Things to do in and around Altadena
Altadena, California, offers a delightful mix of family-friendly activities, sports, and cultural experiences. Visitors can enjoy recreational areas, educational attractions, and an entertainment arena. For shopping enthusiasts, there are various local spots to explore, along with a charming city walk that invites leisurely strolls. Altadena promises an engaging vacation filled with fun and exploration for all ages.
Shopping
In Altadena, visit Rioni, a charming store just 6 miles away, for unique gifts. For a larger experience, head to Americana at Brand, an exciting shopping mall 8 miles away, featuring entertainment and dining. If you're up for a drive, check out Grand Central Market, located 12 miles away.
Recreation
Chilao Recreation Area, located 3 miles from Altadena, offers a tranquil retreat with picturesque hiking trails, perfect for relaxation and connection with nature. For a vibrant atmosphere, enjoy the sports energy at Dodger Stadium, 10 miles away, or immerse yourself in the entertainment at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, 12 miles away.
Adventure
The Mount Lowe Railway trail offers an exhilarating hiking experience with stunning views and rich history in the beautiful Altadena area. For motorsport enthusiasts, the Irwindale Speedway, located 10 miles away, hosts thrilling races. Meanwhile, Tryst Kiteboarding School, also 10 miles away, provides exciting water sports adventures for adrenaline seekers.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Altadena offers a blend of entertainment and culture. Visit the Pasadena Playhouse for a romantic theater experience, or catch a film at the Palace Theater for a cozy cinema vibe. For a unique perspective of the stars, head to the Griffith Observatory nearby.
*Distances are measured in a straight line; actual driving distances may vary depending on the route.
![Professor Lowe had a dream to make the beautiful Mountains overlooking the cities of Altadena / Pasadena accessible to average citizens. After much planning, many exploratory trips on horseback, he and Engineer Thomas McPherson located a series of routes that could be built upon with a series of rail cars to reach miles back into the forest and eventually all the way to the top of Mount Wilson. Financing the project himself, Professor Lowe proceeded to build his dream which eventually reached all the way to the base of Mount Lowe (named after Professor Lowe, previously known as Oak Mountain). At its peak, it was the top honeymoon destination in America. Beginning with the famous red car lines in California, Professor Lowe extended the line up through the rolling hills in Rubio Canyon where a small hotel was built at the base of new incline rail systems that would take a visitor up a mile along a ridge overlooking the LA Basin to the top of Echo Mountain.
The top of Echo Mountain became a little city of its own with places to eat, order picnic lunches, shop at stores, dormitories for employees, power generating station to power Echo Mountain facilities. There was also a trolley repair building and pit, observation decks at various spots, trails that could be taken by hikers both up and down the mountain and into the Alpine regions, tennis courts, stables and a now little known zoo. The entire assembly of buildings were painted white and because of the view from far below, became known as "The White City in the sky". The “opera box” great incline cars were also white and could be seen from afar ferrying up and down the hill. On a ridge behind the Echo Mountain ridge was an observatory building with a working 16 inch telescope housed in a round domed building. The foundations can still be found at the site as well as the cement stand which is what the telescope was mounted upon. It was Professor Lowe's intention to build the rail system all the way to the top of Mount Wilson along with additional hotels and facilities on the top of Mount Wilson. Later, much of the path of the large 100" telescope and observatory built on Mount Wilson was used to transport the delicate 100" mirror to the top of Mount Wilson.
[From Wikipedia]](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6058643/03e5e617-ede3-45ea-9817-79e95ae8eb81.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1200&h=500&q=medium)
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