One of the city’s claims to fame is that it was home to the first-ever Baskin Robbins—the world’s largest chain of ice cream parlors. The chain has since been purchased by Dunkin’ Brands and is now headquartered in Massachusetts, but locals still indulge in the 31 flavors of this creamy hometown treat.
DreamWorks SKG, the company that created Shrek, Madagascar, Saving Private Ryan, and many more acclaimed movies calls Glendale home. It also frequently appears on Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list.
Yes, Glendale is its own city, but like all of the cities that make up the Los Angeles area (88 total), it’s unavoidably overshadowed by the sprawling metropolis that is the City of Angels. Be prepared to tell people where you live by saying, “It’s a few miles north of L.A.”
Way back in 1928, Glendale was the first city to earn the “Miss American Green Cross” distinction from an environmental organization dedicated to saving America’s trees. And the city still earns its ecological stripes to this day: Since 1982, native trees have been protected by the Indigenous Tree Ordinance.
Glendale’s primary shopping destination is The Americana at Brand—an outdoor mall experience designed to look more like a neighborhood than a place you’d go to pick up new shoes. Nearby, you’ll find the impressive Glendale Galleria, the fourth-largest shopping mall in Los Angeles County.
What do Nick Evans, Mike Lieberthal, Gregg Zaun, Gary Sutherland, Casey Stengel, Archie Reynolds, Scott Radinsky, and Brandon McCarthy all have in common? They’re all Major League Baseball players, and they all got their start in Glendale. You might spot the next MLB superstar at the Glendale Sports Complex—be sure to try the nachos.
The Verdugo Mountains offer more than stunning vistas. The rugged and steep terrain makes for some pretty grueling workouts. If you’d prefer some company at high altitude and want to challenge yourself, sign up for the Verdugo Mountains 10K to get that blood pumping.
The most beloved bakery in Glendale is a Cuban one: Porto’s. Their treats are sublime, and they’re worth every extra minute of exercise you put in. Then again, you’ve got plenty of time to stretch while waiting in line—even during off-peak hours, it can take 20 minutes before your palate can experience the bliss that is a Porto’s cheese roll.
Fictional character Shrek aside, the city has its fair share of human movie stars who lie in repose. Walt Disney, Clark Gable, Nat King Cole, and literally hundreds of other iconic entertainers are buried or interred at the famous Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Glendale is home to not one but two of the best sausage-slinging eateries in Southern California. Locals (and German tourists, naturally) are always arguing over which is better, Continental Gourmet Sausage Company or Schreiner’s Fine Sausage. Try them both, and decide for yourself—you, know: for science.
Glendale’s Brand Library and Art Center is housed in a 1904 mansion and is home to a vast collection of books, music, and media as well as art galleries, performance spaces, and lecture halls. Situated at the base of the Verdugo Mountains and recently renovated, the views alone are worth the visit.
The northwest section of Glendale, known as Kenneth Village, was built back in 1920—and still looks the same today as it did back then. Its old-timey charm has made it a choice location for many period films, TV shows, and commercials—so keep an eye out for film crews!
Glendale’s Alex Theatre is a beloved Southern California landmark, and it’s been a favorite for catching great shows since it was built in 1925 as a vaudeville house. Today, this world-class theater offers a broader range of entertainment: classic movies, concerts, ballets, and even the occasional visit from the Glendale Symphony Orchestra.
Thrift Alley is where you’ll find local bargain hunters shopping for vintage goods and antiques. It’s officially run by the Assistance League of Glendale, and “Alley” isn’t just in the name—you’ll literally find it an alley behind the company’s offices.
In most cities, you go to Home Depot for tools, lumber, and maybe some gardening supplies. In Glendale, you go for the hot dogs. The Hot Dog Depot, located in the parking lot of the San Fernando Road store, is patronized by throngs of locals who say that these franks are simply the best they’ve ever eaten.
The city’s annual Harry Potter Roller Skating Night at Moonlight Rollerway is very popular among Glendalians. Considering that the final book of the Harry Potter series was published in 2007, and part two of its movie counterpart was released in 2011, that’s loyalty. Sadly, 2018’s skate night will be the seventh—and last—of these “magical” events.
Glendale has an estimated population of 200,831, and 54.5% of residents are foreign-born. By comparison, California’s average of foreign-born residents is about 27%, and the national average is 13%. Large Iranian, Armenian, and Lebanese communities are proud to call Glendale home. Enjoy their rich culture at delicious eateries such as Carousel Restaurant, The Original Kabob Factory, Raffi’s Place, Sipan Bakery, and Skaf’s Lebanese Cuisine—just to name a few.
Unlike the obsession with fancy clubs and bars in Los Angeles, the most popular watering holes in Glendale are of the low-key variety. Try Capri Lounge, The Glendale Tap, and the Winchester Room. Everyone is welcome, but don’t order any pretentious, L.A.-style cocktails at these joints.
Former bikini model and Sports Illustrated’s “Best Magazine Cover of All Time” celeb Kathy Ireland tried on her first swimsuit in Glendale (and since she grew up near Malibu, she probably spent most of her early years in one). Today, she runs her own worldwide lifestyle brand and is widely regarded as the template for a model-turned-businessperson.
