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The City of Arcadia encompasses approximately 11 square
miles of land in the westerly end of the San Gabriel Valley at the base
of the Gabriel Mountains. Located
approximately 18 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles,
Arcadia is known as the "Community of Homes".
It is a picturesque, affluent, largely built out, and
primarily residential community. In addition to its residential sector,
the Los Angeles County Arboretum, Santa Anita Fashion Park, Santa Anita
Race Track, Arcadia County Park and the Santa Anita Golf Course attract
a substantial number of visitors.
Arcadia County Park is a 187-acre green area in the heart
of the city which contains an 18-hole golf course, driving range, tennis
courts, swimming pool, baseball and softball diamonds and lawn bowling.
For really fresh produce, vegetables, fruit, shop the
Farmers' Market on First Ave. just south of Huntington Drive (Old Route
66). It is open every Saturday and
brings in 25-30 farmers, 5-10 related food vendors and 3,000 plus people
who shop the market and adjacent stores. Visitors
can stay in quality hotels such as the Hilton, Marriott, Embassy Suites
and Residence Inn.
Arcadia lies within a "Sixty Mile Circle" centered on
Los Angeles, a dynamic concentration of population, employment, business,
industry and finance. Two-thirds of the State's 100 largest corporations
are headquartered within the circle. Several federal and state highways,
four rail lines and three international airports, as well as the 210 Freeway
passing through Arcadia, provide ready access to regional, national and
international markets.
Many of the unique features which exist in Arcadia today
are the result of the city's colorful history. Its identity as a "Community
of Homes" can be traced back to the 1930s, when the first residential subdivisions
appeared, replacing what had previously been agricultural lands.
The northernmost portion of the Baldwin Ranch, which was owned by Arcadia's
first Mayor, Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin, made way for the city's first
residential subdivisions in the late 1930s. These included the estate
home neighborhoods that are currently found in the Rancho Santa Anita and
Santa Anita Oaks Property Owners' Associations. Areas in the southern
portion of the City were also transitioning rapidly from small poultry
and produce farms into subdivisions of moderately priced homes.
Arboretum of Los Angeles County is a 127-acre horticultural and
botanical center managed by the Parks and Recreation Department of Los Angeles
County with assistance from the non-profit California Arboretum Foundation. More
than 100 flowering plants have been added to the California landscape and
attitudes toward living in balance with our natural resources are promoted by
permanent displays like the Water Conservation Garden and the Tropical Forest.
A reference library with horticultural and botanical literature and a gift shop
offer books, cards, seeds and botanical items. Living plants are sold on the
adjacent patio. Special events such as Festival on the Green Classical Music
Concerts are a special treat for those who love outdoor concerts. Arboretum of
Los Angeles County, 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia CA 91007 Phone: (626)
821-3222
