15 Best Things To Do in West Covina (CA)

West Covina in California is located just 18 miles out of the city of Los Angeles, but until recently many may never have heard of it. All that may have changed in 2015 however thanks to the new smash hit television show on The CW called Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Having gone on to win a host of awards and much critical acclaim, the show has also been praised for being set in and filmed in the town of West Covina, and as such the location is as much a character in the story as the rest of the cast.

There is even a song in the show called ‘West Covina’, that literally sings the praises of this city. Many of the locations can be visited if you are in town, but even if you have never seen Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, you will still find a whole range of things to do in this vibrant city that has a population of just over 100,000 inhabitants.

Lets explore the best things to do in West Covina:

1. The Lakes Mall Offices

As you begin your tour of West Covina, start at one of the most frequently used sets on the show, the offices where many of the characters in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend work. The Lakes Center in West Covina has a set of office buildings attached to it, and it is here that fans of the show will recognize the offices of Whitefeather & Associates where leading lady Rebecca Bunch works as a lawyer. The offices are part of the wider The Lakes Center Complex and are perfect for a photo opportunity for those who love Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

2. Glendora Historical Society Museum

Located just 15 minutes outside of West Covina in neighboring Glendora, the Glendora Historical Society Museum is a great day out for the whole family. The museum will take you through all the history of the Glendora area and to that end there are a range of exhibits for you to enjoy. These include comprehensive collections of historical memorabilia that date from the 17th century through to the 18th century. You can expect antiques pieces that include paintings and furniture as well as a period photograph gallery. There are even a range of mannequins in historical garb that will make you feel as if you have stepped back in time.

3. The Lakes Mall

The Lakes Mall is the premium shopping center in West Covina and is certainly the place to come for some retail therapy. Here you will find a mix of high end shops as well as local brands, and there is also a mix of dining opportunities here if you fancy grabbing a bite to eat or a coffee. The mall makes a great day out, but perhaps even more interesting is what happens outside. The song ‘West Covina’ in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend was filmed here in the outside quad and is the exact spot where the character of Rebecca Bunch, played by Rachel Bloom, flew skyward aboard a giant pretzel. Certainly if you are a fan of the show then this is one stop not to miss.

4. Big League Dreams

Another place to come as part of your Cray Ex-Girlfriend Tour, Big League Dreams is actually the location for the bar known as Home Base in the show, where protagonist Greg Serrano works. The real version of Big League Dreams is a baseball themed sports park that features a range of replica major league baseball parks for visitors to walk around. The fields are all small-scale models of the real thing which make them easy to visit, and the park offers a great look at one of America’s favorite sports. There are also baseball and softball games regularly held here as well as an indoor soccer area.

5. Galster Wilderness Park

Galster Wilderness Park sadly doesn’t feature in the show but it is still one of the best places to come if you want to get out of doors and see some of West Covina’s picturesque scenery. The park spans 42 acres and is crossed with leafy trails and this is an ideal location if you are interested in nature. There is a museum and educational center located in the park and there are monthly programs here run by knowledgeable volunteers that educate visitors about indigenous fossils, minerals, and animals. Hiking and biking are popular pastimes here and the signature tall leafy trees mean that you can enjoy some shade as you take in the sights.

6. Baldwin Park Historical Society Museum

Baldwin Park Historical Society Museum is only 3 minutes away from West Covina and is a fun and educational place for the whole family. Run by the Baldwin Park Historical Society, the museum has tours that you can join that focus on detailing and explaining the period clothing from the region. This includes items such as antique shoes and military uniforms worn by those in service in previous years, as well as antiques from days gone by.

7. Arcadia Wilderness Park

If you drive for 16 minutes outside of West Covina you will come to the famous City of Arcadia Wilderness Park which is known for its dynamic trails and nature center. Here you will find a range of animals on display so this is the perfect spot to learn all about the local flora and fauna. The park is covered with grassy picnic fields and is said to have some of the best hiking in the area.

8. Cortez Park

Cortez Park is known as a great park to come to in West Covina if you are looking for a wide range of attractions to enjoy. For younger guests the park has a range of playgrounds suitable for different age groups, and there is also an outdoor gym if you fancy getting fit. The park is covered with grassy rolling hills that also make this a pretty place to stop for a walk or a picnic, and if you are feeling more active then you can take in the sights from the biking trails that surrounds the park.

9. Boba Tea Lounge

In Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Rebecca and her love interest Josh Chan regularly sit in an unspecified park and enjoy some traditional Taiwanese bubble tea drinks known in the area as Boba Tea. The park and the tea stand sadly can’t be visited in real life as they are part of a set and don’t actually exist, but if you want to try some bubble tea anyway then head to Boba Tea Lounge in West Covina. Here you will find a range of delicious Taiwanese milk tea blends, all filled with bouncy traditional tapioca pearls. You may not be able to find the exact tea stand, but at least you will get a taste of the famous Boba tea in West Covina.

10. Solana Park

The Solana Park area of West Covina is another location for hardcore Crazy Ex-Girlfriend fans, as this is the place used as the fictional home of Rebecca Bunch. This is a residential area and is filled with condominiums that look exactly like the one used in the show. Drive around and see if you can identify which one exactly was used in the first episode where Greg picks up Rebecca for a date.

11. Brunswick West Covina Lanes

Brunswick West Covina Lanes is loved in the city as the best bowling center in the area. The facility has a whopping 50 bowling lanes to choose from and is also filled with other attractions if you fancy trying your hand at something other than bowling. There are 9 billiard tables here if you want to get in a game and a pro shop so that you can stock up on any equipment you may need. There is also a snack bar and banquet services so you won’t go hungry as you take in a tournament.

12. Tilt 267

If you don’t want the games to stop in West Covina then head to Tilt 267 which is an arcade dedicated to having fun. The facility is packed with old-school play areas that include video games such as racing and shoot ‘em ups. You can also try to win on a range of redemption games that include old fashioned claw machines and stacker games. Other fun activities here include air hockey and shooting ranges.

13. Magical Playground

The Magical Playground is the place to come for younger visitors to the West Covina area, especially if you are looking for an indoor activity on a rainy day. All parts of this playground are located indoors and are suitable for children, toddlers, and even babies. The play areas here have toys for children to play with as well as inflatable attractions that include a bouncing house for youngsters to enjoy. There is also a colorful castle system set up in the playground for children to explore.

14. Palm View Park

There are several parks in West Covina, but Palm View Park has something that sets it apart from all the others. You will probably notice what it is as soon as you approach, as you will find several large aircraft parked in the center of the park. The aircraft are actually play objects for children here, so are perfect for budding aeronautical enthusiasts. As well as the aircraft, there are also two playgrounds here for children of different ages, as well as sports fields and picnic tables so that you can enjoy the scenery.

15. Duarte Historical Museum

Situated in neighboring Duarte, this museum is an easy drive outside of West Covina if you want to see some of the surrounding area. The Duarte Historical Museum is just 11 minutes away from the city, and is dedicated to telling the story of the city of Duarte’s past. To that end, it is full of period exhibits that will walk you from its creation to the present. Expect period artifacts such as paintings, photographs, and furniture.