Location: LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Arcadia, CA
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Hey AV explorers, Thomas here – if you’re looking for a day trip that trades desert heat for shady garden paths, free-roaming peacocks, and 127 acres of botanical beauty, the LA County Arboretum in Arcadia is your move this weekend. Just about an hour from Lancaster, it’s one of those places that surprises people every single time – a true hidden gem tucked right next to the Santa Anita Racetrack in the San Gabriel Valley, and one of Southern California’s most underrated day trip destinations.
The Arboretum sits on a remaining portion of the historic Rancho Santa Anita, and its grounds are home to around 200 free-roaming peacocks – descendants of the original birds imported from India by the land’s colorful 19th-century owner, Elias “Lucky” Baldwin. Beyond the birds, the 127-acre grounds span themed botanical collections from around the world – Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean, prehistoric plant landscapes, and more – all connected by meandering paths, lily ponds, and the scenic Meyberg Waterfall. Historic landmarks on the property include the Victorian-era Queen Anne Cottage and the Santa Anita Train Depot.
Making it a Full Day:
Arrive when the gates open at 9 AM to beat the heat and have the garden largely to yourself. Start near the entrance where the peacocks congregate around the Peacock Café, then work your way through the themed garden sections at whatever pace you like. The narrated Tram Tour is a 45-minute ride that covers the full 127 acres, gives you an introduction to the plant collections, and takes you past the historic buildings on the grounds – a great way to orient yourself before exploring on foot. Don’t miss the Meyberg Waterfall and lily pond, the Prehistoric Forest, and the quiet stretch along Baldwin Lake.
The Peacock Café offers grab-and-go food with seating on the lawn, and the Gift Shop is open daily 10 AM–5 PM. If you’re staying for the Pops concert, plan dinner at one of Arcadia’s excellent San Gabriel Valley restaurants before heading back in through the gates at 5:30 PM.
Thomas’s Local Tips:
- 🦚 Go early for the peacocks – The peacocks are most active in the morning, often fanning their tails and roaming the paths near the entrance. By midday they tend to find shade, just like the rest of us. Getting there right at 9 AM gives you the best chance at that perfect peacock moment.
- 🎶 The Pops concert is this Saturday, June 20th –If you want to make a full evening of it, the Pasadena Symphony & Pops Hollywood blockbuster concert is one of the most beloved summer traditions in the San Gabriel Valley. Gates open at 5:30 PM for picnicking – bring a blanket and your own food and drinks. Tickets are available at pasadenasymphony-pops.org.
- 🚃 Take the tram first –The Arboretum is bigger than it looks on a map. The narrated tram tour is the smartest first move – it gives you a full lay of the land so you know exactly where you want to spend your time on foot.
- 🌿 Combine it with Old Town Arcadia or Pasadena –The Arboretum is just minutes from Old Town Pasadena if you want to add lunch or dinner on Colorado Blvd, or explore the San Gabriel Valley’s exceptional food scene along the way.
Nature’s calling, it’s time to pick up… See you out there!
