La Habra is a quiet and cozy city in the northwestern part of Orange County, California, home to around 62,000 residents.
Its proximity to Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Long Beach makes it an ideal destination for vacationers looking for a new destination to tick off their bucket list.
The city offers places of interest like quaint parks, local restaurants, small breweries, and a small-town vibe, perfect if you want to take a break from the big city.
If you’re hunting for the next weekend getaway, here’s a list of the best things to do in La Habra, California!
Photo courtesy Orange County Archives, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Get all your essentials at La Habra Marketplace, conveniently located along Imperial Highway.
It was formerly known as La Habra Fashion Square and was the last and largest of the Fashion Square malls built by Bullock’s department store chain.
When La Habra Fashion Square closed in 1992, the area was re-developed into a strip mall where it became known as La Habra Marketplace.
At La Habra Marketplace, catch a movie at Regal La Habra, purchase your daily needs at Sprouts Farmers Market, or shop at Hobby Lobby, Ross Dress for Less, and more.
During your shopping trip, grab a bite at nearby dining options like Wendy’s, Denny’s, Chick-fil-A, IHOP, and others.
For families with kids, the Children’s Museum at La Habra must be on your bucket list.
The museum opened in December 1977 on a historic 1923 Train Depot, one of the few museums on the West Coast during the 1970s.
The museum also aims to encourage learning and enthusiasm through its hands-on exhibits, as a child must develop various skills.
Explore the Children’s Museum at La Habra’s seven hands-on galleries and rotating exhibits, some unique to the field, with your young ones.
Let your kids discover dinosaur fossils at the Science Station, understand the importance of a healthy diet at the Centennial Farm, and ride a hand-carved carousel at the Carousel Room.
Aside from these exhibits, you can also find an outdoor dinosaur garden and a historic 1942 caboose.
Vista Del Valle Park is the perfect outdoor hangout at the city’s southern end on Idaho Street.
This expansive park offers 27 acres of land, boasting amenities like playgrounds, grills, benches, picnic areas and tables, and a turf area with landscaped planters.
The park is also famous for its walking trails that weave through tree-lined paths, perfect for those who want quick exercise.
With grill areas, picnic tables, shelters, and restrooms, Vista Del Valle Park is ideal for a relaxing picnic under the shade.
You can also play Frisbee, catch, soccer, or other outdoor sports on the vast fields.
Since residential areas surround the park, you can enjoy a peaceful and quiet atmosphere.
Guadalupe Park is a small yet popular city park near the Children’s Museum at La Habra and La Habra Depot Theatre.
It’s a linear park adjacent to the train tracks and offers amenities like playgrounds, picnic tables, and a tree and turf area.
Despite its smaller land area, there are plenty of things to do at Guadalupe Park.
Families can picnic while kids can have fun at the playground.
Because of the linear layout of the park, you can go on a relaxing walk, jog, or bike across the trail.
Agrusa’s Italian Restaurant combines fine Italian cuisine and a family-friendly dining experience, making it one of the most popular restaurants in La Habra.
It was founded in 1971 by Tony Agrusa, a Sicilian who moved to America with his family.
Today, Agrusa’s Italian Restaurant aims to provide La Habra residents with the best Italian food while fostering a warm environment that makes them feel like family.
At the restaurant, try their specialty pizza or their pasta of the day with a serving of garlic bread and garden salad.
On the other hand, dinner specials include chicken marsala, veal parmigiana, frutti di mare, and capellini.
Satisfy your sweet tooth and order tiramisu, spumoni, cannoli, or a slice of flourless chocolate cake for dessert.
Situated along W Whittier Boulevard, La Bonita Park is a charming park perfect for small outings or lazy afternoons.
It has everything you need for a fun day out, with complimentary amenities and facilities.
These include grills, a patio, picnic tables and areas, restrooms, several benches, and other ADA-accessible facilities.
Sports lovers can also use the baseball and softball diamonds, futsal court, basketball court, and skate park.
Bring the family to a picnic at La Bonita Park and enjoy a relaxing afternoon playing various outdoor activities.
After your meal, take a breather and go for a leisurely walk around the concrete walking trails.
Smoke and Fire Social Eatery is a home-style restaurant with various locations in California, including Anaheim, Pasadena, and Paramount.
In La Habra, the restaurant is located in La Habra Towne Center, so mall goers can easily enjoy great food without traveling far.
They serve comfort food like fries, burritos, sandwiches, burgers, and other grilled delights in a relaxed setting, making you feel at home.
Enjoy grilled sandwiches like their bestselling Mac Rib, Brisket Grilled Cheese, and Smashed Burger at Smoke and Fire Social Eatery.
For health-conscious eaters, try their Vegan Stacked Sando, made with hand-battered oyster mushroom, curtido slaw, and a vegan pretzel bun.
Channel your inner pro and play a couple of rounds at Westridge Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course with a pro shop and clubhouse.
It offers gorgeous views of the San Gabriel Mountains and the LA skyline, letting you appreciate your surroundings as you play.
Besides its beautiful setting, Westridge Golf Club is challenging, with 60 sand bunkers, water hazards, and sloping landscapes.
Play a few rounds of golf, conquer the obstacles, and reward yourself with magnificent mountain and city views.
After playing, relax at the onsite restaurant and enjoy Korean dishes like bulgogi, tofu kimchi, and crispy pork cutlet.
After exploring La Habra, nothing feels better than an ice-cold beer paired with snacks.
At Cask & Hammer Brewery, enjoy tastefully-curated craft beer, cocktails, and bar chow in a laid-back environment.
Enjoy a wide selection of craft beers from various parts of California, including San Pedro, Anaheim, Inglewood, and San Diego.
If you want something else, try their handcrafted cocktails, like watermelon, strawberry, habanero margarita, or classic Korean soju with apple or pineapple juice.
Pair your drinks with deep-fried mozzarella sticks, buffalo wings, and more for the perfect late-night drink and snacks.
Las Lomas Park is a 2.2-acre park near Las Lomas Elementary School, making it a popular hangout for kids and adults.
It was developed in 1968 and continues to serve residents of La Habra with simple yet decent amenities.
Aside from benches, playgrounds, picnic areas, and grill areas, the park also has exercise equipment for those who want a quick workout in the park.
On a sunny afternoon, unwind at Las Lomas Park and picnic with the family.
The park also has ADA-accessible amenities, ideal for those with senior family members and limited mobility.
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Enjoy plenty of outdoor activities at Laguna Lake Park in Fullerton, California, a four-minute drive from La Habra.
The 28.5-acre park caters to nature lovers, hikers, bikers, joggers, and outdoor enthusiasts, providing plenty of amenities for them to enjoy.
At Laguna Lake Park, visitors can fish for rainbow trout, catfish, bass, or bluegill, while those who’d like to explore the park can follow the trails.
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On the other hand, those who’d like to relax can enjoy a picnic, walk around the park, or lay down a mat and read a book.
The park also has an equestrian center home to the Fullerton Recreation Riders.
The center also has riding rings, show rings, and grandstand seating.
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From La Habra, take a nine-minute drive to Hacienda Heights, California, and visit the Hsi Lai Temple, formally known as the Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple.
The monastery is in a mountainous area and is the first overseas branch temple of the Fo Guang Shan, a Buddhist organization from Taiwan.
Take a tour of the temple and visit the Bodhisattva Hall, a large hall honoring five Bodhisattvas, then head to the Arhat Garden, where you’ll find figures of the 18 disciples of Buddha.
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Find a pond with the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara surrounded by the attendants and the four Deva Kings at the Avalokitesvara Garden.
Say a few prayers at the Main Hall and continue exploring as you gain new knowledge about Buddhism.
As you explore Hsi Lai Temple, take in the serene views and enjoy a few moments of peace before resuming your busy routines.
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Get lost in the forest of Redwood trees at Carbon Canyon Regional Park, a sprawling regional park in Brea, California, 11 minutes from La Habra.
It offers several acres of green spaces perfect for those who want a change of scenery from LA’s busy streets and crowded beaches.
From the 124 acres of the park, 60 acres are developed for picnicking and athletic facilities.
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Meanwhile, it also has a four-acre lake.
On the other hand, the undeveloped area in Carbon Canyon Regional Park has a trail that leads visitors to a three-acre grove of redwoods, the only redwood grove in Orange County.
Other activities at the park include biking, bird watching, fishing, and going on self-guided nature walks.
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Hillcrest Park is a 37.8-acre park in Fullerton, offering numerous outdoor recreational activities.
It opened in 1922, making it the oldest park in the city.
Whether you want to get active, have a family outing, or unwind under the shade of the trees, you’ll never run out of things to do at Fullerton Park.
Park highlights include barbecue areas, picnic tables, a large lawn with a fountain, a children’s playground, plenty of recreational trails, and restrooms.
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The park also features the Hillcrest Stairs, a wooden staircase where you can go for a quick but less physically draining exercise.
You can also find war memorials around the park, including the Orange County Korean War Memorial, dedicated to the American service members who fought in the Korean War.
Hillcrest Park is only an eight-minute drive from La Habra.
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Take the Arroyo Pescadero Trail in Whittier, California, a nine-minute drive from La Habra, for your dose of nature and adventure.
This trail loop spans two miles and takes an average of one or two hours, making it a perfect workout for those who want to break a sweat while enjoying nature views.
In addition, the well-marked and paved trail is ideal for off-road strollers and even route runs.
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Enjoy hillside views on your hike and see colorful wildflowers dotting the fields in spring.
The Arroyo Pescadero Trail is one of the most popular trails in the area, so start your hike early to avoid crowds.
You may also spot wildlife species like bobcats, raccoons, red-tailed hawks, and coyotes on your hike.
La Habra offers a pleasant change of scenery and pace from the bustling streets and beaches of LA, Anaheim, and other nearby areas.
You can find small parks, restaurants, and other places of interest worth checking out.
Let this list of the best things to do in La Habra, California, help you plan a vacation for the books!
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