Bradbury, California on a Shoestring Budget

• Day 1: Hiking and Exploring the Nature in Bradbury - Start your trip with a morning hike in Eaton Canyon. After that, visit the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in the afternoon. The garden spans approximately 127 acres and offers tours, educational programs, events, and more. End your day by watching the sunset at Mount Wilson Observatory.
• Day 2: Culture and History in Pasadena - Start your day with a visit to the Norton Simon Museum. The museum features a collection of European artwork and American art from the 20th century. Spend your afternoon walking around Old Pasadena, where you can find shops, restaurants, and galleries. End your day by visiting the Gamble House, a national historic landmark home that displays the arts and crafts style.
• Day 3: Beach Day in Santa Monica - Spend your day relaxing on the beach, strolling along the pier, and enjoying the atmosphere in Santa Monica. Venice Beach is also a great option if you want to visit a funky boardwalk.
• Day 4: Hollywood and Griffith Park - Start your day with a Hollywood Walk of Fame tour. Then, head to Griffith Park, which is one of the largest and most famous parks in Los Angeles. Visit the Griffith Observatory, which offers breathtaking views of Los Angeles and has free admission to the exhibits. End your day with a comedy show at the Hollywood Improv.
• Day 5: Culinary Day in Echo Park - Spend your day exploring the neighborhood of Echo Park, which is known for its diverse food scene. Grab breakfast at Valerie Confections, lunch at Guisados, and dinner at Mohawk Bend. Visit Dodger Stadium in the evening for a Dodgers game.
• Day 6: Art and Architecture in Downtown LA - Start your day by visiting The Broad, a contemporary art museum. Then, stroll around Grand Central Market, which has a wide variety of food vendors. Spend your afternoon checking out the street art in the Arts District. End your day by visiting the Last Bookstore, which is considered "California's largest used and new book and record store."
• Day 7: Shopping and Farmers Markets in Pasadena - Start your day by visiting Pasadena Farmers Market, which operates on Saturday mornings. Spend your afternoon exploring the boutiques, antiques stores and record shops in historic Old Town Pasadena. End your trip with a visit to the Pasadena City College Flea Market, which operates on the first Sunday of each month.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Eaton Canyon (3 hours, free)
• Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden (2 hours, $9)
• Mount Wilson Observatory (2 hours, free)
• Norton Simon Museum (2 hours, $10)
• Old Pasadena (3 hours, free)
• Gamble House (1.5 hours, $15)
• Santa Monica Beach (6 hours, free)
• Hollywood Walk of Fame tour (2 hours, $19)
• Griffith Park and Observatory (4 hours, free)
• Hollywood Improv (2.5 hours, $20 + 2 drink minimum)
• Echo Park (6 hours, costs vary depending on food choices)
• The Broad (2.5 hours, free)
• Grand Central Market (1.5 hours, costs vary depending on food choices)
• Arts District (2 hours, free)
• Last Bookstore (1-2 hours, free)
• Pasadena Farmers Market (2 hours, costs vary depending on purchases)
• Old Town Pasadena (3 hours, costs vary depending on purchases)
• Pasadena City College Flea Market (2 hours, free)
Total Estimated Costs: $83 (excluding food and purchases)

Transportation

Los Angeles is a car-oriented city, so a rental car may be necessary for this itinerary. If you prefer public transportation, the Metro rail and bus system can get you to most of the locations on the itinerary. Ride-sharing services are also readily available, particularly in the city center.

Estimated Travel Costs for a 7-day itinerary:

• Car Rental: $150-200
• Metro Pass: $25 (day pass)
• Ride-Sharing Services: $100-150

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting Universal Studios Hollywood or taking a tour of the Paramount Pictures studio. If you have less time, you may want to skip some of the places in the itinerary, such as Santa Monica Beach or the Pasadena Farmers Market. Instead, focus on exploring the places that interest you the most.

Airports

The nearest airport to Bradbury is Ontario International Airport (ONT), which is approximately 25 miles away from the city center. Other airports in the area include Bob Hope Airport (BUR) in Burbank and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Both are approximately 30 miles away from Bradbury.