Meet Our Guest Writers Caroline and Steve Lake are freelance travel writers based in Las Vegas. They have travelled extensively throughout the US and Canada and have been filing travel articles about their adventures since 1991. During that time they have been to all 50 state capitals, nine out of the 10 Canadian provinces, 47 major league baseball parks, over 500 universities and eight Presidential libraries. Steve has also worked in the casino industry for over 25 years while Caroline was a professional makeup artist for Chanel and Guerlain for 21 years.

Quite simply, Pasadena, California is a treasure. There are more wonderful, surprising things to do then you can count.

The Westin Pasadena comes highly recommended for its comfortable rooms and perfect location. The California Pizza Kitchen rests on the courtyard beside it, with the magnificent Pasadena City Hall at its end. Regarded as one of the finest examples of the California Mediterranean-style, the 80-year-old City Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Fountains, Waterways and squared ponds grace the courtyard behind it, making the complex of restaurants and office buildings a venue of elegance and enhancement. The Westin is within walking distance of Old Town and the Convention Center. The hotel also offers use of their shuttle and driver. Since there is limited parking in Pasadena, take advantage of the shuttle that will take you anywhere within a 10 minute radius of the hotel.

The Huntington Library, Art Collection and Botanical Gardens are a short drive from the Westin. The Art Gallery, a total of 55,000 square feet, was built as the home of railroad and real estate mogul Henry Huntington and his wife Arabella. When finished in 1911, it was considered one of the finest villas in Southern California. It is actually in the town of San Marino, that is basically a suburb of Pasadena.

This lovely villa is now The Huntington Art Gallery with high quality European art. Both British and French art are displayed. The portrait gallery houses Gainborough’s famous “Blue Boy” and Thomas Lawrence’s “Pinkie.”

In the main exhibition hall there is a Gutenberg Bible, and early editions of Shakespeare works, manuscripts of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and a folio edition of Audubon’s Birds of America.

The Botanical Gardens cover 120 acres. The Desert Garden is remarkable, with a large grouping of huge unusual cacti and succulents.

The beautiful Chinese Garden at the Huntington Botanical Garden features a lake, tea house, restaurant and shops and five stone bridges.
Photo courtesy: The Huntington Library.

The magnificent Rose Garden shows the history of the Rose over 2,000 years.
Photo courtesy: The Huntington Library.

Make reservations for high tea at the Huntington. Hot scones are brought to the table along with your choice of tea. While there serve yourself from the buffet of tea sandwiches, salads, caviar and delectable desserts. If you are lucky enough to get Kimberly as your waitress, she will add to the delight of a real English high tea.

The Tournament of Roses is what Pasadena is most famous for. Photo courtesy: The Huntington Library.

The Tournament of Roses, held on January 1st or 2nd, consists of a stunning parade of marching bands, equestrian groups and floats, made of flowers, seeds, leaves and stems. The floats seem to get more spectacular each year. To see the floats in person instead of on television is quite a unique experience. They can be viewed before and after the parade. To see the floats up close and smell the lovely flowers is a real treat.

The Equator Restaurant which serves up excellent Chinese dishes is one of the dining experiences enjoyed on a Melting Pot Food Tour. Photo courtesy: Melting Pot Tours.

The Melting Pot Food Tour of Old Pasadena is not to be missed. Learn about the history and architecture of Old Pasadena, which is on the Register of Historic Districts, while enjoying the frequent stops at restaurants of different cultures.

The hidden courtyard and alleyways offer some of the best food to be found in Pasadena. The stories behind the different cuisines offered are fascinating and the food at each stop is delicious. There are eight stops in all, both savory and sweet. One of the restaurants is Choza Mama with fabulous Peruvian cuisine and don’t miss Mignon Chocolate that offers an exotic range of chocolates.

Known around the world as one of the most remarkable private art collections ever assembled, the Norton Simon Museum is a must see. The collection starts from the Renaissance and takes you to the 20th century. There are Monets, Rembrandts, Van Goghs and Renoirs along with Asian and Indian sculptures. Although flash cameras are not permitted, pictures taken without the use of flash come out remarkably well.

A sculpture of a Buddha at the world famous Norton Simon Museum. Photo courtesy: Norton Simon Museum.

The Theater District is acclaimed for being the home of the Pasadena Playhouse founded in 1925. The Pasadena Playhouse has been recognized as California’s State Theater. The beauty of the theater as well as the offering of fantastic talent is wonderful. Recently Hershey Felder as George Gershwin in “George Gershwin Alone” gave a brilliant performance.

The Gamble House was built for Proctor and Gamble heir David Gamble. The house was dedicated to the City of Pasadena in 1966. Built in 1908 the Gamble House is a great structure built in the Arts and Craft mode. Seventeen varieties of wood are used throughout the lovely home and can now be toured.

Forty miles west of Pasadena in Simi Valley is Ronald Reagan’s Presidential Library and Museum. Situated on a 100 acre site with spectacular views. There is a full size replica of the Oval Office when Regan was President. Air Force One the “Flying White House” can be boarded. The Library and Museum are definitely worth the visit.

With a population of 133,000 the vast array of cultural activities available in Pasadena is amazing. Pasadena is a place to return to again and again to discover innovative museums, restaurants and theater.

If you go - Los Angeles International Airport is 29 miles to Pasadena. Bob Hope Burbank Airport is 16 miles to Pasadena.