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Monrovia is a foothill city of about 37,000 people in the San Gabriel Valley, roughly 20 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Founded in 1886 by William N. Monroe and incorporated the following year, it sits right at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains and likes to call itself the Gem of the Foothills.
The heart of town is Old Town Monrovia along Myrtle Avenue, a walkable strip of restored early 1900s storefronts with cafes, restaurants and small shops. Historic Route 66 runs along Foothill Boulevard past the 1925 Aztec Hotel, one of the most unusual buildings on the old highway, and the city keeps many Victorian and Craftsman homes. The Metro A Line stops next to the restored Santa Fe depot at Station Square.
Nature is close: Monrovia Canyon Park offers a short shaded trail to a seasonal waterfall and longer climbs such as the Ben Overturff Trail into the Angeles National Forest. Pasadena, the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia and Santa Anita Park are all a short drive away.
A 1925 hotel on Foothill Boulevard, the old Route 66, decorated in a striking Mayan Revival style with carved concrete friezes and a dark lobby. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admire the facade from the sidewalk and check ahead before planning to go inside.
The restored 1926 Spanish Colonial Revival depot of the Santa Fe railroad, now the centerpiece of Station Square beside the Metro A Line Monrovia station. It is a good place to start a car-free visit, and Old Town is a short walk or ride away.
Monrovia's historic main street along Myrtle Avenue, lined with restored brick storefronts, sidewalk cafes, restaurants, a movie theater and independent shops. It is busiest on weekend evenings and during the Friday night street fair. Park in the free public lots just off Myrtle.
A city park in a wooded canyon at the top of Canyon Boulevard, with picnic areas under oaks and sycamores, a small nature center and access to several trails into the San Gabriel foothills. There is a modest vehicle entry fee, and the gate closes in the evening, so arrive early on weekends.
Hundreds of acres of protected chaparral and canyon land above Monrovia, set aside by the city to keep its foothills wild. Trails here link with Monrovia Canyon Park and the Angeles National Forest. It is home to deer and other wildlife, so stay on marked paths and bring water.
A shady park in the civic center next to the Monrovia Public Library, a short walk from Old Town. It has open lawns, mature shade trees and benches, and it hosts community concerts and events in warmer months. It is a pleasant spot for a picnic between Myrtle Avenue stops.
A shaded trail of about 1.5 miles round trip from the upper parking lot of Monrovia Canyon Park, following a creek past old check dams to a 30-foot waterfall. It flows best in winter and spring after rain. Wear shoes with grip, since the last stretch is rocky and often wet.
A steeper loop of roughly seven miles that climbs out of Monrovia Canyon to the ruins of a 1920s mountain cabin built by Ben Overturff, with wide views over the San Gabriel Valley. Start in the cool morning, carry plenty of water and check park hours before you set out.
A small museum run by the Monrovia Historical Society that tells the story of the town from its founding by William N. Monroe in 1886, through its citrus and resort years, to today. Exhibits include photographs and objects from local families. Opening hours are limited, so check before visiting.
A large Queen Anne style house built in 1887, during Monrovia's first land boom, and one of the best known Victorian buildings in town. It is a private property today, so view it respectfully from the street while walking the residential blocks north of Old Town.
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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
Photo: David Jordan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Timur Mamedrzaev, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: formulanone from Huntsville, United States, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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