Photo essay: the cities of the Gold Line Foothill Extension

The following photos were mostly taken in the past few weeks as I drove, walked and biked around the Foothill Cities — Arcadia, Azusa, Duarte, Irwindale and Monrovia — that will be served by the Gold Line extension opening Saturday.

While the train certainly offers some sublime mountain views, riders see only a slice of these cities. They’re really interesting places — a mix of old-time California village and bedroom community inextricably linked to the San Gabriel Range that rises abruptly above them.

I hope the images provide a more expansive view of the Foothill Cities and some of the people I met there.

Click on any photo for a larger view (they look better larger!) and to start a gallery view.

The above is just some of what I shot. See the entire collection here.

10 replies

  1. Steve, Just a short note to thank you for all your posts – photos, tips and other information. I really appreciate all your time and efforts to keep us informed and up-to-date. Carol Fox

    >

    • Hey Carol —

      You’re very welcome! Hope you put the train to good use!

      Best,

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The Source

  2. Nice job on your essay. I’m looking forward to hitting all the old dinners mentioned. I haven’t been to Huy Fong Foods yet, but look forward to hitting that up too. Nice that you put a bit on the Bridge to Nowhere, but no love for the Tunnel to Nowhere?

    • Thanks Woody! I’ll post the entire batch on Flickr as soon as I can — there are a bunch I didn’t use in this just to keep it from being even more outrageously long and self indulgent than it already is 🙂 Had a few from your class I really liked, but I picked this one because you can sort of see the students thinking. Thanks again for your help with this!!!

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The Source

      • Hi Steven;

        From Wilshire/Westwood intersection: Metro Rapid 720 to Purple Line at Wilshire/Western to Union Station. Transfer there to Gold Line to Azusa. Long ride but should be able to accomplish on $1.75 regular fare, which includes free transfers. Use Google Transit to plan your trips.

        Steve Hymon
        Editor, The Source