Pasadena is the ninth-largest city in Los Angeles County- and the second oldest (incorporating in 1886). It is home to the Tournament of Roses, ArtCenter College of Design, Caltech, JPL, many museums and artists (including the author of this post!). It is nestled below the San Gabriel mountains on the northeast side of Los Angeles. It feels more like an east coast town with big houses on wide streets canopied with trees. It is about 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles and thus provides a low-key, suburban hideaway without losing any of the flavor of city life.