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Community Corner

Pack a Picnic and Head to the Old Mill

A local historical landmark is the perfect place for mom and dad to escape for some quiet time, history and lunch.

A picnic--when the weather is right--can be the perfect way for mom and dad to steal some quiet time away from the kids. It’s simple, fun and romantic. Pack the picnic basket with cheese, fruit, chocolate or whatever your heart desires. You don’t have to go far to find a pleasant, semi-private picnic spot. Tucked away in a neighborhood, the is a hidden gem.

Most visitors instead head to the , so you're likely to have the place to yourself. Entering the Old Mill, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time—it’s easy to imagine what it must have been like in 1816 when it served as a grist mill and granary for the San Gabriel Mission. Today, the structure houses a museum that is surrounded by a tranquil garden with agaves, oaks, fruit and olive trees. Choose one of the benches or arbors and enjoy your picnic.

Before you leave, be sure to visit the museum. Downstairs is an exhibit with a working model of the grinding room. The galleries upstairs house paintings, furnishings and historical information about the Mill.

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