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The best things about living in baldwin park

Baldwin Park is an ideal place to enjoy everything Los Angeles has to offer in a relaxed atmosphere. Fewer than 20 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Baldwin Park has much to offer when it comes to culture, fine dining, and shopping. Plus, it’s easy to travel to the city and back for work, school, or other excursions. Learn what it’s like to live in Baldwin Park, including dining options, parks, and fun events.

Outdoor Spaces

photo-of-baldwin-park
Image via Flickr by MyKerttu

If you enjoy the great outdoors, then Baldwin Park has plenty of parks and gardens where you can play, picnic, and enjoy fresh air in beautiful surroundings. The Walnut Creek Nature Park is a stunning spot to visit, with playgrounds and an obstacle course for children, a series of trails, a gazebo that’s perfect for picnics, and even solar lighting so that you can enjoy the park year-round and whatever the weather.

Morgan Park is also an ideal spot for families who want to enjoy a day outside. Kids love the splash pad and playground, and a basketball court, athletic fields, and fitness zones are also available.

Lifestyle

Adjacent to Morgan Park is the Esther Snyder Community Center, which has indoor basketball courts, a games room, a gym, and an indoor swimming pool. The community center also offers youth and adult boxing programs year-round. You can also use the technology center that has several workstations.

If you have middle schoolers or high schoolers in your family, they’ll love going to the Teen Center and Skate Park. The center features a 20-foot rock wall, TV with gaming consoles, computer lab, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, kitchen, and a game room with pool tables and a ping pong table. The 12,000-foot skate park is ledges, banks, and stairs that are perfect for learning and practicing tricks.

One of the key venues for the cultural events of Baldwin Park is its Arts and Recreation Center, which is located on East Pacific Avenue. The building itself was designed in Art Deco style with instantly recognizable architecture, but this multi-purpose space is just as practical as it is eye-catching. The Arts and Recreation Center hosts a range of specialist classes in its Artist Studio and Dance Studio, and it offers plenty of activities for children and adults. The space hosts touring shows, local productions, and an array of exhibitions, such as art expos and tea parties for the kids.

For those who enjoy a little retail therapy, Baldwin Park has its own mall: Park Plaza on Maine. You can shop for essentials, fashion, housewares, and gifts all in one spot. Park Plaza also has a variety of services like dentists, a health center, and a laundromat, so you can spend some time shopping before and appoint or while you wait for your laundry. When you’re hungry, you can grab a bite from one of the restaurants conveniently found throughout the plaza, such as the California Seafood Pub, Churroholic, or Menchie’s.

Restaurants

You have plenty of options when it comes to dining in Baldwin Park. A must-have in the area is a burger from the original In-N-Out, located on Francisquito Avenue. Opened in 1948, this first In-N-Out was just 10 square feet. Today, you can grab an Animal-Style burger to go, or enjoy your meal at the picnic table outside.

The Baldwin Park Pizza Company is known for its innovative combinations of pizza toppings, generously filled hot and cold sandwiches, and classic pasta dishes, all made to order. Order one of its specialty pizzas, such as The Pastrami, or build your own creation with toppings like chorizo, carnitas, and sundried tomatoes. You can order deliver or dine in to enjoy a wide selection of draft and craft beers, a spacious patio, and a selection of video games.

If you want to get out of your normal dining routine, head to 626 Hawaiian BBQ. This restaurant combines traditional Hawaiian flavors with fresh local ingredients. You can enjoy dishes such as kalua pork, Portuguese sausage musubi, and BBQ chicken saimin. For an authentic Hawaiian dish, order the Spam musubi. 626 Hawaiian BBQ also offers a wide array of milk and green teas. If you’re in the mood for something indulgent, then a smoothie is the perfect treat. You can choose from dark plum and sea salt, pina colada, chamoyada, and many more.

For authentic Mexican food (and some Tex-Mex favorites), check out the Guadalajara Grill. It serves a selection of classic Mexican dishes including its signature molcajete dishes made with a special sauce and a choice of steak, chicken breast, or seafood. The dining experience is complemented by shows featuring traditional entertainment such as mariachi bands and folk dancing.

Events and Activities

Baldwin Park is home to a range of community events and activities that take place at community meeting places, outdoor spaces, and other municipal buildings. You can participate in New Year celebrations, Arbor Day events, Dia de Muertos, and a fireworks display for the 4th of July. There are also community events, such as summer concerts hosted in Morgan Park and outdoor movie screenings hosted in Barnes Park, which bring the community together to celebrate the city’s beautiful outdoor spaces.

Baldwin Park also hosts an annual carnival that celebrates the history and diversity of the community with mechanical rides, games, and food booths. There is a parade, featuring a number of floats and mobile exhibitions, that travels throughout the city and ends at Morgan Park.  Local schools, community groups, bands, and other special guests perform for the crowds of residents who come together to celebrate the events and history that make Baldwin Park special.

Baldwin Park has something for everyone, from diverse dining options to an array of events and activities. Whether you are coming for a short trip or considering relocating, there is plenty to suit your lifestyle. If you know the area and have a favorite event or activity that takes place in Baldwin Park, get in touch with Lem Garcia Law, and share your local insight with us.

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