4-Day Travel Itinerary for La Canada Flintridge, California

• Day 1: Visit the Descanso Gardens, which boasts 150-acres with a variety of gardens, a lake, a bird sanctuary, and a promenade (2-3 hours). Head over to the Mount Wilson Observatory to explore several telescopes and the Cosmic Cafe (2-3 hours). End the day with a delicious meal at the Los Gringos Locos for some Mexican food (1-2 hours).
• Day 2: Start the day with a scenic drive up to the Angeles National Forest, where you can go hiking, mountain biking or see the San Gabriel Mountains (4-6 hours). Afterward, visit the Pasadena Museum of History to learn about the past and present of the area, and explore the beautifully landscaped Fenyes Mansion (2-3 hours).
• Day 3: Spend the day exploring the historic Old Town Pasadena, featuring the Paseo Colorado shopping complex, the Norton Simon Museum of Art, and many unique boutiques and shops (4-6 hours). In the evening, catch a flick at Laemmle Playhouse 7, an arthouse theater (2-3 hours).
• Day 4: Start the day with a visit to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a research center maintained by NASA that creates robotic spacecraft for exploration (2-4 hours). Then, take a walk on the Rose Bowl Loop Trail, a 3.1-mile trail that offers excellent views of the Rose Bowl Stadium and San Gabriel Mountains (2-3 hours). End the day with some shopping at the Glendale Galleria mall, which has over 200 stores, restaurants, and a movie theater (3-4 hours).

Time and Cost Estimates

• Descanso Gardens (2-3 hours, $15/adult)
• Mount Wilson Observatory (2-3 hours, $10/adult)
• Los Gringos Locos (1-2 hours, $15/person)
• Angeles National Forest (4-6 hours, free)
• Pasadena Museum of History (2-3 hours, $10/adult)
• Old Town Pasadena (4-6 hours, varies)
• Laemmle Playhouse 7 (2-3 hours, $15/person)
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2-4 hours, free)
• Rose Bowl Loop Trail (2-3 hours, free)
• Glendale Galleria (3-4 hours, varies)
Total Estimated Costs: $65-$90 per adult per day

Transportation

Most of the destinations on this itinerary require a car to get there, which can be rented at the airport or nearby rental agencies. If visitors prefer not to rent a car, other transportation methods like taxi, Uber or Lyft can be utilized. The average cost of car rental in the area is about $30-$50 per day, and visitors should be aware of traffic and parking obstacles.

Useful Tips

If you have more days to explore, consider visiting other popular destinations in the area, such as Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios Hollywood, or the Getty Museum. For less time, reduce some of the destinations into half days rather than full days. Always be aware of opening and closing times when planning your trip.