My next day trip took me to the grand, old town of Pasadena. While Pasadena is only about an hour away, it has a lot of unique features that are worth the drive. One great thing is that it's close enough that if you don't do everything you wanted to do in a day you can always go back! When I used to think of Pasadena, I thought of the Rose Bowl and Rose Parade and that's it. UCLA's football season is over and the Rose Parade isn't until New Year's, so why would we go out there? Again, my family proved me wrong, and I'm thankful I got to experience everything Pasadena has to offer. Here's a tourist's guide for a day trip to Pasadena.
The Huntington Library
While not technically located in Pasadena, The Huntington Library sits nearby in a town called San Marina only about 10 minutes by car from South Pasadena. The Huntington was founded in 1919 by the Huntington family and remains a private, non-profit institution. Mr. Huntington amassed a great collection of books, plants, and art, which is now available for the public to enjoy. The Huntington has several museums located throughout the grounds with a focus on art in two different areas, European art from the 15th to the early 20th century, and American art from the late 17th to the mid-20th century. There are also 12 gardens for visitors to enjoy with different themes ranging from a Japanese garden to a rose garden to a desert garden. The Library itself is also quite impressive and is one of the largest and most complete research libraries in the United States in its fields of specialization with around 420,000 rare books and 7 million manuscripts. There are also several dining options available throughout with the most popular choice being the Huntington Library Tea Room. Memberships to the Huntington are available, but there are also day passes, including student discount day passes available for purchase at the grounds.
Old Town Pasadena
Old Town Pasadena is the heart and center of the city with over 100 restaurants and stores for adults and children alike. The architecture takes visitors back to the bustling past of the historic town while modern storefronts light up the streets. Old Town Pasadena is now a popular shopping and dining destination following games at the Rose Bowl, but it can be enjoyed at any time of the year. I recommend going during the winter season because the storefronts go all out decorating for Christmas, and it's absolutely beautiful. There are several city tours available too for museums and galleries, food, family outings, or nightlife. However, if you want to explore the town yourself, here's a guide of Old Town Pasadena for you to follow.
The Langham Huntington
If you really want to feel like you're getting away from Los Angeles, I recommend stopping by The Langham Huntington Hotel, a luxury resort located in Pasadena. With the charm of a European castle, this cute boutique hotel offers several dining options from casual bar dining at the Tap Room to more formal dining at The Royce Steakhouse. The Terrace is also a wonderful option for Sunday brunch or a more casual poolside lunch. The hotel also has Afternoon Tea Service called "The Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood" which is available every day of the week, and reservations are highly recommended. Additionally, the hotel also has an award-winning spa for those looking to relax. Something about the European decor and the isolated nature of the hotel seems to take you away from the busy city outside.
Although Pasadena may not seem like a real "vacation" or "getaway" since it is only an hour away, the historic and lively town still has a lot to offer. Family-friendly but also bustling with shopping, dining and nightlife, Pasadena is perfect for all ages to appreciate. While the west side is amazing with Santa Monica, Venice, and Westwood, it is good to explore the inland cities of LA once in a while, even just for a day.
