Things to do with kids in Arcadia
Arcadia may be the most convenient place in the San Gabriel Valley to raise small kids: one of the country's great botanical gardens and a big county park in town, a library within walking distance, light rail through the center, a waterfall in the mountains 10 minutes north and a swimming lake 10 minutes south.
The peacocks, waterfall and Victorian cottage at the LA Arboretum are a monthly fixture for a 2-year-old; the playground and duck pond at Arcadia County Park plus the library across the street cover sun and rain. For the mountains, the little pond at Wilderness Park and the waterfall at Monrovia Canyon are within 10 minutes, Chantry Flat 5 more; in summer, the lake beach and water play area at Santa Fe Dam, or ducks and pedal boats at Legg Lake. Train fans board the A Line at Arcadia station for Old Pasadena, and from November to January the arboretum becomes Lightscape after dark.
- 16 places
- 10 free
- 12 stroller-friendly
- closest is 5 min away
16 places
Drive times from Arcadia
Arcadia County Park Playground
5.0Arcadia · 5 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lots off both Santa Anita Ave and Huntington Dr
Arcadia Public Library Children's Room
5.0Arcadia · 5 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free library lot
Ride the Metro A Line
5.0Arcadia · 5 min drive
2.5 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: Free Park & Ride lot at Arcadia station (First Ave and Santa Clara St)
Los Angeles County Arboretum
5.0Arcadia · 5 min drive
2.5 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: Free arboretum lot (Baldwin Ave)
Lacy Park
5.0San Marino · 10 min drive
2 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: Lot at the Virginia Rd entrance; about $4 per person for non-San Marino residents on weekends and holidays (under 4 free), free on weekdays
Monrovia Public Library and Library Park
5.0Monrovia · 10 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Library lot and free street parking on Myrtle Ave
Santa Fe Dam Lake Beach and Water Play Area
5.0Irwindale · 10 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Entry about $10 per car (more on holidays), lot right next to the beach
Arcadia Wilderness Park
4.0Arcadia · 10 min drive
1.5 h · carrier recommended
Free · Parking: Free inside the park; check hours on weekend open days
The Huntington Library and Gardens
4.0San Marino · 10 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly · reservation needed
$$$ · Parking: Free lot, full after 11am on weekends
Monrovia Canyon Park Falls
3.0Monrovia · 10 min drive
2 h · carrier recommended
Free · Parking: Lot inside the park, about $5 per car on weekends and holidays, cash or check the website
Legg Lake (Whittier Narrows)
5.0South El Monte · 15 min drive
2 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lots on both Santa Anita Ave and Rosemead Blvd, plenty of room on weekend mornings
Vroman's Bookstore Kids' Section
5.0Pasadena · 15 min drive
1 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lot behind the store (Colorado Blvd and El Molino Ave)
Arlington Garden
5.0Pasadena · 15 min drive
1 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free street parking on Arlington Dr and Pasadena Ave
Kidspace Children's Museum
5.0Pasadena · 15 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly
$$ · Parking: Free museum lot (next to the Rose Bowl), different arrangements on Rose Bowl event days
Eaton Canyon Natural Area
3.0Pasadena · 15 min drive
2.5 h · carrier recommended
Free · Parking: Free lot at the Altadena Dr entrance, very full after 9am on weekends; street parking on Altadena Dr
Chantry Flat to Sturtevant Falls
2.0Arcadia · 15 min drive
3 h · carrier recommended
$ · Parking: Chantry Flat lot requires an Adventure Pass ($5/day), full by 7:30am on weekends, after that only the roadside
💡 Good to know
- Arboretum parking is free and admission is free the third Tuesday of each month; the A Line's Arcadia station has a free Park & Ride, easier than driving to Pasadena or Downtown.