Friday, March 5, 2010

Five and a Half More Things We Like About Pasadena
















Captions:
The Norton Simon Museum (top left) and the Rose Bowl (top right)
Left: The Artist's Garden at Vétheuil, 1881
Claude Monet French, 1840-1926
Oil on canvas 39-1/2 x 32 in. The Norton Simon Foundation
F.1975.09.P

This is the follow-up to the January 16, 2010 post about things we like in Pasadena. As in the previous post, contact information is at the end of the post.

1. The Rose Bowl: In addition to the great sports that happen here, the stadium is the centerpiece of an appealing network of running and hiking trails.

2. Norton Simon Art Museum: This gem of an art museum has a wonderful mix of Old Masters, Impressionist and modern art. The collection includes Monet’s bright blue, sunflower-filled painting, The Artist’s Garden at Vetheuil, numerous Van Goghs and Picassos and Matisse’s Jazz. The sculpture garden is calming and attractive, a place to enjoy sculpture and rest in between looking at great paintings.

3. The Pasadena Casting Club: South of the Rose Bowl, the Club takes you back to the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when the Arroyo Seco was filled with trout, rather than a concrete lining. The Club, a leader in teaching fly fishing and helping conserve California fisheries, is planning to undertake a major renovation of the casting pond and clubhouse in the upcoming months.

4. The Courtyard of One Colorado: One Colorado, a super block filled with restaurants, office, shops and a theater, is on the north side of Old Pasadena. Shops and restaurants are appealing but my favorite part of One Colorado is the courtyard in the middle of it, a great place to rest while shopping or to hear music or see outdoor art exhibits.

5. Sabor y Cultura: This is the Pasadena branch of the famed Beverly Hills coffee house. It has a nice light menu, with many vegetarian choices and breakfast served all day. To be honest, I did not try the coffee, so you need to make up your mind about this. The place has entertainment and we were delighted on a recent visit with the jazz and American standards played by the group 6th Street Jazz.
5 1/2. The Holiday Inn Express and Courtyard by Marriott follow-up: We have been back to Pasadena since our January post and are happy to report both of these hotels remain at the top of their game with excellent service.

Contact Information:

Rose Bowl: In Arroyo Seco Park on 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, California 91103, http://www.rosebowlstadium.com/626-577-3101

The Norton Simon: 411 West Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, http://www.nortonsimon.org/ 626-449-6840

The Pasadena Casting Club: in Arroyo Seco, south of the Rose Bowl and the iconic bridge over the Arroyo, http://www.pasadenacastingclub.org/ 626-356-7406

The Courtyard of One Colorado is north of Colorado Boulevard in Old Pasadena, http://www.onecolorado.com/ 626-564-1066

Sabor y Cultura: 716 East Colorado Boulevard, http://www.saborycultura.com/ 626-793-0251