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.

COVID-19: Social distancing is not enforced at this event. Some of the staff wears a mask. All…read morevisitors are not expected to wear a mask. It's optional now. There are some hand sanitizers available for visitors to use. This place is open and available with no limited capacity. They are not sanitizing in between visitors. I mention these things in my reviews for the sake of protecting immunocompromised people like the elderly and people sick with cancer and other illnesses. COVID-19 Vaccination Proof: This event currently does not require proof of vaccination. While I was here several months ago, I asked if they had any special offers and they weren't offering any at the moment. They also do not allow pets in their event UNLESS it's a service animal. Parking: The parking lot for this establishment is pretty massive. When you enter the grounds, turn left. There you will be directed to pay for parking ($15 for regular cars - general parking, $30 for VIP parking, $23 for RVs and limos, and $38 for buses) and where to park. As mentioned by my excellent buddy, Justin, parking for handicapped individuals freaking suck. Whoever organized this event sucks. Handicapped parking is in lot 3, which is hella far away from the event. You would think it would be much closer to the event, but noooooo. Some idiot organized it to be like this. Why?!?! Please make the entrance closer to the handicapped parking lot in the future. That would make a lot of sense. They take cash and credit cards. Event: The festival offers immersive 14 - 17 century Elizabethan-era entertainment, jousting tournaments, artisanal shopping, and medieval food like turkey legs. The event itself was very fun and entertaining. I had a great time with my close friend. I highly encourage anyone who attends to dress up. If you don't, you will stick out like a very sore and ugly thumb. If you do dress up, costume weapons must be sheathed and peace tied. Also, wear comfy shoes. There is soooooo much walking. It's also hella dusty at this event, which is lowkey on point with ye - old England. To add on, when Justin and I attended this event in mid May, the weather was soooo on point because it was gloomy and overcast. This is exactly how I imagined old timey England during the renaissance. You can absolutely bring food and drinks into the event, but they cannot be picnic food, food that requires heating or refrigeration, alcohol, anything in glass containers, and coolers. You can bring water, but it cannot be opened yet. Or you can bring an empty reusable water bottle for it to be filled up at the event. There are plenty of bathrooms (porta potties and hand washing stations) at this event. Note: While at the event, we didn't see any refillable water bottle stations. Where were they hiding? Food: My bestie and I got the tri tip sandwich and french fries. Honestly, coming into this event, I already knew that the food was gonna be mid. Lmao I had low expectations for the food because I wasn't really there for the food. Plus, I guess this was also kinda lowkey on point with the renaissance era in England because food in that time period was also mid. Lol I was primarily there for the medieval vibes and jousting, which delivered in spades. I would honestly go every year just for the medieval vibes and jousting. Screw the food there. Anyways, the tri tip sandwich was overly priced with a meager amount of meat in the sandwich in a sad ass hot dog bun. It was more of a sad- wich. This is why I removed one star. Flavor wise, it was okay. My friend knows that I'm not the biggest fan of anything BBQ, but I'll eat it anyways. The fries that we got were plentiful for the price point and it was very crunchy. I was disappointed when it wasn't really salted, which made it taste bland TBH. I should also note that the tri tip sandwich and fries were cold by the time we sat down and ate them because we spent like 10 - 15 minutes walking around and finding a place to eat. Don't be like us. Eat your food while it's hot. Staff: The staff here are very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. They accept both cash and credit cards. There is no credit card minimum. Still, cash is king at this event. Many vendors only take cash, so bring at least $100 per person.

One of my favorite places to go! Came on a day where the weather was nice and got a good spot for…read moreall the shows. The event is rain or shine, so bring sunscreen and umbrellas. The only thing I wish would improve is bringing back more craftsmen. A lot of jewelry vendors do drop shipping now, so if you're looking for one of a kind or good jewelry, you have to watch out and be careful.

Been a resident of Monrovia for over 15 years, and I was surprised to find out there's a local…read moremuseum dedicated to its history. Monrovia is actually one of the older cities in Los Angeles County, founded in the late 1800s and known for its charming Old Town and foothill setting. The Monrovia Historical Museum was very impressive--packed with history about the city. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and you can easily spend a good amount of time here learning about Monrovia's early days, including its development, transportation (like the old rail systems), architecture, and everyday life back then. There are a lot of interesting artifacts, photos, and exhibits that really bring the city's past to life. It gave me a whole new appreciation for a place I've lived in for so long.

Always pasted this museum and finally stopped by. Wasn't expecting it to be as big as it was. Lots…read moreto see! Awesome people to help you along and explain.

5 star service! 5 star food! 5 star sightseeing! 5 star hotels!…read more If you want to enjoy your trip without any worries, signet is your choice.

Went to Vietnam for 9days. Excellent tour guide, 5stars…read morehotels. wonderful food. Trip arrangements were suit for the weather.

The stop is located in an odd area with not much around but it is well maintained and clean. We…read morewere on our bicycle out for a Sunday Funday ride.

This is the go to spot for those who are venturing in to the city via gold line for a day or…read morelooking to take the metro on the weekend. This is the furthest stop from LA on the azusa side of the gold line that does not charge for parking or require a monthly pass. The lot fills up quickly but there is lots of parking in the surrounding area. The area is safe, and you don't have to worry about the hustle and bustle you might find at more frequented metro stops. Nestled next to City of Hope near the 210/605 freeways, access is easy and the place is both clean and well lit at night. I may or may not be on the gold line as I am writing this review, and I may or may not have just had a tasty saison at imperial western, the new brewery in union station. This may have inspired me to write about a metro station, pulling out the emotions and opinions I have held for quite some time.

California should more than five stars. We got movie stars, Hollywood, walk of fame, Malibu,…read morehasselhoff.

This place was so amazing great place to get close to ostrich. The own himself gave my family a…read moreprivate tour it was so informative and all the details he gave us have me so amazed. The location it self it's beautiful near mountains. They also have restrooms and playground for kids. They also have little shop they sell ostrich eggs which are huge and they even have home made honey. Amazing place would definitely be going back!!

Such a great little place! We did a tour in the morning with five kids under 7, and the gentleman…read moregiving the tour was so accommodating to antsy little bodies needing to move around. I'm so sorry I didn't catch his name, but he was very knowledgeable and so kind. I'll absolutely be recommending Quail Run Ranch to every one!

This is the trail if you're looking for a crazy non stop incline. The entire trail is a 11 mile…read moreround trip. There are some parts that are gravelly. Be very careful to avoid injury. Should wear hiking shoes with traction. There's no shade so make sure you bring a hat and wear lots of sunscreen. Insect spray and net are high recommended. You will see army of Gnats flying everywhere. You will hit 3500+ elevation and it's a great trail for if you want to build that leg muscle and burn more calories. Pretty straight forward trail just one way up you will see a split when you're near the top. Make sure you make a right and a quick left if you're going towards mount bliss. Parking: I usually park at Encanto Park and walk towards the trail, about half a mile down.

Great hike since the beginning straight to business I would recommend to try this hike bring lots…read moreof water

Love love love. Must see during Christmas We loved it so…read moremuch, we brought my mother in law. It's a short walk (or drive, just drive slow for the sake of other pedestrians) and you get to take in the magic.

I love taking my kids, it's great! I love their cow theme Christmas! You can drive around in your…read morecar or park and walk around.

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.