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Glendale lies at the eastern end of the San Fernando Valley, between the Verdugo Mountains and the San Gabriel foothills, on land that was part of Rancho San Rafael, one of the first Spanish land grants in California, given to Jose Maria Verdugo in 1784. The town grew after the railroad arrived in the 1880s and was incorporated in 1906, and in the early 1900s developer Leslie C. Brand built his striking Moorish-style mansion, El Miradero, which is now the Brand Library and Art Center.
Glendale grew into one of the largest cities in Los Angeles County, a center for entertainment companies, aviation and shopping. It is known for its large Armenian American community, one of the biggest outside Armenia, which shapes its bakeries, restaurants and cultural life. Downtown's historic Alex Theatre, opened in 1925, still glows with its neon tower.
Visitors come for shopping at the Americana at Brand and the Glendale Galleria, the Museum of Neon Art, and the grounds of Forest Lawn Memorial Park with its art and architecture. The Verdugo Mountains and Brand Park offer hiking trails with sweeping views over the city and the Los Angeles basin.
A public library for art and music housed in El Miradero, a white Moorish-style mansion built in 1904 at the foot of the Verdugo Mountains. It has galleries, a large collection of art books and scores, and concerts. Admission is free; explore the surrounding Brand Park afterward.
A restored 1888 Queen Anne Eastlake Victorian house in Brand Park, named for the several doctors who lived in it. Moved here to save it, it is now furnished in period style and run by the local historical society. Tours are offered on limited days, usually on Sunday afternoons.
A famous hillside cemetery in Glendale with art reproductions including Michelangelo's David, stained glass of the Last Supper, historic churches and the graves of many Hollywood stars. It also has a free museum. Visitors are welcome to walk respectfully during open hours.
A museum near the Americana at Brand dedicated to neon signs and electric art, with restored historic signs from Los Angeles businesses and works by contemporary artists. It is small but colorful. Evening neon cruise tours by bus are offered on some dates and sell out early.
A historic 1925 theater on Brand Boulevard with a landmark neon tower and Greek and Egyptian revival details, now hosting concerts, dance, comedy, classic films and the Glendale Youth Orchestra. Check the schedule, and arrive early to admire the courtyard entrance and lit-up marquee.
An outdoor shopping and dining center with a large green lawn, a dancing fountain show set to music, a trolley and upscale stores and restaurants. It is lively in the evenings, especially during holidays when there is a big tree and artificial snow. Parking garages are nearby.
A large shopping mall in downtown Glendale with department stores, hundreds of shops and restaurants, connected by a short walk to the Americana at Brand. It is convenient for a full day of shopping and is cooler indoors on hot summer days. Weekends can be very busy.
The original location of the beloved Cuban bakery and cafe on Brand Boulevard, known for guava and cheese pastries, potato balls and cakes at low prices. Lines are often long, but they move quickly. Go early in the day for the best selection and order extra pastries to take home.
A small-town shopping street on Honolulu Avenue in the Montrose area of Glendale, with independent shops, cafes, restaurants and a weekly farmers market. It has a relaxed, village feel at the foot of the mountains. Events like the Montrose Arts and Crafts Festival bring crowds.
A range of chaparral-covered mountains rising behind Glendale, crossed by fire roads and trails, including routes from Brand Park up to ridge viewpoints over the city and San Fernando Valley. Trails are steep and exposed, so start early, carry plenty of water and avoid hot afternoons.
A wilderness park in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in north Glendale, with trails through canyons and up to ridge views, plus a restored historic stone barn used for events. It was burned by wildfires, so check trail status. Bring water and watch for rattlesnakes.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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