Volunteering in Arcadia, California 5-Day Itinerary

• Day 1: Heal the Bay Aquarium - Get to know some of the many fascinating creatures and marine life of California at the Heal the Bay Aquarium. Located in nearby Santa Monica, the Aquarium is a great place for a morning visit to get your bearings before diving into your volunteer adventures. The Aquarium is open from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm on weekdays.
• Day 2: San Gabriel Mountains National Monument- Spend the day connecting with nature while preserving the San Gabriel Mountains. The national monument offers a variety of volunteer opportunities like trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, and cleaning up recreational areas. Make sure to bring a packed lunch as there is no food available on-site.
• Day 3: Los Angeles Regional Food Bank -All hands on deck! Spend the day working at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, one of the most effective and well-regarded food banks in the country. Volunteer opportunities range from food sorting, accounting, to driving, depending on your interests.
• Day 4: Eaton Canyon Nature Center - Eaton Canyon Nature Center is a hidden gem in Los Angeles County. Join the center’s volunteers to help preserve and maintain the native habitat and wildlife through trail work, invasive plant removal, and on-site projects.
• Day 5: Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens - Wrap up your week in greater Arcadia with a visit to the stunningly beautiful Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. With opportunities to volunteer in the botanical garden or conservation labs, this is a great way to learn about horticulture and offer your skills.

Time and Costs Estimates:

• Heal the Bay Aquarium (3 hours, Free)
• San Gabriel Mountains National Monument (5 hours, Free)
• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank (6 hours, Free)
• Eaton Canyon Nature Center (4 hours, Free)
• Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (5 hours, $29 admission)
Total Estimated Costs: $29

Transportation:

Transportation during this itinerary will be facilitated by rented vehicles, cab services or the public transit network. It is advisable to plan your route in advance and consider renting a car for maximum flexibility. It is always a good idea to use navigation apps to get the most out of your touring time. You can factor in which of these transportation modes is best suited for your itinerary, however taxi fares average around $3 per mile.

Useful Tips:

You can explore more of the beautiful natural landscapes around Arcadia if you have additional days on your trip. Visit popular attractions like Angeles National Forest, the Santa Anita Park and Carter’s Estate to experience more of the best the area has to offer. If you have less time, consider working your way through the itinerary in a shorter period than five days or consider prioritizing your volunteer work based on your interest areas.

Airports:

The nearest major airport to Arcadia is the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) which is 27 miles from Arcadia. Travel time to Arcadia can take up to an hour and the most convenient mode of transportation may be a hired taxi or shuttle service. Other options include smaller regional airports like the Burbank Hollywood (BUR) which is 17.5 miles from Arcadia and may offer more direct connections to the local area.