Before the arrival of the Spanish explorers, the area that would become known as Glendale was home to the Tongva tribe of Native Americans. This tribe called the area around the Los Angeles Basin home for approximately 7,000 years, which is evidenced by 2,800 key archeological sites in the area. A permanent Spanish presence in the area was established in the 1760s, and 20 years later, in 1798, Corporal Jose Maria Berdugo established the title to the Rancho San Rafael.
The Rancho lasted for years under Jose’s guidance until 1831, when he passed away, and the land went to his children. After another 30 years passed, his son and daughter, Julia and Catalina, decided to divide the land between them. After more divisions, a court decided to dissolve Rancho San Rafael, in a decision called the “Great Partition.” As a result, the parcels that once made up the Rancho were sold, and the land began to be settled in earnest.
Of the settlers, six people contributed 150 acres of land, which would come to be known as the "Town of Glendale." This happened in 1887, but it wasn’t until 1906 that the city would be fully incorporated. By then, the town had grown to 1,486 acres, which was the first of many growth spurts. In fact, within 20 years, the city would once again balloon to 12,294 acres. This would only level off in the 1950s, '60s, and '70s when the city would grow to its current 19,580-acre size.
The California Watermelon Festival is a two-day event that is held in Lake View Terrace at the beginning of June each year. Those attending will be able to enjoy unlimited watermelon slices. There is also watermelon carving, a watermelon costume contest, pony rides, and a petting zoo to enjoy.
If you like food festivals, the Latin Food Fest Los Angeles is a festival you must visit. Taste foods from Central and South America and get to know more about their culture. During these two days in mid-March, you can enjoy food, music, and wine.
Established in 2001, the Beverly Hills Film Festival is a place to get a glimpse of the latest in cinema. The festival is a five-day event that is held at the beginning of April each year. If you enjoy films, this is a festival to visit because directors, actors, and writers will be present.
Channel Islands National Park is only 100 miles from Glendale. However, you will need to take a boat to reach them. The park is positioned on five islands, so there are plenty of snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing opportunities. For those that prefer to stay on land, there are hiking trails throughout the islands.
Sequoia National Park is 123 miles from Glendale and is home to thousands of its namesake sequoia trees. The average sequoia tree can range between 250 and 300 feet tall, which makes them some of the tallest trees in North America. The most famous tree in Sequoia National Park is the General Sherman Tree, at 275 feet tall. Exploration here can be easily done via hiking, ATVing, horseback riding, or skiing.
Joshua Tree National Park is about 137 miles away from Glendale and sits atop a massive 12,000 square miles of land. Yucca plants are common in this national park, and it’s fairly easy to get around by hiking or by car. Joshua Tree National Park is a park with hundreds of wildlife species, so make sure to bring a camera.
At only 28 miles away from Glendale, Dockweiler State Beach offers white sand and clear sunny skies. Enjoy playing beach volleyball at one of the courts in the park. Fishing, biking, and hiking are also often enjoyed here.
Malibu Creek State Park is about 30 miles away from Glendale, and it offers stunning views, an abundance of wildflowers, and a volcanic swimming hole that you can check out. It is the terrain where the TV show MASH was filmed. Hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, and kayaking are also available in the park.
At 40 miles from Glendale, Bolsa Chica State Beach is a great place to check out the beach and enjoy water activities like surfing, swimming, and fishing. Lots of migratory animals frequent this area, so while hiking, you’ll see plenty of wildlife.
The Hollywood Sign is an iconic California landmark that is only about six miles from Glendale. It is located on the hillside of Mount Lee inside Griffith Park. The sign is 45 feet tall, and the best view to take a picture of it is at the Griffith Observatory. It is quite a trek, but you can hike to the Hollywood Sign if you’re up to the challenge.
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is 32 miles from the city, and it covers more than 156,000 acres of land. There are quite a few trails to explore in the area, which are great for spotting wildlife. There are also a few museums within the recreation area that are exciting to explore.
San Gabriel Mountains National Monument is a mere 48 miles away, and it is over 346,000 acres of land. If you enjoy hiking, make sure to stop and explore some of the epic trails in this part of California. Trails range in difficulty from easy to very difficult, so there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Glendale, California, has several RV parks and campgrounds for family activities, rest, and relaxation. Three pet-friendly locations include East Shore RV Park, Walnut RV Park, and Hollywood RV Park. Each of these is close to Glendale, and for those looking for a large RVing community, Hollywood RV Park has 180 RV sites. Each has strong cell reception and pull-through sites.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Glendale, CA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Glendale?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Glendale from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Glendale?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.