My daughter wanted to go to a cool movie theater during her spring break, movie buff that she is,…read moreand found that Landmark was showing Martin Scorsese's 1985 After Hours at 7, so we purchased 4 tickets at only $6 a piece and selected our seats online. We did purchase beverages today due to heat wave to stay hydrated. They gave those Coke machines that give you at least 100 options with a touchscreen. The recliner seats were very comfortable and due to the 1.5 hour run time, nobody had to sneak out for a restroom break. It was a nutty, completely bonkers film and yet internally consistent and thought provoking. Excellent music, acting, and directing. I guess partly because I had zero expectations, I laughed aloud multiple times and was thoroughly entertained. It's what I would call a surrealistic dramedy maybe? This movie theater is just a fun venue, smaller than a Regal or AMC so therefore never crowded feeling. On a weeknight there's no traffic to go there in 30 min...

So Landmark is one of our favorite theaters. They have great movies and often obscure ones which…read morewe love. I write this more as a teaching experience than anything else. I'm a loyalty member and one of the perks is a voucher on your birthday to be used for refreshments. We went to the "secret movie" last night which was terrific. Because the voucher was only good for 30 days I wanted to use it before it expired which is 30 days after your birthday. My birthday is April 12 so we were well within that time frame. The bar code wouldn't scan. Odd because our tickets scanned as they always do with zero issues. The wait became uncomfortable after two employees were unable to scan it and called a manager who still couldn't scan it. The voucher was for $15 and I wish that they had decided early on to just go ahead and process it rather than making us stand there and wait which they eventually did. C'mon guys, don't make this birthday perk uncomfortable for the guest, fix your system.

I've driven by this sculpture dozens of times and thought it was interesting and wanted to pull…read moreover to take a closer look, perhaps some pictures but never did. Recently I learned the rusted metal beam is from the fallen World Trade Center and the two hands holding it up are made of nearly 3,000 silhouettes of doves, each representing a life lost on 9/11. The sculpture, named 'Reflect' was created by local artist Heath Satow, and it was completed and unveiled in 2011. Since then, memorials have been held there in the anniversary of the terrorists attacks. The memorial sculpture sits in front of Rosemead's City Hall in the middle of a public plaza and serves as a remembrance of the somber day, yet it's a beautiful and meaningful art piece for people to see.

This place is located near the Rosemead City Hall as well as the Rosemead Recreation Center with…read moreplenty of parking, and is only a minute to walk towards. It faces towards the street, showing two hands that are holding an iron bar. The weight of importance is truly visible as you walk around this small but incredible memorial with plaques on the ground with numerous names per family and community member, not to mention the Vietnam War memorial right besides it doing the same. One may not see it if you're driving by it on Valley Blvd but for those who take a closer look, they'll be greeted with a bunch of tiny doves that make up the hand which symbolizes the ever longing desire for peace.

Cascades Park is a great place to hangout at, but lately it's been on a hydration strike (no…read morewaterfall). Still, you show up, because the vibes are solid!! It's got that whole sloped setup, so you can climb up, pretend you're earning your post-snack calories, and then chill at the top like you've conquered something. The view's nice, especially if you're holding a boba or street tacos like a true Monterey Park foodie!! At night though? That's when it redeems itself. The lights come on, everything glows, and suddenly it's giving romantic picnic energ even if the waterfall is still ghosting you.

I wish I lived near this quaint little park! My friend and I…read moreactually drove here with some egg tarts to have a snack but it's not exactly a destination spot. More of, we live in the neighborhood and are so lucky to have this park, type of spot. No playground or even a lot of grass to frolic on. There is parking though if you do want to venture for a little scenic outdoor dining like I did. That being said, it's gorgeous! I could see this being a great spot to take photos or just enjoy a book on one of the benches. There are also some stairs so you could get some steps in if you took a few loops around. The beautifully man-made waterfall is lovely! Peaceful, serene and a lovely asset to Monterrey Park!

We've been to this park a few times, it's hit or miss with the crowd. One major concern is that the…read morestructures are all made of cement so prepare for some injuries. It's also all sand so that might lessen the falls. There's a smaller park for younger kids closer to the parking lot.

We found the Laguna de San Gabriel beyond the ballfield at Vincent Lugo Park, just by the covered…read morepicnic tables. Colorful and cool looking.

Limited hours, limited parking. Hidden in the residential area of San Marino. Don't let that…read moredeter you. This was a VERY quick see of the old mill interior as it was closing before its scheduled time. There is a gallery occupying one of the rooms. There are a lot of succulents and plants that surround the building which are green and vibrant against the rustic molino viejo.

The past is the way to the future. Without further ado let's begin the landmark review…read more El Molino Viejo aka The Old Mill (est 1816) is a two-story architectural landmark with huge grounds and tranquil gardens in the city of San Marino. It was the first ever grist mill constructed in the early 19th century California to serve Mission San Gabriel; and personally designed and supervised by Padre JM de Zalvidea. It's facility was powered by a waterwheel. Impressive!! Walking around The Old Mill you'll notice it has a fortress-like design with five ft thick brick walls surrounding the mill's 43,500+ sq ft grounds. It serve as a protection in the event of disturbances during that time. Moreover, throughout its history it was vandalized, foreclosed, sold and passed down to state/city, to prominent California families and a company. Blimey! At present time, the El Molino Viejo is a lovely museum and event space. I bet most LA locals were oblivious that this exist; who knew this historical landmark was right under my very nose. I spent 35 minutes and 30 seconds to visit and explore the entirety of the museum grounds. Street parking only. Admission is free. Hours are limited. Beverage is permitted in and around the museum. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and recommend you visit.

The Love Sculpture was in NYC for years just like my friend Tom said in his review. It's absolutely…read moremoving and a great piece for photography. Obviously when you have lots of money you can buy whatever you want and move it wherever you want! We were robbed of our LOVE....... I'm sad

Who would have known a fun art installation such as this would be in the backyard of the SGV? The…read morestructure itself strikes a hard red color which captures the attention of every passerbyer heading towards its neighboring businesses. The location itself is located inside a parking lot and usually has a security guard patrolling around the area. I personally haven't parked at the lot in order to get to this structure as it's part of the Panda Express HQ's area so they may get the tendency of shooing those away not there for business. However if you just park nearby and walk to this place, I don't believe they'll mind anyone who's looking to grab a few snaps of this fun piece.

I've been an active member of the LA County arboretum for years and FINALLY got to explore the…read moreinterior of the Queen Anne cottage this holiday season (2025)! The inside is as beautiful as the outside and full of local history. The guides were thoroughly knowledgeable and enthusiastic in discussing the details as we meandered through the cottage - and I especially loved that they were dressed in Victorian era clothing! Elias Jackson Baldwin (aka Lucky Baldwin) was a very prominent figure in this area in the late 1800s. He owned over 13,000 acres here - land that included the present day cities of Arcadia, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Pasadena and San Marino. I always enjoy hearing about history involving Lucky Baldwin because he still technically has an easement on our property and his name is on the title to our house haha! He built this cottage and coach barn in the late 1870s for his 4th wife but apparently they split up not long after they were married so he turned it into a memorial for his 3rd wife who had passed away (drama drama lol). It was then used as a guest house for visitors to the ranch. The cottage is quite opulent with ornate fireplaces, ceilings, and chandeliers, as well as some of the most intricate and colorful stained glass window pieces I've ever seen! I absolutely loved them! They are all original to the house - as well as all the beautiful tile accents in the floors and around the fireplaces. There's some original redwood paneling in the bathroom that you'll also find in the coach barn which is gorgeous and in excellent condition. Unfortunately, Baldwin's daughter who inherited the house after his passing, threw out all their furniture and belongings. So all the other items you see are not original to the house - but are still period appropriate antiques belonging to the era. I believe they do suggest children not do the tour as there are many fragile items in cramped spaces so be aware. The tours are pretty brief as you can only explore the downstairs rooms and there aren't that many - the receiving room/entryway, the music/entertainment room, a small hallway room, a bedroom, bathroom, and the library with butlers pantry. But still definitely worth a visit! The stained glass windows in the library have portraits of Shakespeare and Lord Byron in the glass - those alone are worth going on the tour if you ask me! Several movies and TV shows have been filmed in parts of the cottage as well (of course) - such as Fantasy Island (from the 70s) and even an episode of American Horror Story! The coach barn is always open during garden open hours, but the cottage has been closed as long as I've been visiting (over 5 years now). So when I saw the member email saying they were offering tours, I jumped on it lol! The tours aren't available very often from what I read. So far, they've only offered the tours on weekends during the holiday season starting in November this year and it looks like they are sold out online for the rest of the season. But when I visited, they were offering tickets for tours on site so you may still be able to tour. There are staff in a blue tent outside the cottage to ask when you arrive. Online tickets do include entry into the garden as well, which is worth exploring in its own right - would make for a great day out! If you're at all into Victorian era architecture and culture and the local history, I'd suggest signing up for the arboretum newsletter and keep an eye out for when they offer tours of the cottage.

I have been a member of the LA Arboretum in Arcadia for several years now. There is so much to see…read moreat this garden. I'm sure I haven't seen every cranny of this place as of yet LOL. Never once did I checked out the Queen Anne Cottage, Coach Barn, and Adobe until most recently. The cottage, barn, and adobe are located along side and/or around Baldwin Lake. Cottage was not open for tours at the time so I wasn't able to go inside. I admired its beauty from the outside and walked around its serene and calming perimeter. I did take a peek inside through its windows and snapped a few photos. Funny, I was actually hesitant to take photos of its inside... wasn't sure if an alarm was going to sound off LOL. Whew, no alarm! One thing I found peculiar is how small the bed is. It's not even the size of a full size bed... I think it's in between a twin and full size IMHO. Anyway, I read the cottage didn't even have a kitchen so the meals were prepared at the adobe. I walked around the abode, but didn't peek inside for some reason. I may have the courage to do so next time LOL. I also got a chance to walk inside and through the coach barn. Saw some displays of antique carriage and stuff. There were a few horse stalls. I didn't walk towards them for some reason. I guess the energy didn't call for it at the moment. Maybe I will next time. Be brave Linh! LOL Definitely, a lot of history surrounding the cottage, coach barn, and adobe. If you haven't been at the LA Arboretum or have been and just haven't seen the cottage, barn, and adobe, it's time to make it happen! Go get your cool morning stroll or a sunny afternoon walk or just an evening sit around visit!! I'll see you here...

Ambassador Mansions & Gardens is a very quiet, peaceful, and truly beautiful place. It's hidden…read morebetween buildings, and if you don't know it's there, you might easily miss it -- which makes it feel like a secret garden in the middle of the city. The territory is incredibly well maintained, with huge mature trees, beautiful flowers, fountains, mini waterfalls, and small ponds where you can see fish and turtles. There is also a lovely grassy area in the center where you can sit, relax, or have a small picnic. Geese walk freely around the gardens, and colorful parrots fly overhead, adding even more charm to the atmosphere. In April, the garden looks especially stunning -- the pergola and trees are in full bloom (I wish I remembered the names of those gorgeous flowers!), and the whole place feels alive and magical. Honestly, this garden is beautiful in any season of the year. You can come here with dogs, which is a big plus, but it's important to respect the property rules: pets must be on a leash, owners are responsible for cleanup, professional photography requires a permit, and activities like skateboarding, drinking alcohol, or organized sports events are not allowed. These rules help preserve the calm and cleanliness of the space. There is also a secondary school located on the property, which adds to the unique character of the place. Parking-wise, we were able to find free street parking nearby without any issues. This is a perfect spot to slow down, enjoy nature, and escape the city noise for a while. Highly recommended for a peaceful walk or a quiet moment surrounded by beauty.

Great place to relax and sit for a bit. This was one place I've heard about through a friend and…read morewanted to take my pal Jack to go for a walk and check out this scenery. Very peaceful and quiet. Dog friendly of course. There was multiple benches to sit on and enjoy the flowing water and koi fish ponds. The building structures were beautiful and well kept. I would recommend this place if you want to take a break and sit and enjoy the area. People were friendly and welcoming. Parking is a bit limited as we had to park across the street. This area is located behind apartments and a bit hidden from the public. Once you walk around you'll find your way. Overall great place to visit.

I was in Pasadena for an event that ended at twilight & the weather was so cool & pleasant, I…read moredecided not to head straight home. I knew that a few house fronts used in popular films were located in the area, including the famed Michael Myers home from the "Halloween" horror franchise. The home was rescued from demolition and moved to its current location, where it now serves as an office building behind the South Pasadena light rail station. Upon arrival, the sky was almost dark so everything was perfectly spooky. My initial plan was to walk around the outside of the home & post the video on TikTok. But as I made my way toward the corner where the home is situated, I noticed a small film crew with a couple tripods. I figured they were recording something for social media too, as it's not unusual to see that type of thing in L.A.. But I received an extra-special surprise immediately after seeing the famed Michael Myers mask atop another tripod. A young man dressed in Myers' signature coveralls appeared & told me he was shooting footage for his TikTok page with the group I saw earlier. And get this...he offered to put his mask on for me & suggested that I film him walking down the front porch! My timing couldn't have been better & it gave my little video the fear factor I wanted. Fall is just around the corner, so now's the time to see the house for yourself. And who knows? Maybe you'll get lucky & run into Michael Myers because apparently horror movie legends understand the importance of social media, too.

We went touristing around Pasadena and South Pasadena last Saturday. As huge horror movie nerds we…read morefound out about the Michael Myers house and had to go and see. We were disappointed to find out it was closed on Saturday so we will try again on our next trip to Pasadena. There is apparently a tour you can buy tickets for and go around in the house. Not sure about the details though. There wasn't much information on it. We instead just took a bunch of pictures on the porch and went next door to The SugarMynt Gallery.