Arcadia, one of the outstanding communities of the Los Angeles 84-city complex, is instantly recognized as a prestigious area, designed for gracious suburban living. The city began preparing for the future in the late ‘60s with the establishment of the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency, and it adopted a Central Redevelopment Project Area that is roughly bounded by the Foothill Freeway, Fifth Avenue, Huntington Drive and Colorado Place and Boulevard. Entering Arcadia westbound on Huntington Drive, the Downtown Business District on both the north and south sides of Huntington Drive is testimony to the efforts of the Redevelopment Agency. Huntington Drive, roughly between Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia and Santa Anita Avenue, is now known as Huntington Crossing – where the 210 Freeway crosses Huntington Drive. Newer to Arcadia is Point Loma University, a multi-story office building on First and La Porte, the Richard Hale office, and numerous medical buildings on Santa Clara and 5th Avenues and at First and St. Joseph. Brand new is the 24 Hour Fitness Center at First and Santa Clara Streets.
These buildings are the most recent additions to the downtown area. Santa Clara Avenue from 5th Avenue westward is a hub of impressive building activity. A huge new project is being proposed for 90 acres of Santa Anita Race Track parking lot to the south of the track and east of the mall. The Shops at Santa Anita, a Caruso Affiliated project, should break ground in 2009.
Baldwin Avenue in the West Arcadia Business District had a face-lift, as did Santa Anita between the 210 Freeway and Huntington Drive. Our city is on the move and ready for businesses that provide services desired by the community.
The city’s partnership with Westfield Santa Anita resulted in a major expansion of the shopping center, almost doubling its size, and it opened in October 2004. Many new retail stores and restaurants, both indoor and outdoor dining and a new AMC Theater opened in the new expansion. A second expansion to the west of Westfield Mall is currently underway and set to open in 2009.
South Arcadia looks for ways to improve this area. A senior development that opened in 2004, a housing project in the county area and the relocation of several major businesses along the Live Oak corridor are all contributing to the area’s regeneration. New pharmacies and several fast food dining experiences have recently opened, and The Shrimp House continues to wow customers.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Arcadia, CA Welcome
The Arcadia Chamber of Commerce has just celebrated 40 years at 388 W. Huntington Drive. This unique circular glass building is a “one of a kind” chamber office built in 1965 and was designed by Fickes and Fickes Architects. It has been home for the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce ever since it was constructed.
Arcadia Chamber of Commerce has a membership of over 700 members, the second largest chamber in the San Gabriel Valley. Ninety-three businesses have been members for 27 to over 50 years. The chamber promotes networking – Monthly Mixers and 3rd Thursday Networking Breakfasts. Yearly this chamber sponsors three Expos, several Multi Chamber Mixers and Taste of Arcadia. Business workshops and seminars are held in conjunction with SBDC, SBA and SCORE.
Members join us due to the many opportunities the chamber provides. We are a wealth of information from FREE business counseling by qualified counselors, to mailing labels of our members, to lists of various business categories such as “Retirement Homes,” “Banks” and “Non-Profit Organizations” to name just a few. The office is a “Tourist Information Center” where tourists, business people and residents gain information about our city and surrounding areas. There are local maps, directories, phone books and local newspapers in the office at all times. The Community Calendar is kept by the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, where it is recommended that you check first before planning a community event, so that events within the city do not conflict.
The Arcadia Chamber of Commerce is the “Front Door” to Arcadia, answering hundreds of phone calls, emails, faxes and walk-in inquiries weekly.
The City of Arcadia has much to be proud of, including an Arboretum; Santa Anita Park; the foremost thoroughbred horse racing venue in the United States; a beautiful mall; Westfield Santa Anita; many parks; and hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. There is a Forest Service Office on Santa Anita Drive at the 210 Freeway for your hiking and camping needs. Arcadia boasts of two golf courses: Santa Anita Golf Course and Arcadia Par Three Golf Course. There are public tennis courts; swimming pools; and soccer, football and baseball fields. A beautiful Community Center is ready to meet the needs of all ages, and right next door is the Recreation Department. The Charles and Ruth Gilb Historical Museum opened in 2003 where local history is on display. Our large library is highly used by our residents and especially the local students. Both the public schools and the private schools are superior and enjoy extremely high academic reputations.
More commercially, Huntington Drive is now a “Restaurant Row” and a huge variety of shops, hotels and stores are nearby to meet your needs from A to Z – athletic shoes to zinnias at the florist shop and nursery.
Traveling to and from Arcadia is easy. By car, the off ramps at Michillinda, Baldwin, Santa Anita and Huntington Drive from the 210 Freeway will each lead you into town. Bus lines crisscross Arcadia, and the Gold Line from Union Station and beyond ends just short of the westernmost border of Arcadia. Within the city limits is Arcadia Transit, a small local bus line. There are four major airports, all within a 45-minute drive from Arcadia: LAX, Burbank, Ontario and Long Beach.
Shuttle buses and limousines can whisk you off to an airport any time of the night or day. For the Route 66 fan, Huntington Drive is Route 66, as it winds its way from the beach at Santa Monica to Chicago through the western and mid-western states of the Union.
Come visit Arcadia, where you can shop in an upscale store, eat a gourmet meal, and in just a few minutes either be hiking in the wilderness or taking in the sights in downtown Los Angeles. Arcadia is more than just a “pretty city” – it’s a town where things are “happening,” and you are invited to be part of the “happenings!”
Beth Costanza
Executive Director
Arcadia Chamber of Commerce
626 447-2159
arcadiachamber.com
Arcadia Chamber of Commerce has a membership of over 700 members, the second largest chamber in the San Gabriel Valley. Ninety-three businesses have been members for 27 to over 50 years. The chamber promotes networking – Monthly Mixers and 3rd Thursday Networking Breakfasts. Yearly this chamber sponsors three Expos, several Multi Chamber Mixers and Taste of Arcadia. Business workshops and seminars are held in conjunction with SBDC, SBA and SCORE.
Members join us due to the many opportunities the chamber provides. We are a wealth of information from FREE business counseling by qualified counselors, to mailing labels of our members, to lists of various business categories such as “Retirement Homes,” “Banks” and “Non-Profit Organizations” to name just a few. The office is a “Tourist Information Center” where tourists, business people and residents gain information about our city and surrounding areas. There are local maps, directories, phone books and local newspapers in the office at all times. The Community Calendar is kept by the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, where it is recommended that you check first before planning a community event, so that events within the city do not conflict.
The Arcadia Chamber of Commerce is the “Front Door” to Arcadia, answering hundreds of phone calls, emails, faxes and walk-in inquiries weekly.
The City of Arcadia has much to be proud of, including an Arboretum; Santa Anita Park; the foremost thoroughbred horse racing venue in the United States; a beautiful mall; Westfield Santa Anita; many parks; and hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. There is a Forest Service Office on Santa Anita Drive at the 210 Freeway for your hiking and camping needs. Arcadia boasts of two golf courses: Santa Anita Golf Course and Arcadia Par Three Golf Course. There are public tennis courts; swimming pools; and soccer, football and baseball fields. A beautiful Community Center is ready to meet the needs of all ages, and right next door is the Recreation Department. The Charles and Ruth Gilb Historical Museum opened in 2003 where local history is on display. Our large library is highly used by our residents and especially the local students. Both the public schools and the private schools are superior and enjoy extremely high academic reputations.
More commercially, Huntington Drive is now a “Restaurant Row” and a huge variety of shops, hotels and stores are nearby to meet your needs from A to Z – athletic shoes to zinnias at the florist shop and nursery.
Traveling to and from Arcadia is easy. By car, the off ramps at Michillinda, Baldwin, Santa Anita and Huntington Drive from the 210 Freeway will each lead you into town. Bus lines crisscross Arcadia, and the Gold Line from Union Station and beyond ends just short of the westernmost border of Arcadia. Within the city limits is Arcadia Transit, a small local bus line. There are four major airports, all within a 45-minute drive from Arcadia: LAX, Burbank, Ontario and Long Beach.
Shuttle buses and limousines can whisk you off to an airport any time of the night or day. For the Route 66 fan, Huntington Drive is Route 66, as it winds its way from the beach at Santa Monica to Chicago through the western and mid-western states of the Union.
Come visit Arcadia, where you can shop in an upscale store, eat a gourmet meal, and in just a few minutes either be hiking in the wilderness or taking in the sights in downtown Los Angeles. Arcadia is more than just a “pretty city” – it’s a town where things are “happening,” and you are invited to be part of the “happenings!”
Beth Costanza
Executive Director
Arcadia Chamber of Commerce
626 447-2159
arcadiachamber.com
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