Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Glendora with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Glendora on the map
📍 Where Glendora is
Glendora sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Ontario Intl (~20 mi / 31 km). It's roughly 18 mi (29 km) from Downtown LA and 107 mi (172 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.
Things to do in Glendora
Big Dalton Wilderness Area
A city-run foothill wilderness of about 563 acres with 14 hiking and multi-use trails, a picnic area and an amphitheater, at 2041 Big Dalton Canyon Rd. Dogs must stay leashed. Arrive at the 7am gate opening — the trails have little shade — and call Recreation & Human Services at (626) 914-8228 for current trail status before driving up.
No entry fee listed by the City of GlendoraSouth Hills Park & South Hills Wilderness Area
701 E Mauna Loa Ave has a playground, picnic areas with BBQ grills, restrooms and a fenced dog park, backing onto the 248-acre South Hills Wilderness Area with about 15 hiking and multi-use trails. The city warns that mountain lions have been seen in the wilderness area, so keep kids close and dogs leashed.
No entry fee listed by the City of Glendora
Glendora Historical Society Museum
A small local-history museum at 314 N Glendora Ave in Glendora Village with artifacts, photographs, tools, furniture and clothing from the town's past. Regular hours are only three hours a week, so pair it with a Saturday Village stroll; school visits can be arranged at museum@GlendoraHistory.org.
Free
Rubel Castle Tours
A hand-built folk-architecture castle at 844 N Live Oak Ave, shown on docent-led tours of about two hours over steps, tunnels and uneven ground. It is not fully ADA accessible and children under 8 are not permitted, so check ages before planning a family outing. Tours often sell out — book ahead.
$25 adults; $15 ages 8–18; children under 8 not permitted
Glendora Arboretum & Botanic Garden
A city garden at 201 W Gladstone St with a paved walking path, native plants and trees, picnic tables and a hedge maze kids can wander through. Parking is on the street. Weekday-only per the city listing, so it suits a school-holiday or after-preschool visit.
No admission fee listed by the City of Glendora
Centennial Heritage Park
At 725 E Mauna Loa Ave, a park recreating a late-1800s citrus ranch with the Hamilton House, a working print shop, antique farm implements and unpaved walking trails. The city lists no playground here, but it sits next to South Hills Park, so combine the two for history plus swings.
No fee listed by the City of GlendoraBig Tree Park
A small pocket park at 665 S Santa Fe Ave built around a Moreton Bay fig planted in the late 1880s, about 99 feet tall and 47 feet across, with steel cables bracing its limbs, plus picnic tables and a gazebo. A 15-minute stop, so pair it with another park.
FreeGlendora Public Library
The city library at 140 S Glendora Ave, next to City Hall, with youth programming for all ages. Evening Storytime runs on select Tuesdays at 6:30pm, so check the city events page for dates.
FreeFestivals & annual events in Glendora
What Glendora is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Glendora Christmas Parade
A 1.25-mile morning parade through Glendora Village and along Foothill Boulevard, run by a volunteer committee with the city, Rotary, Kiwanis and the chamber.
Free
Local restaurants in Glendora
Peppertree Cafe
Breakfast-and-lunch cafe at 1020 E Route 66 with an extensive breakfast menu (many items all day) plus sandwiches, burgers, pasta and seafood, a glass-enclosed patio and a banquet room seating up to 60. Mon–Thu 7am–2pm, Fri–Sun 7am–3pm.
Maria's Mexican Restaurant
Family-recipe Mexican food at 457 W Foothill Blvd (tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, carne asada, chile verde), made to order, with dine-in, takeout and catering. The site lists a kids' plate of ground beef or chicken with beans and rice.
Seasonal & outdoors near Glendora
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Glendora.
Glendora 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
Glendora family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Glendora with kids?
Family favorites in and around Glendora include Big Dalton Wilderness Area, South Hills Park & South Hills Wilderness Area, Glendora Historical Society Museum and Rubel Castle Tours, and more. Our guide lists 8 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Glendora?
Yes — free family spots near Glendora include Big Dalton Wilderness Area, South Hills Park & South Hills Wilderness Area, Glendora Historical Society Museum and Glendora Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Glendora?
Local, family-friendly spots in Glendora include Peppertree Cafe and Maria's Mexican Restaurant — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Glendora guide cover?
Our Glendora family guide includes 8 things to do and 2 local eats — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Glendora
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Glendora on one map — then book on your favorite site.