The LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is home to the Taste of Arcadia, but this beautiful and scenic spot has very rich history. Three thousand years ago, the area was called ‘the place of many waters’ by its earliest inhabitants; the Aleupkinga. When the Spanish arrived, the location was called the Rancho Santa Anita, and in 1840 Hugo Reid became the first private owner of the Rancho. In 1875, Arcadia’s founder, Elias J. ‘Lucky’ Baldwin purchased the land and built the famed Queen Anne Cottage in 1885.
The land the Arboretum sits on changed hands multiple times during the 1800’s and the early 1900’s, until 1947 when the State of California and County of Los Angeles jointly purchased 111 acres from Rancho Santa Anita, Inc. in order to establish an arboretum. The first greenhouse was built in 1949 and the Arboretum continues to grow and change to this day. It is the Arboretum’s vision to serve as a resource for environmental stewardship and education in the sciences and history, as well a compelling place of beauty, community, and respite for the people of Southern California.
Once one enters the grounds of the Arboretum, it is easy to see that it is living up to its vision. The Arboretum library provides students with volumes of information, and classes are conducted almost daily on the grounds, with a wide variety of subjects from yoga and plant information to fairy walks and family bird walks. One can even learn how to make root beer! The Arboretum offers something for everyone, no matter their age or interest. A Digital Nature nighttime art walk was introduced in 2016, wherein artists showcases artwork specific to the digital format that could only be viewed in the dark. The Arboretum plays host to multiple concerts and shows throughout the year, as well.
Don’t just come by the Arboretum once a year for Taste of Arcadia. Check out their website for a calendar of events and classes or host your own event! Or simply spend a few hours walking the grounds to see what’s in bloom. And don’t forget about the Arboretum’s famous wild peacocks. They live on the grounds year-round but spring is the best time to see their beautiful plumage.