7 Days in Arcadia, California on a Shoestring Budget

• Day 1: Start your day with a visit to the Arcadia Farmer's Market where you can indulge in fresh produce and local delicacies. Spend your afternoon in Arcadia Wilderness Park and take a hike to witness breathtaking views of the San Gabriel Mountains. End the day admiring the beautiful Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
• Day 2: Begin your day with an early morning walk on the Santa Anita Race Track followed by Breakfast at the Cuppa Juice Bar. Spend the rest of your day exploring the stunning DreamLab Gaming and splurge on video games, board games, and delicious snacks. End the day with a movie at the Arcadia Cinema.
• Day 3: Start your morning with a relaxing stroll at the Arcadia Wilderness Park. Take the rest of the day to appreciate the city's artistic heritage with a visit to the Art Center College of Design and learn about the work of students and renowned artists. End your day with delicious street food from one of the many food trucks in Din Tai Fung Plaza.
• Day 4: Explore the natural beauty of the San Gabriel Mountains by taking a hike in the Chantry Flat Recreation Area. Spend your afternoon at the Arcadia County Park, break a sweat with fun sports like basketball, baseball, and volleyball, and end your day relaxing at the San Gabriel Square.
• Day 5: Take a day trip to the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens and appreciate the beautiful collections housed in stunning views. Wrap up your day at the Old Town Pasadena, enjoy shopping and dining in the historic streets.
• Day 6: Begin your day with a trip to the Disney's California Adventure Park and experience various thrilling rides, shows, and attractions. Spend your afternoon at the Knott's Berry Farm Theme Park enjoying its collection of both gentle and intense rides, and wrap up your day at the South Coast Plaza Mall.
• Day 7: End your trip with a day at the Santa Anita Park Racetrack and witness world-class horse racing, delicious food, and excitement. Spend your afternoon at the Arcadia Wilderness Park exploring its hiking trails and enjoying panoramic views of the city.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Arcadia Farmer's Market (3hrs, Free)
• Arcadia Wilderness Park (4hrs, Free)
• Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden (3hrs, $15)
• Santa Anita Race Track (2hrs, Free)
• Cuppa Juice Bar ($5-10)
• DreamLab Gaming ($10-15)
• Arcadia Cinema ($12)
• Art Center College of Design (3hrs, Free)
• Din Tai Fung Plaza ($10-20)
• Chantry Flat Recreation Area (6hrs, Free)
• Arcadia County Park (4hrs, Free)
• San Gabriel Square ($5-15)
• Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (5hrs, $25)
• Old Town Pasadena ($25-50)
• Disney's California Adventure Park (8hrs, $150)
• Knott's Berry Farm Theme Park (8hrs, $80)
• South Coast Plaza Mall (3hrs, Free)
• Santa Anita Park Racetrack (6hrs, $10)
Total Estimated Costs: $540-665

Transportation

Arcadia is best explored on foot, although renting a bike or a car is an option. Public transportation like Metro Rail and buses are also available for inexpensive fares, although their timetables are irregular.

Travel costs:

• Car rental - $30-$50 per day
• Bike rental - $8-$15 per hour
• Public transportation - $1.75 per ride

Useful Tips

If you have extra time, visit the Arcadia Contemporary Art Gallery and other nearby museums like the Creative Arts Group in Sierra Madre. For those with less time, you can cover more ground by renting a car or booking a guided tour of the area.

Airports

The nearest airport to Arcadia is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is approximately 40 miles southwest of the city center. Other nearby airports include Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR), approximately 20 miles northwest of Arcadia, and John Wayne Airport (SNA), located 50 miles southeast.