Drive to the northern end of Lake Avenue for a spectacular view of the San Gabriel valley.
During Christmas time, see amazing light displays at: 1) the Balian House at about 2000 N. Allen and 2) Hastings Ranch go north on Michillinda, about one mile past Sierra Madre Blvd. and make a left -- about a square-mile of residents in the area decorate their properties!.
Enter the Eaton Canyon nature preserve at the intersection of Altadena and New York. Great hiking, and during the spring, a pretty good river to hike next to. Go far enough up and you will get to a waterfall that is well-known to locals.
Take the Metro Gold Line south to downtown Los Angeles.
Nearby Alhambra, San Gabriel, and Monterey Park are home to some of the largest Chinese-speaking populations outside China and Taiwan. There you will find authentic restaurants specializing in dim sum, dumplings, roasted duck, and many other regional Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine. A visit to any large Chinese supermarkets in the area might be a treat or shock for the uninitiated.
