5-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Baldwin Park, California

• Day 1: Start your day by hiking the San Gabriel Mountains and take in picturesque views of Mount Baldy, the highest peak in the range. After your hike, head to the nearby Azusa Pacific University and explore the beautiful campus, including the Richard and Vivian Felix Event Center. End your day with some delicious Mexican food at Carmen's Kitchen, a family-owned restaurant known for their tasty tacos and horchata.
• Day 2: Visit the Baldwin Park Historical Society Museum and learn about the city's rich history through exhibits highlighting the Santa Fe Railway, the citrus industry, and local families. Next, head to the Iris Gardens and stroll through a sea of colorful flowers, including hundreds of iris varieties. End your day with dinner at De Anda Tacos, a popular taco truck with options like al pastor and carne asada.
• Day 3: Start your day with some retail therapy at the Plaza West Covina, a large shopping center with a variety of stores and restaurants. Next, head to the Hurricane Harbor water park and cool off on a hot day with thrilling water slides and lazy river. End your day with dinner at Los Gueros, a Mexican restaurant known for their delicious burritos and sopes.
• Day 4: Visit the Baldwin Park Farmers Market, held every Wednesday, and pick up some fresh produce and local treats. Next, head to the Pacific Railroad Society Museum and learn about the history of railroads in California. End your day with a hike at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, a beautiful park with plenty of trails and a lake.
• Day 5: Start your day with a trip to the Big Dalton Canyon Wilderness Park, known for its hiking trails and natural beauty. Next, head to the Baldwin Park Aquatic Center and cool off with some swimming and water activities. End your trip with dinner at La Estrella, a Mexican restaurant featuring delicious options like chile rellenos and menudo.

Time and Costs Estimates

• San Gabriel Mountains (3-4 hours, free)
• Azusa Pacific University (1-2 hours, free)
• Carmen's Kitchen (1-2 hours, $10-15 per person)
• Baldwin Park Historical Society Museum (1-2 hours, $5 per person)
• Iris Gardens (1-2 hours, free)
• De Anda Tacos (1-2 hours, $5-10 per person)
• Plaza West Covina (2-4 hours, free)
• Hurricane Harbor (4-6 hours, $30-40 per person)
• Los Gueros (1-2 hours, $5-10 per person)
• Baldwin Park Farmers Market (1-2 hours, free)
• Pacific Railroad Society Museum (1-2 hours, $5 per person)
• Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area (3-4 hours, $10 per car)
• Big Dalton Canyon Wilderness Park (3-4 hours, free)
• Baldwin Park Aquatic Center (2-3 hours, $5-10 per person)
• La Estrella (1-2 hours, $5-10 per person)
Total Estimated Costs: $80-120 per person

Transportation

Consider renting a car as the best option for transportation during this trip. Car rentals average around $30-40 per day, and having a car will allow for easier access to various locations throughout the itinerary. Additionally, ride-share services like Uber and Lyft are also available in the area.

Useful tips

If you have more time, consider taking a day trip to nearby attractions like the Pasadena Museum of California Art, located just 20 miles away. For those with less time, consider combining days 1 and 2, and days 3 and 4 to fit the itinerary into a 3-day trip.

Airports

The nearest airport to Baldwin Park is LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT), located about 22 miles east of the city. Other nearby airports include Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR), located approximately 30 miles west of the city, and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), located about 35 miles southwest of Baldwin Park.