Nights in Pasadena??

[Jenn1116]

I'll be in Pasadena for a conference in September Wed-Fri. Can anyone help me out with some evening entertainment?

The conference ends late Friday morning. Is there anything must see/do within easy cab distance for that afternoon?

It's my understanding DL is too far away to try to fit in an afternoon.

Thanks so much!

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Hmmm...the only thing that I can think of is walking around and shopping. I'm not so good when it comes to entertainment and clubs and stuff. There's Paseo on Colorado which is a little shopping area w/ a movie theater. Old Town Pasadena which is on the same street has a lot of good places to eat. There's the Pasadena Playhouse if you like to see live theatre, they put on really good shows, and the Pacific Asia Museum if you want to visit a museum, I've heard it's good but I've never been. Gosh, I live nearby but I can't think of anything interesting to do. So sorry, but I hope I gave you some ideas.

 

[Evita_W]

How long do you have?

I like to use Public Transportaion. You take the Metro Gold Line into Downtown L.A. It stops right at Historic Union Station. It is way cool. Also, that same line goes to Chinatown. From Union Station you can get to Hollywood via the Metro Red Line or from Pasadena take the bus line 180 or 181 to get to Hollywood.

Granted, cab would be faster but it is more expensive!! Bus Pass for the whole day is $5. Or $1.25 a ride.

I have tons of ideas for using Public Transportaion. Just let me know how much time and what you enjoy doing, and I can help come up with the best way.

Just trying to help

 

[scooter15]

Old Town which is probably within walking distance from where you'll be is always busy on the weekends. I love going there just to walk around, grab a drink and have dinner. Lots of live entertainment and all you have to do is walk around to find what you like. Don't forget to not just walk along Colorado which is where Old Town is but there's lots of stuff in the alleys (don't worry its very safe). One time a friend and I walked into an art gallery opening and the great thing was the people weren't stuffy or anything like that. We had a very good time.

 

[kitsch]

As others have said, Colorado Blvd is a great place to start. There's Old Pasadena on the western end of the Blvd and Paseo Colorado mall on the west.

If you love museums (especially Degas), you should check out Norton Simon (w/in walking distance of Old Pasadena). Also the Huntington is a must for European arts and the famous Japanese & Chinese Gardens (you will need to take a cab here, but it's only about 10min from Pasadena).

 

[RudemanRB]

If you like a nice night of comedy there's the Ice House. I think it's on colorado east of Lake Street but I can't remember if it's 2 or 3 blocks.

I would agree, you could take the Gold line ($1.25 one way) to downtown LA.
get off at Union station and walk over to Olvera street. do a Search on this forum I posted links for olvera st. it's a nice little taste of mexico right across the street from the train station.


Rudy

 

[cmwade77]

How long do you have?

I like to use Public Transportaion. You take the Metro Gold Line into Downtown L.A. It stops right at Historic Union Station. It is way cool. Also, that same line goes to Chinatown. From Union Station you can get to Hollywood via the Metro Red Line or from Pasadena take the bus line 180 or 181 to get to Hollywood.

Granted, cab would be faster but it is more expensive!! Bus Pass for the whole day is $5. Or $1.25 a ride.

I have tons of ideas for using Public Transportaion. Just let me know how much time and what you enjoy doing, and I can help come up with the best way.

Just trying to help

I have to agree with my DW on this one, Colorado Blvd. is O.K., but why just go to shops that are available anywhere, go with Holywood or Downtown L.A.

I personally prefer to drive, but for going from Pasadena to either place, the Metro is very convenient.

 

[Jenn1116]

Thank you all for all the info. I will definitely look into Ice House.

After conferring with management four of us are going to stay an extra day, rent a car and drive to Vegas for the night, and drive back to fly out of Burbank. Mapquest says it's a 4 hr drive. Is this do-able???

I am VERY excited about it. I've been to Vegas once, when I was 14 and we stopped to eat there on our way from the Grand Canyon to DL. The other ladies have been multiple times.

And no, we are not planning on sleeping lol

 

[RudemanRB]

Vegas is totally do-able gp to vegas.com and look for a hotel, since you guys are only going to be there overnight, i suggest the excalibur great price, great access to everything,

while your driving to vegas stop at the stateline, gamble a little bit at the casinos there and its also a great place to stop and stretch your legs, also get gas there, (especially on your way bacK) it's cheaper that Cali gas.

I live about 3hrs drive from vegas, now you've got me wanting to go lol


let me know if you need an LA tour guide

Rudy

 

[Jenn1116]

Thanks so much for the tips Rudy! I can't wait to go!

Should we just follow mapquest directions or do you (or anyone else) know of a better route to avoid traffic? I've heard friday afternoons are tough, especially enroute to Vegas!

 

[RudemanRB]

Thanks so much for the tips Rudy! I can't wait to go!

Should we just follow mapquest directions or do you (or anyone else) know of a better route to avoid traffic? I've heard friday afternoons are tough, especially enroute to Vegas!

Mapquest to vegas? Blah!!!!


take the 210FWY east to the 15FWY and head north.
there's a way to take old Route 66 around traffic on the 15fwy. but I can't remember the exit heading towards vegas. I just remember that it takes you into barstow.

I live about 3 hrs from vegas in North East LA county.
(just over the mountains from Pasadena, you'll see them trust me lol)

The back route would be to take the 210FWY west to the 2Fwy (Angeles Forest Highway) at the crest, you would make a left at the ranger station follow that down towards Palmdale (total time on 2fwy 45 mins)

When you reach palmdale you would make a right at the stop sign onto Serria hwy which puts you on pearblossom hwy which puts you on Hwy 138.
then take hwy 138 (approx. 45mins) then around 213st east, you'd come up and see signs for Rte 18. make the left onto rte 18. and take that right into Victorville (and hop on the 15fwy)

here's a link of the google map. I live in the next town from palmdale (Lancaster) and commute on the 2fwy it's an awesome drive.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=pearblossom+hwy+palmdale&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=image

yeah I know it sounds like hell, that's why I said just take the 210 it's direct but the traffic will make you insane on the 210fwy


Just make sure you potty before you get in the car LOL.

 

[fairycat]

I hate the 138 and the 18 so I have a slightly trickier but almost zero traffic route!

(either met the 14 from the 210 or at the end of the 2 )Exit 14 FWY at Ave J take J to 240th to El Mirage Rd., to Koala Rd. to Rancho Rd. a Right on 395, to Airbase Rd. to National Trails rd to the 15 FWY. It sounds confusing but its not.

This might be a bit much for OP but RudemanRB you might want to try this instead of your other Desert Route. There are less trucks and traffic so much smoother sailing.

There is another Route that takes you by Plant 42, where they have a plane park that allows you to see some amazing planes, this is where they built a lot of the big deal planes like the Stealth Bomber. But thats another trek

BTW- The desert routes are both better because you miss the Cajon pass which is a large pass that slows traffic down a lot, and the 15/215 interchange that tends to get very backed up on fridays. The Angeles Crest or 14 Fwy are both going to be much easier going then the other side.

 

[RudemanRB]

I hate the 138 and the 18 so I have a slightly trickier but almost zero traffic route!

QUOTE]

Yeah I know that route, I didn't want to confuse her enough

I live off of Ave I, about 2 blocks from the 14, so I just take the 14fwy to the 58fwy. or if I'm going with a friend that works on Edwards AFB we cut threw the base, I've made it to LV in 2 1/2 hrs once. but usually 3hrs at 75mph is good.

thanks for the heads up.


Rudy

 

[fairycat]

I hate the 138 and the 18 so I have a slightly trickier but almost zero traffic route!

QUOTE]

Yeah I know that route, I didn't want to confuse her enough

I live off of Ave I, about 2 blocks from the 14, so I just take the 14fwy to the 58fwy. or if I'm going with a friend that works on Edwards AFB we cut threw the base, I've made it to LV in 2 1/2 hrs once. but usually 3hrs at 75mph is good.

thanks for the heads up.


Rudy

hahahah what a small world!!!! I live between J and K!