Summer Guide 2017

continued from page 5
Whittier Narrows Recreation Center: Echo Park is not the only
place to ride a pedal boat; people who prefer the San Gabriel Valley
can have this boating experience at Whittier Narrows Recreation
Center, a 1,492-acre county-operated park located in South El Monte
on both sides of the Pomona Freeway at Rosemead Boulevard
and Santa Anita Avenue. Whittier Narrows provides a wide variety
of activities and facilities, including an archery range, equestrian
and bike trails, a rifle range, tennis courts, the American Military
History Museum, a sports field for dogs and three lakes. Wheel Fun
Rentals provides the pedal boats needed to cruise these lakes at
a cost of $20 an hour for a single pedal boat and $30 an hour for a
double. The boating concession operates from 10 a.m. until sunset
Saturday, Sunday and holidays until June 15; from June 16 until
Labor Day the boats are available from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday and from 10 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Saturday,
Sunday and holidays.
Wheel Fun Rentals, Whittier Narrows Recreation Area: wheelfunrentals.com/Locations/South-El-Monte
Whittier Narrows Recreation Area: 750 S, Santa Anita Ave.,
South El Monte (626) 575-5526; http://parks.lacounty.gov/wps/
portal/dpr/Parks/Whittier_Narrows_Recreation_Area
Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area: Wheel Fun Rentals also
provides pedal boats, as well as single and double kayaks (for $12
and $20 an hour, respectively) and aluminum fishing boats ($30 an
hour) at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale. More serious
boaters can ride a motorized or non-motorized boat or go fishing
at the area’s 70-acre lake. Water is also on tap at the swim beaches
and children’s water play recreation area. Boating and fishing is
available year-round. Swim beaches will be open on weekends beginning
May 28 and on Thursdays through Sundays after June 19;
beaches will be closed Monday through Wednesday throughout the
summer and on Labor Day weekend. The park’s website contains
additional information about activities and fees.
Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area: 15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale
(626) 334-1065; lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpr/Parks/Santa_Fe_
Dam_Recreational_Area
Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area: 15501 E. Arrow Highway,
Irwindale (626) 334-1065; lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpr/Parks/
Santa_Fe_Dam_Recreational_Area
Wheel Fun Rentals, Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area: wheelfunrentals.com/Locations/Irwindale
Santa Monica Beach: Swimming pools, lakes and waterfalls
help beat the heat, but they pale before the immensity of the Pacific
Ocean. For many people the area’s beaches are the best places to
cool off during the summer. But battling the traffic to get to the
beach is anything but cool. Since last year, however, area residents
have an easier way to get to Santa Monica Beach. The Expo Line,
part of the county’s Metro subway system, terminates three blocks
away from the Santa Monica Pier, a long-time gateway to the beach.
Pasadena residents need to board three different trains to arrive
at this location and the trip can be longer than driving to the beach
in your car. Despite these drawbacks the Expo Line still delivers a
relatively frazzle-free day at the beach. ■
Metro Maps & Timetables: metro.net/riding/maps/
6 SUMMER GUIDE 2017 PASADENA WEEKLY