Covina-Valley - Covina, CA

Originating as a failed coffee plantation, the area that was to eventually become the California city of Covina was named after its signature cove-shaped valley and the vineyards it contained. At one time known for its oranges, Covina eventually became a residential and business community on the outskirts of Los Angeles.

For a taste of local culture, check out the annual Thunderfest and Bluesapalooza each October in historic downtown Covina. This event features hot rods, street rods and motorcycles, all on display, while jazz musicians entertain the masses. Another annual event worth mentioning, the Cuisines of Covina, gives attendees the opportunity to taste local food while watching a first-run movie.

If you seek the local art scene, visit the Covina Center for the Performing Arts, where you can take in Saturday afternoon movies, shows featuring professional name celebrities, and blues and jazz shows in the Champion Circle Cabaret room.

Restaurants in the Covina area include a wide selection of different cuisines, such as Mexican, Chinese, Italian and more. Many area establishments sit along Azusa, Citrus and Grand Avenues.

For a delicious and romantic evening out, head to Bistro Provincia, where a re-interpretation of American classic foods will delight your taste buds. Featuring authentic Mexican food, Fonda Don Chon in Covina has a large selection of menu items, including Chiles Toritos. This favorite has yellow peppers stuffed with shrimp and cheese, drowned in lime and Worcestershire sauce. You can enjoy an assortment of other family recipes, such as one of its specialty breakfasts with eggs made in a variety of ways and served with refried beans, tortillas and Mexican potatoes.

Located on San Bernardino Road, Avolio’s Italian Restaurant serves typical Italian fare. The restaurant really stands out includes when serving its wide range of specialty pizzas that come with a large assortment of meat and veggies. You can also choose one of its combination meals, which combines two menu items into one dish. Be sure to try out the restaurant’s meat lasagna or chicken Alfredo.

Serving authentic Chinese food seven days a week, 365 days a year, Town Sent Seafood Restaurant falls at the top of many lists for favorite local restaurants. Try out its crispy shrimp with a light batter and seasoning, which combines perfectly with the steamed tilapia in a succulent sweat and salty sauce.

The Covina AMC 30 gives residents a great spot to visit for nightly entertainment. Considered one of the busiest theaters in the United States, the theater features stadium seating, IMAX, and RealD 3D. Look for the latest wide and limited releases.

For music and entertainment, Katie Jakes Bar & Grill provides the perfect mix of food, drinks and musical entertainment. With Happy Hour running every Monday through Friday between 4 and 7 p.m. and live bands performing Thursday through Saturdays, patrons can enjoy the entertainment while chowing down on one of Katie Jakes' many appetizers, or try out a hearty burger or another tasty menu item. Stop by The Republic for their amazing selection of craft beers or the local favorite dive bar, Chatterbox, to drink a s some classic films play on their big screen TV.

You can walk easily around the City of Covina using its many sidewalks. Cycling presents another attractive alternative to driving a motor vehicle. The city’s wide streets and sidewalks give cyclists plenty of room to navigate. Covina also has recreational trails for use by local bicyclists and includes a variety of surfaces, such as concrete, asphalt and dirt.

When it comes to public transportation, you have a few options, including L.A. Metro buses and rail systems. Dial-A-Ride also provides another alternative, providing a curb-to-curb service for residents of the city aged 60 and over.

Public parking in the downtown Covina area lets drivers park their vehicles and purchase either a daily or monthly permit, in some instances, for a reasonable price. You can also purchase an overnight parking permit that allows you to park on the streets of Covina on a daily or quarterly basis.

Boxed in between four main thoroughfares, Covina residents have easy access to the L.A. area and the rest of Southern California. Freeways include the 210 to the north, 605 to the west, 10 to the south, and 57 to the east. If you prefer using a taxi, take advantage of Uber. Alternatively, you can call one of the local companies, although they tend to be a little slower.

Covina has many area parks for use by the public, including the Civic Center Park next to city hall. Covina Park contains a Teen and Aquatic Center, and Hollenbeck Park holds the Covina Parks & Recreation Department Office. As with many California parks, recreational locations in Covina allow pets as long as they remain on a leash. They also have amenities geared toward both children and adults. Hollenbeck Park offers a basketball court, picnic area, and playground equipment for youngsters 5 to 12 years of age. And along with its Teen and Aquatic Center, Covina Park features a barbecue area, playgrounds for all ages, and a recreation hall. Civic Center Park, a smaller area park, houses picnic tables.

The City of Covina puts on an annual Summer Evening Entertainment Series that takes place every Monday through Thursday during the summer at the bandshell at Covina Park. The series begins in July on the first Monday following the Fourth and goes on for six weeks.

The cost of living within Covina sits a little lower than the Los Angeles average. This translates into higher transportation costs, as getting to downtown L.A. via the Metrolink costs between $7 and $8 for a one-way trip. Gas runs on average around 14 percent higher than the national average.

For other items and services, prices fall at about the California average. Rent for a one-bedroom residence costs an average of $1,144 a month. When traveling to the local bar, expect to pay around $3 to $4 for a beer.

The downtown area of Covina, especially along Citrus Avenue, provides a great place to shop with a wide variety of specialty stores and boutiques, including many area antique and collectible stores.

One such place, Collector's Alley, sells a selection of high-end antiques, including home furnishings, oil paintings and statues. Constantine Creations, a family-owned jewelry store in the heart of Citrus Avenue, does custom design work that ranges from creation of new engagement rings to resetting of family heirloom jewelry, all at wholesale prices.

A prominent area grocery store in the Covina neighborhood, Vons sells produce, deli items and more home goods. For fresh produce, look no further than the Covina Farmers' Market, which opens every Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. The establishment sells a variety of local produce from area farmers.