In Arcadia, the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage traces the city’s history from its early inhabitants to the owners of the Santa Anita Ranch; the city also offers gardens and insights into horse racing. These varied highlights give you several ways to tailor your stay to your interests.
History in Chronology and at Individual Sites
The permanent exhibition at the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage presents a chronology of Arcadia’s history. It covers the early inhabitants, Mission San Gabriel and the owners of the Santa Anita Ranch, bringing these different reference points together in a historical overview. If you’d rather explore individual local sites than follow a continuous narrative, you’ll find several “History Lives Here” markers on the streets of downtown. They provide information about historic sites in Arcadia.
Gardens and Historic Highlights
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a 127-acre arboretum, botanical garden and historic site in the hills near the San Gabriel Mountains in Arcadia, California. The gardens include the Heritage Rose Garden and Aquatic Gardens, as well as an orchid collection in the Tropical Green House. The named garden areas offer different thematic points of interest; specific displays may change. If a particular collection is a deciding factor for you, check what is currently on view in advance.
The arboretum’s historic highlights also have their own appeal: these include the ornate Queen Anne Cottage and the 19th-century Santa Anita Depot. Along with the garden areas, the grounds offer both botanical and historical themes, so your visit doesn’t have to focus on just one.
Horse Racing, Tours and Golf
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia. The free guided Seabiscuit Tram Tour passes through the stable area, the official Receiving Barn and the Paddock Gardens, as well as the original stable and Seabiscuit’s stall. Schedules and reservation requirements may change, so check them before planning your tour.
The Thoroughbred Racing Walk of Champions offers a different format: this self-guided walk features informational displays about historic jockeys, horses, trainers, owners and other notable figures. You can choose between a guided tram tour with specific stops and a walk that focuses on the people who shaped horse racing through its displays.
Arcadia Par 3 Golf Course is an 18-hole par-3 course measuring 1,947 yards. The course and its practice facility are lit and open for extended playing hours, until late at night. These operating details may change; check current playing hours before your visit.
A September Celebration of Local Cuisine
Taste of Arcadia takes place annually in September at Santa Anita Park and celebrates local restaurants and the flavors of the San Gabriel Valley. Since event plans may change, check specific dates if you’d like to plan your trip around this event.
If you’re looking for a hotel in Arcadia, choosing a focus area can help organize your plans: local history, gardens and historic buildings, or horse racing and events.
Discover more destinations: Rancho Palos Verdes, Glendora, Monterey Park, La Mirada, La Verne, Canoga Park, Cerritos, Del Aire
For the broader travel overview: Los Angeles.
