Pasadena Activities

An architectural survey of Los Angeles isn't complete without seeing the work of brothers Charles and Henry Greene who pioneered the Arts & Crafts movement in California. The Gamble House in Pasadena is a particularly outstanding specimen of their endemic architectural style, as Greene & Greene custom-designed every single joint and beam in this 1908 bungalow, from the remarkably crafted staircase to the stained glass doors in the entryway, to the furniture and even the textiles—all full of references to the local natural surroundings. There's a standard hour-long tour, though architecture buffs and carpentry aficionados will appreciate the longer, more intensive options, one of which is led by a woodworker.

At 120 acres, almost every iteration of plant life is represented at this San Marino resource: Fortunately, it's broken out by themes. There's a Rose Garden, a Palm Garden, a Chinese Garden, a Japanese Garden, and so forth—but what really stands out is The Desert Garden, where you can see some 5,000 species of cacti and other succulents.

It always blows visitors minds that at most of the city’s movie theaters, you can pre-book specific seats, meaning that you can eat dinner and wander around until minutes before the show starts, and not have to jockey and jostle for position. We love the Arclight in particular because there’s an on-site bar and during 21+ screenings you can sip your wine while you watch. Locations in Culver City, Hollywood, Pasadena, Santa Monica, and Sherman Oaks.