Fun things to do in Pasadena

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One of our favorite things to do in Pasadena is wine tasting at Le Petit Vendome Wine and Spirits. Typical wine tasting opportunities are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Be aware that the Thursday and Friday tastings could be pricey due to special events that they are holding. Usually on Saturdays, the pours are as low as $1. Tastings are held between 5pm and 8pm. The store is open seven days a week. Another store located in La Canada has different hours. Cheese plates are available for purchase to have with your wine tasting. It's usually quite fun and social.

Please note the new address on Lake Avenue.

Pasadena is a wonderland for antique shopping in southern California. There is monthly whole flea market at the Rose Bowl with several antqiue dealers and wonderful old treasures to discover. More frequently, there is a chance to find some classic old-fashioned and vinatge items at several antiques shop throughout the city. The link shows the contact info for many of them.

Walk down Colorado Blvd if you like crowds, shopping, walking, unique dining or people watching (one has to enjoy at least one of these things, right)?

This place is packed on the weekends. Along with Third Street Promenade and others, Old Pasadena is an ultimate hang out and outdoor entertainment/shopping venue in the greater LA area. Unfortunately, the sameness of big chain retail shops and restaurants take away from the original quality of the place. This trend is so prevalent in major town centers throught greater Los Angeles.

So, what's different about Old Pas? Well, it is probably the best looking city center, architecturally speaking. There is distingusihed style and a harmonizing mix of colors on shop and restuarant exteriors. It is not too bright and flashy like City Walk at Universal Studios, rather more of an opulent and old-fashioned look.

The greatest problem here is trying to find a place to park especially during the weekend, and, oh yeah, the 4 way diagonal interesections can be tricky also for walking. Well, overall, traffic is not so pretty at all!!

For an educational walking tour, Pasadena does offer them throughout the year, about 5 times or so. Take website for more information.

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This museum is housed on the former mansion grounds of Henry Hunington, a turn of the century Railroad magnate with a penchant for collection. The grounds include art musems, gardens and its speciality, the collection of historic manuscripts held in the library.

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This is a small little venue but always very interesting. The Art + Design Open Market held in Miller's Alley in Old Town Pasadena. Many of the participants are students of the Pasadena Art Institute and you can find some interesting and reasonable art to buy. From 10am - 5pm, once a year.

If you can't find anything to do, then go to the movies! There are sooo many to choose from, you're bound to find something you would like to watch.

I always use www.fandango.com to see what's playing. If you're not sure of the movie, they provide movie trailers on the site. Don't order your tickets on fandango unless you know it will be sold out (ie. IMAX theater at Universal City Walk). We like to see movies at the Pacific Paseo Stadium 14 at 333 Colorado Blvd. located at the Paseo Colorado Shopping Center, upper level. There is paid parking structures but make sure to take your parking stub with you and validate the ticket inside the theater. It saves you a few bucks on your parking. At the Pacific Paseo there is a bargain matinee price Monday-Thursdays before 4pm, Friday-Sunday & Holidays before 6pm. Right now you would save $2.25 per adult ticket.

The weblink provided below will list theaters in the city of Alhambra at first. So, make sure to check the addresses of the theater you're interested in going to.

There's two Laemmle theaters in Pasadena. One is located in Old Town Pasadena in the Miller Alley. The other is just east of the Paseo Colorado Shopping Center on Colorado Blvd. (north side of the road).

At Memorial Park, the Levitt Pavilion located at 85 E. Holly Street in Old Town Pasadena holds free summer concerts each year. See the venue's website for schedule and artist performing.

Beginning June 25, 2008 until August 31, 2008.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings the concert is from 7pm - 10pm.
On Friday and Saturday evenings the concerts start at 8pm.
Bring your picnic blanket or low lawn chairs.

Across the street from the park, on the west side of Raymond, is a wine store that has wine tasting available.

A very big surprise for me! I had never heard of this place before but it has an impressive collection of European masters. It's all based upon the collection of a private collector, Norton Simon who bequeathed his collection to the city of Pasadena in 1974.