Summer is almost over, and most schools are back in session, but that doesn't mean that you and your family can't squeeze in one last hurrah this fall. In fact, with cooler temperatures arriving, a weekend road trip might be just what the doctor ordered to help ease the transition from summertime relaxation to the daily routine of school and work life. Here, we discuss four of our favorite road trips from Alhambra. Joshua Tree Located 145 miles from Alhambra, Joshua Tree is known for its desert landscape punctuated with giant boulders and Joshua trees. People have long gone there to camp and hike, but there are also plenty of odd and interesting attractions to take in during your visit. Start with a visit to Noah Purifoy's Outdoor Museum, where you'll see weird and wonderful sculptures created entirely out of junk materials. Next, visit Krblin Jihn Kabin, the fictional prison of a defeated heretic whose backstory is entirely made up by artist Eames Demetrios. There are many more oddities awaiting you in Joshua Tree. more Temecula Just 85 miles away, Temecula offers a quick, relaxing getaway destination. Adults will appreciate the wine-country atmosphere without the long drive, and the whole family can enjoy hot-air-balloon tours over more than 40 vineyards. In historic Old Town, there are plenty of dining options, hotels, and shopping; and for any gamblers in your group, there is Pechanga Resort and Casino. Children will enjoy touring Temecula Children's Museum's Pennypickles Workshop, which offers kids a hands-on science experience. And finally, another great spot to visit is Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve where you can explore different hiking trails and observe local wildlife. Solvang Originally a Danish settlement, the town of Solvang still maintains its Old-World charm and appeal. Located about 128 miles from Alhambra, Santa Ynez Valley is a short trip that will leave you feeling as if you've traveled far away. Once there, your eyes will delight in sights like wooden windmills, rooftop storks, flower-lined streets, and a replica of the Round Tower of Copenhagen. Visit Jule Hus for year-round Christmas shopping or tour one of the 120 wineries in the surrounding areas. Don't forget to treat yourself to one of several authentic Danish bakeries, and more than 150 unique shops will allow you to do some serious boutique shopping. Big Sur At 340 miles — by far the longest drive — the trip to Big Sur offers a scenic route with breathtaking mountain vistas and ocean views. There's plenty of camping and hiking available for outdoor adventurers, including trails that lead to gorgeous views of McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach. When it's time to head inside, visit Nepenthe for shopping, dining, and relaxing. You can enjoy the hot springs baths at Esalen Institute, which is open to the public at night. Finally, for a more secluded setting, drive up Nacimiento Road to Mission San Antonio de Padua and tour the grounds and museum. Plenty of road trip adventures await you within a few hundred miles of Alhambra. Why not start planning one of your own today — before summer passes you by! Image via Pixabay
When the weather is beautiful, it can be nice to take a break outside. You may want to find a park in Alhambra for a lazy afternoon or a fun-filled day with the kids. Here are some parks and their amenities located in Alhambra. Alhambra Park Located at 500 N. Palm Ave., Alhambra Park offers a wide variety of amenities and is sure to have something for everyone who visits. The park features an open grassy area for sports or sitting to read your favorite book. There are picnic tables and shelters, and barbeques are located around the park for anyone who wants to cook up a burger or hot dog. Kids can enjoy the playground equipment, and there is also a water park and pool for those hot days when you need somewhere to go to cool off. Sports enthusiasts can find tennis courts, volleyball courts, and an outdoor basketball court. There is also an activity room if you want to have fun inside. Located at the north end of the park is the Alhambra Veterans Memorial, where you can walk around and enjoy the serenity of the memorial with its many trees, plants, and waterfall. While there, you will find the Memorial Rock and a wall that has a quote from Thomas Jefferson that states, "The Price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance." more Almansor Park Almansor Park offers a wide range of amenities to the public. It is located at 800 S. Almansor Ave. The park includes Almansor Lake, a gazebo, and a jogging trail. There is also an open grass area that has picnic tables, barbeques, and covered shelters for anyone looking for a bite to eat. For kids, there is playground equipment where they can have fun playing outside. There are lots of amenities for those who like sports. Visitors can find ball fields, tennis courts, an outdoor basketball court, and a gymnasium. There is also an exercise par course and activity room. The gymnasium is host to many different activities and sports, such as volleyball, table tennis, basketball, and badminton. Visitors will also find a statue of Ralph Kiner, who is a Hall of Fame baseball player born and raised in Alhambra. Granada Park If you are looking for somewhere to cool off, Granada Park has a swimming pool where you can go and enjoy the water. Other amenities include an open grass area and playground equipment. There are barbeques and picnic tables with covered shelters where you can enjoy a bite to eat. Other amenities include ball fields and tennis courts outside, as well as a meeting room and kitchen facility that you can reserve. Table tennis is also available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Granada Park is located at 2000 W. Hellman Ave. Whether you want to sit back and relax, cool down with some water activities, or enjoy some sports, there is something for everyone at these Alhambra parks. For more parks, visit the City of Alhambra website. Image via Pixabay
Summertime is prime time for all sorts of events and festivals, and with longer days and more sunshine, there's more time to take them all in. Here are five can't-miss events taking place in the Alhambra, California, area this summer. Brick Fest Live LEGO Fan Experience Do you have a LEGO fanatic in your household? You will not want to miss this massive display of millions of LEGOs. See several attractions — from The Glow Gallery to the Brick Fest Speedway where you can build your own LEGO derby car to race down one of the 35-foot tracks. There's a mini-golf course built entirely from LEGOs and a variety of other hands-on activity stations just waiting for your creativity and imagination. Vendors will be on hand as well with rare, vintage, and custom sets available for purchase. more Summer Serenades Enjoy free concerts in the park each Friday night this summer at the Alhambra Park Bandshell. There's food, music, entertainment, and family fun. Concerts run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and feature a variety of musical genres from top 40s to classic rock, with a little country thrown in for good measure. Old Pasadena Summer Cinema This is a month-long, free movie series running from July 5 to July 28. Movies will be shown at various locations throughout Old Pasadena, with a total of 17 screenings in all. Three of these events will be hosted in Central Park, with free activities on offer prior to the movie screenings. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., families will have the opportunity to picnic in the park, with movies beginning at 8:30 p.m. Check the website for all the dates and locations. Shakespeare on the Bluff For a bit of culture, attend one or more of Loyola Marymount University's Theater Arts Program's performances of “Othello” and “A Midsummer Night's Dream.” The shows are scheduled over six nights and feature professional actors as well as Loyola students, faculty, and alumni. Admission is free, and families are encouraged to bring picnic fare, low chairs, and blankets to enjoy the outdoor setting. Shows run 90 minutes long and are scheduled for 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. slots at three different venues. Visit the LMU website for more details about dates and performances. Brunch Life Festival How does brunch from some of the area's top restaurants — including bottomless mimosas and bloody marys — sound? If that piques your interest, you're going to want to check out the first ever Brunch Life Festival taking place at Long Beach's Rainbow Lagoon Park. The fun happens Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can expect outdoor games, photo booths, and live music. Tastings and samples are included in the $75 ticket price and are available while supplies last. Vendors will also be on hand with full entrees. Whether you crave a relaxing evening on a blanket under the stars, a day of delicious food and fun activities, or a boisterous adventure in a world made of brightly colored plastic blocks, there's something for you to enjoy near Alhambra this summer. Image via Pixabay
