Information / Sources, Pasadena

Favorite thing: Here are a couple of good websites with general information on visiting Pasadena

Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau

Pasadena City Center

Favorite thing: I suppose this would be the city's official website. It has quite a bit of information. There is always something going on in Pasadena. That's what makes it such a great town to visit. Nice shopping areas, great nightlife, festivals, concerts, more restaurants that any town I know in SoCal and behind the scenes are the beautiful homes throughout the city.

Three major freeways come together in Pasadena. The 210 FWY, 134 FWY and 110 FWY. The Metro Gold Line travels east-west on the east side of town and then travels north-south on the west side of town.

Here's the link for the Visitor's Bureau Website:

http://www.pasadenacal.com/index.html

Favorite thing: These are the city's and village's we drove through and by. Victorville, San Bernandino, Rialto, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, La Verne, San Dimas, Glendora, Azusa, Duarte, Monrovia, Arcadia, Pasadena.

Favorite thing: The Gabrielino Indians once inhabited the land that is now known as the city of Duarte ( Pop. ca. 22.000 ). In 1841, the governor of Alta, CA granted to ex-Mexican corporal Andres Duarte and his wife nearly 7,000 acres of prime land in the upper San Gabriel Valley. He named the place Rancho Azusa de Duarte.

Favorite thing: The word Pasadena literally means 'Valley' in the Ojibwa ( Chippewa ) Indian language, but it has been interpreted to mean 'Crown of the valley' and 'Key of the valley' hence the adoption of both the crown and the key in the official City Seal.

Favorite thing: E. M. Boddy, a newspaper publisher, planted a seed in 1936. Camellias to be exact - for use in making corsages. Over the years both specie and acreage added and abounded to what is now known as Descanso Gardens. His vision of private watershed persists today and continues to irrigate this oasis in the midst of desert chaparral. Some of the native coastal live oaks are said to be over 400 years old. Come and walk amongst 'that which came before you...' Descanso means 'where I rest.' In the lilacs and the roses and the azaleas you can find rest.
I was astounded with the beauty of the grounds. There are large oaks, redwoods, a rose garden, camelia forests, a bird sanctuary, a Tea house and pond even an art museum. There are many places to sit and linger. The roses were in bloom when I was there. I can't wait to go back and see the 20 foot camelia bushes in bloom. They have picnics and muscial events. For lunch stop at the cafe near the entrance or you can picnic outside of the gardens if you bring your own lunch. If you are in L.A., check it out!!!! for a $5.00 entrance fee it's worth it. And you can take very pretty pictures!!!!!!