Summer fun at Lacy Park

Although a lot of our residents get out of town during the summer months, San Marino is a great place to be in the summer.  Located in the San Gabriel Valley, we do get warm temperatures on most summer days, but the evenings and early mornings are amazing.  For such a small town, we have some wonderful and historic sites, which are worth coming to see.  Over the next couple of weeks, I will be talking about some of these highlights.

One of my favorite locations in San Marino, Lacy Park is an incredible destination on a summer day.  Lacy Park, located at 1485 Virginia Road in the center of San Marino, is a truly gorgeous 30 acre park with open green areas and many varieties of trees and shrubs.  Originally Wilson Lake in 1875, the land was purchased by the City in 1925 and dedicated as a park.  A fabulous place to bring kids, Lacy Park has a wonderful play area, numerous amazing climbing trees, lots of room for a good game of hide and go seek, and a large paved circle for riding bikes.  I have many a fond memory of times spent at Lacy Park with my own kids.  As the park is fenced all around and the area very safe, I could allow them a lot of freedom to explore and enjoy the varying features of the park.  My son was almost always found up a tree with his buddies.  Sometimes the getting down process was a bit hairy, but this activity is probably one of his childhood favorites.  There is ample picnic area, with clean tables scattered around the park.

Upon moving to San Marino, one of my first activities was walking a loop from my house, through Lacy Park and then back home again.  At all times of day, but particularly in the early morning, there are many people enjoying the two walking loops:  an inner loop of approximately 3/4 mile in length, and an outer loop of approximately 1 mile in length.  It is such a peaceful and scenic place to walk!

The park also boasts six beautiful tennis courts, which are run by the San Marino Tennis Association and can be used by non-members for a fee.  In addition, there is a beautiful rose arbor at the St. Albans entrance to the park.  There are numerous city events that happen at the park during the year, including our amazing 4th of July events.  Keep in mind that the park does charge a fee for non-residents on the weekends.   Visit the park website for more detailed information. 

Come and enjoy!

To learn more about San Marino Real Estate, visit the Benuska Group website.

The Castle Green Holiday Tour

On Sunday, December 7, at 1:00 PM the Historic and beautiful Castle Green will once again open its doors for their annual Holiday tour.  One of the last remaining icons of the historic hotels of Pasadena’s past, Castle Green is a cultural and architectural landmark like no other.  Now divided into private residences the building is inhabited by designers, musicians, artists and collectors, many of whom open their homes for this annual holiday tour.  Trained docents are available for guided tours or you can stroll the grounds and public rooms at your leisure.

If you are interested in architecture or history this is must see; but even for those who just enjoy the holidays there is much to be enjoyed.  Castle Green is located at 99 S. Raymond in Pasadena.  Tickets to the event are $20.00 per person for more information call 626-577-6765 or visit www.castlegreen.com

Christmas Around the Drive

One of the lovely holiday events in San Marino is the traditional Christmas Around the Drive. This year the celebration takes place on Friday, December 5th from 5pm to 8:30 pm. Trolley rides will be given on Huntington Drive between Del Mar and Bedford road. Santa will arrive promptly at 6pm at City Hall for the enjoyment of our younger citizens.

For the older crowd there are carolers and plenty of Holiday shopping all along the drive. This is a wonderful family event that is great to help anyone get in the Holiday spirit. Best of all, it is a free event that features something for everyone in the family. You won’t want to miss it.

The Huntington Library, Art Collection and Botanical Gardens

One of my favorite things to do in San Marino is visit The Huntington Library, Art Collection and Botanical Gardens.  It is a great afternoon get away.  Be advised that it is closed on Tuesdays and major holidays but is open all other days of the week; noon to 4:30pm on weekdays and 10:30 to 4:30pm on weekends. Tickets are reasonably priced depending on the day, but in the Huntington tradition the Library is open free of charge to the public on the first Thursday of the month, with the proper reservation.

The Huntington, like its name is a multifaceted facility containing the actual Library, Art Collections and the famous Botanical Gardens.  Regular events including book discussions, film screenings and musical performances are featured as well. 

For more information about current events and ticket prices visit the The Huntington Library Website.

Celebrating 100 Years of the Gamble House

This year marks the centennial of the fabulous and famous Gamble House in Pasadena.  Designed by famed Architects Greene and Greene the Gamble House is the quintessential example of the Arts and Crafts era in American Architecture, a style that is so richly evidenced in the Pasadena, San Marino area.

As a tribute to The Gamble House’s Centennial a number of remarkable exhibits are currently on display in Pasadena from now through January 4th of 2009.  The exhibits will then tour major museums throughout the country.

For the lover of local architecture having the ability to see these exhibits in the environs in which they were inspired is too good of an opportunity to miss.