Pasadena California is probably best known as being the city that hosts the Tournament of Roses Parade every New Year’s Day. But California itself is an exciting state with a lot of different activities to offer both to residents and to tourists. If you’re a tourist who has come to Southern California for a little sun and fun, or if you are a resident who hasn’t had a chance to see what California has to offer yet, here is a list of five easy day trip destination ideas for in and around the Pasadena area.
Five Easy Day Trips aroundPasadenaCalifornia, Destination #1: The Huntington, Library Art Collection and Botanical Gardens
The Huntington is a very well-known library that houses many literary documents and rare books as well as having amazing art collections but did you know that they also have Botanical Gardens? The Huntington has three art galleries and a library set on 207 acres for their large collections and one hundred and twenty acres of botanical gardens that have over 14,000 different plant species. The Huntington was started in 1919 by the railroad/real estate developer Henry Edwards Huntington and opened to the public in 1928.
You can visit The Huntington’s library, art galleries and botanical gardens on your own or you can go on one of several group guided tours. There is the Estate Tour for a cost of $18.00 where you will walk for about an hour through the central area of the estate. There is the Chinese Garden Tour which is also a walking tour but this one lasts for about 90 minutes as you are shown through the Huntington’s Chinese gardens. This tour costs $22.00 on weekdays and $25.00 on Saturdays. Both of these tours require a minimum of ten people and reservations one month in advance. All tour prices include admission into the Huntington.
The last tour is the special Tea & Tour. At a cost of $55.00, you get a 90 minute private morning tour before the grounds are open to the general public where you walk the grounds and end at the Rose Garden Tea Room for lunch. There is a minimum of four people for this tour and reservations are required a month in advance.
General admission prices and summer hours for the Huntington are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day except Tuesdays when the Huntington is closed. Prices are $15.00 for adults on weekdays and $20 for adults on weekends and Monday holidays. Students’ ages 12 to 18 years old are $10.00. Youths ages 5 to 11 years old are $6.00 and children under 5 are free.
While visiting the Huntington art galleries, library and/or botanical gardens, you can enjoy a snack or lunch at either the Café or The Rose Garden Tea Room which are located in the botanical gardens. Both eating establishments are for Huntington visitors only.
The Café is a self-serve café with sandwiches and grilled items such as burgers, hot dogs and chicken and is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 12 noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The average price for a meal at the Café is around $10.00 – $11.00. The Café is available on a walk-in basis with no reservations required.
The Rose Garden Tea Room is a buffet that serves traditional tea items such as tea, scones, finger sandwiches, imported cheeses, fruits, specialty salads, and petite desserts. Rose Garden Tea Room hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday 10:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Rose Garden Tea Room has special summer hours May 29th thru Sept. 2 when the Tea Room is open the same days but from 10:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Tea Room prices for adults are $24.95 each and children (ages 4-8) are $12.49 each. Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance for the Tea Room.
Before you visit the Huntington, check out their website for the most up-to-date information.
Five Easy Day Trips aroundPasadenaCalifornia, Destination #2: Rose Bowl Flea Market
If you are an early morning person who loves to hunt through antiques and junk, the Rose Bowl Flea Market may be the perfect place for you to find hidden treasures. With over 2,500 vendors, you are sure to find additions for all your special collections.
The Rose Bowl Flea Market is famous for its shopping with over 20,000 buyers visiting every month. It has been held in the famous Rose Bowl in Pasadena California for more than 39 years. It is held every second Sunday of the month. Upcoming Rose Bowl dates are August 10; September 14; October 12; November 9; and December 14, 2008.
To find the best deals, arrive at the sale early, it’s open from 5 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., wear a hat, bring a cart for your purchases, bring water and snacks plus bring cash money so you can haggle for the best prices.
Early bird admission into the Flea Market is $20.00 from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. General admission after 9 a.m. is $8.00. Children under 12 and parking is free.
Rose Bowl Stadium
1001 Rose Bowl Drive
Pasadena, CA 91103
Phone: (323) 560-7469
http://www.rgcshows.com/RoseBowlFleaMarket/tabid/52/Default.aspx
Five Easy Day Trips aroundPasadenaCalifornia, Destination #3: Santa Anita Park (Horse Racing)
If you love horses or you just love horse racing so you can do a little gambling, Santa Anita Park is a wonderful place to spend the day. The general admission price is $5.00. The next live racing will be held September 24 thru 28, 2008. In October, the live racing dates will be Oct. 1 thru 5; Oct. 8 thru 13; Oct. 15 thru 19; and Oct. 22 thru 26, 2008. There will be anywhere from eight to eleven races on each of those days. For more dates when there will be live racing, please visit the Santa Anita Park website.
Santa Anita Park offers a Seabiscuit Tram Tour that is free on weekends. You will board the tram at either 8:30 a.m. or 9:45 a.m. each Saturday and Sunday during the racing season and you will be given a tour of the grounds and the paddocks plus you will meet the horse who played the major role of Seabiscuit in the 2003 movie. For more tour information, call 626-574-6677.
Parking at Santa Anita Park is $4.00 for general parking; $6.00 for preferred parking or $10 for valet parking during live racing.
Santa Anita Park
285 W. Huntington Drive
Arcadia CA 91007
General Information Number: 626-574-RACE (626-574-7223)
See website for different department email addresses
http://www.santaanita.com/
Five Easy Day Trips around Pasadena California, Destination #4: Area Theme Parks – Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure Park, and Six Flags Magic Mountain
Within an hours’ drive in the area around Pasadena California are located some five major theme parks – Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure Park, and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Below is a list of the theme parks and their prices and websites so you can look up the most current information for each theme park.
Knott’s Berry Farm daily admission prices are $49.99 for adults, $19.99 for seniors and children ages 3 to 11 years. Parking is $10.00. Hours are Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. Mondays 10 am to 6 pm. Tuesdays 10 am to 7 pm. Wednesdays 10 am to 8 pm. Thursdays 10 am to 9 pm. Fridays 10 am to 10 pm. Saturdays 10 am to 11 pm.
Knott’s Berry Farm
8039 Beach Boulevard. Buena Park, CA USA 90620
(714) 220-5200
Email: [email protected]
http://www.knotts.com/
Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park prices are $66.00 for adults and $56.00 for children 9 and under for a one day admission ticket. Disneyland Park hours are 8AM to 12AM and Disney’s California Adventure Park hours are 10AM to 9PM.
Disneyland Park & Disney’s California Adventure Park
1313 S Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92802
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage
The Universal Studios daily ticket price is $64.99 for a general admission ticket for adults. It is $54.99 for anyone under 48 inches tall. Universal Studios is open from 9 am to 8 pm through the week and it is open until 9 pm on weekends.
Universal Studios
70 Universal City Plz
Universal City, CA 91608
(818) 622-3801
http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/
Six Flags Magic Mountain is located about an hour away from Pasadena California. General admission is $59.99 per person or you can order your ticket online for only $29.99. Children under 48 inches tall are $29.99 and children under two years old are free. Hours are 10 am to 10 pm. on weekends.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
26101 Magic Mountain Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
http://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/
Five Easy Day Trips aroundPasadenaCalifornia, Destination #5: OldPasadenaShops and Dining
Old Pasadena is a shoppers paradise with 22 blocks of historic buildings preserved in one area with more than 120 specialty shops and 80 restaurants for a day of shopping and dining fun. There is also entertainment available. For the most current information and a list of stores and restaurants available, visit the Old Pasadena website. http://www.oldpasadena.org/
Parking and Garage Locations
The price for parking is the first 90 minutes are free and then it is $2.00 for each hour after that with a maximum of $6.00 for the day.
Delacey Parking Structure – 45 S. De Lacey Avenue (1/2 block south of Colorado and De Lacey)
Schoolhouse Parking Structure – 33 E. Green Street (corner of Green and Raymond)
Marriott Parking Structure – 171 N. Raymond Avenue (between Holly and Walnut)
There are many more destination choices for day trips in and around the Pasadena California area; this list is just a starting point to show you some of the popular attractions that Southern California has to offer. As with any trip by car, remember to buckle your seatbelt but most of all, drive safely and have fun!
