Pasadena captures the essence of beauty and style with its historic architecture, world-class art museums, acres of botanical gardens, landmark theaters and three distinct districts offering an eclectic collection of dining, shopping and entertainment.
THE DISTRICTS
Pasadena's three districts offer unique environments that encourage exploration and celebration.
Old Pasadena is nationally recognized for its vibrant main street revitalization. Spanning 22 blocks of historic streets and alleyways, Old Pasadena reflects the traditions of early California blending more than 130 retail stores, art galleries, trendy boutiques, vintage clothing stores, theaters and restaurants.
European ambiance is most evident along the 10, tree-lined blocks of South Lake Avenue, which is home to upscale boutiques, designer stores and eateries. This active business community and bustling retail center features Macy's, Anthropology and Orvis alongside diverse eateries such as Jennifer Lopez's Madres' and Pie & Burger, a Pasadena institution since 1963.
The Pasadena Playhouse District is an eclectic mix of art, theatre and literature. At its center is the Pasadena Playhouse, the official State Theatre of California and a national historic landmark. Built in 1917, the Spanish-style building is known for its cutting-edge productions and has launched the careers of many A-list Hollywood actors such as Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman. Other performance venues in the district include Boston Court Theatre and Carrie Hamilton Theater.
NOTABLE SHOPPING AREAS
Blending historic and contemporary architecture, One Colorado is a single city block bursting with abundant shopping, dining and entertainment options. One of the city's most popular gathering spots, One Colorado features eight restaurants, 25 unique one-of-a-kind retail shops, a Laemmle's cinema and endless entertainment with outdoor film festivals, live music, art installations and children's arts and crafts.
Paseo Colorado spans three city blocks at the heart of Pasadena's downtown Civic Center. It is a bustling open-air urban village with lush promenades, 65 street-front retail shops, a 14-screen movie theatre and an impressive collection of acclaimed restaurants.
HISTORIC SITES
Pasadena boasts an impressive list of 1,000 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. In fact, nowhere in American is there such a large concentration of Craftsman-style homes, and the Gamble House, built for David and Mary Gamble of Procter & Gamble in 1908, is recognized as a masterpiece of the American Arts & Crafts Movement.
Tournament of Roses House and Wrigley Gardens is the beautiful white Italian Renaissance home of William Wrigley, Jr. of Wrigley Chewing Gum fame. The house is located on Orange Grove Boulevard, once known as "Millionaires' Row," and the grand mansion now serves as headquarters for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association.
Pasadena's City Hall is an exquisite 1927 landmark that exhibits Italian Renaissance and Spanish influences with its red tile roof, ornate fountain and lush garden courtyard.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is housed in the original Vista del Arroyo Hotel. Built in 1903, the hotel was used as a military hospital during World War II. The federal government restored and reopened the building for the court in 1985.
The Fenyes Mansion is a 1906 Beaux-Arts structure, once owned by the Finish Consul. This house offers a rare glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle that existed on Pasadena's "Millionaires' Row" in the early 1900s.
The California Institute of Technology is known worldwide for rocket and space research, and it is also the home of earthquake science. Caltech's research facilities attract renowned scientists from all over the world, and its faculty and alumni have garnered an astounding 31 Nobel Prizes.
The Colorado Street Bridge is a historical landmark constructed in 1913. The bridge has graceful concert arches that span the Arroyo Seco.
Annual Event: Each October the city hosts "Craftsman Weekend" which attracts people from all over the world to tour Pasadena's Craftsman-era homes and attend exhibits.
Annual Event: The popular "Taste of Old Pasadena" in September offers samples of the food from some of Old Pasadena's best restaurants.
MUSEUMS
When it comes to art collections, Pasadena's museums are among the country's most distinguished. The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens is regarded as one of the world's foremost cultural centers, located on a 207-acre estate of the late railroad baron Henry Huntington and his wife, Arabella.
The treasures of the Library include a Gutenberg Bible, Chaucer's manuscript of the Canterbury Tales, Benjamin Franklin's handwritten autobiography and Birds of America, the double-elephant folio edition by Audubon.
The Huntington Gallery is closed for renovation. In the meantime, the famous Gainsborough painting of "Blue Boy" and Lawrence's "Pinkie" as well as other 17th and 18th Century masterpieces are located in the new Erburu Gallery. Upon completion of the renovation, the Erburu Gallery will become a showplace for the institution's growing collection of American Art. The Virginia Steele Scott Gallery specializes in American paintings from the 1730s to the 1930s, and Renaissance paintings of 18th Century French artists are featured in the Arabella Huntington Collection. The Boone Gallery is dedicated to changing exhibitions.
The Norton Simon Museum of Art houses art from the Renaissance to Van Gogh, Picasso and Rembrandt. It also showcases the masterpieces of such artists as Raphael, Botticelli, Rubens and Goya, and most particularly the impressionist and Post-impressionist paintings of Renoir, Monet and Degas. An extensive collection of South Asian sculpture and the works of Rodin are also on display.
Located in the Grace Nicholson mansion, the Pacific Asia Museum is dedicated to the preservation of art and culture of the Pacific and Asia. With a contemporary Asian arts gallery this museum also has one of only two authentic Chinese gardens in the United States.
The Pasadena Historical Museum is housed in the Fenyes Mansion and also offers a Finish Folk Art Museum, Research Library and History Center Galleries.
The Pasadena Museum of California Art is the only museum in Southern California devoted to California's art, architecture and design from mid-19th century to the present. Founders Bob and Arlene Oltman built a residence and rooftop terrace on the third floor of the museum.
The Kidspace Children's Museum features 20 interactive exhibits and two acres of gardens, waterways and outdoor learning environments. Kids can create an earthquake in the Shake Zone, uncover plant and animal fossils in The Dig or visit the Kidspace Nature Exchange to trade natural objects of rocks, plant life and soil.
Annual Event: Kidspace Pumpkin Festival in October features costume parades, games, crafts, food and live entertainment for the whole family.
Annual Event: The Pasadena Art Weekend in October is three days filled with a colorful palate of events, including ArtNight, ArtWalk and ArtMarket.
BOTANICAL GARDENS
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens renowned botanical gardens consist of 120 acres of breathtaking floral and fauna from around the world. On February 23, 2008, the Chinese Garden will open to the public. Visitors will stroll around the 1.5-acre lake bordered by Tai Hu rocks and enjoy a landscape that includes five hand-carved stone bridges, a stream, and a canyon waterfall connecting to the Japanese Garden.
PERFORMING ARTS AND THEATRES
The Pasadena Civic Auditorium is a beloved Pasadena landmark, located in the Pasadena Civic Center District. Opened in 1932, the auditorium hosts popular music, world-class ballet and a distinguished speaker series. It is home to the Pasadena Symphony and many year-round events.
The Pasadena Playhouse boasts year-round productions, many of them cutting-edge performances. Some have been so successful, they moved on to Broadway. The Spanish-style building, designated as California's official State Theatre, continues as a training ground for actors. Among the most notable are Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman, who both got their start at the playhouse.
Beckman & Ramo Auditoriums are on the campus of Caltech, offering lectures, storytelling, films and musical concerts.
Boston Court Theatre, which features a 99-seat theatre and 60-seat performance space, has events ranging from jazz concerts to classic Shakespearean plays.
The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts located in Memorial Park offers free family-oriented concerts at the park's restored 1930s band shell.
The Southwest Chamber Music series is held from October through May at the Norton Simon Museum and its summer season is held at The Huntington July through August.
Annual Event: Pasadena Symphony Season Opener in October features an orchestra of virtuoso musicians, led by a world-renowned conductor.
Annual Event: The Pasadena Pops performs at Descanso Gardens in an outdoor, summer garden concert series, which is offered from June through September.
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