Pasadena is a city in the Los Angeles County in California, in the land of dreams, America.
One of my all-time favorite movies, Blast from the Past, released in 1999, starring Brendan Fraser as Adam and Alicia Silverstone as Eve, had Adam’s mother, played by Sissy Spacek, saying to him that it would be wonderful if he could find a girl who’s not a mutant and hopefully from Pasadena. She went on to say, “Nothing against Valley girls, but in my day, anyhow, the girls from Pasadena, I don’t know… always just seemed a little nicer.”
Pasadena, as a city, is a little nicer, or a lot. It didn’t take long for me to think that it is a place I’d like to make my home. My daughter is lucky to be living there. She is now a Pasadena girl. Maybe she is a little nicer, too.
I was traveling with my parents and my toddler and the purpose of the trip was more to visit my daughter, other relatives and friends than to tour. Still, with my tendency to be a control freak, I had drafted an itinerary with details of places to visit, transportation and accommodation options, duration of travel, costs, etc. I didn’t anticipate that our sleeping habits and my work (that I needed to do despite being on holiday) would prevent us from sticking to the timetable. Suffice it to say that I need to take another trip to Los Angeles as I was that tourist who didn’t make it to Hollywood or Rodeo Drive or Universal Studios. We didn’t even get to the Kidspace Children’s Museum, Norton Simon Museum, Gamble House, Huntington Library & Gardens and The Rose Bowl in Pasadena. I did experience enough to say that when the U.S.A. accepts us as immigrants, we would live in Pasadena.
So, here is my future home. π
The Auditorium of the City of Pasadena
Paseo Colorado
Paseo Colorado on East Colorado Boulevard is a retail/commercial center not far from East California Boulevard where my daughter lived. It is a few steps from Old Pasadena and around the corner from the City Hall. The pictures show the place quite empty. We were there on a Monday.
Sometimes, we have to take a lot of pictures, capturing different poses, because we don’t know how the images will come out. Luckily, we don’t work with films that need to be developed anymore.
[Walking to the] City Hall of Pasadena
The walk from Paseo Colorado to the City Hall, as with all the other walks we took in and around Pasadena, including from home to Target at the corner of E Colorado Boulevard and N Oak Knoll Avenue, 4 huge blocks away, was a pleasure. The place is absolutely clean, orderly and safe. Currently residing in Johannesburg where safety and security is an issue, I would move to Pasadena, where houses don’t need high walls, electric fencing, security guards, alarm system and burglar proofing, in a heartbeat.
Pasadena City Hall
We entered the City Hall via Garfield Avenue and exited on North Euclid Avenue, in front of the All Saints Episcopal Church. The City Hall takes up a whole block and between it and Paseo Colorado is the Citibank. The city hall is a lovely building with a beautiful garden. It was truly a breath of fresh air for me.
All Saints Episcopal Church (across the City Hall)
Old Pasadena
“Old Pasadena is one of the premiere shopping districts in the country. An eclectic mix of over 200 one-of-a-kind specialty boutiques and exclusive national retailers concentrated in an authentic downtown and all within walking distance.” For more information, you can check out Old Pasadena’s website.
While Pasadena only got a mention in Blast from the Past (although Adam’s father, played by Christopher Walken, was also a Caltech man), the city is where The Big Bang Theory’s five characters live. In case you don’t know, The Big Bang Theory is an American television sitcom which first aired in 2007. The 2 main actors, Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons, play Leonard and Sheldon, physicists who work in Caltech. Penny, played by Kaley Cuoco, was initially a waitress and aspiring actress, who worked at The Cheesecake Factory. Of course, I had to have a couple of pictures there. (The guy photo-bombing me is my daughter’s friend.)
Happy then a little crazy in Old Pasadena, near a tapas bar called Bar Celona π
This lot is crazier, dancing in a store while my father checked out some watches.
A lot of fun has been had in Old Pasadena. Finally, it was time to head back home.
Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
And because I didn’t get to go gallivanting in Los Angeles, all I have to share are these few pictures in Little Tokyo. Sorry about the 2 pictures taken at night, using a BlackBerry.
Next time I visit the City of Angels, I promise, I’ll be a proper tourist with a camera. π
Such a beautiful city β€ and I like the pictures a lot. California is definitely a place I want to visit.
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I do like the place a lot. Have you been there?
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No I haven’t had the pleasure of going there. Hopefully in the future I can.
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I’m sure you will. I’m told the mind is a powerful thing so decide π It took me years and years before I got to go. I was told that getting a visa is like looking for a needle in a haystack so it discouraged me. One day, I just went ahead and I got me my 10-year multiple entry tourist visa within a week or two. Now I can go whenever I want – I just need the money π
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That’s awesome! Congratulations getting a visa is no small feat.
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Thank you. I was over the moon, truly. π
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When you do head out to California, especially Southern California (SoCal), you have to go to Pasadena. It’s only a short distance from LA proper. π It’s not like Los Angeles but a really lovely place.
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From the pictures they look lovely I’ll have to check them out π
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For sure π Thanks for your feedback and support.
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Anytime π
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And here I am visiting CA as my beautiful sweet friend makes things and dreams possible…… Seeing a lovely place from her eyes for now.
Thank you Anne J.
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Thank you dear friend. I’m glad you like it. It is indeed a lovely place.
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I could see in the pics that the place was a bit less lovely beautiful sweet then you but it is a nice place… Lol me my Soul Mate had written CA as our first dream city to visit…. So I am so happy as I see the city from your eyes . Thank you
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Ha-ha, thank you. π I am sure you’ll get to see and experience it for yourself one day soon. It’s a pleasure to share the beauty!
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A great tour of a fun city. Nice pics! Smiles xx
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Thank you for your feedback, Selina. I’m happy you like it. β€οΈπ
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This looks like an amazingly vibrant city with stunning views. Not to mention, you look absolutely pretty π
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Thank you so much, Beautiful Mermaid. As you are. You are too kind. I did fall in love with the city. Maybe we, the city and I, are a match, and one day we can be together π
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Aw, that would be the perfect reunion Anne- fun abound! May your words come true π
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Thank you. Two minds putting it out there word better than one. π
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Fun times in Pasadena, CA | Great place to travel (Use Famous Limo Service) for rides to and from Pasadena, and LAX Airport π
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