Architecture / Gardens, Pasadena

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Most recent visit April 2007

If you only have time to make one stop in Pasadena, this should be the place if you have a warm sunny day. Henry Huntington, a wealthy businessman, set up this institution encompassing three of his passions-art, books and gardens.

The reason for our visit was to see the gardens, 12 specialized sections spread out over 150 acres. The highlights for me were the lovely rose garden which was in full bloom in late April, the desert garden which must be the largest of it's kind and the Japanese Garden.

We also enjoyed a stroll through the art gallery, the paintings that the Huntington is known for are Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy and Pinkie, it's companion piece by Thomas Lawrence. We didn't spend much time in the library, I understand it contains many treasures for visiting scholars.

Admission is a little steep at $15 for adults, if you are on a budget, admission is currently free on the first Thursday of the month but be sure to check the website first.

I was visiting with my grandma who requires a wheelchair for long distances, the map of the grounds is marked as to which sections have steep pathways or have stairs. Basically everything is accessible except the Japanese tea house but the paths leading to the desert garden are very steep as is the path to the Japanese garden.

The Huntington Botanical Gardens cover nearly 150 acres of prime San Marino acreage. With over 15,000 varieties of plants the gardens are separated into different themed landscapes.

These theme gardens are: The Chinese, The Children's, The Desert, The Herb, The Shakespeare, The Camellia, The Jungle, Palm, Lily Ponds, Australian, Rose and Japanese.

My favorites are the Rose and the Japanese Gardens.

Sprinkled throughout the grounds are statuary, benches, frescos, and tempiettos. Tempiettos are small, domed rotundas small in size which usually memorialize St Peter the Apostle.

Free tours of the gardens are given Tuesday through Friday between Noon and 2 PM. Tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 am and 2:30 pm.

If you are so inclined, there are many classes, lectures and seminars given on botanical and horticultural topics throughout the year.

The Huntington Library and Art Collections are housed on the same property. "Pinki and Blue Boy" are part of Huntinton's collection.

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Completed in December 27 1927 at the cost of $1.3 million, this beautiful building is said to represent other historical structures from around the world; Santa Maria della Salute in Venice, the Hotel des Invalides in Paris and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. San Francisco architects Bakewell and Brown designed it in Mediterranean style. This beautiful building measures 361 feet by 242 feet , and is 6 stories with over 235 rooms and passageways that cover over 170,000 square feet itself. Pasadena City Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Listing # 80-000813). In the 1990’s this building went thru extensive earthquake retro fit.

Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
865 East Del Mar Boulevard
Pasadena, Ca 91199

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These enormous bust are dedicated to the Robison Brothers, not just due to there accomplishments, but there dedication to the City of Pasadena their home.

Jackie R. Robinson (1919 – 1972) was known to be the first Black American to play on the predominately white teams in the Major League Baseball . He was assigned to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 crossing segregation barriers. He won the hearts of those who opposed due to his endearing love of the sport, family, talent, character and fellow man.

Matthew Robinson(1912 – 2000) Jackie’s brother, was an accomplished athlete in his own right. He won the men's 200 metres during the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, and setting an world record.

Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
865 East Del Mar Boulevard
Pasadena, Ca 91199

One of Pasadena's most unique buildings, the Castle Green was built in 1898 as the annex for the famous Hotel Green. The Castle Green is an imposing seven story Moorish Colonial and Spanish style building sitting next to Central Park in Old Pasadena at Raymond and Green Street. The apartments are now condominiums and for sale. The building is open ot the public once a year in December. Take a walk around the structure, it is truly an amazing building.

Designed in 1908 by the architectural firm of Greene & Greene, the Japanese inspired Gamble House is the finest preserved example of the American Arts & Crafts movement. Impeccable design and craftsmanship make this house a "must see" in Pasadena. Exotic woods, unique carvings, and rare art glass throughout this house make it a memorable experience. The enitre home is a work of art. The house is filled with the original furnishings designed by the Greenes. The house is on the National Historic Register. The house offers a fantastic bookstore set up in the lovely garage. Fabulous books and gifts for anyone who loves art, style, or architecture.

Docent tours of the Gamble house are available from noon - 3pm
Wednesday through Sunday.

The Gamble House was built in 1908 for the Gamble family (the Gamble in Procter & Gamble). The Gambles were from Cincinnati Ohio, this was to be their retirement home in the warmer California climate.

The architects of the Gamble House were Charles and Henry Greene, the style of the house is a Craftsman-style bungalow. I'm not overly wild about the exterior of this house but I couldn't help but be impressed by the thought of the hand placement of 37,000 wood shakes (according to the docent). I loved the interior of the house with it's arts and crafts influences, the hand made woodwork and the attention paid to detail-the clever furniture that had drawers that opened from both sides, the matching of design elements in the room to center on a particular vase or piece of furniture.

There are docent led tours every 20 minutes or so which if you are going to visit the interior of the house you have to join.

If you like the Craftsman (no relation to Sears, these are not houses that came in a box) style, I believe you can get a map of other similar houses in the area in the bookstore.

I've put a few more exterior pictures in my travelogue, they do not let you photograph inside, at least partially to avoid having people copy the design styles for commercial resale.

This lovely church is located right behind the Pasadena's City Hall. I loved the Gothic design. All Saints Church first church was established in 1883 and parishioners bought more land to build another church here. The property was bought in 1889 and designed by Reginald Johnson in Gothic Revival that can seat 900 and was completed in 24 months.

Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
865 East Del Mar Boulevard
Pasadena, Ca 91199

Pay attention to the details of the buildings on Colorado Ave. It's the old town of Pasadena, and some of the friezes, ironwork and tiles on these buildings are very beautiful. The buildings are done in art deco, beaux arts and manueline
style.

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Home to the Tournament of Roses Association, it was also once owned by chewing gum pioneer William Wrigley Jr., and is open to the public on Thursdays most of the year.

Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
865 East Del Mar Boulevard
Pasadena, Ca 91199
(626) 795-3355