Lakewood is 23 miles southeast of Los Angeles, specifically in southern Los Angeles County.
After it became a city in 1954, Lakewood grew tremendously into a well-developed city by 1960.
It’s interesting in many aspects, including food, since the first Denny’s restaurant opened in Lakewood.
Numerous people from different cities and states flock to Lakewood, starting on the Fourth of July weekend.
People await the kick-off of one of the city’s most festive and popular community events: the Lakewood Civic Center Block Party and Fireworks Extravaganza.
This festival brings together families, food, laughter, and fun, with tons of food, kids’ activities, open restaurants, and a Beverage Garden.
Lakewood also hosts the Summer Concert music series and the Pan American Festival at the Mayfair Park.
Suppose you want to venture outside Lakewood.
You can easily drive to popular attractions nearby, including Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and the Los Angeles Zoo.
Here are the best things to do in Lakewood, CA.
Lakewood Ice has daily public ice skating sessions if you want to try your ice skating skills.
You can bring your entire family to enjoy skating on their newly remodeled ice surface.
Don’t worry about your skates, for Lakewood Ice rents 1,000 pairs of professionally maintained ice skates.
New to ice skating? No worries!
You can request the help of an ice skating mate on the rink to ensure you’re safe and having fun.
Lakewood Ice is the only place in the world with sound-reactive LED lights on its ice.
Exploring and getting lost in a new place is a fun adventure.
However, why waste time getting lost when you can simply join a planned tour?
Join Main Street Tours‘ excursions and see the best of Lakewood.
It has provided quality tours since 1985 to travelers seeking a unique and fun experience.
They take you to places you won’t find on your own, introducing you to new cultures, hospitable people, cuisines, and off-the-beaten-track journeys.
Whether you want a day trip or a multi-day group tour, their 20 different itineraries will have something for you.
Joining Main Street Tours is like seeing Lakewood in the eyes of a local.
Located on E. Carson Street is the grandiose Lakewood Country Club, a fantastic golfing destination.
It has a 7,033-yard layout, combined with 11 acres of lakes and tree-lined fairways, making up 18 holes of championship golf.
You can play challenging par 3’s, making it suitable for every playing level.
Additionally, it has a full driving range with two practice putting greens, Bermuda grass, Poa greens, and new sand bunkers.
Lakewood Country Club was once voted Los Angeles County Course of the Year.
William Bell designed the course in 1933.
Enjoy a full day of golfing fun.
There’s so much to do and explore in Rynerson Park, a 40-acre park of open space featuring bike trails, picnic shelters, walking trails, and baseball diamonds.
It’s on Studebaker Road, dedicated in 1990.
The park provides a pleasant respite from the hustle and bustle of Southern California.
Interestingly, the park was named River Park but was changed later on to Rynerson Park in honor of Jacqueline Rynerson.
She was the former mayor of Lakewood, and she led the acquisition of the park.
Offering cooperative Little League use and a fitness circuit, the park is for everyone of all ages.
Rynerson Park is perfect for family bonding.
Drive to E. Carson Street and arrive at the Lakewood Equestrian Center, a public equestrian facility.
The center’s primary purpose is to provide boarding and training for horses and offer riding lessons.
Bring the kids along for a fun family time, where you can not only ride ponies but also pet them and enjoy various equestrian activities.
It also hosts camps and birthday parties.
The Lakewood Equestrian Center also has access to miles of trails along the San Gabriel Trail System.
Bring your kids along and they will discover their calling to become equestrians.
Take a break between explorations and visit Finely Kneaded Day Spa for a relaxing and rejuvenating day.
They offer different types of services, all provided with care and luxury.
Get a massage to untangle the knots in your muscles or get a facial to bring back the glow to your face.
If you want to ‘crack’ those joints, they also offer chiropractic services.
Their kneads involve a mild, dry exfoliation, so you feel fresher, lighter, and more rejuvenated—ready to continue your Lakewood adventure.
If you want to hop to another spa, visit Massage Envy Spa.
Their highly-trained employees meet industry standards and can give you terrific relaxation.
Let their hands work their magic on you while you doze off.
You’ll feel recharged and ready for another round of exploration.
Juicy, meaty, and perfectly cooked steaks await you at the Outback Steakhouse, an Australian-inspired steakhouse.
The steaks also taste better because of the dash of Australian hospitality accompanying them.
You can choose your steak’s cut and flavor, and the restaurant cooks it just the way you want.
They also have a gluten-free menu if you prefer that.
For your drinks, choose from a wide assortment of concoctions, including the Cucumber Crush and many other specialty drinks.
When it comes to recreation facilities, you shouldn’t miss the Mayfair Park, located in the central part of Lakewood.
Since 1951, it has served as the main recreation center of the area.
Its name comes from the name ‘Mayfair District,’ which refers to the surrounding housing tract.
Four decades later, they added the John Sanford Todd Community Center.
This 14,000-square-foot center was dedicated to the former city attorney who contributed to the incorporation of Lakewood City in 1954.
One of the must-try facilities of the park is the Mayfair Pool, which opens during the summer.
In terms of events, the Pan American Fiesta takes place there each year over Mother’s Day weekend.
Tons of activities and highlights await visitors, including free live concerts, food booths and food trucks, carnival rides and games, and arts and crafts dealers.
Bring your kids to a children’s cultural booth, and join poster-making and poetry writing contests.
This park is not just a recreation park but a cultural park as well.
The Gardens Casino is where to go if you love playing card games such as No-Limit Hold’ Em, Texas Hold’Em, Ultimate Texas Hold’Em, etc.
Enjoy breaks between games and slots by eating at the 24-hour restaurant.
This highly-acclaimed restaurant features cross-culture cuisines that will satisfy your discriminating taste buds.
However, you can still enjoy your meal without ever leaving the table.
So, what are you waiting for?
Visit the Gardens Casino!
Del Valle Park is also known as the ‘Airplane Park.’
Named after Jose Del Valle, statesman and liberator of Honduras, the park displays the Douglas F3D ‘Skynight’ Jet Fighter.
The park draws people with its array of amenities.
Play at the basketball court, baseball diamonds, lighted and non-lighted athletic fields, and horseshoe pits.
Find a community room, a picnic pad with tables and chairs, shade areas, playground, restrooms, a veterans memorial plaza, water fountains, a wading pool, and a youth center.
You can also watch a series of concerts throughout the summer.
No holiday is ever complete without a shopping spree!
When you’re up for some spending, Lakewood Center has got you covered.
Interestingly, this place is the oldest shopping mall in the country, first opened in 1951 and enclosed in 1978.
This shopping center features many stores and brands, including Macys, Costco, Target, Hollister, Foot Locker, H&M, and Burlington.
There are also plenty of dining options in Lakewood Center to fuel your shopping, including George’s Greek Cafe, California Pizza Kitchen, Luna Grill, and Red Lobster.
It’s always a great experience shopping for your friends and family at the Lakewood Center.
Relax with the family at Concerts in the Park.
This event is a series of diverse musical performances at the Del Valle Park.
You can bring your own picnic basket, or you can also check out the dinner and refreshments from the food booths.
Feel cozy and warm by bringing lawn chairs and blankets.
This activity is popular with locals and visitors, so join the fun.
Whenever you’re in Lakewood, visit the Lakewood Night Market, located on Colonial Plaza.
It’s a fun way to see the locals enjoying shopping and passing time with some food and drinks.
Go around and find food carts, stalls, and booths, all selling interesting stuff from food and produce to handmade items.
Meet the locals and vendors who are more than willing to entertain you with their stories about their city and the stuff they’re selling.
If you want to try their local beer and wines, they have tons of it, and you’ll love all of it!
Don’t worry about the kids because there are also various activities for them to enjoy.
Visit the La V’rose Skincare on Hardwick Street.
With their passion for skincare, you can be sure that you’re treating your skin to the ultimate rejuvenation experience.
Choose from their services like micro-needling, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and custom facial treatments.
They also offer nail services and body treatments tailored to your specific needs.
This is the best way to end your stay in Lakewood.
Located along Ocana Avenue lies one of the most popular parks in Lakewood for recreational and relaxation activities—San Martin Park.
San Martin Park is a family-oriented green space that’ll give you access to several fun and relaxing amenities.
Some of its most well-known attractions are its two full basketball courts along with its baseball fields for the sports enthusiasts.
There are also playgrounds here for the little ones, along with a small wading pool that’s best enjoyed during the hotter months.
Besides these, San Martin Park has plenty of greenery, and it even has some hilly areas that make it a great way to exercise via jogging.
Take Nature Photos at West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail
West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail is an underrated spot in Lakewood, as you can easily miss it since it’s tucked in the residential areas of the city.
What makes West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail so amazing is its scenery—it’s brimming with diverse flora and fauna.
A big reason for this is it’s right by the banks of San Gabriel River, giving the place a rustic charm with tons of tall trees and aquatic birds.
You can jog or bike along the trail, and even bring your pooch with you—making this one of the best tranquil things to do in Lakewood.
You can access this nature trail along Shadeway Road.
Have a Feast at Adobo Taco Grill
Adobo Taco Grill is a great representation of the booming Mexican cuisine culture in Lakewood and Los Angeles County.
One of the best in the area, this place offers authentic Mexican food with a simple but charming atmosphere that’ll make you feel like you’re in these humble diners in Mexico.
The restaurant specializes in hearty tacos and burritos, plenty of which have meaty options like their best-selling carne asada and lengua.
They’re very generous with the portions, and they offer excellent salsa and other condiments which truly make them authentic.
One of the best restaurants in Lakewood, find Adobo Taco Grill along Woodruff Avenue.
Play Tennis at Lakewood Park Tennis Center
If you’re an avid fan of tennis, you’re in luck when visiting Lakewood because it has some of the best tennis court facilities outside of Los Angeles.
Open to the public, Lakewood Park Tennis Center has a number of courts that are spacious, modern, and relatively busy to meet fellow tennis players.
With lots of locals and visitors going here, this is a fun place to get competitive if you have some down time during your trip.
There’s plenty of shade and sitting areas here as well, so if you just want to catch a game, it’s a fun activity too.
Lakewood Park Tennis Center can be found along Clubhouse Drive near Lakewood Country Club.
Take the Dogs to Candleverde Park
If you’re bringing your pooch with you, one of the best places to visit in Lakewood is Candleverted Park.
While not a conventional dog park, this small green space is a popular place for dog owners to bring their pets.
Hence, if you have some down time during your trip, Candleverde Park is a great place to socialize your dog.
The place is pretty neat too, as it’s well-maintained and offers a relaxing atmosphere, especially during afternoons.
Visit Candleverde Park if you have some time to spare for your dog, located along Candlewood Street.
Lakewood is full of history, cultural heritage, and sights.
Since it’s close to Los Angeles, it allows you to expand your exploration beyond the city’s offerings.
It’s an excellent place to bring the family for a long weekend holiday or a summer getaway.
Start your Lakewood trip today!
Discover the world.
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