“Rediscover Gold” on the Gold Line Foothill Extension! Below are a few fun places worth checking out for your shopping, eating, educational and entertainment needs, all easily accessible from the six new stations in the Foothill cities.

A friendly peacock at the Arboretum: “You looking at me?”

Horse racing at Santa Anita Park. Photos: Steve Hymon/Metro

Arcadia Station
201 N. 1st Ave., Arcadia, CA, 91106

• Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden – transfer to Foothill Transit Bus 187 for the Arboretum, home to 127 acres of plants, historic buildings and super awesome peacocks galore. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the gardens!
• 

  The Arcadia iced latte.

  TAZA. A Social Coffee House — I’ve mentioned this place before because it’s got delicious coffee, and it still does. There’s also a donut shop next door that I haven’t tried yet, but I have heard very good things about.

• Santa Anita Park – famous thoroughbred racetrack that opened in 1934. Thanks to the San Gabriel Mountains acting as backdrop, it’s considered by many to be the world’s most beautiful track. Santa Anita Park is home to numerous prestigious races including the Santa Anita Derby and the Santa Anita Handicap, and has hosted the Breeders’ Cup multiple times.
• Westfield Santa Anita – the largest shopping mall in the San Gabriel Valley and — more importantly — soon to be home to Din Tai Fung’s flagship restaurant. I’m not saying the dumplings there are the best in the valley, but they’re definitely worth trying at least once.

Photo: Steve Hymon/Metro

Monrovia Station
1651 S. Primrose Ave., Monrovia, CA, 91016

• Old Town Monrovia – transfer to Metro Bus 270 and quickly reach Old Town Monrovia: a quaint, small-town district with popular local restaurants, shops and a movie palace. 
• Mt. Sierra College – founded in 1990, Mt. Sierra College offers degree programs in information technology, media arts and business.
• Historic Santa Fe Depot – former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway depot built in 1926. Though currently closed to the public, the city of Monrovia plans to restore/renovate the depot into a transit-oriented plaza.

Duarte bike trail built on old streetcar right-of-way.

Duarte Station
1777 Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA, 91010

• City of Hope National Medical Center – best known as a cancer treatment center, the hospital is also a clinical research center and graduate medical school. Ranked one of ‘America’s Best Hospitals’ in 2010 by U.S. News & World Report.
• Justice Brothers Racing Museum – the Justice Brothers – Edward Ray, Sr., Lawrence Milton and James Russell – were figures in motorsports and the founders of Justice Brothers, Inc., a worldwide manufacturer of car care products. The museum is a great place to learn about the evolution of motorsports and is home to vintage circle track racecars, restored classics, Indy cars and more.
• Duarte Bike Path – Class 1 bike path parallels Royal Oaks Drive from Buena Vista Street to Royal Oaks Park for about 1.6 miles. The trail was built on an old Pacific Electric Railway track and connects to the San Gabriel River Bicycle path.

San Gabriel River bike trail.

Fishing at Santa Fe Dam. Photos: Steve Hymon/Metro

Irwindale Station
16017 Avenida Padilla, Irwindale, CA 91702

• Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area – bike or transfer to Foothill Transit Bus 185 to visit the Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area. You can check out the nature center or go cycling, fishing, boating, and hiking. The area also hosts the annual Renaissance Pleasure Faire of Southern California.
• Huy Fong Foods Sriracha Hot Sauce Factory – transfer to Foothill Transit Bus 185 to visit the factory that makes the popular Southeast-Asian style hot chili sauce. Tours are free but must be booked in advance. The best time to visit is during chili-grinding season: mid-September to late October.
• MillerCoors Brewery — this place isn’t open to the public, but it makes the list because the smell of hops is pretty obvious from the station platform. And fun fact: the giant towers you’ll pass by on the train each contain $100k worth of beer.

Stop by and say hello to one of the many safety ambassadors stationed along the line. Photo: Steve Hymon/Metro

Azusa Downtown Station
780 N. Alameda Ave., Azusa, CA 91702

• Downtown Azusa Business and Shopping District – a Target is right next to the rail station. A short walk away leads to numerous places to eat and drink. Notables include Max’s Mexican Cuisine, Congregation Ale House, City Café, Tardino Bro’s Italian Kitchen and Canyon City Barbeque (highly recommended by fellow blogger Steve Hymon).
• Historic Santa Fe Depot – former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway depot was built in 1931. Though currently closed to the public, the city of Azusa plans to rehabilitate and reuse the depot and turn the area into a fully functioning transit plaza.

APU/Citrus College Station
905 N. Citrus Ave., Azusa, CA 91702

• Azusa Pacific University – founded in 1899, Azusa Pacific is a leading Christian university in California and has more than 6,500 students. The university offers Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degree programs.
• Citrus College – the oldest public community college in Los Angeles County. Citrus College has numerous Associate degree programs and continuing education courses.

Let us know in the comments: where will you go on the new line?