One of the pleasures of the Los Angeles area is flying to the variety of airports that dot the Basin — from dusty fields to airports on the beach to those next to orange groves. Toward the east, about 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles, is Brackett Field, which is officially part of the Los Angeles County-based airport system. It's located in La Verne.
The area surrounding Brackett Field offers an array of activities, such as golf and motor sports. There is also a beautiful lakeside park within walking distance of the terminal facility for hiking, biking, fishing, hot-tubbing, or just relaxing. After a swim or a soak, pilots can visit restaurants with eclectic menus reflecting the ethnic palates of the Southern California region just minutes away.
Where?
Home to more than 30,000 residents, the city of La Verne is located 30 miles east of Los Angeles and nestled under the San Gabriel Mountains. Brackett Field is one mile north of the city.
Brackett Field
Pilots arriving at Brackett Field can land on one of two parallel east-west runways. Generally, Runway 26 Left or Right is active when the wind blows from the west. When arriving from the south to southwest, you will be directed to "Kellogg," which is the intersection of Interstate 10, the Orange Freeway (SR 57), and State Route 71, the Corona Expressway. Puddingstone Lake is visible prior to the runways since the hills where the VOR is sighted block your view of the runways until you're over the interchange. The runways are due east of the lake. From Kellogg you will be asked to report downwind abeam the tower or over the Pomona VOR. Anticipate traffic from crosswind and downwind legs, as well as instrument departures from 26L. Arriving from the southeast on slow traffic days will get you a left base entry to 26L.
Contact SOCAL Approach if arriving from the east for a straight-in approach to either of the runways.
Every third Sunday of the month, the local pilots group, the Brackett Airport Association, hosts a monthly aircraft and automobile display event. All aircraft are welcome; share the ramp with assorted antique aircraft, homebuilts, jets, and classic cars. The popular event is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact the airport manager's office at 909/593-1395 for further information.
Old Town La Verne
Only five minutes north of Runway 26 is Old Town La Verne. The settlement was founded in 1887, when Isaac W. Lord, a local businessman, persuaded the Santa Fe Railroad to run a line through the area where he owned a large amount of land. He named the town Lordsburg. Initially a railroad town, citrus farmers settled in the area and renamed the town La Verne, which means springlike in French.
Back then, conditions were excellent for growing oranges, grapefruit, and lemons. Remnants of this agricultural boomtown, with its fruit groves terraced across its oak-covered foothills, can still be seen in Old Town — a railroad depot and tracks that bisect the city from the airport, as well as packing houses painted with colorful murals depicting the local area's agrarian history.
La Verne is a throwback to another era — a close-knit bedroom community where American flags hang from bungalows and the fire department maintains its long tradition of barreling down the residential streets on Christmas morning distributing candy to residents.
D is for delicious
Should you forgo Norm's Cafe, the on-site café at Brackett Field, Old Town has a number of great places to eat. Various eateries are located on D Street: Visit the T. Phillips Ale House, where you are free to throw your peanuts — on the floor, that is. It's a terrific venue for big appetites, especially if you're in the mood for breakfast. The menu features a mishmash of everything, including Eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros with salsa, guacamole, and chorizo — or order the signature omelet or veggie frittata. For dinner, beef is the main event — filet mignon and prime rib.
A terrific place to eat lunch or dinner in this city of old-world charm is Café Allegro on Third Street. Café Allegro offers a variety of Italian dishes. There's freshly made minestrone and many pasta dishes to choose from including the Penne Explosivo, which consists of pasta with Italian sausage, fresh tomatoes, and cilantro in a spicy wine and tomato sauce. The house specialties include Ahi tuna with orange and tomato relish or fresh salmon with two sauces over sautéed spinach and angel hair pasta.
Duffers and putters
After grabbing a bite to eat, or before, you may want to get in some exercise. Across the street from the airport terminal, so close that sometimes you may find a lone golf ball or two amid parked aircraft, is the Mountain Meadows Golf Course. The course is located on a rolling hill overlooking the majestic San Gabriel Valley mountains. It features three lakes and an 18-hole course with constant elevation changes. Tee times can be reserved seven days in advance.
A temple to speed
Pilots, at times, have the need for speed, and not just when breaking the surly bonds of Earth. Five minutes away from Brackett Field by car is the Pomona Speedway, on the Pomona Fairgrounds. Imagine funny-car dragsters and split-second reaction times. The National Hot Rod Association drag-racing season comes to a screeching halt with the premier event, the Winternationals NHRA Finals, held annually in November.
Even if you're not a spectator in the stands, you can still learn about an important part of American car history on these same grounds — the Fairplex complex is the home of The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Learn about legendary racers, see the coolest hot rods, and experience motor-sports history. The museum shares billing with the Pomona Speedway, birthplace of the NHRA. The museum is a 28,500-square-foot facility where visitors can view winning automobiles representing 50 years of classic drag racing. Photos and other treasures reflect the Southern California drag-racing environment, such as dry-lake and salt-flat racing, oval tracks, and a myriad of exhibits describing the colorful background of the racing teams and their famous drivers. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and is also available for private parties, meetings, and for revved-up weddings. General admission to the museum for nonmembers is $5; seniors and youngsters (ages 6 through 15) get in for $3, while children 5 and under are free. Visit the Web site ( http://museum.nhra.com).
Bonelli park
Within walking distance of Brackett Field, to the southwest of the terminal facility, you can walk to the Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, which surrounds Puddingstone Lake and Dam. The lake is an easily visible reporting point as you near the airport.
The name "Puddingstone" originated when a group of friends in 1888 walked to the falls and enjoyed a picnic. Some of the rock formations were in a conglomerate, which resembled raisins in a pudding; thus was born the name "Puddingstone Falls." You can still see these rocks in places near Puddingstone Lake — notably on the hill just to the southwest of Brackett Field and within close proximity to the present hot-tubs establishment. The man-made lake was dedicated in 1928 and was filled from the stream that ran down from the San Dimas Canyon. The park surrounding Puddingstone Lake was also known as "Puddingstone Park" until Los Angeles County supervisor Frank Bonelli retired. The name was changed in his honor.
Puddingstone Lake is enjoyed by anglers — try your tackle with the trout, bluegill, catfish, and largemouth bass. In addition, there are boat rentals and an equestrian center.
If you want to make it a very special and romantic weekend, book yourself and your significant other an appointment at the hot tubs, which overlook Puddingstone Lake. At sunset, it's especially beautiful. The staff mentions that, so inspiring is the site, many marriage proposals have been made, replete with candles and music, with couples reposing in steaming tubs atop a hill in the park. Puddingstone Hot Tubs resort is just east of the Puddingstone Reservoir. The resort can arrange for special events such as birthdays, anniversaries, and of course, romantic weddings.
Other attractions in the park include hiking, biking, and horseback riding. There is also play equipment available, as well as gazebos and group rental picnic areas — the latter are especially popular on holiday weekends. Visit the Web site ( http://parks.co.la.ca.us/frank_rpark.html).
Whether it be relaxing lakeside, experiencing California's past in Old Town, or watching dragsters, Brackett Field and its surrounding amenities offer a checklist of many things to see and do.
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