Set in Orange County and just 30 miles from LA (via CA-60 E), Brea is a small Californian town that offers an array of things to see and do. Downtown Brea is a popular dining, entertainment and shopping district with a vibrant mix of trendy restaurants and outdoor cafés. There is a choice of movie theaters, comedy clubs, art galleries, museums, and several community parks and golf courses.
Go hiking in Carbon Canyon Park
Carbon Canyon Park is a 124-acre regional park in Brea that was created after the Carbon Canyon Creek was dammed and links up with Chino Hills State Park on the East side. The park features an array of attractions, including large grassy areas for picnicking, four playgrounds with climbers, swings, and ride-on spring toys, a Butterfly Garden, tennis courts and other sports facilities, and a beautiful four-acre lake with two piers in which fishing and water sports can be enjoyed. There are also several hiking and biking trails that lead to three acres of majestic Coastal Redwoods, Orange County's only grove of redwoods.
Learn about local history at Brea Museum & Historical Society for FREE
The Brea Museum & Historical Society, founded in 1971, collects, preserves, and displays the heritage and history of the City of Brea. Through educational programs, research studies, exhibitions, and workshops, the Museum continues to document and promote Brea’s unique contribution to an ever-changing world. Located in historic City Hall Park the Museum maintains a research archive, reference library and a spectacular collection of artifacts, photographs, and manuscripts that tell the story of Brea’s unique history. Admission and parking are free.
495 S Brea Blvd, Brea, CA 92821, Phone: 714-256-2283
Stroll through the rose garden at Brea City Hall Park
Designed by architect Allen Routt, Brea City Hall Park is home to the Brea City Hall, which was built in 1928 in a combination of Art Deco and Spanish Colonial Revival styles and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located on Brea Boulevard, the park also features a 25-meter municipal pool - one of the oldest swimming pools in California, a rose garden, playground, and basketball court, as well as beautifully manicured grassy lawns and trees.
Bike along the trails of Chino Hills State Park
Chino Hills State Park is a state park located in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains known as the Chino Hills. The park is a primary botanical habitat reserve for resident and migrating wildlife and a critical link in the Chino–Puente Hills wildlife corridor. The park features numerous hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails along ridge tops and through valleys of woodlands, grasslands, and sage scrub, as well as over 60 miles of fire roads, all of which offer excellent opportunities for discovering the local fauna and flora. Facilities in the park include camping sites and picnic areas, a historic barn, an equestrian staging area and corrals, drinking water fountains and restrooms.
Do some shopping at Brea Mall
The Brea Mall is a large shopping mall in downtown Brea with over 1,310,000 square feet of space and over 100 specialty shops and boutiques, including several brand stores.
See a comedy show at Improv Brea
Improv Brea is a favorite comedy club that hosts renowned traditional comedy shows with regular comedians and newcomers, as well as musical performances, plays, TV shows, and other entertainment. Located in Brea Downtown, Improv Brea, the 528-seat theater features two restaurants, an American-style restaurant and bar called Copper Blues that serves prime steaks, fresh seafood and other American fare in an upscale setting.
See an exhibition at the Brea Art Gallery
The Brea Art Gallery is a 6,000 square foot exhibition space that celebrates artworks from around the world. Located in the Brea Civic and Cultural Center on Civic Center Circle, the contemporary area presents four significant exhibitions throughout the year of inspiring works by regional and international artists. The Brea Art Gallery is renowned for its world-class Art in Public Places Program, which features over 163 sculptures throughout the city. The gallery has a gift shop selling artworks, souvenirs, books, and other art-related items and is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Enjoy a meal at the Cedar Creek Inn
The Cedar Creek Inn is a warm and welcoming Craftsman-style eatery on Pointe Drive that serves fresh seafood, prime steaks and burgers, and signature desserts in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant features a comfortable main dining room, as well as a private dining for functions and events, and a lovely covered patio for alfresco dining or special celebrations. The Cedar Creek Inn is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
