Chomon Faisal

Colorful flowers found in the Descanso Gardens

With Summer approaching, malls, shopping centers, and stores will start to buzz with crowds. Teenagers will start to map out where they can go to hang out with friends in their newfound free time. The typical landing place is Americana due to its centralized location, variety of trending shops, and outdoor setup allowing for fresh air and sunlight. A common conversation often plays out with “Where should we hang out today?” The answer is typically “Let’s go to The Americana.” Glendale isn’t a boring city, and there is so much more to do once people step out of the Americana. 

Glendale and its neighboring cities of Burbank, Montrose, and Pasadena have so much to offer for those that are starting to get tired of the repetitive routine of a quick lap around Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, walking through Aritzia, Sephora, and landing back in a “what should we do next” state. 

1. Descanso Garden: A botanical garden that offers a serene escape from the city. Walking inside the garden is followed by the scent of tulips and cherry blossoms. Plants, animals, and gift shops are all scattered around the garden. The tickets are $15, and the trip is well worth it for a relaxing time with friends or family to be out in nature. The best time to go is during spring and summer, when the plants bloom the most.  “My favorite garden to visit at the Descanso is the Japanese garden; they have pretty cherry blossoms, and it feels peaceful being there,” junior Lori Takhtalian said.  The gift shops have plants, keychains, and more that people can buy and take home with them to preserve the memories of the place.

   

   There is a farmhouse restaurant that serves lunch and dinner, and brunch on the weekends. But, if brunch is the mood of the day, walking just 15 minutes across Descanso Garden is Hill Street Cafe. A family-owned business that makes breakfast and lunch, serving some favorites like French toast, blueberry pancakes, tacos, French fries, and so much more.

2. Kenneth Village: Kenneth Village is a street that is flourishing with many small businesses, boutiques, and great food locations. People can practice pilates, yoga, or take a dance class. Go to the gym or do boxing at BoxingRx or MegaFit training. Grab some coffee and study at the Coffee Commissary. Get a mani-pedi at the Nail Sunny Glendale Salon or a haircut at the barber shop. Or do some summer clothing shopping at the many shops around the street. “My friends and I go to Kenneth village fairly often, and we walk around and visit different places. One of my favorite places to go is The Commissary, which has the best sandwiches,” sophomore Arina Ghukasyan said.
3. Right up the street from Kenneth village is Brand Park, home to the Japanese Tea Garden, the Doctor’s House, and the Brand Library. The tea house was built through a collaborative effort between Glendale and Higashiosaka, Japan. It was designed by a Japanese architect named Hayashiko Takase. Visiting the tea garden is almost like an escape to Japan, without really going there. Beyond the Tea garden is the Doctor’s House, where tours are held every Sunday by the Glendale Historical Society. The floors are covered with period-appropriate antiques, and overall, the story of the previous owners who lived in the house at the time. For more active people who are seeking a breath of fresh air, there are hiking spots that take about an hour, with rewarding views of LA’s cities when completed. For art enthusiasts, the Brand Library is open and has a couple of art exhibits this summer that showcase immigrant artists and their work. Some upcoming dates are from April 26 to June 21, 2025. This specific exhibition is 
4. Montrose and Honolulu offer plenty of shops and restaurants to explore, as well as creating an experience similar to browsing back and forth between stores at the mall. A must-visit spot suggested by one of Clark’s students is FroYo Life. “I love getting FroYo life when I go to Montrose, their frozen yogurt is the best I’ve had, and I recommend everyone who goes to Montrose to stop by there,” junior Darla Abdesian said. One standout shop in Honolulu is the Last Bookstore, a beautiful hole-in-the-wall bookstore, worthy of a visit. It is known for its synthetic lush greenery that surrounds the entirety of the store, birds, and even fish. Walking around Montrose gives the same feeling as browsing stores back and forth, as one might do at the mall. Yet, these stories are mostly small businesses, which give off a more friendly and warm vibe. By walking into these shops, Glednalains are supporting these businesses by keeping a smile on the owners’ faces as well. 

Mix it up a little and explore all the hidden gems that Glendale has to offer. Although the Americana is comfortable and familiar, venture out and try something a little bit different with friends and family this summer.