Recommended Dentists

Tom Segura
170 E Foothill Blvd
Arcadia, CA 91006
626-305-5175
*great with kids!
map

Toddlers_, Kids_, Healthcare_,

Recommended Pediatricians

John Legault, M.D. or
Peggy Legault M.D.
55 E. California Bl.,
Ste. 200, Pasadena
(626) 449-7350
map

Kellie Yoon, M.D.
301 W. Huntington Drive
Ste. 320, Arcadia
(626) 447-3516
map


Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_, Healthcare_,

The Arboretum of Los Angeles County

Location: 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia (south of the 210 freeway, across the street from the Santa Anita Racetrack and Mall)
Website: www.arboretum.org
Type of Activity: Nature, Outdoors
Hours: 9am-5pm Daily (entrance closes at 4:30pm)
Cost: Free on the 3rd Tuesday of the month! Otherwise, $7 adults, $5 seniors & students, $2.50 ages 5-12, under 5 free. Year memberships available.


I try to go to the Arboretum every month. It's a historical site with beautiful botanic gardens on 127 acres, and a great place to get your kids out in nature.

There are several types of gardens at the Arboretum: The jungle garden (with a random dinosaur-shaped bush), the herb garden, rose garden, etc, and a children's garden with a very cute outdoor classroom under a tree with tree stumps for chairs. Each time we go we find a new lawn we have practically to ourselves.

The Arboretum has some beautiful fountains and a waterfall, and many ponds and a large "lake" with all sorts of birds, ducks, geese, turtles, and koi fish. My favorite animals to see at the Arboretum are the many peacocks that roam freely.

In addition to gardens and ponds, there are some interesting historical structures at the Arboretum: There's an original adobe building onsite (where, oddly, Lucky Baldwin used to live); some recreations of Native American huts (fun for kids to play in); a "Jolly Holiday"-esque Victorian house (you can't go inside, but you can walk around the porch of the entire house looking through all the windows at the antique furniture, decorations, and "family"); a matching carriage house; and the original Santa Anita train station, which has been relocated from about a mile or so north. The train station is a little bit of a walk, but totally worth it (you can actually see it as you drive down Baldwin Ave). It's decorated with antiques and old maps of the area, and there is someone there to tell you about the place.

In comparison to the Hungington Gardens, most of the Arboretum gardens have a more natural feel. Also, the grounds are so big that it never gets too crowded, even when there are busloads of summer camp kids on the free day (unlike the Huntington, where you can run into some major stroller gridlock).

Tips: Bring comfortable shoes and your stroller. Also, technically, you're not supposed to have picnics inside the Arboretum. But I always have food for the kid, and I usually snack on a sandwich myself, and have never gotten in trouble. Also, you're probably not supposed to feed the peacocks and other fowl/fish/turtles, but they will take food directly from your hand if you offer it.

Parks_, Outdoors_, Nature_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_,

Most Kid-Friendly Post Office

Location: 99 W. California Blvd.
Website: www.usps.gov
Type of Activity: Shopping
Hours: M-F 8:30am-5:00pm
Cost: N/A


I HATE going to the post office, especially with kids, but this post office makes it bearable. It's a very small facility (therefore, less space for the kids to run around like banshees) and it's in the VON'S Shopping Center, so there's free parking right in front. It usually isn't crowded at all and the postal workers are friendly (what a concept!) and will even hook the kids up with some stickers sometimes. I know this is a random post, but if you dread the P.O. like I do and having to deal with parking meters, long lines, and people giving your kids dirty looks, then you've got to check this one out!

Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_, Shopping_

Lacey Park

Location: San Marino; Virginia Rd. & Monterey Rd.
Website: none
Type of Activity: Parks/Outdoors
Hours: 8AM? to dusk
Cost: M-F is FREE for all; small entrance fee on the weekends for non-residents

Like everything else in San Marino, this park is most picturesque. It has HUGE grassy areas to run around, kick the soccer ball around, or get a wiffle ball game going. There's a great playground -- half of it for toddlers and half for bigger kids -- with lots of swings (both kinds) and park benches surrounding it. There's also a long path that goes around the park, perfect for jogging, walking, or bike riding. You'll also find plenty of tall trees, assorted plant life, shady spots, and, most importantly, restrooms!

Parks_, Outdoors_, Nature_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_

Tournament Park

Location: Caltech campus; South of California Blvd. just off Wilson Ave.
Website: http://www.facilitiesmanagement.caltech.edu/tournament_park.html
Type of Activity: Parks/Outdoors
Hours: 8 AM to Dusk
Cost: FREE


This park is perfect for young children. It's small enough and almost totally enclosed, so you can't lose your kids (always my problem!). There's a small play structure with stuff to climb on and a couple slides (no swings) and a large sand area. Plenty of picnic tables, grassy areas, and LOTS of shade! There's also a sidewalk around the perimeter (great for little bikes & scooters) and also lots of little trees and bushes for the kids to play "jungle" in. It's one of our favorite parks!

Parks_, Outdoors_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_

Monrovia Farmers Market & Family Festival

Location: Myrtle Avenue in Monrovia (exit myrtle off 210 and go North)
Website: Downtown Monrovia
Type of Activity: Outdoor, Family, Shopping, Food
Hours: Every Friday Night, March-December: 5-9pm
Cost: Free. Bring money for food, shopping, and children's activities


We just checked out the Monrovia Family Festival last Friday night and I LOVED IT! But then again, I love farmer's markets, street fairs, and funnel cake so I really couldn't go wrong there. There is great food from local restaurants, arts and crafts for sale, a great farmer's market, a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses, and free entertainment making it a great night for the whole family. And it's all set in the cute old downtown area of Monrovia. I can't wait to go back! Remember to bring the stroller!

Outdoors_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_, Restaurants_, Shopping_

Amy's Playground

Location: 1115 Mission St. South Pasadena map
Website: www.amysindoorplaygroun.com
Type of Activity: Indoor, Shopping
Hours: Mon-Fri:10-6 Sat & Sun: private parties only
Cost: Kids 2 & up: $8, Siblings & under 2: $6, Adults: FREE (prices good for all day play)


My first experience at Amy's Playground was for a neighbor's birthday party. All the kids had a great time and played nonstop for 2 hours with the large variety of activities. While there is no age limit, the playground is designed for children 8 and younger. There is a small area that is more geared to the under 2 age group, but it is small and not really separated from the rest of the play area. There are nice couches for parents, as well as picnic tables to sit at. They welcome you to "bring-you-own-food" but snacks are also available for purchase. The bathrooms are nice and clean and are complete with a changing table. You can also pick up something for the next birthday party in their attached boutique filled with adorable and unique children's toys and gifts.

Notes: While the space is 3000sq feet, I hear it can become pretty crowded (especially on rainy days).
Socks are required for all children and adults!

Indoors_, Toddlers_, Kids_, Shopping_

PetSmart - For Kids Who Love Animals

Location: 3347 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena map
Website: www.petco.com
Type of Activity: Indoor
Hours: Mon-Sat: 7am-7pm Sun: 9-5
Cost: FREE


I first went into this Petsmart on Foothill to get some dog food and was surprised to find entertainment for my two daughters (1 & 4) in the form of Doggy Day Camp. The day we went there must have been at least 25 dogs in a large room with floor to ceiling glass walls. We just camped out and watched them run, play, rest and just be cute. It was a lot of fun. If your kids like animals, I would highly recommend this activity for a cheap and easy way to spend an hour or so.

Indoors_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_,

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Location: 3720 Stephen M White Drive, San Pedro, CA 90731 map
Website: www.cabrilloaq.org
Type of Activity: Indoor, Nature
Hours: Tues-Fri: noon-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-5pm. Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, & Christmas
Cost: Adults: $5, Senior/Child: $1 (suggested donation)


This cute aquarium is about 45 minutes away, off the 110 fwy in the Los Angeles Harbor. It is the perfect size for the younger crowd (in a couple hours you can leisurely see everything). You won't want to miss the Tidepool Touch Tank (which is only open sporadically throughout the day) where the kids can touch all sort of sea life, the Exploration Center - a hands-on learning experience complete with sea creature dress-ups, and the Aquatic Nursery-a facinating laboratory of exhibits and experiments.

There is plenty of grass right outside the aquarium for a picnic lunch and for the kids to play and the beach is also on the other side of the parking lot if you wanted to make it a day-long excursion.

Indoors_, Nature_, Toddlers_, Kids_

Hansen Dam Aquatics Center

Location: 11770 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace, CA 91342
Website: http://www.laparks.org/dos/aquatic/hansen.htm
Type of Activity: Outdoors
Hours: Seasonal -- call for info (818)899-3779
Cost: $1.50 for adults (18+), kids are FREE

It may be too late this year to take advantage of this great summer spot, but it's one to remember. The website doesn't provide much info, but I believe the swimming lake is open from May to September (with limited hours throughout Sept.). Located about 20 minutes from Pasadena just off the 210, it's a huge 1.5 acre manmade swimming "lake" (actually it's just a pool with a concrete floor) which is mostly shallow -- great for my 4 & 2-year-olds. There are also two big tunnel slides for older kids -- I think there's a 48" minimum. Plenty of restrooms & showers and the best part is, it's practically free! Only $1.50 for me to take my kids!

NOTE: The shade is VERY limited so get there early to reserve one of 5 plastic cabanas and/or bring your own beach umbrella. Also, they're sticklers about swim diapers -- required for kids under 5.

Parks_, Outdoors_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_

The Santa Anita Mall in Arcadia

Location: 400 S. Baldwin Ave. map
Website: www.westfield.com
Type of Activity: Rainy Day, Indoors, Shopping, Food
Hours: Mon-Sat:10am-9pm, Sun: 11am-7pm
Cost: FREE except for the carousel, train ride and all the money you spend shopping at the stores


This is a not only a great place to get a lot of shopping done at once, but it is a great destination on a rainy day with kids. Highlights are:

-soft kiddie playgroud (free)
-double-decker carousel ($2 per ride)
-ride-on train ($)
-free balloons
-"kiddie kruzzers"-little red car strollers for 1 or 2 kids. (free)
-an amazing family lounge (just off the food court) complete with couches, tv, toys, changing stations, microwave, wipes warmer, and kid sized toliet and sink

Indoors_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_, Restaurants_, Shopping_

Burger Continental - "The Burger Special" and Karaoke

Location: 535 South Lake Ave (at California)
Website: www.burgercontinental.com
Type of Activity: Restaurant, Karaoke
Hours: For the "Burger Special" and Karaoke go on Monday or Tuesday between 6-8pm
Cost: 1/4 lb. burger, French fries, all you can drink soda for $1.99. Free Karaoke.


You won't find the best burgers here (this restaurant is actually known for it's middle easten cuisine) but for $1.99 it doesn't need to be that good to make you happy. Add on the free karaoke and bottomless soda-- it's a cheap and entertaining way to spend a Family Night. The kids are always welcome to pick a song to sing too! Highchairs are available (though rickety and old).

P.S. Show up at 6:15pm on a Monday night and you are likely to run into a few peeps from the "ward".

Restaurants_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_