Pasadena on the cheap
 

My daughter will be in Pasadena with a group of other young people (18-24) in April and May, working with a non-profit group. They don't get paid much, and will be staying at the Boys and Girls Club. They will only have transportation for 15 miles (that is, they can only drive the van 15 miles from the work site). The project sponsor is providing them with passes to the Norton Simon museum, which she is looking forward to, and I know she'll love old Pasedena, but is there anything else she shouldn't miss while she's there? She's pretty curious and open minded. Also, does anyone know anything about the area the Boys and Girls Club is in? Is it safe?

The Huntington Library is close by and free. And there is always the Gold Line that will take them into downtown L.A.--a treasure trove of history, architecture, arts, free events, etc.

They can drive the van to Studio City, and take the subway from there even down to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Or they can hop the bus from Sherman Oaks down to the Getty, down to UCLA/Beverly Hills, even out to the beaches.

I thought the Garden in Pasadena was quite wonderful when I was there a few years ago. Beautifully landscaped and lots to see.

Hope they have a great time.

If they are staying at the Boys and Girls Club on Del Mar then you will not have to be concerned about the neighborhood- it's an OK area.

The Huntington Library is in San Marino, very close to Pasadena. But it is not free. I was there this week and it was $15.

The Gold Line train can connect them easily to downtown LA where they can explore (Olvera Street, Chinatown) or even jump onto the Red Line to Hollywood.

Old Pasadena should keep them busy--- lots of shopping, eating, people watching especially on a Friday or Saturday night.

Paseo Colorado is another shopping-eating-movie theater area, about 6 blocks east of Old Pasadena.

The Huntington is free on the first Thursday of every month. I doubt she'd want to see the library but there's also a beautiful garden and art collection.

The Norton Simon Art Museum is free for students with ids.

The Gamble House has reduced admission of $5 for students.

The Getty is free, there's a $7 parking charge but no charge if you come by public transportation.

If they take public transportation and get themselves in LA, there are several great places to find cheap eats, Olvera Street is very close to the Union Station metro station (and Union Station is something to see). I'm not sure how easy it is to get to the Farmers Market via public transport but that was another great place for cheap eats.

Some other things to do that are free or very cheap and in the Pasadena area:

Go to Oak Grove Park, the original Frisbee golf course

Drive to the top of Lake Street and explore the Cobb Estate and hike to Echo Mountain. We used to do the Cobb Estate/Las Flores hikes at night looking for ghosts. There are several ghost stories associated with this area.
http://bhami.com/xmbc/hikes/Echo_Mt_8912.htm
http://www.mtlowe.net/brief_history.htm
But if they are interested, they can easily research more on the internet. Really intriquing histories from that part of the Angeles Forest.

They can go to Arcadia to the Arboretum, the San Gabriel to the Mission. Lot's of historical homes within 15 miles.

Rose Bowl Swap Meet is fun, first Sunday of the month.

Irwindale Speedway can be fun, if they are into auto racing. Everything from "run what you brung" to smash up derbies to stocks and midgets. Tickets are $15 but there are often discount coupons in the SGV Tribune.

Pacific Asia Museum has free admission last Friday of the month. The Carnegie Observatory does programs at the Huntington Library. There is also the Gamble House, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Pasadena Museum of History. Griffith Park has the zoo, Travel Town, a train museum that I still enjoy and it's free, the Observatory.

May is Old Pasadena Summer Fest. It is free, but perhaps she'll miss it. It is Memorial Day weekend. Playboy Jazz Fest, Art Festival, food festival.

The Spring Art is show is in April.

I can probably think of about 40 other things in a 15 mile radius.

Do you know where the Boys and Girls Club is? I can only think of the one in Monrovia. I think there are several in the area.

Thank you for all this info. I will ask her if she knows where the Boys and Girls Club is.

Ok, I grew up around the corner from the Boys/Girls Club in Pasadena, so I know it REAL well. Nice neighborhood, there's a Target less than a mile away if they need anything.
Yes, Old Town is fun...but not cheap. There's every restaurant you can imagine...including a Hooters.
I heard of a GREAT exhibit right now in downtown Los Angeles...its of the human body and I hear kids love it.
Can they get someone to take them to the beach? Newport Beach is fun - in fact anywhere near the ocean.

Send them to Connal's burgers for GREAT milk shakes! www.connals.com

Burger Continental on S. Lake and California for the $1.99 burger-fries-all you can drink special on Monday and Tuesday nights. This funky eatery is a Pasadena tradition!

Last time I ate at BC was about 5 years ago and you'd never get me to go back again. It used to be a great place, and I spent many an afternoon drinking pitchers of beer and eating ships and salsa on the back patio. But it has gone way downhill. The place is filthy. The food on the buffets is left out too long, hot food is cold, cold food is warm and I'd never trust any of the mayonaisse based salads. They are always struggling with the health department . Lucky for them Pasadena does not post letter ratings. Gary is more arrogant than ever and don't you dare question the quality or preparation of your food. I don't think he ever washes or changes his apron. No, BC is way past its expiration date.

If they would like to go to a play, they can get 1/2 price theatre tickets to a one of the theatres in Pasadena (tickets will probably be btwn $9.50 and $12.00) The website is www.theatrela.org.