| The Golden Era of Los Angeles is showcased
in no finer way than through Pasadena's architecture, art. hotels, shops
and towering palms set against a backdrop of the San Gabriel mountains.
Whether you are one of the thousands of readers in San Marino's famed Huntington
Library, are camping on the sidewalks to see the Rose Parade (official
web site listed at bottom of page) , or are exploring the city's many attractions,
you'll notice that Pasadena has old world charm along with luxury comforts.
While many of California beach cities look
a little sandy and overexposed, Pasadena is 30 minutes east of the ocean
and was designed for elegance as home to wealthy barons who built houses
and estates and found the idyllic place much to their liking when they
settled in the region in the early 1900's. At the same time, resorts sprang
forth as Pasadena was considered one of the healthy spots to relax, rejuvenate
and enjoy Los Angeles from arm's length. Today, visitors are delighted
to discover that history has been preserved with over 1,000 buildings listed
on the National Register of Historic Places, with an annual parade over
100 years old and with Old Pasadena 20-block Historic Area alive with retail
stores, art galleries, trendy boutiques, antique shops and vintage clothing.
The word pasadena is believed to
be of Chippewa origin and likely meant "crown of the valley". The earliest
inhabitants of this valley were Shoshonean Indians, with Gabrielinos,
later tending the fields and gardens of the lands of Mission San Gabriel.
California became a state in 1850 and people migrated west with folks from
Indiana settling and founding the town in 1875. They held what is believed
to be the first Citrus Fair in 1880. The Rose Parade also came into being
but looked nothing like it does today.
From humble beginnings, the Tournament
of Roses has grown into one of the largest and most watched parades in
the world. Every January 1st, around one million people flock to
the streets of Pasadena to attend the event with an additional
estimated 350 million viewers in more than 80 countries throughout the
world watching televised broadcasts of the Parade featuring floats made
entirely of flowers. There's also a college football game played in the
beautiful Rose Bowl. Surrounding the Tournament of Roses are other events
such as Fanfest, Bandfest, Chili Cookoff and Equifest. Information and all
your questions can be answered at tournamentofroses.com. Pasadena events include Doo Dah Parade,
Flea Market at the Rose Bowl, chalk painting, antique car show and
Playboy Jazz artists' series of concerts.
NORTON SIMON MUSEUM in Pasadena,
California, is one of the world's finest and most prestigious. Western
and Asian art represented. European paintings and sculpture range
from the 14th to the 20th century. The Museum exhibits Renaissance, Baroque
and Rococo masterpieces by Raphael, El Greco, Rubens, Rembrandt, Hals,
and Tiepolo, along with works from the 19th and 20th century by Goya, Manet,
Monet, Degas, Renoir, van Gogh, Cézanne, Rousseau and Picasso.
The print collection boasts some of the finest and rarest
etchings by Rembrandt, Goya and Picasso. The South Asian
sculpture collection contains major examples from India, Nepal,
Thailand and Cambodia. Open every day except Tuesday, 12:00 noon
to 6:00 p.m., and Friday until 9:00 p.m. The Norton Simon Museum
is located in Pasadena, California, on the corner of Orange
Grove and Colorado Boulevards at the intersection of the
Foothill (210) and Ventura (134) freeways. Admission for adults
is $6.00; (626) 449-6840. NORTON SIMON MUSEUM 411 West
Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, California 91105 (626) 449-6840 nortonsimon.org/ call first !
ART CENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN 1700
Lida Street, Pasadena The College's galleries house revolving exhibits
of students' work and exhibitions by national and international artists
and designers. Open Tuesday - Sunday, noon - 5 p.m. and Thursday, noon
- 9 p.m. (626) 396-2200 www.artcenter.edu
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Caltech provides one of the nation's most widely recognized courses of
study in science and engineering. Architectural tours of the 124-acre campus
are conducted on the fourth Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. (except Dec.,
July & Aug.). Tours depart from the Athenaeum at 551 S. Hill.
Please call for reservations. (626) 395-6327 caltech.edu
CITY HALL 100 N. Garfield Avenue,
Pasadena This exquisite 1927 landmark exhibits Italian Renaissance
and Spanish influences with its red tile roof, ornate fountain and lush
garden courtyard. (626) 744-4000 ci.pasadena.ca.us
DESCANSO GARDENS 1418 Descanso Drive,
La Canada Located on 160 acres, Descanso Gardens contains forests, streams,
a lake, and bird sanctuary highlighted by 80 acres of colorful flowers,
including camellias, lilacs and roses. Open daily 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., except
Christmas (818) 952-4400 Descanso.com
EL MOLINO VIEJO (THE OLD MILL) 1120
Old Mill Road, San Marino Completed in 1816 as a grist mill for Mission
San Gabriel, the two-story oven-baked brick and adobe structure is a testament
to Southern California history. Open Tuesday - Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4
p.m. (626) 449-5458
THE GAMBLE HOUSE
4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena Built in 1908 during the American
Arts and Crafts movement, this masterpiece is the best preserved
example of work from internationally recognized architects
Charles and Henry Greene. The home was built for David and Mary
Gamble of Procter & Gamble and is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. Docent Tours: Thursday - Sunday,
noon - 3 p.m. (626) 793-3334
gamblehouse.usc.edu
THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, ART COLLECTIONS
AND BOTANICAL GARDENS 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino Located on
the estate of the late Henry Huntington, the Library of this research and
cultural center features works from British and American history
and literature, including an original Gutenberg Bible and Chaucer's Canterbury
Tales. The Gallery's collection includes 18th and 19th Century British and
French masterpieces, including the "Blue Boy" and "Pinkie." The Botanical
Gardens cover 150 acres. Open Tuesday - Friday, noon - 4:30 p.m.; Saturday
- Sunday, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Summer Hours: Tuesday - Sunday,
10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (626) 405-2100 huntington.org
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena JPL is a world-renowned research, development
and flight center for the National Aeronautics and Space dministration
(NASA). Tours by appointment. (818) 354-9314
KIDSPACE MUSEUM 390 South El Molino
Avenue, Pasadena Kidspace is a participatory museum with hands-on exhibits
designed to make learning a fun and enjoyable experience. Exhibits
include Inter Antics, Robotix, Critter Caverns and more. Open Tuesday,
1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.; Wednesday - Friday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday,
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Call for summer hours.
(626) 449-9144
MOUNT WILSON OBSERVATORY To
visit Mount Wilson Observatory, follow CA Route 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) out of
La Cañada/Flintridge into the San Gabriel Mountains for 14 miles to Red Box
Road; turn right, and go another 5 miles to the Observatory gate. Parking is
available in a large lot just beyond the front gate. No private vehicles are
allowed beyond the parking lots. mtwilson.edu NINTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS 125
South Grand Avenue, Pasadena The Court is now housed in the original Vista
del Arroyo Hotel which was built in 1903. The building was
restored and reopened by the federal government in 1985. Tours by appointment
only. (626) 229-7250
PACIFIC ASIA MUSEUM 46 North Los
Robles Avenue, Pasadena Housed in the historic Grace Nicholson mansion,
the museum is dedicated to the preservation, promotion and understanding
of the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific. Listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. Open Wednesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
and Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. (626) 449-2742 pacasiamuseum.org
PASADENA HISTORICAL MUSEUM 470 West
Walnut Street, Pasadena The museum is housed in the 18-room Fenyes Estate.
Built in 1905, this landmark contains its original furnishings and paintings.
The Finnish Folk Art Museum, Research Library and History Center Galleries
are also open to the public. Open Wednesday - Sunday, noon - 5 p.m. (626)
577-1660 pasadenahistory.org
ROBINSON MEMORIAL Garfield Avenue,
across from Pasadena City Hall This memorial honors the historic
accomplishments of brothers Mack and Jackie Robinson with two 9-foot
bronze portraiture sculptures.
OLD PASADENA Explore the historic
streets and alleyways of Old Pasadena. Tours are given the second
Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. For reservations,
call Pasadena Heritage at (626) 441-6333.
pasadenacal.com
TOURNAMENT OF ROSES This
annual event goes on year round with the planning of floats, float construction
and events surrounding the parade and bowl game. Visit the official web
site to get all the information you need about the Tournament of Roses. tournamentofroses.com
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