Tucked into the foothills of Los Angeles’ San Gabriel Mountains is the small town of Sierra Madre. The City is a full-service municipality of about 10,000 residents operating with a $18 million budget that funds 61 full-time employees assigned to eight operating departments.
This is one of the few places in Los Angeles where you can escape the rat race of big city life in exchange for some small town charm.
I recommend visiting in mid-late March to coincide with the Wistaria Festival. Use this fun-filled itinerary to discover how to spend the day in Sierra Madre Los Angeles.
Table of Contents
Morning Hike
Along the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in Sierra Madre Los Angeles, you’ll find numerous trails with various difficulties and destinations. My personal favorite hikes are to Sturtevant Falls (3.2 miles) and Hermit Falls (2.6 miles).
You’ll want to get an early start for Sturtevant Falls as there will likely be a lot of people. The main parking lot fills up fast, so you may get stuck adding an extra mile to your hike by parking further away.
Hermit Falls starts with the same trailhead and has a series of watering holes. You’ll likely find people jumping into or even canyoneering between them.
Looking for other great hiking trails in Los Angeles? Check out Kenneth Hahn State Park.
Breakfast at Colette
After a taxing hike, you deserve to reward yourself with a tasty breakfast; and there’s no place better to fill up in town than Colette.
Along the main street of Sierra Madre (Sierra Madre Blvd.) you’ll find a diverse selection of Greek, Asian, French, and American restaurants. However, this little breakfast hot spot takes you about one-mile West of the quaint downtown.
My recommendations: Colette’s Breakfast is a must – perfectly cooked eggs on top of the best bacon/home fries mix you’ve ever tried. It’s worth sharing their famous Churro French toast as well!
“The World’s Largest Blossoming Plant”
If the town of Sierra Madre is known for anything, it’s the 1-acre wide Wistaria plant that has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. The plant dates to 1894, when homeowner Alice Brugman traveled by horse and buggy to a Monrovia nursery to buy the 75-cent vine.
Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to see the bloom today. The gorgeous lavender flowers only bloom for a few days every year and the plant is on someone’s private property.
Sierra Madre hosts its annual Wistaria Festival each year in mid-late March. The home is opened up to the public for one day in hopes of catching the bloom at the right time. I visited this year and unfortunately we were a few days too early. Your only other opportunity to catch the once-a-year spectacle is to take a rare private tour around the property.
Explore Downtown Sierra Madre Los Angeles
With many businesses in Sierra Madre being owned by local entrepreneurs, the town is able to maintain its small town charm and give the community an opportunity to shop locally. There are a number of restaurants and specialty retail shops, so you’ll be sure to find a unique gift for that special someone.
Thrifting & Lunch at Mary’s Market
Tucked away in a little canyon at the base of the San Gabriel mountains, this neighborhood gem delivers hot coffee and homespun eats, vintage finds, and old school canyon charm. It is beloved by locals and visitors alike for its friendly atmosphere, delicious menu items, and rich history.
Established in 1922, this historical landmark has been a beacon for the community for many decades. It began as Spartan’s Meat and Grocer and became Mary’s Market when Irish immigrant Mary Perkins bought it in 1966. She was open seven days a week offering sodas, candies, and advice to the Sierra Madre canyon residents.
LA County Arboretum
Not exactly located in Sierra Madre but just a couple miles south is the spectacular Los Angeles County Arboretum. At 127 acres, this botanical garden is even larger than its more renowned neighboring counterpart, The Huntington Library and Gardens.
Similar to Huntington, the Arboretum has several distinct gardens, a couple of which are also designed to resemble gardens of foreign territories; in this case, Africa and Australia.
Dinner at Lucky Baldwin’s Delirium Cafe
Head over to Lucky Baldwin’s right off the main drag in Sierra Madre Los Angeles for a tasty burger and beer before walking a couple blocks to see your show at the Playhouse. Like any authentic British pub, Lucky Baldwin’s offers a friendly family environment and is frequented by many locals. They have about 50 beers on tap.
Sierra Madre Playhouse
The Sierra Madre Playhouse‘s Mission is to foster an appreciation of live performance in people of all ages and backgrounds by illuminating the diversity of the American experience. Their Vision is to showcase the power of live theater to engage, connect and bring people together.
The Sierra Madre Playhouse has evolved from a theatrical heritage that stretches back to the days when the Sierra Madre was just a tiny village. Residents presented dramas and musicals as early as the 1880s in their homes, in the Town Hall, and in the Woman’s Club.
Fun Facts about Sierra Madre Los Angeles
- Artifacts of the Gabrielino or Tongva Indians have been discovered in the Sierra Madre canyon.
- Sierra Madre Los Angeles is home of the world’s largest wistaria vine. It purchased by Alice Brugman in April 1894.
- Sierra Madre was the first city police department in Los Angeles County to have a female Police Chief in 2006.
- Meaning of city name: Spanish for “Mother Range” or “Mother Mountain”
Like this article on How to Spend the Day in Sierra Madre? Pin it!
I seriously have to go here!
Briana
https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/
Who would’ve known this cute little town is at my back door. It’s now on my what to do list
We have spent several weeks there a few years ago. It wasn’t our first time, but we still love the quaintness and all the interesting homes and walks that we did. Our son lives there so, it gives us a reason to keep coming back.
I wish I read this before visiting LA, such gems I’ve never heard of!