10 Best Things To Do In Pico Rivera, California

1. Tour Pico Rivera History & Heritage Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Pico Rivera History & Heritage is a small community museum that does a great job of taking you through the humble history of this new town on the block. With its many artifacts, old literature, and paintings, the museum takes you back to the times when the city was not even officially founded and was inhabited by Native Americans, followed by the Spanish and Mexican populace. The docents here do a nice job of quelling your curiosity by happily (and proudly!) providing any extra information, so don’t miss!

Pico Rivera History & Heritage

Address: 9122 Washington Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660, United States

Website: Pico Rivera History & Heritage

Opening hours: Tue & Thu: 12pm - 4pm (closed from Fri - Mon & Wed)

Price: Free entry

2. Catch a show at Pico Rivera Sports Arena

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Popular among locals for hosting rodeos, music, and sporting events, Pico Rivera Sports Arena is another safe bet if you want to spend your time catching a show. It is a popular haunt for the Hispanic community in the area, who frequent the arena to catch the daily Latin entertainment shows. Other than that, Charreada and Jaripeo (rodeo-like sports) events are quite frequently held here, so buy yourself a ticket and remember to catch a show – you’ll not regret it.

Pico Rivera Sports Arena

Address: 11003 Sports Arena Dr, Pico Rivera, CA 90601, United States

Website: Pico Rivera Sports Arena

3. Head to Pico Rivera Towne Center for a fun time

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

With Pico Rivera Towne Center around, you can be pretty sure that you’ll not leave town disappointed with its shopping and dining scene. With its many shopping outlets and eateries, Pico Rivera Towne Center is a bustling hotspot. Bath & Body Works, Old Navy, Walmart, and Marshalls are some of the many showrooms here, while Baskin Robbins, Chili’s, Panera, Subway, and Starbucks are a few restaurants/cafes you can head to.

Pico Rivera Towne Center

Address: 8982 Washington Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660, United States

Website: Pico Rivera Towne Center

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 9pm; Sat: 10am - 8pm; Sun: 10am - 6pm

4. Spend time outdoors at Rivera Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Rivera Park is a much-loved public facility amongst Pico Rivera locals. It features an excellent indoor gymnasium, extensive athletic fields, large outdoor playground, and kids’ swing area, making it a top spot for those in town with little ones. What’s even better? Zumba and other classes are regularly held in the gymnasium (charged separately), so sign-up for those if you feel like working up a sweat! Other than that, there’s a snack bar on-site, so you can pick up a nibble and seat yourself on the many benches (or the ground itself) and bask in the glorious Californian sun.

Rivera Park

Address: 9530 Shade Ln, Pico Rivera, CA 90660, United States

Website: Rivera Park

Opening hours: 6:30am - 10pm (daily)

5. Enjoy a picnic at Rio Vista Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Gorgeous weather? Have a picnic. Where? At Rio Vista Park. This is another one of the city’s fantastic public facilities, boasting excellent basketball courts, baseball fields, kids’ play areas, and designated picnic areas, making it a top family recreation spot. You can sit back and soak in the sun, while the little ones can let off some steam, playing. Several sports coaching classes are held here, so you may find it quite crowded on certain days. That aside, the facility itself is superb, so get your picnic baskets ready! The park remains open 24 hours, but specific activities and facilities follow different timings. Check the park’s website for details.

Rio Vista Park

Address: 8751 Coffman and Pico Rd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660, United States

Website: Rio Vista Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

6. Take your kids to enjoy at Smith Park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

William A Smith Park, or fondly known as Smith Park among locals is another public park you can head to and spend time outdoors. With its two playgrounds (one for kids and other for adults), interesting activities (rock/wall climbing, obstacle courses, swings, skate park, swimming pool, etc.), and designated picnic areas (with barbecue pits and ash dumpsters), the park sees quite a bit of footfall. The park is touted to be quite kid-friendly in terms of facilities and safety, so you can head there to enjoy yourself to the fullest. Do remember that while the park itself remains open 24 hours, activities or certain facilities follow different timings.

Smith Park

Address: 6016 Rosemead Blvd Pico Rivera CA 90660

Website: Smith Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

7. Go for an outing to Village Walk Shopping Center

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Another fab spot, there’s plenty to do at Village Walk Shopping Center to ensure you enjoy a great deal of entertainment. While Cold Stone Creamery, Harbor Freight Tools, Paris Nails & Spa, and Don Chente Bar-Grill & Lounge are some of the few outlets here, the main attraction of Village Walk Shopping Center is the 14-screen Cinépolis Cinemas.

Village Walk Shopping Center

Address: 8604 Whittier Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660, United States

Website: Village Walk Shopping Center

8. Catch a movie at Cinépolis Cinemas

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

While you shop and pamper yourself at Village Walk Shopping Center, what can be better than kicking back and enjoying a movie too? Cinépolis Cinemas is Pico Rivera’s top multiplex, where you can easily catch the latest movie(s) doing the rounds. Not just the usual 2D movies, you can also watch 4DX movies here, which is a hit among kids. So, don’t wait longer and get a booking at the soonest. You can purchase movie tickets on-site or via several online mediums, including the Cinépolis Cinemas’ official website.

Cinépolis Cinemas

Address: 8540 Whittier Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660, United States

Website: Cinépolis Cinemas

9. Try a taste of Tierra Mia Coffee

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This gem of a cafe hit Pico Rivera’s hospitality scene in 2012 and has since been a favorite among caffeine-lovers. Tierra Mia Coffee excels in their Latin-inspired coffees, with colo loco, horchata creme, mocha Mexicano, and Cubano being the hot sellers. Not just this, their other beverages and confectionery items are just as yum – mango strawberry fresca and guava-cheese pastry, only to name a few. The outlet has a sit-down area as well as drive-through service, so you can either sit back and enjoy a cup or have it on the go!

Tierra Mia Coffee

Address: 9220 Slauson Ave, Pico Rivera, CA 90660, United States

Website: Tierra Mia Coffee

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 6am - 12am; Fri - Sat: 6am - 1am

10. Dine at Gardens Bar & Grill

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Step into Gardens Bar & Grill if you’re looking for a fun and casual ambiance. While these may be what first impressions tell you, Gardens Bar & Grill is a wholly chilled out sports bar, flaunting a jukebox crooning some fun American numbers, beer flowing like water, bartenders whipping up some zingy cocktails, yum Mexican fare landing on your tables, and superb service to top it all off. All said, a true winner, Gardens Bar & Grill.

Gardens Bar & Grill

Address: 9425 Telegraph Rd # 105, Pico Rivera, CA 90660, United States

Website: Gardens Bar & Grill

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 2am; Sat - Sun: 10am - 2am

Have an eventful trip to Pico Rivera

As we said, it’s quite easy to hit up the many popular haunts in downtown LA while being in Pico Rivera. Several trams and buses are available, else there are always private vehicles you can rent. You may be traveling solo or with family, the city will not disappoint. Go on, and make your bookings now!