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Los Angeles family guide

Things to Do in Arcadia with Kids

Arcadia is synonymous with the Los Angeles County Arboretum, 127 acres of gardens where free-roaming peacocks steal every kid's attention. Add the adjacent Santa Anita racetrack's family days and the mountain backdrop, and it's a green, easygoing San Gabriel Valley escape.

Curated by Simir Shah

Reviewed & updated June 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.

📍 Where Arcadia is

Arcadia sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Hollywood Burbank (~19 mi / 30 km). It's roughly 13 mi (21 km) from Downtown LA and 111 mi (178 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.

Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.

💡 Local tip: Go early at the Arboretum for cooler weather and the best peacock sightings; strollers roll easily on the main loops.

Things to do in Arcadia

Animals & Nature

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden

127-acre garden famous for free-roaming peacocks, a waterfall, and historic grounds.

~$15 adult / $6 child
Parks & Hiking

LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden

Famous free-roaming peacocks and flat, stroller-friendly loops — a reliable, low-key family morning.

~$15 adult / ~$6 child; free 3rd Tue
Day Trips

Santa Anita Park

A Family Fun Zone (jumpers, pony rides, face painting) runs on select race days with the San Gabriel Mountains as backdrop. Also hosts the 626 Night Market.

Admission varies; many free-parking days

Local restaurants in Arcadia

Asian

Corner Beef Noodle House

Tiny gem making fresh hand-pulled noodles for rich Taiwanese beef noodle soup.

Asian

Lao Xi Noodle House

Family-run Henan spot where you watch noodles get hand-pulled.

Asian

Yunxiang Sichuan Cuisine

Authentic Sichuan kitchen with family seating and milder noodle options.

Asian

Chef Tony Dim Sum

Acclaimed family-run dim sum house with refined dumplings ideal for adventurous family brunches.

Asian

Capital Seafood

One of the last great push-cart dim sum halls, with carts rolling by lazy-Susan tables kids point at.

See all local SoCal restaurants →

Seasonal & outdoors near Arcadia

The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Arcadia.

Christmas lights · 2 miUpper Hastings RanchSplash pad · 5 miPamela County Park Splash PadDog-friendly · 6 miOld PasadenaBirthday venue · 6 miKidspace Children's MuseumToddler spot · 7 miKidspace Children's MuseumJuly 4th fireworks · 7 miRose Bowl July 4thPhoto spot · 13 miThe Broad & Walt Disney Concert HallPumpkin patch · 14 miCal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Festival

Arcadia is part of the San Gabriel Valley family guide — see the region's best things to do, local eats and events.

More Los Angeles family guides

Los Angeles →Long Beach →Pasadena →Santa Monica →Burbank →Claremont →Glendale →Venice →Manhattan Beach →Calabasas →Agoura Hills →Santa Clarita →
Browse all SoCal city guides →

Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.