In the early 19th century, Calabasas earned a reputation as one of the roughest spots in the Wild West. Today, evidence of Calabasas’ Old West past coexists with upscale shopping destinations and eateries, miles of chaparral-covered rolling hills, and some of the San Fernando Valley’s most sought-after real estate.
Knowing that the Santa Fe Railroad planned to build its new line in the area north of Anaheim, brothers George and Edward Amerige purchased more than 400 acres there in May 1887. They named the new town after the manager of the railroad’s real estate subsidiary, George Fullerton. While overshadowed by other Orange County cities boasting sandy shorelines or famous amusement parks, Fullerton’s revitalized downtown, historic buildings, and abundance of restaurants have raised the profile of this charming college town.
It’s hard to be stressed in Sierra Madre. With its pastoral tree-lined streets, charming diminutive downtown, and nary a traffic signal in sight, this hillside hamlet at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains beckons visitors to slow down and unwind. Here, many homes are listed as historical monuments, and most shops and restaurants are locally owned. Tucked between Pasadena and Arcadia, Sierra Madre boasts an approximately 250-ton wisteria vine deemed the world’s largest flowering plant by the Guinness Book of World Records, providing the town its unofficial symbol.
Welcome to Mayberry declares a wooden sign gracing an El Segundo clothing boutique. Indeed, El Segundo (so named because it was the site of Standard Oil’s second refinery) maintains a small-town charm despite its location just south of Los Angeles International Airport. Stroll downtown and you’ll feel as if you’ve gone back in time. Gleaming office towers and new outdoor shopping centers on Sepulveda Boulevard assure you that El Segundo is also firmly planted in the present.
Traveling opens us up to new experiences, new ways of seeing. And as one anonymous traveler said, it is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. Whether you plan to adventure close to home or far away, take some precautions to promote good health throughout your journey.