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
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
When a beautiful weather is tempting you to go outside and being in the city becomes unbearable, find a nice park nearby to spend some time in nature. Alhambra features numerous parks in and around the city where you can spend an afternoon being lazy or staying active. Garfield Park - 1000 Park Ave., South Pasadena Covering 7 acres of pristine and lush ground, Garfield Park is the first zero-emission AGZA Green Zone municipal park in the United States. It is a great spot for outdoor birthday celebrations and casual family picnics. The park hosts the Summer Concerts in the Park and various other community events. Its facilities include a playground, Youth House, walking path, Healing Garden, two lighted tennis courts, drinking fountains, picnic zones, a small fire ring, and beautifully landscaped areas. more Arroyo Park - 614 Stoney Drive, South Pasadena Situated in South Pasadena, Arroyo Park spans over almost 20 acres of land. The park is sectioned out into three different zones: upper, lower, and center. In the upper section, you can find three lighted sports fields with backstops, a parking area, and a concession building. The lower section has two lighted softball fields. Both sections are common spots for youth soccer and softball tournaments. The center portion of the park is a community gathering place for leisure activities. It is equipped with a group picnic shelter, barbecue, tables, a playground, and a small amphitheater. A nice hiking trail goes all the way around the perimeter of the park. The park also offers several commercial recreation options: a golf course, racquet center, skate park, batting cages, and stables. Arroyo Woodland and Wildlife Nature Park - The 100th block of Pasadena Avenue, before York Boulevard Bridge Nested along the southern bank of the Arroyo Secco, this park is ideal for nature enthusiasts and hikers. The 3 acres of the park are covered with winding trails among the rare native California Walnut trees and offer the most scenic views. From the lookout point at the center of the park, you can marvel at the beauty of the historical York Boulevard Bridge, Mount Washington, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the Verdugo Mountains. For its seat walls and various other amenities, the park incorporates native arroyo stone. It also features three different types of plant communities along with their particular wildlife habitats: the California Sycamore Association, an Oak Savannah grassland, and a Walnut Woodland. Separated by the trails, they can be easily compared and contrasted along your hiking route. Alhambra Park - 500 N. Palm Ave., Alhambra Alhambra Park features a great variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy. It has plenty of open grass areas and a playground for kids. It is equipped with picnic tables with covered shelters and barbecues. The park's outdoor basketball courts are free and open every day during the park's hours. For aquatic activities, it offers a swimming pool and a water park. The park also has tennis and volleyball courts. A meeting room and an activity room are available as well to accommodate various indoor community functions Check out one of these parks in the Alhambra area. Take a solitary walk, have a family picnic, or play a round of tennis. Image via Pixabay
