Patch Picks: The Best Local Picnic Spots

With summer just around the corner, it's easy to get the itch to get out and see nature. What goes well with hot days and beautiful sights? Food, of course. Unpack the gingham tablecloth, take out the picnic basket, and go have a picnic! Here are five of our favorite spots to make the most of the long summer days ahead.

A favorite spot to hang out for citizens and visitors alike, Arcadia County Park is the perfect place to go with that special someone for a sweet picnic. The park is known for offering community events throughout the year, be it on the many playing fields or through exercise classes.

The park is also wonderful to sprawl out on the green and make a meal of it! Whether you chose to have it on one of the many picnic benches throughout or under a shaded tree, you can’t go wrong with the scenery offered here.

There is free parking in the joining lot and the park is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.

Wilderness Park

Another beautiful park in Arcadia, Wilderness Park is located in the foothills of the mountains, at the top of Highland Oaks Drive. Come here to escape the hustle and bustle and have the ultimate alone time with that exceptional guest of yours. The park offers picnic tables, picnic pavilions and even grills. No alcohol is permitted on the property and no smoking is allowed. Go for a hike afterward, if you're feeling up to it. The park offers an exclusive hiking trail. This is the ultimate place to picnic if you’re after a day of serenity.

Nestled at the foothills of Sierra Madre, Bailey Canyon Park is the go-to gateway for multiple scenic hiking adventures. The park is the starting point of the Live Oak Nature Trail as well as the Canyon View Nature Trail. There are also picnic areas, with benches and barbeque grills to fire up and make it a date or small party. Bring all of your friends and explore the beautiful native botanical plants and flowers while enjoying the company of some buddies. Be sure to stay on the trails to avoid poison ivy.

Memorial Park is situated in the center of Sierra Madre, just off of the intersection of Sierra Madre Boulevard and South Hermosa Avenue. Fresh off of its hosting the , Memorial Park is home to many of the annual festivities in Sierra Madre such as the Wistaria Festival.

It is also the perfect place to with the family. There is a playground for the little ones to exert some of their never-ending energy, and the park is intimate enough for you to keep an eye on them from your picnic blanket. There are also covered picnic tables and grills for cooking up a tasty meal. Take a short stroll to Kersting Court and pick up a smoothie at the or frozen yogurt at Yogurt & More for dessert.

If you’re looking to get out of town for your picnic then head out West to Descanso Gardens. Located in La Canada-Flintridge, this is another amazingly gorgeous and scenic located to have a beautiful meal while taking in the beautiful surroundings and sounds of nature. Picnics are restricted to the picnicking area outside the gates, adjacent to the parking lot. Descanso Gardens allow picnics within the gardens only during their summer concert, family performance series and certain festivals. Descanso Gardens has a general admission cost of $8 per person, the money will be well-spent on tours of the several gardens the site houses. You’ll have to venture through Camellia Forest, the International Rosarium, California Garden, Japanese Garden, and Lilac Garden to see which one you like best.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the picnicking policy of Descanso Gardens. We regret the error.