by Julie Eklund
Staff Writer
Although it may seem at times that, because the geographical area of La Verne is so small, you have been everywhere and done everything; there are actually quite a few unique places to visit within just a 30-mile radius.
This is not in reference to well-known tourist spots such as Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and Raging Waters.
This is also not referring to organized activity areas such as Anaheim Stadium, the Universal Amphitheater and the Los Angeles Convention Center; although all of these sites also often host unique programs.
This article is instead about the more obscure places which you may have heard of or seen freeway signs for, but have never actually gotten around to exploring. All the locations are within a 30-mile radius of La Verne, and all have a lot to offer in their respective genres.
·Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. (818) 405-2141. Take the 210 west, exit Allen Ave. Open Tues.-Fri., noon-4:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $4 with student ID, free the first Thursday of every month.
·Santa Anita Racetrack
285 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia. (818) 574-7223. Take the 210 west, exit Huntington. Races start at 1 p.m. Wed.-Fri., and at 12:30 p.m. on weekends. $3 for parking and $4 for admission.
·Brackett Airport Scenic Flights
1100 Puddingstone Drive, La Verne. (909) 596-1871. Located off of Fairplex Drive. Half-hour trips are offered daily, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. $35; reservations required.
·The Norton Simon Museum
411 West Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. (818) 449-6840. Take the 210 west, exit Orange Grove. Open Thurs.-Sun., noon-6 p.m. $2 with student ID.
·San Gabriel Mission
537 West Mission Drive, San Gabriel. (818) 457-3035. Take the 10 west, exit Del Mar. Open seven days a week, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $4.
·Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. (714) 993-3393. Take the 57 south, exit Yorba Linda Blvd. Open Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $5.95.
·Medieval Times
7662 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. (714) 523-1100. Take the 57 south, exit Ball. Shows at 7 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Fri.; 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Sat.; and 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sun. $33.95, reservations required.
There are also more generic activities to do within 30 miles, such as going to the beach or the mountains, shopping at the new Ontario Mills Outlet Center, horseback riding at Bonelli Park, ice-skating at the Ontario Ice Skating Center, or star-gazing at the Griffith Observatory.
All in all, there is a lot to do around La Verne. When in doubt, pull out a map and find someplace new, or drive down the freeway and follow the signs.
Julie Eklund
