RECREATION

Descanso Gardens

  • A natural "bowl" in the San Rafael hills provides a secluded setting for Descanso Gardens. The first inhabitants of the area were the Los Angeles basin's Gabrielino Indians. Descanso now includes a world-class rosarium, lilac garden, bird sanctuary, and xeriscape, as well as a Japanese teahouse and a gift shop.

Santa Anita Park

  • In Arcadia, this thoroughbred racetrack is known for offering some of the best racing in the United States during the autumn and in winter. Santa Anita Park is home of numerous prestigious races such as the Santa Anita Derby and the Santa Anita Handicap.


                 

Homestead Museum

  • Visitors to this historical landmark of the Workman and Temple Family can travel from the days of the ranchos to the Roaring Twenties as they tour two historic homes. The last governor of Alta California, Pio Pico, is buried at the site of the Museum.
  • Award-winning gardens that surround the houses contain numerous plants and trees from California natives to exotic species from Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean. The site, located in City of Industry, also includes a picturesque gazebo and lily pond.

Devil’s Gate

  • In 1920 flood engineers built the first flood control dam in Los Angeles County — Devil's Gate Dam in the Arroyo Seco. Located in Pasadena between La Cañada Flintridge and Altadena, Devil’s Gate is named for a rock outcropping that resembles the face of a devil.

Santa Fe Dam

  • The dam, which offers a wonderful view of the San Gabriel Mountains, is a popular tourist attraction. The Park’s recreational activities at the park include swimming, fishing, boating, water skiing, cycling, bird watching, and hiking. It is also hosts the annual Renaissance Pleasure Faire, which is held on Saturdays and Sundays in May and June.

Irwindale Speedway

  • The Speedway is a new, state of the art motorsports/entertainment event facility in Irwindale. It has 14 exclusive corporate “Sky Box” Suites, seats for 6,500 fans, two paved oval race tracks and a dragstrip, and parking for over 3,000 vehicles.

Frank G. Bonelli Regional County Park (San Dimas)

  • The park’s main attraction is a 250-acre lake for swimming, water skiing, wind surfing, sailing — and fishing.  The lake is stocked with trout, bluegill, catfish, and largemouth bass.  Raging Waters, a popular water theme park, is located at the south end of the lake. It’s California's largest water park and is ranked #3 nationally by the Travel Channel’s Top 10 ranking of U.S. Water Parks.

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden

  • In Arcadia, the Arboretum is a 127-acre botanical garden and historical site. It offers many classes, programs, seminars, lectures, and other educational resources for people of all ages, and hosts many horticulture-related shows & expositions. The Arboretum is jointly operated by the Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.