Pasadena
Beyond the Rose Bowl and the Parade of Roses, this iconic city is undergoing a very cool renaissance. Escape the hustle and bustle of LA traffic. Pasadena is close in yet so far away.
CLASSIC ELEGANCE
Home base for your Pasadena adventure, The Langham Huntington Pasadena is the epitome of grace and elegance. Built in 1914, The Langham Huntington is truly an oasis perfect for a Southern California escape. Some 380 beautifully decorated rooms; the award-winning Chuan Spa; a traditional English afternoon tea served on signature Wedgewood china; mouthwatering cuisine, including expertly grilled steaks; poolside craft cocktails and views of the San Gabriel Mountains that go on forever: What more can you ask for?
SEVEN CENTURIES OF EUROPEAN ART
From the Renaissance to the 20th century, the Norton Simon Museum is home to one of the most remarkable private art collections ever assembled. For 30 years, industrialist Norton Simon amassed this impressive collection, which includes works by van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Rembrandt, Degas and Renoir. The museum also boasts an extensive collection of Asian art and sculpture, and a sculpture garden full of works by Rodin.
RARE BOOKS, 14,000 SPECIES OF PLANTS, ART, SCULPTURE AND FURNISHINGS TO DIE FOR
If you want to get a glimpse of how the really rich lived, the Huntington is the place to be. Founded in 1919 by philanthropic real-estate and railroad tycoon Henry E. Huntington, this treasure-trove estate reflects his interests in books, gardens and art, as well as his devotion to education, research and beauty. He and his wife traveled the globe and spent copious amounts of their huge wealth to create and amass one of the finest research libraries in the world, in addition to an incredible art collection, amazing furnishings and a botanical garden covering 120 acres. Plan to spend the day.
EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN
Set within Pasadena’s historic 19th century original marketplace, Old Pasadena is a hip, lively spot to shop till you drop, eat and drink or just people watch while relaxing at a street-side café.
SMOKING COCKTAILS
Want to know a best-kept local secret? Check out the speakeasy vibe and excellent cuisine at the Raymond Restaurant and 1886 Bar. The restaurant started its journey in 1886 as the Raymond Hotel. The current incarnation is housed in the craftsman-style former caretaker’s cottage. Perfect for date night or celebrating a special occasion, the restaurant is tucked away off the busy streets and boasts an innovative yet classically inspired menu. 1886 Bar is a destination unto itself. A staple of the LA craft-cocktail scene, it reportedly boasts a repertoire of more than 600 off-menu house cocktails, including the famous Smoking Jacket.
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
For an evening to remember, visit the newly opened Alexander’s Steakhouse. The third incarnation of the original from Cupertino, Calif., Alexander’s features a selection of beef, including U.S. corn-fed, 28-day, dry-aged Angus and imported wagyu, which cannot be surpassed. Every course is a true delight. Highly recommended: the Chef’s Table Experience and the Chef’s Tasting Menu, as well as hamachi shots, grilled octopus, dry-aged prime and any of the wagyu beef selections, and strawberry almond cake to die for. This place is undoubtedly pricey, but if you want a meal you can dream about for the rest of your life, it’s worth it.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
Built in 1917 and saved from the wrecking ball in 1985, The Pasadena Playhouse is a theatrical institution known for launching actors and playwrights. Original work, as well as classical productions, is included throughout the season.
EVERYTHING CRAFTSMAN
Pasadena is known for its amazing number of classic craftsman homes, and one of the finest examples is the Gamble House. Open to visitors throughout the year, this architectural gem was commissioned by Mary and David Gamble of Proctor and Gamble fame as a winter residence. If you are an architectural aficionado, visit pasadenaheritage.org for additional info on Pasadena’s architectural legacy tours.
For more information about Pasadena, go to visitpasadena.com.
Photos courtesy of their respective locations and the Pasadena Convention & Visitor Bureau. The Norton Simon Museum’s 19th-century art wing photo by Elon Schoenholz, © Norton Simon Art Foundation.
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