Visitation Rights: Have been coming to this place many times to either study, enjoy a couple of…read morecoffee, eat, and people watch. Locaton: Old Town Monrovia is centered around Myrtle Avenue, extending roughly from Foothill Boulevard (Route 66) north to Olive Avenue south, and from Ivy Avenue east to Primrose Avenue west, encompassing about ten blocks The area's heart is Myrtle Avenue, where you'll find many of its key businesses, with Foothill (Route 66) as a major north-south boundary. Parking: Located between Foothill Blvd and Parking can be found along Myrtle Ave, in nearby public parking lots parking structures, and in the residential. FREE PARKING! You can also park in the shared parking lot on the SW corner of Foothill and Myrtle. Just walk down Myrtle Ave.. Ambiance/Decor: You'll find a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere perfect for browsing, dining, enjoying coffee, catching a movie, or just strolling, with close proximity to hiking trails in the nearby foothills. You can also find a statue Samson the Hot Tub Bear Festivities For All Of Us: They have a lot of activities for the locals and out of towners through out the year. -Friday Night Street Fair & Market -Valentine's Day Carriage Rides -Spring Egg Hunt & Healthy Kids Day -Monrovia Old Town Wine Walk -Monrovia Days Community Festival -4th of July Fireworks Show & Concert -Summer Concerts & Movies in the Park -Fountain to the Falls Run/Walk 10K -Old Town Fall Festival -Halloween Spooktacular and Trick-or-Treat Bash -Thankful & Grateful Holiday Gathering -Holiday Parade -Holiday Home Decorating Contest -Santa Tours If you want more info, you can visit the city's website: https://www.monroviaca.gov/your-government/recreation/special-events#ad-image-0 Business/Shops: In old town Monrovia, you'll see a blend of mom and pop shops and restaurants. The shops that I've patronize through out the years are: Merengue, El Diablo, Grey and Cash, Jake's Roadhouse, Mikomi, Tacos and Papas, and Charlie's House. Old Town For Thought: If you want a quick getaway from reality, this town is for you.

Monrovia is a beautiful hillside town located in the San Gabriel Valley. On occasion I visit and on…read morea recent Friday evening I was surprised to find that the town has a large night market with local vendors, entertainment, shops, and artists offering handmade goods. A must visit! Peaceful, quaint environment with a small town vibe, and California appeal.

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.

I love Surfside Murals. I asked for a mural in a child's bedroom and they did a great job…read more Their prices are super reasonable and the quality of their work was perfection. I will use them again. The mural they made is just ever so lovely. The service from the phone call to the work to the billing was all great. You should try these guys out. You will be so happy.

From the owner: Transform your walls with Surfside Hand Painted Murals and digital style gradient walls (ombré…read morewall, mesh and aurora gradient s — custom interior & exterior mural painting for every style, every space, and every vision. We create high-end murals for homes, businesses, architects, and interior designers across Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and up to Santa Barbara. At Surfside Murals, we handle all types of mural art, including: • Illustration, abstract, landscapes, animals, children’s themes • Minimalist, geometric, portrait, cartoon, pop art • Surrealism, impressionism, expressionism, graffiti, and more We specialize in acrylic-painted murals, and we’re happy to work with mixed materials like wood, texture elements, and custom artistic additions to match your design vision. Our services include: • Interior & exterior murals • Residential & commercial projects • Design sketching + full concept development • Wall prep for clean, long-lasting finishes If you’re looking to elevate a home, storefront, restaurant, office, studio, school, or public space — we deliver clean, detailed, professional mural work that stands out. Serving Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, Ventura County, and Santa Barbara. Let’s bring your vision to the wall — contact Surfside Murals today for a free consultation.

Street Rods Forever is a car meet that happens annually. At least for the past 4 years or so,…read morethey've met in Old Town Monrovia,on Myrtle between Olive & Lime. Streets are blocked off to traffic. Owners arrive & park at their "spots" between 7am - 9am. Then it's open to the public. Here, you'll see around 200 classic, street rods, rare restored cars and many believed to be one of a kind. This event is different from all other car shows I've been to, as in the cars on display had clocked many hours of labor & restoration, brilliant body kits and some talent to get them to this customized finish. You will not see mass produced rice rockets or Italian imports. To me, these are works of art. Some of these engines roar to life louder than Lamborghinis. The annual "Street Rods Forever" usually meets in early September. Some owners are approachable and like to talk about their cars. You can hear some fun stories or learn some history. This is a fun experience for guys, girls or families. I call this a car meet (instead of car show) because: 1) free entry. 2) no vendors aggressively pitching their junk. 3) no models walking arounf promoting vapes 4) no car maker respresentation, all owners. All that makes this event more relaxed, and you have access to plenty of restaurants & cafes to take a break. As these events are once a year, anyone interested should mark this on their calendars for next year (2014) or check out their website to learn more. Tips: * Easy parking within a block away. Free lots are nearby but check time limits. Ample street parking, but reduced during event peak, around noon. * Public park nearby in front of the library, and if you bring the kids...there's a playground behind library * No need to bring food, there's plenty of places to choose from * Check weather, Valley weather can get hot so bring sunscreen Thoughts: * City or car club should promote this much more to draw bigger crowds. Good for the local economy, and more people to admire the owners' cars.

They're going to meet every Saturday in the evening great family adventure and look at old cars …read more walk down memory lane listen to the hot rods they all roar. See what a real cars are made from. beautiful work they all have done to their cars. Worth seeing.

Ran in to get a few slices and try the Zucotto. The inside looked nice and I'll have to try a slice…read morethere next time. Using the order online process was easy and so was pickup. I didn't quite know where to park so more info about that would be helpful, but I didn't get a ticket so ‍ Can't wait to go back!

What I ordered * Corn Pizza…read more* Spinach pesto pizza * Mushroom pizza * House-made meatballs * Zucotto cake I'd never heard of cornmeal pizza before and couldn't imagine how it would taste, but it turned out to be amazing! The crust is very unique. I definitely recommend trying their Corn Pizza! The house-made meatball is good, but honestly, I would rather spend my calories on more pizza. Zelo 328 E Foothill Blvd, Arcadia, CA 91006 Street parking

Holy crap I've been transported to Italy…read more Right as we were walking up, Chef Fabrizio greeted us with the warmest smile and gave us such a magical dinner experience. I was celebrating my birthday with two of my favorite people and every bite of food was excellent. We ordered the lasagna, genovese, and a vegetarian butter and sage pasta. Being a huge meat lover, I did not expect the vegetarian dish to TASTE SO GOOD! But that was a banger! All the cocktail drinks we ordered too was dangerously delicious. You can barely taste the alcohol. We got to chat with the chef and learn more about his story and you can tell he cooked every dish with love. Our server Claude was incredible too and answered all our questions about dishes he recommended. I can't wait to come back!

Wow. There needs to be a six-star option because everything about Grano is next level. From the…read moredecedent service, to the exquisite flavors and freshness of their pastas- we cannot get enough of Grano! To start- the service is top tier with their servers and hosts not only being incredibly helpful and informative- but genuinely friendly and nice. The wine and food menu are top tier, with a handful of specials that were definitely worth recommending. Our favorites (although everything was great) were the focaccia board - the honey/pear combo, prosciutto, and the homemade focaccia were so great! For entrees- the squid ink pasta with scallops and truffle pasta with sausage were our favorites. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Lobster Linguine! We can't wait to come back and enjoy more of their food- next up to try is their pizza. Also, I think they book up fast so definitely call ahead for a table! We were lucky our two visits that we were able to get something due to change in schedules. Thank you Grano Italian for the grand experience. We will be back for more!

I'm at the Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch. I ordered the…read morelunch special, the Garlic Shrimp Alfredo, but I asked if they could substitute grilled chicken instead of shrimp. It comes with a side salad, their famous sourdough bread, and I got a strawberry lemonade to drink. Excellent customer service! Erick was my server, and he was friendly, welcoming, and very knowledgeable about the menu and the history behind the restaurant. The restaurant is beautiful inside, and the food is authentic and absolutely delicious! And don't leave without trying the spumoni ice cream .... It's the best! I had a wonderful experience and will definitely be coming back. If you're ever in the area, come check this place out. I highly recommend it!

First time eat at this OSF location. Very classic interiors…read morewith a railway car are eye catching , great service, good food. My husband and I enjoy our food and experience eating inside the railway car. Our waitress very friendly, always check what we need, food come out fast, everything seem smooth and good vibes Definitely come back again

pricey but generous portions…read more good service. inside too dark for me. even with table lamps which took up table space. if you like it so dark you can barely see what's on your plate, go with it. they do have patio seating where you can see your food. I'll go with patio seating if I go back.

My childhood GFs and I wanted a place to take our time over a good meal and catch up on life. We…read morewere there for almost 3 hours and never felt rushed with the patient, attentive, and amazing service from Valentin. On top of good food that is reasonably priced, service with friendly, witty banter is icing on the cake. This was my first time coming here and I will definitely be a regular.

This is an excellent company and I'm so happy with my decision…read more Let me start by saying this is the first time I've hired a muralist and I am also a first time father. This was important to me. Jeanine took the time to listen to what I was looking for and suggested a few things to help grow my idea. I loved that. She came over and was so kind and really took time to understand this was more than just a job; this was something my kid is going to grow up with. She took measurements, and even took color swatches of the carpet and furniture to make sure we matched the color palette! She quickly mocked something up and a few days later I had a photoshopped mockup for approval. Once we approved it we setup a date and I paid the deposit. Marcus was the artist that was assigned to this project. He was so kind and wonderful in my home. He let my wife and I peek and see progress, and would check in with me if he had any questions. He's a really talented artist and executed my vision faithfully. At the end of the day my wife cried (with joy), we have our incredible mural and I couldn't recommend this company enough. Really pleased with how it turned out and I will be calling them again for my next mural or art project.

The mural in our dining room by Hattas Studios is the absolute HIGHLIGHT of our home. Jeanine and…read moreher team took a few ideas we had and turned it into an absolute DREAM. There is not a person who comes into our house who does not remark on how beautiful it is. We documented the process on our TikTok @Living_in_History if anyone would like to check it out to see how they work. The design team is incredible at what they do. The muralists they send are such professionals, so talented, and a joy to have had in our house. They are extremely tidy while they work, and I just have nothing but positive things to say.

Excellent pizza. Right combination of cheese and sauce, fresh veggies on the veggie pizza, meat…read morelovers delicious. Nice staff seating for family but not too many table. Get it while you can.

Man, the Pizza is not as good as it used to be back in the days when I lived here. I love their…read moreAnPasta Salads and all. Their Lasagna is good too, but the service kind of suck here. Sorry I have to give bad Yelps to places I never had problems with until now.