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
Float is a retro cafe located inside the old Burlington Arcade. This is an open walkway through the middle of one of the buildings on Lake Ave. Float serves good coffee and sandwiches- and yes floats. You can build your own float or get something more seasonal like a pumpkin spice latte float. On a warm day, treat yourself to an affogato. If you have never had one, brace yourself. It's like a shot of adrenaline- but instead of being served in a syringe it comes in a cup. Some nights you can hang out and watch a movie projected on a screen outside the cafe. You'll feel like you've gone back in time- to Paris- but that also might just be an affogato-induced hallucination.
