San Gabriel, California: 3-Day Itinerary

  • Day 1: Explore San Gabriel
  • Start your day off at the San Gabriel Mission, founded in 1771. Take a tour of the historic grounds and learn about the early settlement of California. Next, visit the Peck Road Water Conservation Park, a large outdoor space that features hiking trails, fishing ponds, a nature center, and a butterfly garden. Finish your day with dinner at Luscious Dumplings, a popular spot for Chinese cuisine.

  • Day 2: Hike and Relax
  • Begin your day with a hike in the San Gabriel Mountains, which offer panoramic views of the city and surrounding area. If you prefer a more leisurely morning, try Floating on Cloud 9 Foot Spa, a relaxing space for foot massages. For lunch, visit El Faro Tacos, featuring authentic Mexican street tacos. End your day with a visit to the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, and take in the beautiful collection of art and botanical gardens.

  • Day 3: San Gabriel Valley Food Tour
  • Begin your day with breakfast at Jim's Burgers, a classic diner featuring classic breakfast fare. Next, visit the San Gabriel Square, a large shopping mall that has several food courts featuring regional Chinese cuisine. After lunch, head to the Chinatown District in Los Angeles, and discover dim sum at The Golden Pouch. Finish the day with dinner at Shabu Shabu House, which serves Japanese-style hot pot.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • San Gabriel Mission (1-2 hours, $5 entry fee)
  • Peck Road Water Conservation Park (2-3 hours, free)
  • Luscious Dumplings ($10-20 per person)
  • San Gabriel Mountains (2-5 hours, free)
  • Floating on Cloud 9 Foot Spa (1-2 hours, $30-50 per person)
  • El Faro Tacos ($5-10 per person)
  • Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (2-4 hours, $25 entry fee)
  • San Gabriel Square (1-3 hours, free entry with food purchase)
  • The Golden Pouch (1-2 hours, $15-20 per person for dim sum)
  • Shabu Shabu House ($20-30 per person for dinner)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $125-188

Transportation

During your trip, you will need to consider transportation. Most locations can be accessed by car, and several rideshare services are available in the area. Public transportation is also available through the Gold Line on the Metro transit system, which runs through San Gabriel.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider a visit to the Old Town Pasadena, an area known for its shopping and dining options. Alternatively, for a day trip, visit the Santa Monica Pier, and take in the beach views while enjoying street performers and carnival rides. If you have less time, the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens can be combined with a visit to the San Gabriel Mission into one day trip.

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