Free Things to Do in the San Gabriel Valley With Kids

Montebello · Parks & Hiking

A sprawling 1,400-acre county recreation area just east of Montebello with lakes for fishing, bike and walking paths, picnic groves and wide lawns for the kids to run. The closest place to feel like you've escaped the city without leaving the valley. Parking is free, but shade is patchy — pick a lakeside picnic area and pack sunscreen.

Free (some activities extra)

El Monte · Parks & Hiking

Just south of El Monte, this trio of connected lakes is a local favorite for stroller-friendly loop walks, duck-watching, and easy shoreline fishing — stocked with trout in cooler months and catfish in summer. Multiple playgrounds dot the water, and you can rent paddle boats or surreys for a treat. Mornings are cooler and calmer, with plenty of free parking.

Free (boat/bike rentals extra)

Pasadena · Arts & Culture

The iconic stadium with a great family walk/bike loop around the Arroyo Seco — and the legendary monthly flea market.

Pasadena · Shopping & Treats

Southern California's oldest independent bookstore, founded in 1894, with a large children's department and over 400 free community events a year including storytimes.

Hacienda Heights · Day Trips

One of the largest Buddhist temples in the Western Hemisphere — ornate courtyards and a vegetarian cafeteria. Dress modestly.

Alhambra · Parks & Hiking

A lake, playground and golf course — a solid local stop to pair with Alhambra's Main Street dining.

Pasadena · Arts & Culture

Contemporary art galleries in Old Pasadena, always free, attached to a long-running community art school that runs toddler and family studio classes.

Pasadena · Shopping & Treats

Walkable historic shopping district built up between the 1880s and 1920s around Colorado Boulevard, once the wealthy winter-resort heart of Pasadena and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After decades of decline, the century-old storefronts were revitalized in the 1980s-90s and are now full of shops, ice cream, and family dining.

Pasadena · Shopping & Treats

Southern California's oldest independent bookstore, founded in 1894, with a large children's department and over 400 free community events a year including storytimes.

Pasadena · Animals & Nature

A regional animal shelter with weekend public visiting hours where families can meet adoptable dogs, cats and small animals. Two afternoons a week only, and adoptions are by appointment.

Pasadena · Museums & Learning

The 1914 Wrigley mansion that serves as Tournament of Roses headquarters, opened for free guided tours of its panelled rooms and parade memorabilia. The gardens outside are free and open every day.

Pasadena · Parks & Hiking

Pasadena's largest park at 61 acres, just below the Rose Bowl, with a big playground, barbecue picnic areas and ball fields.

Pasadena · Museums & Learning

A 124-acre campus of olive walks and Spanish courtyards you can wander any day, with a free downloadable self-guided tour of 21 landmarks. The guided tour runs monthly, not on demand.

Pasadena · Parks & Hiking

A volunteer club runs free Saturday-morning beginner archery lessons in the Lower Arroyo with all equipment supplied. Under-18s must have a parent with them.

Pasadena · Parks & Hiking

Pasadena's only free public garden — three acres of drought-tolerant Mediterranean planting, an olive allée and pollinator habitat. Open every day, no ticket, no gate.

Pasadena · Museums & Learning

Pasadena's branch given over entirely to children and teens, with a play area, kids' magazines and a small bookstore. Unusual and worth knowing about.

Pasadena · Arts & Culture

The iconic stadium with a great family walk/bike loop around the Arroyo Seco — and the legendary monthly flea market.

South Pasadena · Parks & Hiking

A 7-acre city park at 1000 Park Ave with a playground, walking path, picnic areas, lighted tennis courts, a Healing Garden and a small fire ring, and the site of the city's Summer Concerts in the Park. It's a popular birthday and picnic park and the first zero-emission (no gas-powered equipment) municipal park in the US.

South Pasadena · Museums & Learning

A small local-history museum at 913 Meridian Ave in an 1887 wood-frame building, run by the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation. It displays artifacts from South Pasadena and the wider San Gabriel Valley. Expect a short visit of about 30 minutes for kids, and the only regular hours are Thursday evening.

South Pasadena · Museums & Learning

The library at 1100 Oxley St runs Tuesday storytime (10:30am) and Thursday storytimes (10:30 and 11am) in the Community Room at 1115 El Centro St through Nov 21, plus Toddler Dance Parties for ages 1–3. The Panda Cub Reading Challenge is for ages 4–12. Call 626-403-7330 to confirm the schedule.

South Pasadena · Parks & Hiking

A 19.9-acre park at 614 Stoney Dr with a playground, group picnic shelter, tables, barbecue and a small amphitheater in the middle section. The fields are heavily used by Little League and soccer leagues, so weekends can be busy. An equestrian and hiking trail runs along its south and west edge.

Pasadena · Arts & Culture

A free gallery on ArtCenter's hillside campus above the Rose Bowl, showing student and professional work in transportation, product and graphic design. Check the exhibitions page before driving up Lida Street.

Pasadena · Parks & Hiking

Open-space park at the foot of the mountains with flat trails and a kids' nature stream. The 1,300-acre park was previously known as Oak Grove Park until the city renamed and reimagined it as Hahamongna in the early 1990s — a word meaning "flowing waters, fruitful valley," fitting for where the Arroyo Seco watershed meets the flatlands. Beyond the streamside trails, it also holds a 24-hole disc golf course and wide-open fields for picnics.

Pasadena · Museums & Learning

An East Pasadena branch with a children's area and the longest weekend hours in the city system — which matters when the central library is shut for retrofit.

San Gabriel · Parks & Hiking

The beloved 1965 concrete 'sea creature' playground. Heads-up: some sculptures are under multi-year restoration and may be fenced — verify before a special trip.

Rosemead · Parks & Hiking

A small neighborhood park at 8343 E Mission Dr with open space, a playground, a gazebo and restrooms — a quick play stop, and the restrooms are a plus with toddlers.

Alhambra · Parks & Hiking

A lake, playground and golf course — a solid local stop to pair with Alhambra's Main Street dining.

Rosemead · Parks & Hiking

Rosemead's largest park has three playground areas, picnic shelters with barbecues, two lighted ball fields, a skate park, a swimming pool and a half-mile fitness trail. Shelters are first-come if unreserved, but check with the city about weekend reservations.

Monterey Park · Museums & Learning

The city library at 318 S Ramona Ave offers Baby & Toddler, Preschool and Family Storytimes plus a Spanish bilingual storytime. Caregivers must take part; call 626-307-1333 to confirm the current week's schedule.

Monterey Park · Parks & Hiking

An 11-acre central park with a children's playground, an amphitheater, reservable picnic shelters, a fitness court and tennis, pickleball and basketball courts, walkable from City Hall and the library. The city says the Barnes Park pool is being revitalized, so don't plan a swim here.