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I’ve been living in Los Angeles for about 7 years now, and in that time, Crystal has made numerous visits. In the beginning, we explored famous and iconic landmarks, but over time we started venturing into LA’s lesser-known areas.

On Crystal’s recent visit, we decided to explore Montrose. Montrose is relatively central within the Los Angeles metropolitan area, making it convenient to access nearby cities like Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles.

It’s a charming community nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. It has an adorable small-town atmosphere and Honolulu Avenue is the main street lined with a variety of boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Here is our list of five things you can do this weekend in Montrose:

1. Sugarbird Cafe

This adorable little cafe specializes in unique flavored scones that will tantalize your taste buds. With its enchanting atmosphere and friendly staff, it's no wonder that it was recently featured in the LA TIMES as one of the "15 Best places to sip afternoon tea in LA."

Sugarbird Cafe Outdoor Seating — Outdoor Seating at Sugarbird Cafe

Indulge in a freshly brewed cup of tea, and savor every delightful bite of their mouthwatering scones. The inventive flavor combinations are sconetastic, and you must try the Premium Jelly Filled Scones, which was featured on Hulu’s “Baker’s Dozen.”

Sugarbird Afternoon Tea — Gorgeous Afternoon Tea

Japanese Milk Break Sandwiches — Japanese Milk Bread Sandwiches

The elegant arrangement of delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and an assortment of delectable pastries makes for a truly indulgent experience.

A tray of fresh scones — An assortment of bitesize sweets and scones

We enjoyed every sweet bite and our favorite was definitely the Matcha Scone. Its beautiful green color and delicate aroma were just the beginning of its allure. With every bite, we were greeted by a satisfying crunch that gave way to a soft and moist interior bursting with rich matcha flavor.

Outdoor afternoon Tea in Montrose — Can’t decide which sweet treat to try first

Pouring a cup of tea — Tea brewed to perfection

Make sure to check out the little shop inside the cozy cafe, as it is truly a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Take your time to browse through the delightful selection of colorful and cute souvenirs and treats, carefully curated with love and attention to detail.

Shopping at Sugarbird Cafe — Doing a little shopping at Sugarbird Cafe

From handcrafted trinkets to delectable confections, there is something for everyone to take home and cherish as a meaningful reminder of your visit. Candy purchased the perfect sized pink tea tumbler and Crystal ordered a couple of extra green tea scones to enjoy later at home.

2. Lost Books

This charming bookstore is the sister of downtown LA’s beloved The Last Bookstore. As you approach the entrance, a sense of wonder and tranquility washes over you. The transition from the outside world to this lush oasis is immediate and dramatic.

Sitting outside reading a book — Sitting outside at Lost Books

The moment you step into the bookstore, you realize that it’s more than just a place to buy books; it’s an intricate maze of literary wonders with hidden nooks and crannies.

Inside Lost Books in Montrose — Crystal pointing to A birdcage behind the bookcases

We couldn’t help but admire the cleverly arranged displays and the sound of real chirping birds. There are stacks of books with intriguing titles, colorful covers, and witty blurbs that piqued our curiosity.

sitting on a floral couch — Striped Tank **& Other Stories** // Nisolo **Lori Tote** (USE code **TRAVELPOCKETS** for 20% OFF)

3. Moo Moo Mia Ice Cream

Who doesn’t love locally handmade ice cream? We just love the vibrant pop of color this storefront adds to the quaint treelined community. Indications of its popularity can be seen in the fact that the Pure Pistachio flavor, a favorite among customers, is exclusively offered during the initial five days of each month, or until sold out.

Double Mocha Chip Ice Cream — Double Mocha Chip

Eating ice cream in front of a cute brick wall — Easy Standard **Ribbed Tank**

We both enjoyed a waffle bowl of ice cream from their year-round favorite, the Double Mocha Chip. But if you are feeling adventurous, their seasonal flavors include unique scoops like Almond Chocolate Croissant (vegan option) and Early Grey Vanilla Crisp.

Moo Moo Ice Cream Montrose — Moo Moo Ice Cream

4. Montrose Bowl

It’s been so long since we had a bowling outing together that when we unexpectedly came across Montrose Bowl, we couldn’t resist the spontaneous urge to bowl. This petite retro bowling alley has been in operation since 1936 and just celebrated its grand reopening.

Montrose Bowling Alley — Montrose Bowling ALley

One of the great things about this nostalgic alley is the absence of electronic scoreboards, which adds to its old-world charm. We aren't the competitive type, so we just kept taking turns, laughing and joking without the pressure of keeping score.

Retro Bowling Alley in Montrose — J.Crew **five pocket trouser**

About to throw the bowling ball — ANTHROPOLOGIE **NAOMI WIDE-LEG FLARE PANTS**

As we played, we couldn't help but appreciate the simple pleasure of watching our bowling balls gracefully gliding back to us on those iconic conveyor belts.

5. Black Cow Cafe

After exploring various dining establishments in Montrose, we discovered the best place to grab a bite was Black Cow Cafe. It’s a popular spot in the neighborhood and its rustic space is adorned with fun and eclectic wall art.

Black Cow Chicken Sandwich — Grilled Chicken Sandwich

The menu offers an array of comfort food favorites, ensuring that everyone can find their perfect dish. As we enjoyed our meal, Crystal's face lit up with delight when she took a sip of her refreshing glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, a perfect pairing to the delicious food.

Events and Festivals

If you make a visit during the Fall and Winter months, it’s worth checking out Montrose Oktoberfest, where you can enjoy live music, food, contests, and fun rides. The Montrose Christmas Parade is another popular event that attracts visitors from the surrounding areas.

Montrose California Oktoberfest Banner — Montrose Oktoberfest Banner

Parking

If you don’t see street parking on the main street, don’t worry as there are plenty of large public parking lots. We never had any issues finding a spot to park in the larger lots, which were also free for three hours.

Montrose Fall Flag — Fall in Love with Montrose

We left Montrose with a newfound appreciation for the charm of small-town life and the joy of discovering the unexpected in unexpected places. Montrose had indeed turned out to be a delightful surprise, and we can’t wait to return and explore more of its hidden treasures.