool and fitting touch for the Manson Family Murders Tour (and the main reason why I booked the tour). About 80% of the experience was spent in the car, which was cozy and gave us plenty of time to soak in the history while listening to music from the era. Including Manson, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles, to name a few. We also made three stops along the way to get out, take photos, and see key locations up close. As a mortician, the experience carried an extra layer of meaning. I actually helped funeral direct the service for the LaBiancas' granddaughter (who had the same fate as her grandparents). So hearing and seeing this history firsthand felt deeply personal and surreal. If you're into true crime or Los Angeles history, this tour is an absolute must. Graveliners and Ansley made the experience both educational and unforgettable. We loved every minute!

Signed up for a haunted walking tour at night. My group was the only one that signed up for that…read morenight so we got to choose our own walking pace. We went through mostly old town Pasadena. The guide, I forgot her name, was wonderful and knowledgeable. I've lived in the area most of my life and learned a lot about Pasadena's history during the tour. Was hard to hear at some points because of the cars passing by. It did run a bit long so be aware if you get tired early like me. Overall great experience.

Last weekend we enjoyed an amazing tour of Pasadena's Saloons and Speakeasies. This tour was very…read morewell researched; and the tour guide, Julia, presented two hours of fascinating tidbits about the history of pre-and-post Prohibition drinking establishments in Pasadena. The walking was easily paced, and covered a lot of different locations. Julia provided lots of historical photos on her iPad that supplemented what she was telling us, which made the tour that much better. Most of the tour guests were from Pasadena, which goes to show how much we can still learn about our beautiful city's history. I would highly recommend this tour; and you can find out how The Blind Donkey on Union Street owes its name to this interesting period in our history.