NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDES

OLD PASADENA

A ectionately known as “Old Pas” by locals and visitors alike, the 22-block area of Old Pasadena is a trip down memory lane. The National Register Historic District features preserved and restored architecture from the late 19th and early 20th century, many of which still line Colorado Boulevard, a former section of the Historic Route 66. The lively district is filled with independent and national retailers, mouth-watering restaurants, and open-air shopping plazas tucked away in charming, brick alleyways.

Bone Kettle

EAT

Old Pasadena’s dining scene is filled with talented restaurateurs and chefs. The new Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery (40 W. Green St.) is a celebration of flavorful food, handcrafted cocktails, and delicious cheese. Explore the bright and bold flavors of Southeast Asia at Bone Kettle (67 N. Raymond Ave.). Head upstairs for some of the best sushi in Pasadena at Kaviar Sushi Bar (70 N. Raymond Ave.). Union Restaurant opened sister’s restaurant, U Street Pizza (33 Union St.), bringing New York-style pizza to California. And La Grande Orange Cafe (260 S. Raymond Ave.) and Russell’s (30 N. Fair Oaks Ave.) are favorite mainstays for comfort classics.

: HöMAGE Photo credit

HöMAGE

SHOP

Colorado Boulevard and Green Street are lined with a large mix of national chains and independent retailers such as the Apple Store (54 W. Colorado Blvd.) and Tesla (117 W. Colorado Blvd). Treat yourself to natural skincare and wellness store Lather (17 E. Colorado Blvd.) and high-end apothecary Aesop (63 W. Colorado Blvd). Get expert home décor advice at Room & Board Design Studio (42 S. De Lacey Ave.) and Crate & Barrel Design Studio (60 W. W. Colorado Blvd.). If you’re in the market for one-of-a-kind housewares and gifts, beeline to Maude Woods (55 E. Holly St.) and HöMAGE (100 N. Fair Oaks Ave.) for some unique and local finds.

One Colorado

PLAY

Stroll through the 9.2-acre Central Park (275 S. Raymond Ave.) and enjoy a patch of green within the city. Check out the latest exhibits at the Armory Center for the Arts (145 N. Raymond Ave.), an independent contemporary art and community arts educational institution. Tap into your inner child with vintage arcade games at Neon Retro Arcade (28 S. Raymond Ave.). Show your creative side and paint your own ceramic art at Color Me Mine (81 S. Fairs Oaks Ave.). Meander through the eateries and shops at lively One Colorado (47 W. Colorado Blvd). and end the evening with a movie at IPIC Pasadena Theaters (42 Miller Alley).

Gold Bug

HIDDEN GEM

Gold Bug (34 E. Union St.) is a 21st century cabinet of curiosities brought to life by 100+ contemporary artists and bound by threads of science and natural history.

Barney’s Beanery

NIGHTLIFE

Tucked away on Union Street in Old Pasadena, the Blind Donkey (53 E. Union St.) is a low-key bar ideal for craft whiskey lovers and those looking for a relaxing vibe. Venture down Colorado Boulevard to Barney’s Beanery (99 E. Colorado Blvd.), a bar decorated with hundreds of tribute items to Route 66, 40 beers on draft, karaoke, trivia, pool, and more. Enjoy crisp drinks and California air at Rocco’s Tavern (44 W. Green St.), an outdoor-style café and bar. With memorabilia and throwback team collectables, 35er Bar (12 E. Colorado Blvd.) is the place to be for sports lovers. Of course, one cannot forget the popular British pub, Lucky Baldwin’s (17 S. Raymond Ave.), a favorite location to spend Octoberfest.

CIVIC CENTER DISTRICT

The Civic Center District is a vibrant zone located between Old Pasadena and the Playhouse District. The beautiful Beaux-Arts and Mediterranean Revival landmark buildings have set the stage for many films and television shows, so it can feel like one big movie set. And the Pasadena Convention Center and Civic Auditorium (300 E. Green St.) attracts a steady stream of events, expos, and activities, such as the widely popular America’s Got Talent auditions.

Great Maple

EAT

Start your day at FrenchiFornia Bakery (247 E. Colorado Blvd.) where decadent pastries are lovingly made by the hands of its French expat owners. Great Maple (300 E. Colorado Blvd.) is all about elevated Californian comfort food. Lunasia Dim Sum House (239 E. Colorado Blvd.) is revered for its dumplings made fresh to order. The perfect spot for a quick meal is Ti any’s Co ee (263 E. Colorado Blvd.), which o ers breakfast sandwiches, deli fare, and Thai specialties. If you’re craving a quality steak, there are plenty of options at Ruth Chris Steakhouse (369 E. Colorado Blvd.), Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (179 E. Colorado Blvd.) and Alexander’s Steakhouse (111 N. Los Robles Ave.).

The Paseo

SHOP

The Paseo (300 E. Colorado Blvd.) is a contemporary mixed-use retail center with shops, restaurants, and condominiums above at the heart of the Civic Center District. The open-air shopping district o ers a variety of national brand stores. Get the latest trends at H&M and DSW. Find the perfect fresh fragrance or soothing skin care at Bath & Body Works. For your next vacation, head to Tommy Bahama for island-inspired sportswear. Refresh your home with modern furniture and home decor from West Elm.For baby essentials, Buttercup is the place for modern gear, ecofriendly toys, and apparel.

Pasadena Ice Skating

PLAY

Catch a show at at the historic Pasadena Civic Auditorium (300 E. Green St.) and hit the ice at the Pasadena Ice Skating Center (300 E. Green St.). A visit to Pasadena’s iconic City Hall (100 N. Garfield Ave.) is a must. The stately John Baker and Arthur Brown designed building was completed in 1927. Across the street, stop by the Robinson Memorial (95 N. Garfield Ave.) to see two large bronze sculptures that pay tribute to Pasadena alumni Jackie and Mack Robinson. Stroll through Plaza Las Fuentes’ (135 N. Los Robles Ave.) for Moorish-influenced courtyards with terraced public gardens and colorful decorative tiles.

Pasasdena City Hall

BEHIND THE SCENES

The stunning Pasadena City Hall (100 N. Garfield Ave.) has had starring roles in Charlie Chaplin’s 1940 satire, “The Great Dictator”; as Pawnee City Hall in “Parks & Recreation”; and outside Leonard and Sheldon’s apartment in “The Big Bang Theory.”

Yard House

NIGHTLIFE

Beer lovers gravitate to The Yard House (#202 in The Paseo) and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse (234 E. Colorado Blvd.), where refreshing local beers are always on tap. Corner Craft Kitchen + Bar (168 S. Los Robles Ave.) in The Hilton Pasadena and the Placery at Hyatt Place are great bets for libations and bites. Eden Garden Bar and Grill (175 E. Holly St.) o ers Mediterranean and California cuisine in a historic setting. El Cholo (260 E. Colorado Blvd.) features flavorful authentic Mexican favorites and specialty drinks.

PLAYHOUSE VILLAGE

The artsy Playhouse Village is home to the renowned Pasadena Playhouse as well as inspiring museums, colorful galleries, independent eateries and a smattering of unique shops. The Playhouse Village also serves as a canvas for an eclectic and robust public art collection. Creatives, writers, performers, and artists all flock to the Playhouse Village to spark their inspiration.

Saso

EAT

Saso (37 S. El Molino Ave.), the new Basqueinspired bistro, is an essential restaurant to try for bright coastal cuisine. El Portal Restaurant (695 E. Green St.) is a solid choice for sit-down Mexican cuisine. Try Tarantino’s Pizzeria (784 E. Green Street) for old school Italian, or Settebello (625 E. Green St.) for Naples-style wood fired pizza. Urth Ca é (594 E. Colorado Blvd.) and Tender Greens (621 E. Colorado Blvd.) serve budgetfriendly wholesome fare. Explore delicious flavors inspired by the streets of Thailand at Chim! Thai Street Food (910 E. Union St.). Ginger & Spice (451 E. Colorado Blvd.) is a family-run, fast-casual Vietnamese café.

Mercadito Monarca

SHOP

Canterbury Records (805 E. Colorado Blvd.) carries a vast selection of new and used vinyl. Collectors also frequent The Battery Books & Music (26 S. Los Robles Ave.) to scour their inventory of used books, music, and movies. For more than 40 years, Aarnun Gallery-Fine Picture Framing (603 E. Green St.) has been a resource for the fine arts. Mimi et Cie (696 E. Colorado Blvd. #7) carries a refined selection of covetable timepieces and jewelry. Wollhaus Artisan Yarn & Tools (696 E. Colorado Blvd. #2) is a cozy crafter’s paradise. And you can find handmade gifts inspired by the culture and traditions of Mexico at Mercadito Monarca (696 E. Colorado Blvd.).

Vroman’s Bookstore

PLAY

Catch a performance at the o cial State Theatre of California, the Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Ave.). Experience creative theater in an intimate setting at Boston Court Pasadena (70 N. Mentor). The impressive USC Pacific Asia Museum (46 N. Los Robles Ave.) is one of the few institutions in the country dedicated to the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Founded in the late 1800s, Vroman’s Bookstore (695 E. Colorado Blvd.) is Southern California’s oldest and largest independent bookseller. Spark a sense of wonder and excitement for the kids at Southern California Children’s Museum (459 E. Colorado Blvd.).

Playhouse Village

HIDDEN GEM

Scattered throughout the Playhouse Village is a series of public art installations featuring painted utility boxes. The boxes highlight freedom of speech crusaders like Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and more.

The Mixx

NIGHTLIFE

The Mixx (433 E. Colorado Blvd.) is a classy restaurant and bar with an ongoing line-up of live music. Enjoy wine, craft beer, and small plates with a literary theme at the 1894 Wine Bar at Vroman’s Bookstore (695 E. Colorado Blvd.). T. Boyle’s Tavern (37 N. Catalina Ave.) is a local sports bar in a hideaway alley. The best comedic talent takes the stage at the Ice House Comedy Club (24 E. Mentor Ave.).

SOUTH LAKE AVENUE DISTRICT

South Lake Avenue is a 12-block stretch of specialty boutiques, global restaurants, and purveyors of beauty, health, and wellness. Major national chain stores like Macy’s and WilliamsSonoma are adjacent to mom-andpop shops. Cutting-edge nail salons, barbershops, fitness studios, and massage boutiques can meet all your self-care needs.

The Arbour

EAT

Republik Co ee Lounge (854 Green St.) serves fresh, flavorful breakfast, and lunch fare. Celestino (141 S. Lake Ave.) is noted for its elegant Italian preparations. Seasonal farm-to-fork greatness shines at The Arbour (527 S. Lake Ave.). Get a taste of Pasadena’s global fare with savory kebabs and traditional flavors at Mediterranean Café (273 Shoppers Ln.), go upscale French at Bistro 45 (45 S. Mentor Ave.), pack in the spices with a modern approach to Mexican at Mercado (140 S. Lake Ave. #101). Popular date night spot, Smitty’s Grill (110 S. Lake Ave.), has plenty of traditional American o erings.

Contessa Italian Market

SHOP

The Shops on Lake Avenue (345-455 S. Lake Ave.) are anchored by Macy’s. Moda Optique (415 S. Lake Ave. #104) is consistently ranked Pasadena’s best eyewear boutique for its impressive selection of designer styles. Contessa Italian Market (380 S. Lake Ave. #111) caters to Italian cuisine lovers, with her selection of premium imported pastas, olive oils, sauces, and more. Ten Thousand Villages (567 S. Lake Ave.) is a wonderland of fair-trade treasures sourced from around the world. Visit the experience center at Woody’s Home (519 S. Lake Ave.) to learn about the most advanced technology on the market, from home automation to state-ofthe-art home theatres.

Float Pasadena

PLAY

The Commons (140-146 S. Lake Ave.) is the ultimate lifestyle destination—work out at SoulCycle, make your skin glow at Facile, or get a blow out at DryBar. Floyd’s Barber Shop (888 Cordova St.) is a dapper throwback barbershop complete with straight-razor shaves. Pamper yourself with a massage at HM Warm Spa (1009 E. Green St.). Explore the metaphysical universe at Alexandria II (170 S. Lake Ave.), a spiritually inclined bookshop that o ers appointments with intuitive readers, Reiki masters, and psychics. Instagram your customized sweet treats at Float Pasadena (380 S. Lake Ave.).

Burlington Arcade

HIDDEN GEM

Meander through the charming British-style Burlington Arcade (380 S. Lake Ave.) to peruse the independent retailers and eateries.

Smitty’s Grill

NIGHTLIFE

Snack on complimentary homemade potato chips as you sip on a classic cocktail at the bar at Smitty’s Grill (110 S. Lake Ave.). Delve into the robust spirits, wine, and beer menus at buzzy Granville (270 S. Lake Ave.), which remains open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The cocktails at Magnolia House (427 S. Lake Ave.) complement its sharable plates.

NOTABLE DISTRICTS

Pasadena Antiques & Design

ANTIQUE DISTRICT

A stretch of South Fair Oaks Avenue from Bellevue Drive to East California Boulevard is known as the Antique District given its concentration of well-curated antique stores. Top Hollywood set designers and globally recognized interior designers are frequently among the loyal clientele. Revival Antiques (1 W. California Blvd. # 611) is filled with restored lighting fixtures, antique furniture, and vintage tiles from the Arts and Crafts and Spanish Colonial Revival movements. Pasadena Antiques & Design (330 S. Fair Oaks Ave.) is a 21,600-square-foot, multi-dealer shop arranged with fine American, English, and Continental art and furnishings, as well as pottery, ceramics, and other artifacts. Established in 1976, the massive Pasadena Antique Center & Annex (480 S. Fair Oaks Ave.) spans two-buildings filled with furniture, jewelry, art, and rare books sourced from 130 professional antique dealers. T.L. Gurley Antiques (512 S. Fair Oaks Ave.) may be the smallest of this bunch, but it packs a lot of quality and character into its tightly edited selection of rugs, furniture, art, and garden statues.

MILLIONAIRE’S ROW

If you’re a fan of design, architecture and history, head to Millionaire’s Row on Orange Grove Boulevard. Back in the early 1900s, it was said

The Gamble House

that there were 15 millionaires per mile on the mansion-lined streets. Today, you can tour the wonderfully preserved Craftsman masterpiece that is the Gamble House (4 Westmoreland Pl.). Its historic landmark neighbor, the Beaux-Arts style Fenyes Mansion (164-198 N. Orange Grove Blvd.), is part of the Pasadena Museum of History. The stately Wrigley Mansion (391 S. Orange Grove Blvd.) was built in 1906 and donated to Pasadena in 1958 to become the permanent home of the Tournament of Roses®. Other homes you can scout from the street include the Mary E. Denham House (297 S. Orange Grove Blvd.), which was built in 1895 and designed by architect Frederick L. Roehrig and Bissell House (201 Orange Grove Blvd., South Pasadena), an eight-room Victorian bed and breakfast. Built in 1887, it was the former residence of a member of the family behind the Bissell carpet cleaning empire.

EAST WASHINGTON

Home to artisanal co ee houses, ice cream shops, and hole-in-the-wall eateries beloved by locals, East Washington Boulevard, between Holliston Avenue and Altadena Drive, is an eclectic, multi-cultural zone. Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar (1383 E. Washington Blvd.) serves specialty co ees and teas, deli sandwiches, and fancy toasts. Bacchus Kitchen (1384 E. Washington Blvd.) is a dinner only restaurant whose occasional “dinner and a show” combo features a three-course meal paired with live music. Family-run Connal’s (1505 E. Washington Blvd.) has been in the hamburger and sandwich business since 1958. Newcomer El Matador Mexican Food (1806 E. Washington Blvd.) serves its take on Californian-style Mexican staples. Try Middle Eastern sweets at Sarkis Pastry (1776 E. Washington Blvd.) or go for a scoop or two of artisanal ice cream at Carmela Ice Cream (2495 E. Washington Blvd.).

East Washington Village