Arcadia is one of the most diverse cities in Southern California and is home to a number of sights, attractions, and restaurants that reflect that. No visit to Arcadia is complete without a visit to the Santa Anita Race Park - a thoroughbred race track which the area has become renowned for.
Santa Anita Race Park
Situated against the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, the Santa Anita Race Park is one of the most beautiful thoroughbred flat race tracks in the world. Depending on when you’re there, you may be able to attend one of the many prestigious events which are held there such as the Santa Anita Handicap, Santa Anita Derby, and the Breeders’ Cup. Dine on a delicious meal at the Frontrunner Restaurant with its seasonally revolving menu as you watch the races from the glass-wall windows set above the track; they also have a 215-foot long bar, making it the perfect place for drinks during any event.
285 Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007, Phone: 626-574-7223
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Spanning over 127 acres, the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is a historical site which can be found amidst the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The arboretum was founded in 1947 and the first greenhouse was constructed within two years. Their collection started with the planting of 1,000 trees and soon expanded to including a Tropical Greenhouse and Jungle Garden, both of which are still available to explore today. A walk through the gardens will give you an in-depth look at all of their plants, which are grouped by geographical region; other displays include the Native Oaks, the Aquatic Garden, and the Palm and Bamboo collection.
301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007, Phone: 626-821-3222
Angeles National Forest
Angeles National Forest can be found in Arcadia within the Sierra Pelona Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains. The national forest, which is now a California Historical Landmark, was established in 1908 and comprises over 655,000 acres. You can spend your time hiking or mountain biking through the many trails and exploring the five designated wilderness areas: Cucamonga Wilderness, Magic Mountain Wilderness, Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness, San Gabriel Wilderness, and Sheep Mountain Wilderness. Other aspects include several designated picnic areas, manicured campgrounds, and wonderful ski areas which are open to the public in the winter.
701 N. Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006, Phone: 626-574-1613
Arcadia Performing Art Center
The Arcadia Performing Art Center is a performance and event venue in Arcadia, California. Established in 2012, it is the busiest performing arts center in Pasadena and the entire San Gabriel Valley. The modern 40,000-square-foot venue includes a modern concert hall that can accommodate 1,153 guests and an intimate black box theatre for 125 guests. Acting as the hub for funding for school arts education, the center is located at the 65-year-old Arcadia High School, known for some famous arts alumni such as star of Sound of Music Debbie Turner, hip-hop music producer Scoop DeVille, and many others. The center presents world-class performances as well as emerging acts for diverse audiences, with the goal of making great art accessible to as many people as possible.
188 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007, Phone: 626-821-1781
Jump 'n Jammin
Jump 'n Jammin is an indoor kids’ play center that is filled with all sorts of slides, obstacle courses, climbing walls, and other activities that are suitable for kids of all ages. The multi-level play structures are mind-blowing and vary from tubes and barrel rolls to giant slides and an exploding foam ball volcano. Even toddlers have a play area all their own, to ensure that kids of each age group have designated activity areas that are suitable for them. Parents are urged to stay and participate with their kids in the open area, but a specific J-Care facility is available for those who want to drop off theirs kids aged three to twelve for interactive childcare services for up to four hours.
400 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007, Phone: 626-821-9120
Wilderness Park
Wilderness Park is a serene and peaceful oasis that comprises grassy fields, a nature center, designated picnicking areas, and vast hiking trails. It’s a wonderful place to relax and unwind, whether you choose to go on a solo exploration or enjoy the surroundings with friends and family. The nature center is home to many animals which visitors of all ages can enjoy, while the park’s pond is popular with residents and visitors as a place to meditate. Other features and facilities include guided nature walks, event use, overnight camping, and merit badge classes such as first aid, emergency preparedness, and environmental science in line with the Boy Scouts.
2240 Highland Oaks Dr, Arcadia, CA 91006, Phone: 626-355-5309
The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage
The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage is committed to collecting, preserving, and sharing Arcadia’s history through a number of exhibits and programs which bring the community together. The museum has been around since 2001 and has several artifacts and artworks which represent the local people and the culture they comprise. The main gallery has exhibits of Arcadia’s history in chronological order, starting from the Native Americans who are indigenous to Arcadia and working its way through to the early American period. You’ll also be able to explore permanent spaces dedicated to Santa Anita Park, famous Arcadians, and Arcadia in the movies.
380 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007, Phone: 626-574-5440
Santa Anita Golf Course
Though it may not have always been named the Santa Anita Golf Course, the 185 acres which the course was built on has always been used for some form of recreation. The land was originally a part of the “Lucky” Baldwin Ranch and has a history which dates back to it being a camping site for Native Americans, a horse race track, and a balloon school for the U.S. Army Air Service. The golf courses were introduced in 1938 and continues to be one of the most beautifully maintained greens in the area. Golfers of all skill levels will find the landscape to be varied, challenging, and fun as they take a swing while enjoying views of the San Gabriel Mountains.
405 S Santa Anita Ave, Arcadia, CA 91006, Phone: 626-447-7156
The Derby
The Derby is one of Arcadia’s most sophisticated restaurants and has been serving fine foods such as mouthwatering seafood and steak to the area’s residents and visitors since 1922. The award-winning upscale dining establishment has an extensive lunch and dinner menu with a few of the popular favorites being chicken parmesan, the Atlantic salmon filet, and slow roasted prime rib. Due to its close proximity to the racetrack, the Derby restaurant has attracted many racing celebrities and enthusiasts over the years. This has allowed them to expand their constantly growing collection of racing memorabilia which you can see displayed on their walls.
233 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91006, Phone: 626-447-2430
Matt Dennys Ale House
Matt Dennys Ale House is a welcoming, family-friendly restaurant and pub that boasts an extensive collection of beers from all around the world. It’s a great place to sample a number of independently brewed beers, many of which are local, and to pair them with delicious meals for lunch and dinner. They offer salads, sandwiches, pasta, smoked meats, steaks, ribs, chicken, and seafood - all of which are accompanied or seasoned with dressings, sauces, and rubs which are made in-house from homemade recipes. Some of the house specialties which you should try include the Guinness pot pie, the chicken marsala, and their Ensenada fish tacos which are filled with their special beer-battered cod.
3212, 145 Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91006, Phone: 626-462-0250
Queen Anne Cottage and Coach Barn
Situated on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, the Queen Anne Cottage and Coach Barn comprises a stunning set of buildings which have a distinct Victorian style. The cottage and barn, which are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, were erected between the 1870s and 1890s. You’ll be able to see the well-preserved example of Queen Anne Style architecture which the structures exude. Public walking tours through the cottage and coach barn will give you insight into the Albert A. Bennett, the architect, and the history of the buildings.
107 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
Mt. Lowe Brewing Co.
The Mt. Lowe Brewing Co. finds its beginnings in 2010 when a few friends came together to start brewing beer at home in pursuit of a perfect, unique, and precise brew. Fast forward four years later in 2014, the Mt. Lowe Brewing Company was officially opened. Built with a clear vision of being different, the brewery procures its ingredients with very precise attention to detail. Only ingredients that pass through their stringent standards can make it into a brew, a fact that lends itself to the success of the brewery. Visitors are welcome to drop by to sample their beers on tap with classic offerings like the Bungalow Blonde, The Hills Have IPA, and The Thaddeus. Guests can also try crowd favorites such as the Inspiration Porter and the La Michelada.
150 E. Saint Joseph Street, Arcadia, California 91006, Phone: 626-244-7593
Funbox
If you’ve ever loved bouncy castles, Funbox takes it to a whole other level! Brought to life by a team of fun-loving artists, engineers, designers, and dreamers, Funbox is a never-before-seen entertainment and amusement center that takes the bouncy castle experience and elevates it to a humongous bounce park. As the world’s largest bounce park, Funbox features an outdoor and indoor location. The outdoor park has a huge network of bounce activities like an obstacle course, mountain challenge, and even a ninja wall. Meanwhile, the indoor park has a Gumball Gallop, Battle Beams, a 23-foot slide, and another amazing obstacle course to bounce through.
The Shops at Santa Anita, 400 S. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, California 91007, Phone: 626-317-5150
Dave and Busters
Filled with more games and state-of-the-art entertainment features than ever before, Dave and Busters is your one-stop-shop for mouthwatering food, refreshing beverages, and an endless amount of fun. First opened in the 1970s, Dave and Busters started as separate establishments when Buster opened a popular restaurant and Dave started an entertainment and game center. Together, the two opened their first store in Dallas in 1982 and have today grown into over 140 locations. Dave and Busters offer guests the use of their huge arcade, a virtual reality area, billiards tables, and the Dave and Busters World. For sports fans, Dave and Busters also have incredible sports bars where friends and families can come for the best sports viewing experiences in town.
400 S. Baldwin Avenue Suite 930-U, Arcadia, California, Phone: 626-802-6115
Bowlero
Bowlero welcomes people from near and far to come for a fantastic night of bowling, drinking, eating, and even hitting the arcade at their welcoming 35-lane bowling center. Featuring a retro-themed alley, Bowlero is great for friends who want to enjoy an action-packed night out. Bowlero’s bowling alley features a soft lounge seat, HD video walls, and black lights for a fun experience. Meanwhile, Bowlero also has a deluxe arcade packed with the most innovative games in the industry. For guests who want to kick back and relax with a great drink while tuning into live sports games on huge HD TVs, they can head to Bowlero’s Sports Bar.
400 South Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, California 91007, Phone: 626-264-9750
