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.
Coffee and Delicacies with a Touch of Honey and Lavender
Stunning art collection and gardens
There are three things that make a good cafe: good things to eat, good things to drink, and a good place to do the eating and drinking. Copa Vida checks off all three. This is a great coffee shop to post up in for a few hours. They have free wifi, a lot of space, and a relaxed, friendly staff. It is located on the edge of Old Pasadena, which is the main commercial part of the city. And being on the edge, it is not too crazy- easy to find parking- but still close enough to all of the action so that you can run over to the Apple store if your computer dies mid-latte.
