Growing up in Arcadia: The quirky, sun-drenched suburb of Los Angeles
Yes, you will have untimely encounters with peacocks
I grew up in a bubble, a bubble called Arcadia. It’s a suburb outside of Los Angeles, where it never snows, and it rains for 15 days a year, tops.
The school system
Our priorities in Arcadia are different. For school-age children and families alike, school takes top priority. Family time often takes the backseat to preparation for the SAT, and parents often miss dinner in order to make it to soccer practice or a speech and debate competition. The nature of Arcadia is one of competition: people judge other based on the size of their houses, the make of their cars, and the schools that their children go to.
The construction
I lived in Arcadia for 15 years, and for some reason, I tend to associate sounds of hammers and drills with this suburb drenched in sunshine. Today, McMansionization and zoning laws have become the topics of hot debate in our community because wealthier residents wish to build bigger, better, more lavish residences, while long-time citizens of Arcadia hope to keep their communities’ charm and spirit intact. In areas where the former group has won out, there are old buildings being demolished and new houses being built on every block, and almost every day, most people can hear the sounds of construction crews drilling into the ground or hammering boards into place.
The neighborly love (or lack thereof)
For the decade and a half that I’ve lived in Arcadia, I can only say that I’ve gotten to know a couple of my neighbors really well. Maybe it’s because of the generational gap (many of my neighbors were very elderly) or the cultural gap (lots of the families in Arcadia are immigrants, and tended to keep to themselves). There were never any block parties or neighborhood barbecues, but I guess this was common in Arcadia and neighboring cities. I’ve known people who’ve had great relationships with their neighbors, but they seem to be the minority of Arcadians.
A view of Arcadia from afar – seems a bit empty, doesn’t it?
But don’t get me wrong. Arcadia has lots of perks, like…
The food!
Whether you’re craving some butter chicken from Nirvana, the local Indian restaurant, or you want a hipster take on coffee and tea (in cute mason jars, too!) at Bearology, you can find foods and drinks to suit anyone’s tastes. I myself am partial to the crepes and shaved ice at Snow Princess and the gourmet popsicles at PopBar.
The night markets. Or actually, one night market
Farmers’ markets aren’t all that common or popular in my hometown. However, the 626 Night Market is something of a cult classic, where young and old alike often decide to spend the hot summer nights. Not only is there live entertainment from up-and-coming local artists, but there are a variety of fusion foods and desserts just waiting to be tasted. On the more tame end, there are shops that sell mango sticky rice, drenched in coconut milk and tastes like the epitome of summer. For the more adventurous spirits, there’s deep fried giant squid and sushi donuts (not that I’ve ever tried any of these, so no recommendations here). High schoolers come here for the insta-worthy food photos, and adults come for the hustle and bustle that is so foreign to Arcadia.
The famed 626 Night Market cube. A staple for many Instagram accounts
Some really great (and pretty significant) cultural attractions
Aside from being home the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Arcadia is well-known for the Santa Anita Racetrack, built in 1930s, that has hosted many Breeders’ Cup races in recent years. However, those who aren’t from around the area are often unaware of the darker side of the racetracks history: it served a temporary internment cap for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and it’s considered by many residents to be a stain on Arcadia’s legacy.
The peacocks!
They’re not confined to Arcadia, but in certain areas, residents regularly hear the cries of the peacocks, often at ungodly hours of the night, but the creatures are welcomed nevertheless (perhaps because they’re featured on the city logo). I for one know that I’ve burned through quite a bit of rubber from braking too hard whenever I saw a peacock strutting across the road, and I’ve been late to more than a couple of meetings because of some untimely encounters with these guys.
The location
Arcadia is in a prime location, nestled at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, and a close drive away from downtown Los Angeles and some of Southern California’s most famous beaches. Arcadians regularly go on day trips to Santa Monica, San Diego, and Hollywood Boulevard, although we probably don’t take advantage often enough of the great local attractions. Places like the Huntington Library, Griffith Park, and Runyon Canyon Park, are all great places to check out if you’ve ever got the opportunity to do so.
A photo of Huntington Beach, one of the best places to build a bonfire, featuring yours truly
Like any other hometown, Arcadia is what you make of it. Feel free to stay for a few hours, a few months, or forever. Just don’t forget what you came for.