Around Town

Hotels Near the Wedding Site

Quality Inn Pasadena

3321 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA, 91107
(866) 539-0036
Rates: Around $85 per night

Ramada Inn Pasadena

2156 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA, 91107
(866) 539-0036
Rates: Around $95 per night

Holiday Inn Express Pasadena

3500 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA, 91107
(866) 539-0036
Rates: $118 per night

Hilton Pasadena

168 S Los Robles Ave
Pasadena, CA, 91101
(866) 539-0036
Rates: Around $130 per night

Sheraton Pasadena Hotel

303 Cordova St
Pasadena, CA, 91101
(866) 539-0036
Rates: Around $200 per night

Food Favorites in the Area

The following is a list of the bride and groom's various favorite places to eat in the area. Some closer to the wedding site, others within the greater Los Angeles area.

Domenico's Italian Restaurant

Located in the groom's hometown, Domenico's features some of the best Italian food in the Los Angeles area. If you go, ordering a pizza for the family is a must. Domenico's pizza is tough to beat. Other than the pizza, they feature other great dishes. The groom's personal favorite is the chicken parmigiana. He describes it as "The best chicken parmigiana he has ever had." His parents enjoy the lasagna and their dinner salads, loaded with cheese, are a treat. This is definitely not a place to go to if you are on a diet.

2411 E Washington Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91104

Sandwiches by Connal's

Within walking distance of the groom's parents' house, Connal's is a small fast food staple in the area and features amazing grinder sandwiches. Their French fries are some of the best in Los Angeles so make sure to get a side of those. One order should be more than enough for two people. A favorite of the bride is the grilled chicken sandwich and the groom loves the club sandwich. Connal's also serves burgers, amazing hot dogs, dinner plates, and many other delicious items.

1505 E Washington Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91104

Cheesecake Factory

A very nice and affordable sit down restaurant located in "Old Town" Pasadena. The majority of their entrees are wonderfully prepared and their comfort food style selections are delicious. You may have trouble making a selection as everything will sound amazing and the number of items on their menu can be overwhelming. Anything from sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, burgers, seafood and more can be purchased. The bread they serve to each table will have you requesting more when it is all gone.

2 W Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, California 91105

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

While on the expensive side, it is tough to beat a steak from Ruth's Chris. The steaks arrive at your table still cooking in butter on the plate. Whether you are having a New York steak or their filet mignon, try a sample of their amazing sides. Don't forget to bring a little extra for the valet parking unless you are walking over from Paseo Colorado across the street. Ruth's Chris also features a very nice bar.

369 East Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91101

The Counter

Looking for a fantastic burger? The Counter is the 21st Century’s bold answer to the classic burger joint. It features build-your-own gourmet burgers where you select from a countless number of options and they cook and build it to your liking. Odds are, if your burger is not great, you messed it up. The bride's favorite is a 1/3 pound turkey patty with gruyere cheese, mixed greens, roasted red peppers, dried cranberries, black bean and corn salsa, and apricot sauce on an english muffin. "It tastes like Thanksgiving in a bun," says the bride. The groom's favorite combination is a 1/3 beef patty with jalapeno jack cheese, dill pickles, sprouts, Bermuda red onions, jalapenos and their basil pesto sauce ... on a ciabatta bun if available.

140 Shoppers Lane
Pasadena, CA 91101

Philippe's

Located near the beautiful Union Station and renowned for claiming to be the inventor of the French Dip sandwich, Philippe's is a favorite of the bride and groom and a must stop if you are in the area. You wait in line to order from their delicious selection of various dipped sandwiches featuring beef, turkey, ham or lamb, their amazing pies or their home style soups. You then take your food and sit in their cafeteria style seating where you may meet a few new locals or tourists sitting next to you. And if you really want to spice up your sandwich, add a very light spread of their horseradish based mustard. Be careful to add a small amount to start with, because a little bit goes a long way.

1001 North Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament

Are you looking for dinner and entertainment? Medieval Times is an exciting, family-friendly dinner attraction inspired by an 11th century feast and tournament. Guests are served a four-course banquet and cheer for one of six knights as they compete in the joust and other tests of skill. Expect lots of jousting, swordsmanship, thrilling hand-to-hand combat, and displays of extraordinary horsemanship as part of an exciting story set in Medieval Spain.

7662 Beach Blvd
Buena Park CA 90620
http://www.medievaltimes.com/

Coffee Houses

Zephyr

When you are sick of seeing a Starbucks or Coffee Bean every two blocks and want to try something different, check out Zephyr, a favorite of the bride. Located off of Colorado Blvd and about a block away from the couple's old apartment in Pasadena, Zephyr is a very unique little coffee house. You can tell that it used to be a home and there are various rooms you can sit in, relax and enjoy your drink. The coffee is affordable and the service is friendly. So support a local business and get away from the big franchises by stopping for your morning brew at Zephyr.

2419 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107

Shopping

Shopping areas are plentiful in the Los Angeles area. Here are a few very popular locations if you are looking to buy or browse. These are ordered by their distance from the wedding location.

Pasao Colorado

A number of high end shops, an AMC theater, numerous restaurants including The Yardhouse and an Islands make up this beautiful outdoor shopping area. If the evening weather is nice enough, they will sometimes feature outdoor entertainment in their courtyard, located on the west side of the plaza.

280 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91101
http://www.paseocoloradopasadena.com/

Old Pasadena

Referred to as "Old Town" by locals, Old Pasadena, a National Historical Landmark dating back to the 1870s, is the heart of Pasadena. This area spans 22 blocks and features night clubs, bars, cafes, shops, art galleries and over 50 restaurants (much more if you count the surrounding area), ranging from quick bites to high end establishments. The area also features hidden locations which you may only know about from word-of-mouth. For example, Jake's is a little dinner located on Colorado Blvd. However, you go into the alley behind Jake's and you will find an entrance to their underground bar featuring music, billiards, and more. So explore Old Pasadena and you never know what you might find. Parking in a structure generally runs about $6 for the night.

1 West Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91105
http://www.oldpasadena.org/

Westfield Santa Anita Shopping Mall

The groom's mother used to work at the J.C. Penny within this mall before she retired. The indoor mall features numberous department stores, shops, restaurants, a food court, and a movie theater.

400 S. Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007
http://westfield.com/santaanita/

The Americana at Brand

The neighboring Glendale Galleria fought the building of this shopping area, but the developer was so rich that he built it anyway. And the result is a beautifully designed outdoor shopping area. It features great restaurants, specialty shops, bars and more. During nice weather, you can sometimes find outdoor entertainment in their courtyard.

889 Americana Way
Glendale, CA 91210
http://www.americanaatbrand.com/

The Grove

Built next to a wonderful and historic farmer's market, The Grove was the first outdoor mall in the area created by the same builder as The Americana. It features fine dining, specialty shops, bars, and a movie theater. If you really want to try some great food from small venders, walk over to the Farmer's Market next door.

189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90036
http://www.thegrovela.com/

Theme Parks

Disneyland

Located in Anaheim, about 40 minutes southeast from Pasadena, Disneyland consists of two parks, Disneyland Park and California Adventure, each requiring admission costs. If you have never been to Disneyland, you most certainly should start with Disneyland Park as it is the larger of the two and features more rides and entertainment. Be aware that like most amusements parks, you will spend a good deal of the day on your feet and standing in lines.

Both parks offer a nice feature called the FastPass. You can get a FastPass for one ride, and it will tell you between what times you should return to that ride. Until that time, you can wait in line for other rides and then when you return, you head to the front of the line for the ride you received a FastPass for.

Kids can meet their favorite Disney characters who can be seen walking around all over the park.

Food can be pricey and you have to pay for parking in addition to admission. Be sure to stick around until 9 pm when they have their daily fireworks show.

Bride and Groom's favorite rides:
Space Mountain (Disneyland Park)
The Matterhorn (Disneyland Park)
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (California Adventure)
California Screamin' (California Adventure)

Six Flags Magic Mountain

More appropriate for older kids, Six Flags Magic Mountain is located in Santa Clarita, about 20 minutes west of Pasadena. It features larger and faster roller coasters and is a popular destination for high school kids.

Knott's Berry Farm

Located in Buena Park, which is about 40 minutes south of Pasadena, Knott's Berry Farm is a favorite of groomsman Dillon Brooks. While it does not have as many rides as the other amusement parks on the list, Knott's still features numerous roller coasters big and small as well as a number of other family activities. Admission to this park is much more affordable for those on a budget.

Guided Tours

Melting Pot Tours

Experience the charming history, architecture and folklore of Old Pasadena while feasting upon culinary delights from neighborhood eateries with this three-hour walking tour (www.meltingpottours.com). Colorful alleys and secret thru-ways spice up the path as spectacular ethnic eateries and sweets havens are sought out for tastings, including an authentic Mexican tortas cafe, a rare Nepalese-Tibetan restaurant and an exquisite chocolate shop. You'll also experience a handmade soap kitchen.

http://www.meltingpottours.com/Food_Tours.html

Visit the Gamble House

Designed by Pasadena architects Charles and Henry Greene, the Gamble House is considered to be one of the finest examples of architecture from the early 20th century Arts & Crafts Movement. The home was built in 1908 for David and Mary Gamble of Procter and Gamble soap and toothpaste fame. The house, a National Historic Landmark, is owned by the City of Pasadena and operated by the University of Southern California and is open for public tours.

4 Westmoreland Pl
Pasadena, CA 91103

The Amazing L.A. Race: Sightseeing Tour, Game and Scavenger Hunt in One

The Amazing Los Angeles Race is designed to feel like a hybrid of a sightseeing tour, The Da Vinci Code and The Amazing Race. Participants form teams of two to eight people and receive their first clue at the starting line. Each solution leads to the next clue and fun experiences at top L.A. attractions, including Mann's Chinese Theatre, the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Bowl, and Walt Disney Concert Hall, culminating in a finish-line awards ceremony.

http://www.amazinglarace.com/

Starline Tours of Hollywood

In addition to traditional guided tours of Los Angeles and Hollywood, Starline also has a network of Hop-on/Hop-off double-decker tour buses. You can't miss the bright red buses as they cruise around in the Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Miracle Mile (Museum Row) districts. The network covers most of the tourist destinations in the area, and includes a recorded narrative. The bus route is quite extensive, reaching from downtown LA all the way to Santa Monica. It will take 3 to 4 hours (depending on traffic) to ride the entire circuit if you don't get off at any stops.

http://www.latourist.com/reader.php?page=starline-double-decker

Dodger Stadium Tour

The Dodger Stadium Tour provides fans the opportunity to see the ballpark in a very unique fashion. This behind-the-scenes tour lets fans visit some of the most restricted and non-public areas and view the Stadium from a whole new perspective. As baseball's third-oldest stadium, Dodger Stadium remains one of the game's most beautiful and most historic venues.

http://mlb.mlb.com/la/ballpark/stadium_tours/index.jsp

Local Libraries, Gardens and Museums

The Huntington Library

The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens is located on the 207-acre estate that was built in 1911 for the late Henry Huntington. Originally Huntington's residence, the Huntington Art Gallery features original 18th and 19th British and French masterpieces, including the "Pinkie" and "Blue Boy" paintings. The Library includes works from American and British literature, including an original Gutenberg Bible and Ellesmere's manuscript of Canterbury Tales. The botanical gardens feature 14,000 varieties of plants on more than 150 acres. The 12 principal gardens include the new Chinese Garden (Garden of Flowing Fragrance), Rose Garden, Desert Garden, Zen Garden and Children's Garden.

1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108

Norton Simon Museum

This extraordinary museum features seven centuries of European art and one of the country's largest collections of Asian sculpture that spans 2,000 years. It is home to an extensive Impressionist collection, which features masterpieces by Degas, Van Gogh, Manet, Monet and Pissaro. The museum also displays works by Picasso, Rembrandt, Cézanne and more.

411 West Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91105

The Arboretum

Occupying the heart of the historic Rancho Santa Anita, The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is a unique 127 acre botanical garden and historical site jointly operated by the Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and located in the city of Arcadia. Home to plant collections from all over the world, including many rare and endangered species, The Arboretum also houses outdoor historical landmarks representative of the major phases of California history.

301 North Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA, 91007