4-Day Itinerary for Arcadia, California

• Day 1: Explore the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Take a stroll through this impressive garden, which includes a water lily pond, rose garden, and tropical forest. Be sure to visit the historic Queen Anne Cottage and Santa Anita Depot. End your day with a scenic horse racing experience at Santa Anita Park.
• Day 2: Visit the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Marvel at the impressive collection of rare books, art, and botanical gardens. Don't miss the Japanese garden and the Chinese garden. In the afternoon, head to the nearby Pasadena City Hall for a free guided tour of this Art Deco structure.
• Day 3: Discover the San Gabriel Mission, the fourth of the 21 California missions. Learn about the history, culture, and legacy of the Spanish padres and native tribes. Make a stop at the nearby Westfield Santa Anita mall, which offers a variety of shops and restaurants. Wrap up your day with a taste of local cuisine at Din Tai Fung, famous for their soup dumplings.
• Day 4: Indulge in a day of fun at Santa Anita Park. Experience live horse racing, enjoy the park's peaceful surroundings, and take a tour of the park's facilities. In the evening, catch a movie at the historic Monrovia Theater.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden (3 hours, $15)
• Santa Anita Park (4 hours, $20)
• Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (4 hours, $29)
• Pasadena City Hall (1 hour, free)
• San Gabriel Mission (1 hour, $5)
• Westfield Santa Anita (2 hours, variable)
• Din Tai Fung (1 hour, $30)
• Monrovia Theater (2 hours, $10)
Total Estimated Costs: $109

Transportation

Transportation around Arcadia is mostly by car; hence, car rental is your best bet if you want to save time and money. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi or book a ride on Lyft or Uber, which usually costs around $20 per hour. For these tourist attractions, one day can be cut relatively tight to give you sufficient time to make it to your destination in time before it closes, so having your own vehicle would be ideal.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can travel to the nearby cities of Pasadena or Los Angeles to explore more attractions. If you have less time, you can skip some of the attractions on the itinerary, or consider combining some sights within a single day to maximize your time. Additionally, Arcadia has a thriving outdoor recreation scene, including hiking trails in the nearby foothills. Consider adding a hike into your itinerary for a taste of the great outdoors.