Insider's Guide to Altadena and Surrounding Area
Sightseeing
Named by Yahoo as one of the top ten places to see before you die, the magnificent estate of railroad magnet Henry Huntington that has been transformed into mind-blowing gardens, art museums and libraries for the public to enjoy is not to be missed. You will need a day here, at least.
Be sure to walk down the main path of the Desert Garden in the late afternoon when the otherworldly giant cacti are back lit. You will feel like you are on another planet.
Then cross right to the stunning English Gardens and make your way to the Japanese Gardens. These are but three of many stunning outdoor areas to stroll through.
Henry Huntington’s mansion is also open to explore to experience how one of the world’s richest men lived at the turn of the last century. Be sure to go upstairs, because there is an incredible view of the statue-lined backyard from the stairwell.
There are also many small museums with impressive art collections, but one almost needs another day to take in all the indoor treasures.
A steamy indoor garden under glass that recreates the rainforest is also quite an experience.
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Huntington Library Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford RdNamed by Yahoo as one of the top ten places to see before you die, the magnificent estate of railroad magnet Henry Huntington that has been transformed into mind-blowing gardens, art museums and libraries for the public to enjoy is not to be missed. You will need a day here, at least.
Be sure to walk down the main path of the Desert Garden in the late afternoon when the otherworldly giant cacti are back lit. You will feel like you are on another planet.
Then cross right to the stunning English Gardens and make your way to the Japanese Gardens. These are but three of many stunning outdoor areas to stroll through.
Henry Huntington’s mansion is also open to explore to experience how one of the world’s richest men lived at the turn of the last century. Be sure to go upstairs, because there is an incredible view of the statue-lined backyard from the stairwell.
There are also many small museums with impressive art collections, but one almost needs another day to take in all the indoor treasures.
A steamy indoor garden under glass that recreates the rainforest is also quite an experience.
We are used to seeing this building in the background of all the Rose Bowl broadcasts, but most people are not aware it houses one of the best collections of art in the world. What is especially nice is the Norton Simon is not huge, so you can easily take in all the masterpieces in one afternoon. There is also a sublime outdoor garden with a path around a beautifully landscaped water lily pond.
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Музей Нортона Саймона
411 W Colorado BlvdWe are used to seeing this building in the background of all the Rose Bowl broadcasts, but most people are not aware it houses one of the best collections of art in the world. What is especially nice is the Norton Simon is not huge, so you can easily take in all the masterpieces in one afternoon. There is also a sublime outdoor garden with a path around a beautifully landscaped water lily pond.
There are many incredible hiking trails in Altadena, each with something special to offer. These are our favorites:
MILLARD CANYON. There are several hiking trails in Millard Canyon, very walk-able, no special equipment required.
General Directions: These directions will take you to the area of all three Millard Canyon trails, but note specific directions to each trail once you have arrived.
- Right on Santa Rosa (at end of Buena Loma)
- Drive up Santa Rosa for about a half mile.
- Left onto East Altadena Drive
- Right onto Olive Ave.
- Right onto West Loma Alta Drive
- Right onto Chaney Trail.
Chaney trail will take you winding up the mountain for about a mile. You will reach a point where it looks like you cannot drive any further and probably see a few cars parked. This is NOT the main parking lot and the road does continue. But if you want to walk further up the mountain on a trail with sweeping views, park here, and a trail is to the right. It is a paved road with various dirt trails shooting off to the side as you climb up. Sometimes this trail is closed for various reasons like mudslides or fire.
*** To get to the other trails, rather than park in the above-mentioned spot, take a sharp left and the road will continue, take you down hill into the cradle of the mountain. In about a half mile you will reach a big parking lot. At the far end of the parking lot is a gentle trail that passes quaint cabins and gorgeous oak trees, along a river. You can go as far as you want; there is not really an end point. This trail is best experienced in the afternoon light.
At the near end of the parking lot on the opposite side, is a trail that will take you to a beautiful waterfall. (Waterfalls Trail). Round trip is about 1.5 to 2 miles. It is a little more rigorous than the gentle trail at the other end of the parking lot, but still fine for all skill levels. It also winds along a river up and down gentle slopes and over sculptural rocks. Best light is in the morning.
COBB ESTATE /
General Directions:
- Right on Santa Rosa (at end of Buena Loma)
- Drive up Santa Rosa for about a half mile.
- Right on Altadena Drive
- Left on Lake Ave.
Take Lake Ave up the hill for about a half mile until you can go no further. To the right is the entrance to the trails. Park on the street.
There are many trails here, but an easy one with a great view (suitable for all skill levels) is our favorite. It is less than a mile round trip. Best time of day is just before sunset. On clear days you can see the ocean and Catalina island. In the foreground is the beautiful Altadena tree canopy and the NASA’s JPL. Please refer to attached map, as it is difficult to explain – though easy to walk.
Millard Canyon
There are many incredible hiking trails in Altadena, each with something special to offer. These are our favorites:
MILLARD CANYON. There are several hiking trails in Millard Canyon, very walk-able, no special equipment required.
General Directions: These directions will take you to the area of all three Millard Canyon trails, but note specific directions to each trail once you have arrived.
- Right on Santa Rosa (at end of Buena Loma)
- Drive up Santa Rosa for about a half mile.
- Left onto East Altadena Drive
- Right onto Olive Ave.
- Right onto West Loma Alta Drive
- Right onto Chaney Trail.
Chaney trail will take you winding up the mountain for about a mile. You will reach a point where it looks like you cannot drive any further and probably see a few cars parked. This is NOT the main parking lot and the road does continue. But if you want to walk further up the mountain on a trail with sweeping views, park here, and a trail is to the right. It is a paved road with various dirt trails shooting off to the side as you climb up. Sometimes this trail is closed for various reasons like mudslides or fire.
*** To get to the other trails, rather than park in the above-mentioned spot, take a sharp left and the road will continue, take you down hill into the cradle of the mountain. In about a half mile you will reach a big parking lot. At the far end of the parking lot is a gentle trail that passes quaint cabins and gorgeous oak trees, along a river. You can go as far as you want; there is not really an end point. This trail is best experienced in the afternoon light.
At the near end of the parking lot on the opposite side, is a trail that will take you to a beautiful waterfall. (Waterfalls Trail). Round trip is about 1.5 to 2 miles. It is a little more rigorous than the gentle trail at the other end of the parking lot, but still fine for all skill levels. It also winds along a river up and down gentle slopes and over sculptural rocks. Best light is in the morning.
COBB ESTATE /
General Directions:
- Right on Santa Rosa (at end of Buena Loma)
- Drive up Santa Rosa for about a half mile.
- Right on Altadena Drive
- Left on Lake Ave.
Take Lake Ave up the hill for about a half mile until you can go no further. To the right is the entrance to the trails. Park on the street.
There are many trails here, but an easy one with a great view (suitable for all skill levels) is our favorite. It is less than a mile round trip. Best time of day is just before sunset. On clear days you can see the ocean and Catalina island. In the foreground is the beautiful Altadena tree canopy and the NASA’s JPL. Please refer to attached map, as it is difficult to explain – though easy to walk.
BEST PLACE TO VISIT OUTSIDE ALTADENA
The Griffith Park Observatory! Easy parking in their giant lot. Everything is FREE. Incredible view of LA and the Hollywood sign. You can even hike about a ½ mile up the hill on the far side of the parking lot from the observatory and get a stunning 360 view of Los Angeles. So worth it. And lots of fun stuff inside the observatory, too. Depending on traffic, it takes 20-45 minutes to drive to the Griffith Park Observatry from Altadena
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Обсерваторія Гріффіт
2800 E Observatory RdBEST PLACE TO VISIT OUTSIDE ALTADENA
The Griffith Park Observatory! Easy parking in their giant lot. Everything is FREE. Incredible view of LA and the Hollywood sign. You can even hike about a ½ mile up the hill on the far side of the parking lot from the observatory and get a stunning 360 view of Los Angeles. So worth it. And lots of fun stuff inside the observatory, too. Depending on traffic, it takes 20-45 minutes to drive to the Griffith Park Observatry from Altadena
BEST SCENIC DRIVE / BEST PLACE TO EAT
Sierra Madre is a cute mountain town that has many outdoor cafes - the best place to dine out near Altadena. Driving there from Altadena also offers one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Los Angeles:
This beautiful winding drive takes you through one of the most majestic neighborhoods in Los Angeles (old Altadena), along tunnels of towering trees with magnificent mountain views. Particularly lovely at magic hour when the mountains are bathed in amber light.
Directions (IGNORE YOUR GPS):
- Right on Santa Rosa (at end of Buena Loma)
- Drive up Santa Rosa for about a half mile.
- Right on Altadena Drive.
- Keep left at fork to stay on Altadena Drive. Cross Lake Avenue.
- Continue on Altadena Drive for a couple miles.
- Left on New York Drive
- Left on Sierra Madre Blvd.
- Continue on Sierra Madre Blvd which will take you into the charming town center of Sierra Madre.
- Take a left on Baldwin to see a great Mountain view and park to explore the town. There are nice parks, cute old churches, and many places to eat in town. Mary’s Market is a hidden gem for breakfast and lunch (closed for dinner), an old fashioned place in the hills where you can also experience the neighborhood canyon living. Once in town, just GPS Mary’s Market which about a half mile up the hill. In town, there are many outdoor café style places to eat.
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Sierra Madre
BEST SCENIC DRIVE / BEST PLACE TO EAT
Sierra Madre is a cute mountain town that has many outdoor cafes - the best place to dine out near Altadena. Driving there from Altadena also offers one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Los Angeles:
This beautiful winding drive takes you through one of the most majestic neighborhoods in Los Angeles (old Altadena), along tunnels of towering trees with magnificent mountain views. Particularly lovely at magic hour when the mountains are bathed in amber light.
Directions (IGNORE YOUR GPS):
- Right on Santa Rosa (at end of Buena Loma)
- Drive up Santa Rosa for about a half mile.
- Right on Altadena Drive.
- Keep left at fork to stay on Altadena Drive. Cross Lake Avenue.
- Continue on Altadena Drive for a couple miles.
- Left on New York Drive
- Left on Sierra Madre Blvd.
- Continue on Sierra Madre Blvd which will take you into the charming town center of Sierra Madre.
- Take a left on Baldwin to see a great Mountain view and park to explore the town. There are nice parks, cute old churches, and many places to eat in town. Mary’s Market is a hidden gem for breakfast and lunch (closed for dinner), an old fashioned place in the hills where you can also experience the neighborhood canyon living. Once in town, just GPS Mary’s Market which about a half mile up the hill. In town, there are many outdoor café style places to eat.
City/town information
Old Town Pasadena is just an 8-minute drive down the hill from our AirBnB. There are hundreds of shops, attractions and places to eat. It is the oldest area of Los Angeles, so there are many beautiful historical buildings, including City Hall. It is much bigger than Sierra Madre, which we highly recommend as well. Sierra Madre is a quaint small mountain town and Pasadena is a medium sized city, but both have many outdoor cafes and places to eat.
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Pasadena
Old Town Pasadena is just an 8-minute drive down the hill from our AirBnB. There are hundreds of shops, attractions and places to eat. It is the oldest area of Los Angeles, so there are many beautiful historical buildings, including City Hall. It is much bigger than Sierra Madre, which we highly recommend as well. Sierra Madre is a quaint small mountain town and Pasadena is a medium sized city, but both have many outdoor cafes and places to eat.