Mild temperatures make Pasadena an ideal place to spend time outdoors during winter. Since physical activity is an important part of boosting your well-being and keeping joints flexible and healthy, consider heading to one or more of the following outdoor areas in and around Pasadena.
Brookside Park
Located at 360 North Arroyo Boulevard near Rose Bowl Stadium, Brookside Park offers plenty of outdoor space to take long walks, so that your legs get a good workout. The park has more than 600 acres of space overall, which includes a baseball stadium, softball diamonds, and other amenities. In addition to going for walks, you can put your tennis skills to the test at the park’s tennis courts or play horseshoes. Brookside Park also has several picnic tables where you can enjoy lunch or a snack in the sun. The park is open daily from 6 a.m to 10 p.m.
Eaton Canyon
Eaton Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center gives you a chance to experience the great outdoors without having to go far from the city. Located in northern Pasadena at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, Eaton Canyon offers hiking trails to explore, including a trail that leads to a scenic waterfall with a 50-foot drop. You can also visit the nature center to see animal exhibits and learn more about local wildlife and plants. Eaton Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center, located at 1750 N. Altadena Dr. is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November 1st to February 28th.
Angeles National Forest
For a rugged outdoor experience and more challenging physical activities, head to Angeles National Forest. Located north of Pasadena, this forest provides you with a chance to enjoy some winter activities in the mountains, including sledding, snow tubing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Angeles National Forest also has more than 550 miles of hiking and equestrian trails available, including trails for beginners and trails for more experienced hikers. Other activities you can do in the forest include climbing, horseback riding, fishing, and hang gliding. Hours may vary, especially for winter activities, so it’s best to call ahead of time before heading out.
Descanso Gardens
Descanso Gardens, located less than 10 miles from Pasadena in La Canada Flintridge, offers a great place to visit for sightseeing and physical activity. This botanical garden features several areas to explore, including a rose garden, Japanese garden, oak forest, California garden, and ancient forest. You can get a good workout while walking around different areas of Descanso Gardens to see a wide range of plants, flowers, and trees. Other on-site attractions include Sturt Haaga Gallery and the Boddy House. Descanso Gardens, located at 1418 Descanso Drive, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
If you’ve been experiencing joint pain and need to find effective relief, please contact Huntington Orthopedics for an appointment in our Pasadena office. We can recommend treatment options for joint pain after evaluating the affected areas.