Friday, December 20, 2002

The Castle Green hotel is at 99 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena.(Walt Mancini) Pasadena's Gems By Maria Reyes Pasadena may be best known for the Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl Game but as most locals know, and most visitors soon find out, the city has much more to offer. Pasadena, located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, is home to outstanding architecture, prized works of art by Edgar Degas, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh, and world-famous gardens. It is also the home to intellectual institutions and outdoor adventures. During this New Year, don't miss the parade and game and don't forget to visit the other gems that make this town so wonderful. OUTDOORS ARROYO SECO To follow the Arroyo Seco you would have to start at a canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena, then travel through the Hahamongna Watershed and trail it as it flows to its merge with the Los Angeles River. The area of the arroyo in Pasadena is a natural and cultural magnet. Along with hiking trails, green areas and playing fields you'll find the Rose Bowl and the future home of Kidspace Children's Museum. Where: Located on the northeast border of Pasadena. Contact: www.arroyoseco.org. EATON CANYON PARK AND NATURE CENTER This 184-acre natural park is located at the base of Mount Wilson. There are five miles of nature trails and also an equestrian trail. During the rainy season, the stream runs all the way to Eaton Canyon Park and the canyon is brimming with local flora and fauna. Guided hikes to Eaton Canyon falls, monthly moonlight hikes and Saturday- morning family hikes are just some of the activities available. Camping is available for schools, group tours and youth groups. The park also provides training programs for naturalist docents and junior park rangers. Open daily sunrise to sunset. Where: 1750 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena. Contact: (626) 398-5420 or www.ecna.org. DOWNTOWN OLD PASADENA This historic 20-block area, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, features more than 200 buildings dating back to the 1880s and 1890s. Noted for its quaint courtyard and alleyways, Old Pasadena is filled with an array of strolling opportunities. There are designer retail stores, art galleries, boutiques and vintage clothing stores. The restaurants range from upscale bistros to cozy outdoor cafes. There are also several cinemas, clubs and live entertainment.   The Japanese Garden at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens.(Photo by Bernardo Alps) Where: Old Pasadena is bordered by Arroyo Parkway on the east, Pasadena Avenue on the west, Walnut Street on the north, and Del Mar Boulevard on the south. Contact: (626) 666-4156 PASADENA CIVIC AUDITORIUM This 3,029-seat auditorium offers 2,000 seats on the main floor alone, making it perfect for all kinds of performances. Built in 1931, the Civic Auditorium is home to the People's Choice Awards and the Pasadena Symphony. It has also hosted the Annual Prime Time Emmy Awards. Where: 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Contact: (626) 449-7360. PASEO COLORADO Located on Colorado Boulevard between Marengo Avenue to the west and Los Robles Avenue to the east, Paseo Colorado is a three-block open-air urban market that is home to 65 retail shops, a 14-screen movie complex, a Gelson's gourmet market and eight restaurants and outdoor cafes. Where: 280 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Contact: (626) 795-8891 or www.paseocolorado.com. SOUTH LAKE AVENUE Bordered by California Boulevard on the south and Colorado Boulevard to the north, the tree-lined 10-block strip of South Lake Avenue features 600 retailers, boutiques, major department stores and a plethora of eateries. Contact: (626) 792-1259 or www.southlakeavenue.com. HISTORY BUNGALOW HEAVEN The Bungalow Heaven Landmark District neighborhood is bordered by Orange Grove Boulevard on the south, Washington Boulevard on the north, Catalina to the west and Holliston to the east. These houses were built during the Craftsman period, 1900-1920. And many of these houses were built by contractors or their original owners without the help of architects. Contact: (626) 795-9311. THE CASTLE GREEN The hotel, opened in 1899 as the second of three buildings in the Hotel Green complex, was a lavish resort for those escaping winter rigors. Architect Frederick I. Roehrig blended domes, arches, pillars, balconies and verandas in a building of structural steel with brick walls and concrete floors. The inside public rooms have been restored to re-create their 1895 look. Several of the sitting rooms contain their original furniture and fireplaces. The Castle Green is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Historic Register, and the city of Pasadena's list of historic places.   Shot of the ceiling inside the Pasadena Museum of California Art.(Photo by Walt Mancini) Where: 99 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Contact: (626) 793-0106. GAMBLE HOUSE This exemplary example of the American Arts and Crafts style was designed and built by Charles and Henry Greene for David and Mary Gamble (of Proctor & Gamble) in 1908. This beautifully preserved home is owned by the city of Pasadena and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Where: 4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena. Hours: Docent tours are offered noon-3 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Contact: (626) 793-3334. PASADENA CITY HALL This 1927 landmark exhibits Italian Renaissance and Spanish influences: red tile roof, ornate fountain and garden courtyard. One of its architects, John Bakewell, said it was a modern interpretation of 16th century Italian Renaissance. Where: 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena. Contact: (626) 744-4000 or www.ci.pasadena.ca.us. PASADENA MUSEUM OF HISTORY The Pasadena Museum of History is housed in the 18-room Fenyes Mansion. The landmark, designed and built in 1905 by architect Robert H. Farquhar in BeauArts style, retains its original furnishings and paintings. The two-acre property also now houses the Finnish Folk Art Museum, a research library and the History Center Galleries, all open to the public. Where: 470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena. Hours: The library and galleries are open noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday and Fenyes Mansion tours are available 1:30 and 3 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Contact: (626) 577-1660 or www.pasadenahistory.org. GARDENS THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY BOTANICAL GARDENS Henry Huntington began developing the Botanical Gardens in 1903. Now they span nearly 150 acres. The gardens consist of approximately 14,000 species of plants. Many of the botanical collections have been collected into a series of theme gardens, including the Japanese, desert, rose, camellia, palm, subtropical, jungle, lily ponds, herb and Australian gardens. Where: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Hours: noon-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Cost: $10 general, $8.50 seniors ages 65 and older, $8 for groups of 10 or more, $7 students ages 12-18 or with full-time student ID, $4 youths ages 5-11, free for children under age 5. Contact: (626) 405-2100 or www.huntington.org. TOURNAMENT HOUSE AND WRIGLEY GARDENS This ornate mansion was once owned by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. and today serves as the headquarters for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. Tours are offered on a limited basis and gardens are open daily. Where: 391 S. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena. Contact: (626) 449-4100 or www.tournamentofroses.com. MUSEUMS ARMORY CENTER FOR THE ARTS The Armory Center for the Arts is a community arts center that features contemporary art exhibitions and performances. The Armory offers studio art classes and a variety of educational outreach programs to schools and in the community. Where: 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Hours: noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday, noon-8 p.m. Friday. Cost: Free. Contact: (626) 792-5101. THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY ART COLLECTIONS The Huntington Gallery, originally the Huntington residence, contains one of the most comprehensive collections in this country of British and French art of the 18th and 19th centuries. Three art galleries showcase 18th and 19th century British and French masterpieces, including "Blue Boy" and "Pinkie." Where: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Hours: noon-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Cost: $10 general, $8.50 seniors ages 65 and older, $8 groups of 10 or more, $7 students ages 12-18 or with full-time student ID, $4 youths ages 5-11, free for children under 5. Contact: (626) 405-2100 or www.huntington.org. NORTON SIMON MUSEUM The museum features seven centuries of European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century, including works by van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt and Fragonard. It also features an extensive collection of South Asian sculpture and a sculpture garden with the works of Rodin. Where: 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Hours: noon-6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, noon-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, noon-9 p.m. Friday. Cost: $6 general, $3 seniors ages 62 and older, free for students with valid ID, youths under 18 and museum members. Contact: (626) 449-6840 or www.nortonsimon.org. PACIFIC ASIA MUSEUM The Pacific Asia Museum is housed in the historic Grace Nicholson mansion and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is dedicated to the preservation, promotion and understanding of the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific. Where: 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday. Cost: $5 general, $3 students and seniors. Contact: (626) 449-2742 or www.pacificasiamuseum.org. PASADENA MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA ART The Pasadena Museum of California Art is devoted exclusively to California art, architecture and design. Where: 490 E. Union St., Pasadena. Hours: 10 a.m-5 a.m. Wednesday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday. Cost: $5 general, $3 senior ages 65 and older and students with valid ID, free for museum members, children under 12 and the first Friday of every month from 5-8 p.m. Contact: (626) 568-3665. EDUCATION CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Caltech is a small, co-educational university dedicated to exceptional instruction and research in engineering and science. Caltech scientists have been awarded 29 Nobel Prizes There are also fine examples of architecture located on campus. Where: 1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena. Contact: (626) 395-6811. MOUNT WILSON OBSERVATORY Founded in 1904 and situated high atop Pasadena, Mount Wilson Observatory is a world-class astronomical research facility. It is home to the 100-inch Hooker Telescope. Tours of its site are available to visitors year-round. Parking is available in the large main lot. Picnic facilities are available; however, drinking water is not always available, and visitors are strongly advised to bring their own. Where: 740 Holladay Road, Pasadena. Tour hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. On-site walking tour 1 p.m. at the pavilion on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays during the period of daylight-saving time. Contact: (626) 793-3100 or www.mtwilson.edu. PASADENA CITY COLLEGE Pasadena City College can trace its roots back to 1911 when 18 acres were acquired for the construction of a new campus for Pasadena High School. An additional 19 acres were purchased in 1923, to double the school's size. It now has 60 academic programs and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Where: 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Contact: (626) 585-7123.