Section Index:
Pasadena
Traveling east on Colorado Blvd (in Pasadena) one approaches Hill Street. Lying just
beyond is Pasadena City College from where the Rose Queen and her princesses are selected
to reign over the New Year's Rose Parade and festivities. Less obvious yet available to
the romantics of science and space exploration beckons the campus of the California
Institute of Technology and its Jet Propulsion Lab where the Voyager spacecraft was
assembled and tracked. A right turn on Hill to the Public Relations Office (315 S. Hill
St.) reveals the starting place for Caltech Campus and lab tours. Call ahead for times and
reservations - especially for JPL - 626 356 6328 and 626 354 0112. JPL tours last two
hours; no kids under 10!
Art, rare books, and lovely gardens? Take Hill Street south (past Caltech and JPL) a
few blocks to California; turn east two blocks to Allen. Take a right on Allen two more
blocks and start looking to the right. You'll have arrived at the renowned Huntington
Library and The Virginia Steele Scott Gallery of American Art. Open Tuesdays-Fridays 1 -
4:30; Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 - 4:30. Closed major holidays.
Those having passed-up the Caltech turn and preferred looking at co-eds in front of PCC
and anticipating a burger at the original Bob's Big Boy Restaurant in the next block (not
there any more) should reconsider the Huntington trip and turn south on Allen-- the next
street--and go the extra mile for fine art! Those staying on the Route will have to wait
until past Rosemead Blvd. for anything really special!
After enjoying the culture of the Huntington Library and Scott Gallery, loop south on
Stratford Place. There will be at least two opportunities to negotiate two left turns
resulting in a north- easterly drive on Sierra Madre Blvd. to Colorado. Take a right and
proceed east.
Arcadia
Approximately 3/4 mile east of Rosemead Blvd. watch for a sign indicating Baldwin
Avenue South. Take the turn-off--a series of two right turns--and you'll be headed for a
five-star treat! Go slowly at first; you may need to cruise the scene and backtrack (watch
for openings in the divided streets). On the right it's the Los Angeles State and County
Arboretum; on the left is Fashion Park. A left turn onto Huntington Drive reveals a
beautiful photo opportunity of Santa Anita Racetrack. Slow down, pull into the Chamber of
Commerce parking lot and decide what to see next! In the immediate vicinity is Methodist
Hospital of Southern California, Santa Anita Golf Course and (north to Colorado Blvd and 1
block east) Arcadia Park.
Those not taking the Baldwin Ave. turn will curve southeast, remaining to the right
(Colorado Place) enjoying a panoramic view of the racetrack grandstand and vast parking
area. During racing season, open the window and you can hear the crowd! The graceful curve
joins (and becomes) Huntington Drive.
Ahead a few blocks is where travelers decide to either keep going or to enjoy one or
both side trips. Both are possible! The question is which one first.
STURTEVANT TRAIL- A SHORT HIKING SIDE TRIP
Side trip destinations are each approximately 5 miles off Route. North (on Santa Anita
Avenue) provides one of the easiest and most refreshing mountain hikes in the area. Put on
comfortable shoes and enjoy a 1 3/4 mile walk along Sturtevant trail. See 1910- 1920
vintage cabins among the trees and bask in the beauty of the 50 ft. pool around which
hikers relax--some eating picnic lunches or snacks. Allow a couple of hours for this
mountain enjoyment. EL MONTE SIDE TRIP
Santa Anita Avenue south with a left half-turn onto Tyler Avenue (approx. 3 1/2 miles)
awaits a joy for the entire family! It's the El Monte Historical Museum-- across from Tony
Arceo Memorial Park (at Mildred Street, 1 block south of the Public Library and I- 10; 2
blocks north of Garvey Blvd). Touring the museum is like strolling through an entire early
American town under one roof. No need for hiking shoes. The only trail near by is the
memory of the Spanish Trail which brought settlers from Santa Fe, NM. Young children will
enjoy a romp in the park. And there's usually something interesting going on next door at
the Community Center.
Back on the Route its Huntington Drive. See the Dutch mill restaurant landmark on the
northeast corner. Turn right to continue east. Fine dining and lodging is not far away
east of the I-210 interchange.
Duarte
A trip through Duarte would not seem complete without a drive through or walking tour
of the grounds and main building of the City of Hope National Medical Center. Turn south
on Buena Vista 3/4 miles to Duarte Rd. East on Duarte Road to the Center on the right.
There's visitor parking close to the buildings. There are no formal tours, but the staff
is friendly. A cafeteria is located in a building at the south of the center through the
main building (where the information desk receptionist can give you a pamphlet with map).
Duarte Rd. east curves north onto Highland which returns the inspired traveler to
Huntington Drive.
Travelers see natural flora characteristic of the entire semi-arid region traversing
the San Gabriel River Flood Control Basin and the northerly portion of Santa Fe Dam
Recreation Area-- all possibly under water in the event of flash flooding or overflowing
of Morris and San Gabriel Reservoirs up-river. The Route becomes Foothill. No, kids, the
structure on the left is not a roller coaster. It's a giant rock crusher! It's concrete,
beer, and natural food territory here in Irwindale. Onward under the Santa Fe Road
overpass into Azusa.
Azusa
Early Route 66 travelers will want to make a left on Dalton Avenue (two blocks past
Azusa Ave (CAL 39) and cruise around the familiar Azusa City Hall, Auditorium, Library
complex looking the same as when the city was popularized by Mel Blanc on the Jack Benny
radio show during the 30's and 40's. On past Dalton on Foothill keep eyes ahead slightly
to the left for a "first glimpse" of Old Baldy (Mt. San Antonio) and then the
landmark Foothill Drive-in Theatre just as the driver steers around the curve onto Alosta.
Quickly, kids, look out the back window for the classic marquee. Just ahead is Citrus
Avenue. A left turn takes you past the campuses of Azusa Pacific University and Citrus
College.
San Dimas/La Verne
Beyond Glendora we recommend an enjoyable turn around loop visit to Historic and well
maintained downtown San Dimas. South on San Dimas Avenue to Bonita. Take a right and enjoy
a leisurely drive to the depot; park and explore on foot the delightful sights downtown.
Drive east on Bonita to San Dimas Canyon Rd. A left turn returns the traveler to the Route
(again its Foothill Blvd- and will remain so until San Bernardino). To obtain a flavor of
the early citrus era, travelers are encouraged to drive 3/4 mile north (left) on Wheeler
Road past Baseline (CAL 30) to Via De Mansion. A right turn reveals Heritage Park on the
north side. Park on the street (or on the grounds if the gate is open) stroll through the
grounds and enjoy real, living orange trees, a barn, and restored house compliments of the
La Verne Heritage Foundation. It will take but a few minutes. This is what remains of what
the entire Pomona Valley was-- a vast citrus empire with the fragrance of orange blossoms
filling the air. South of Foothill looms the mosaic pyramidal roof of the main building of
the first of the series of purification plants for the Metropolitan Water District serving
the Eastern Los Angeles Basin. Built in 1940 the plant treats water from Parker Dam
brought inland by aqueduct and stored in Lake Matthews.
Pomona
Left turn on Foothill to the next side trip which could take an hour or most of the
day. Less than five miles south on Garey Avenue like a mecca for the historian and antique
collector, it's downtown Pomona. A block south of the Medical Center is McKinley Avenue.
Being careful to avoid entering I-10 make a right turn two blocks west to Park Avenue. On
the southwest corner is the oldest dwelling in the area (Casa Primavera)-site of the
Historical Society of Pomona Valley. For those attending the Los Angeles County Fair (held
annually in September) and other Fairplex Park events continue on McKinley a few more
blocks west to White Avenue where signs will direct you to special event parking areas.
For those desiring a taste of history turn left (south) on Park, cross the railroad tracks
to Third Street. Left on Third takes the traveler past the city's first church (originally
Methodist) to Garey-in front to the Fox Theater where, in its day one attended organ
concerts before each show and residents would be treated to a special studio preview of
new releases.
On the northeast corner of Third and Garey is Pomona's first hotel, the Avis Hotel
(later renamed Mayfair). Make the left turn on Garey to Second Street and a right turn on
what remains of the downtown shopping district of Los Angeles County's fifth largest city,
the once urban center of the Citrus Empire. Antique Row where once shoppers came from
miles around for stylish clothes, jewelry, and sundries. One may still identify the Kress
logos on the building a block east. The portion of Second Street beyond is a growing
campus of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific. Park, look around, shop.
Pomona was among the first cities to adopt the downtown mall concept in the 1950's.
Returning north on Garey takes the traveler past two great churches and back to the
Route. Although the Mother Road was lined by orange groves throughout the Pomona stretch,
the city was very much a Route 66 community. Before saying good bye to Pomona, turn north
on Towne Avenue and make a quick left into the shopping area. See McMacken's Cafe and
Parlour! Stop in for good food, beverages, and friends-- a favorite haunt of local Route
66 fanciers.
STROLLING ANTIQUE SHOPS IN POMONA
Looking for treasures, collectibles or a real devoted browser we got your dream come
true.
How about 400 antique shops in one area. A delight to view and shop in from Route 66
(Foothill Boulevard) in Pomona turn south on Garey Avenue, continue under the freeway
(I-10) cross Holt Blvd., go under the railroad bridge and prepare to turn on Second Avenue
either direction.
Stroll the street, both sides and the great offerings in the shops. And yes, there are
a couple of places to coffee up, and to have lunch also. The huge offerings in so many
shops set in this charming atmosphere cover just about every period of time, to choose
from.
Like the old saying, "If you can't find it here, it isn't anywhere."
For information call 714 620 6696.
