The Los Angeles Arboretum

Last week my parents were in town, so we wanted to come up with some fun things to do in the Los Angeles area for their stay. It was actually my husband's idea to go to the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanical Gardens located in Arcadia. This was a fantastic idea because after about 10 years of living in Los Angeles, I had never been to the Arboretum, so it was a first for not only my parents, but me as well.

Unfortunately, it was very, very hot the day we decided to go. We were pretty much the only people visiting the Arboretum that day and with the heat I understand why. Luckily, the park is not huge, so we were able to cover all of it in about two hours. Also, I dressed in cool and comfortable clothes like my new J. Crew Factory scallop shorts and sneakers, so that helped keep me a little cooler!

The Los Angeles Arboretum is home to a diverse selection of trees and plants from around the world, but what I was most excited about seeing were the peacocks! The reason for why the peacocks are at the Arboretum and throughout the city of Arcadia is that the founder of the city, Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin had them imported from India in the 1880s when he was there on a hunting expedition. I guess he started off with a small number and now they are everywhere. One even came into a liquor store about a month ago and began destroying and damaging the goods inside! After being apprehended by the police and animal control, he was returned to the Arboretum. I wondered if one of the peacocks I photographed was the culprit of this crime!

I suppose I can relate to the peacocks in some way because they are flamboyant and colorful, much like the bulk of my wardrobe! I love their beautiful and colorful plumage, although I was sad that I didn't get to see any of the peacocks with their tails fanned out. Unlike myself, peacocks do not like having their pictures taken! We ended up "chasing" a few around the grounds to snap a few shots, although the one above walked right towards me, which was a little disconcerting because they are known to bite!

Last of all, one of my favorite things at the Arboretum was the Queen Anne Cottage that Lucky Baldwin built on the property for his fourth wife. (Apparently they never enjoyed it because they separated after only a year or so!) It would have been a beautiful place to live in the late 19th century, although I think I would miss air conditioning!

Shirt: SheIn here, similar here
Shorts: J. Crew Factory here
Shoes: Old Navy similar here
Bag: Kate Spade similar here
Earrings: Charming Charlie here
Sunglasses: Celine