Wide-open spaces, hidden art, local cuisine, unique wildlife: Take a cultural walk through San Gabriel Valley on a 3-mile park-to-park discovery route. Park and start at Vincent Lugo Park to explore your first wide-open green space.

From the lot, walk across the giant grassy lawn to find a dirt trail crossing a dry streambed. This shaded path takes you to La Laguna, a sandy area with colorful, climbable creatures by artist Benjamin Dominguez, including a dragon, octopus, and whale.

The cultural landscape is also known as Monster Park and is on the California Register of Historic Places. Continue on and explore the Alhambra Wash Trail, taking it back to Ramona Street, where you’ll cross to the corner of New Avenue and Adams Avenue and follow the sidewalk west along the golf course. Soon you’ll reach an opening to Almansor Park, a massive recreational area whose baseball fields were once home to Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner. Take the well-maintained jogging track.

Or walk across the lawn and pass the Kiner statue to get to the park ponds. Relax by the fountain waterfall, jacarandas, and loads of unexpected wildlife. Canada geese, cormorants, storks, ducks, and turtles relish the oasis. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of a huge resident softshell turtle basking on a rock. When you’re ready, head back to the 1-mile walking path and complete the loop at the gate you originally entered, then follow the road back to Vincent Lugo Park.

BONUS EATS & BEERS: We love Banh Mi My Tho, a small Vietnamese deli that has been serving locals incredible sandwiches, coffee, and more for almost 30 years (try the #8 with an iced coffee and three egg rolls!). There's also Ogopogo Brewery, a friendly craft ale spot with a huge selection of cans and growlers, all named after mythical creatures. There is something for everyone, but two of our favorites are the Sharlie Hazy IPA and the Boeman Belgian White. Oh go, pogo! (That’s the beer talking.)

The park to park walk is dog-friendly!