I spent the day there with my sister who just turned 86. I hadn't been there since I was a young…read moregirl and didn't remember the challenging hills, probably because they weren't challenging to me then. Pushing my sister in a wheel chair was good exercise for me but thank goodness for the golf cart people who were so kind and gave us rides to wherever we wanted to go. We got to see much more than we would have without them. Our lunch was so tasty at the 1919 Cafe, and even enjoyed a glass of wine on the patio. It was a wonderful day. The Museum and gardens where beautiful and inspiring!

To be perfectly honest, if you were to ask me how to describe/explain what The Huntington has to…read moreoffer, I wouldn't even know where to start - quite literally. When I've told friends and family about this place, I've almost always been at a loss for words because there is just so much to detail. And yet, if/when they ask me if it's worth checking out, the answer comes out quick, clean, and clear - absolutely! Sitting on what is/was the Huntington family's estate, this place is very impressive. Within their expansive, palatial grounds, there's a library, multiple art galleries and museums, several botanical gardens, a conservatory, a research center, an educational center, a Japanese heritage house (Shoya House), a tea room, a Chinese restaurant, a milk tea shop, numerous smaller gardens, and so much more. What's more, each of those museums, galleries, and gardens are distinctly different from each other - galleries and exhibits featuring American, British/European, and Asian artwork, a Japanese garden, a Chinese garden, a desert garden, a rose garden, a bonsai garden, a California garden...and the list goes on. Despite having spent the better part of a day walking around and exploring the grounds, I'm pretty sure we only managed to get through roughly half of what there is to see here. Of the ones we did make it through, my favorites were the Chinese and Japanese gardens, as they felt the most tranquil and offered the most shade of all of the gardens we saw. Not to mention the fact that we ended up spending a lot of time here before and after stopping in for lunch at the Jade Court Cafe in the Chinese garden. Among the galleries, I also enjoyed walking through the Huntington's Art Gallery, which seemed to hold most of the oldest American and European pieces, as well as historical info about the Huntingtons themselves. Given how much there is to see here, The Huntington is worth the price of admission, even if it does appear to be a little hefty ($34 for adults, with discounted rates available for seniors, students, military, and kids). They do offer free admission on the first Thursday of each month as well, but you'll need to claim tickets in advance starting the Thursday before. Also, if you're short on time, the visitor center has a list of highlights and suggested itineraries, but you'll inevitably miss out on a lot to see. Whenever you do come here, though, even if it's just to go to their tea room, make sure to bring sunscreen and wear some comfortable shoes, as you'll end up doing plenty of walking outdoors. They do have a tram that circles loops around the grounds, but you'll still have to walk from the stop to wherever you want to go. Just make sure to stop and smell the many flowers along the way!

we love going to these little pop-up stuff that we see on social media or on Google and everything…read moreand this time we went to bubble world in Montebello. It wasn't that far of a drive for us and parking. There was a lot of parking and it was free and I believe you had to purchase your times to go and you wait in line and then you also have to sign like a waiver or something We love seeing all these high technology and everything. It was so cool so much opportunities for photos and a lot of things to do with your kids and they seem super entertained. I think we went in and it took probably a good hour or so to see everything and do everything so if you were ever in the area, then totally check it out just kidding. The exhibit was closed now LOL

Was not impressed. At all…read more Not worth the price and people are gross. The workers do not do their job either. Of course, the place is already quite dirty as it is, especially since it's closing soon. Some of the rooms were cool. I like the balloon room and the lights, but some people should really read the rules. First off, this family blocked the stairway to get in. And one of the family members was this short, big guy who was just running in the balloon room in circles and popping all the balloons and kicking them around up over the walls. Now that's fine, but then me and boyfriend tried to make our way in and another couple too, were there. He continued to kick up a bunch of balloons, while me and another person was trying to take pictures. He even accidentally knocked down his daughter in the process. He was extremely obnoxious and even joked about it with his family members, who just laughed and took videos. Now most of the interactive stuff was bad. It was gross for the most part due to all the germs, dirt, and hair. The balls and balloons all have random dirty smears of brown and orange on them. The ball pit was very dirty. I assume they're not planning on sanitizing any time soon due to the exhibit closing down. Anyways, we go into the light room and the worker says stay in the path and don't the lights. After two minutes, all of a sudden these three kids run in and start going into the lights and grabbing them, she stares and doesn't say a thing to them. These kids are super rowdy so I say something, and then she says oh, yeah don't do that. Pretty useless in my opinion. Most of this stuff is geared towards kids, but my bar was already super low. Do not spend your money here. Go somewhere else.

It's always a nice time when visiting the arboretum. You can buy tickets ahead of time or at the…read morefront. There are no paper maps, but there is one at the entrance and throughout the park. Bring sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, a fan, water and some snacks.

Growing up in Arcadia, the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden was a place everyone…read morealways talked about when looking for things to do. It's a beautiful spot to visit, take photos, and explore the variety of plants and animals. It's a great activity for families, and kids under 2 get in for free. I did a full loop and was able to see everything in about 2-3 hours. Daily admission can be a bit pricey at $18, but if you have someone with an EBT card, you can get two adult entries for free. Student tickets are also discounted to $14. Definitely worth stopping by. Parking is completely free and located right in front.

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.

A historical San Gabriel Valley, East L.A. - US War memorial location. Millions have seen, but…read morenever been in...

The City Of El Monte Historical Society Museum" is TRULY a hidden gem that not many know about…read more It's situated just north of El Monte High school on Tyler Ave and right across the street from Arceo Park. I've been there many times and can NEVER get enough of the rich history that includes pictures, news articles, items and wonderful stories from its curator Mrs. Donna Crippen. I believe this building was once the public library up until it was transformed to a museum sometime in the 1960's. This place is wonderful to look at, be in and most importantly learn in. ?The staff really knows its facts! I believe they offer tours from Mrs. Crippen and the volunteering Docent's; who also do a marvelous job! To get the most and appreciate all its unique history, you may plan on going a couple of days to really understand why the city of El Monte is what it is. Thanks to the pioneers who came before us. What I really appreciate; and I'm sure those who have larger families or even students from local schools is the fact that it's free admission, but they kindly accept donations. So please feel free to support this awesome, generous little gem of the wonderful city that is El Monte. P.S. It's adjacent to the Jack Crippen community center.

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.

I love bringing my kids here during their harvest festival. It was $5 per person for entry for 2yrs…read moreand up but each child gets to pick a pumpkin to take home. There a room to decorate the pumpkins along with other arts and crafts. There's other activities like a petting zoo, panning for gold, butter churning, fairy garden, and quilting + more all included with the entry fee. It's a short event from 10-2 but if you're local it's definitely worth a visit. They sell burgers and hotdogs, which they BBQ on site, if you want to have lunch there. I packed some snacks for the kids as it was a short event and it was not an issue taking it in. Everyone was so friendly and eager to help with activities.

We had our wedding here November 2025 and loved it! I was able to visit the venue as much as needed…read morethroughout my planning. Donna was so great and responsive to my many many questions and requests- I really appreciated it! The day of my event happened to be the worst weather BUT the team & Donna worked with the last minute changes to move all things inside and everything worked out better than expected. We had a great time and will remember it forever. The staff throughout the event was great and helpful as well. We also received alot of compliments about the food (Bashful Butler). The bar was great- my guests hardly had to wait and kept the party going. Perfect space for any event!

Such a great little spot! Right off the freeway, it's easy to miss but worth the stop, especially…read morewith little ones or for history buffs. Great to see someone's passion for history shared with the world. We enjoyed seeing the tanks, helicopters, and other vintage machinery and vehicles. Went as a date and will be back to take the kiddos.

They had a pretty good selection of tanks to view they even had some small boats and a helicopter…read more The only problem I had was sthat some of the QR codes were not working but other than that it was good.

The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage is a small museum that exhibits exclusively to preserve and…read morerecognize Arcadia's heritage. This museum is maintained and operated by the City of Arcadia; admission is free. Museum is named after the Ruth and Charles Gilb, both long-time residents of Arcadia. This museum features 7 interpretive galleries. The main gallery features a chronology of Arcadia's history. Moreover, museum offers community programming for adults and youth. You can swiftly complete the entire museum (galleries and collections) in less than 40 minutes. Free Parking available. Friendly staff. I'm glad I was able to check out the Gilb museum. Overall, it's a modest museum to visit.

I have wanted to visit the Gilb for nearly a decade and I finally visited over the summer…read more It is not a large space, but there is some good information about Arcadia and how it was formed in there. I loved seeing some Olympics volunteer outfits from 1984, pictures from the military, and the hall of fame of famous Arcadiana. A neat place. And it seems that they have activity kits for kids to complete.

This has always been a sentimental spot for my family and I. We always visit during the holidays,…read moreand have a great time. The historical charm of this is something I hope stays valued forever. I love when they do the reenactments too! It's really interesting seeing how they used to do Christmas in the past.

I had the opportunity to visit during the holiday season. The home was decorated in traditional…read moreChristmas decor. The front entrance is quite impressive with the ornate design, white-washed walls with decorative wooden doors. I appreciated the dinner set up. It gives one an accurate account of how one lived back then. Plenty of parking, docent was knowledgeable and there is a small gift shop onsite.