San Gabriel Things to Do

The Mt. Wilson Observatory was established in 1904 by astronomer George Hale (1868-1938) in the suburb of Pasadena. It was the first observatory in the western United States and the largest in the world. The grounds are open to... more

Named for a food-packing king and financier who reorganized the failing Pasadena Museum of Modern Art, the Norton Simon displays one of the finest private collections of European, American, and Asian art in the world (an... more

It's one of the most colorful and delightful events to watch on TV or view in person. If you are planning to be in the L.A. area for New Year's Day, be sure to order tickets for this parade. Pasadena extends a royal welcome to... more

If you thought that the only place you'll find neon lights would be in a nightclub or bar, think again. The Museum of Neon Art is filled with exhibits and documents of contemporary fine art in electric media as well as some ver... more

Think Glenn Miller and get ready to "Go Daddy Go!" After being featured as the singles nightspot in the film Swingers, this classic dance hall has gone from underground hip to mainstream mania. Glossy hardwood floors and great... more

A brief visit here can give you a great sense of California's early history. 45 years after the Mission San Gabriel was constructed, Native Americans from the mission built this water-powered mill, the first of its kind in Sout... more

Although legal buffs may find it interesting for other reasons, the real attraction here is the building the court is housed in. That, of course, is the historic Vista Del Arroyo Hotel, constructed in 1903. This luxury resort h... more

The one-time tenant of this building provides its link to history. Formerly the home of the Hearst newspapers, this structure is most notable for its design by Julia Morgan, who also created the legendary Hearst Castle and othe... more

During its heyday, this sprawling department store was dubbed the "Cathedral of Commerce." Opened in 1929, it was one of the most impressive consumer centers that the city had ever seen, an art deco masterpiece adorned with chr... more

Frequented by fiestas and open-air concerts, this is the heart of El Pueblo. Once the center of everyday life in Los Angeles, today some of the festivals held here include Dia de los Muertos in early November, Las Posadas leadi... more