We are planning a trip to visit our son who lives in Pasadena in two weeks, and need to stay at a motel/hotel. Please recommend a hotel, perhaps you've stayed at there on a visit. We can't pay above $150 and would prefer less per night for accommodations.

Thinking of maybe the Comfort Inn, but would like to stay closer to Old Town Pasadena and the shopping area. Any suggestions? Also, can one get by without using a car for the area?

T

TT

Can your son who lives there scout out lodgings for you? Sorry, I stay with private when there so I can't help with that.

If for some reason your son can't help, use google and input the word combinations "hotel Pasadena" and "motel Pasadena" - then click on the results, get the pricing, use Google Maps to see where they are, and you should find something.

You will need a car, it's that sort of place, unless you find lodgings in walking distance to your son and don't plan on going anywhere.

Visit the Norton Simon museum, the gardens are wonderful, and their collection is stunning.

In the last few years, I have twice used Priceine bidding for a hotel in Pasadena. Both times I was successful in winning a 4* hotel with a $75 bid.

Go to biddingfortravel.com to see the list of 4* hotels in Pasadena.

Not far from Norton Simon Museum, is the Gamble House. It is a gem and should not be missed.
http://www.gamblehouse.org/

The Marriott Courtyard on Fair Oaks is very nice. Right in the middle of downtown Pasadena. I would think you could get a rate below $150 there. I have stayed there around a dozen times and always enjoyed it.

Sorry, I should have said 3.5* hotel on Priceline for Pasadena. There are only three 3.5* hotels reported for Pasadena, which are:
Hilton
Sheraton
Westin

There are no 4* hotels listed on Priceline for Pasadena.
http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/top...OTEL-LIST.html

I would also bid on Priceline. We have stayed at several hotels in the Pasadena Area when attending weddings and they have been very nice. Bid for 3.5* Good Luck!

The Huntington Library in Pasadena is also well worth a visit. It's a beautiful old mansion with a lovely collection and wonderful gardens.

Can't help with hotels, but in my experience, a car is pretty much a necessity in CA. But it depends on what you want to do and see.

Yes, you will need a car in the Pasadena area.

I like the location of the Westin/Marriott Courtyard hotels better than the Hilton/Sheraton. Not sure I would want to stay on E. Colorado in one of the cheaper hotels.

Highly recommend the Huntington Library. The gardens are lovely and the galleries/mansion are wonderful.

There are so many beautiful homes to ogle in Pasadena, I suggest a drive or walk around the Oak Knoll area (Wentworth, Hillcrest) in the vicinity of the Langham (former Ritz Carleton.)

The Huntington is indeed worth a visit or three. It is located 5 miles southeast of the Norton Simon, and not near a bus stop.

The Descanso Gardens (http://www.descansogardens.org/site/) is a very nice place, too, a good six miles to the north, roughly where the 210 and the 2 meet. Highly recommended.

Don't forget that the Metro Gold Line lightrail is close to the Sheraton, Hilton and Westin. Runs every 8-9 minutes, 20 minutes to L.A. Union Station, $1.25.

The actual gardens at the Huntington Library are a bit sparse right now (went a couple of weekends ago), however there is going to be a cool Lincoln Exhibition that starts this Saturday.

My favorite new restaurant in town is:
Siena Ristorante
www.sienapasadena.com
43 E Union St
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 584-6050
Very good Italian.

My old favorites include:
Cafe Santorini
70 W Union St
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 564-4200
Mediterranean menu. Good lamb dishes.

Azeen's Afghani Restaurant
110 E Union St.
Pasadena
(626) 683-3310
A little gem is an Afghan restaurant in Pasadena: Great kabobs and fantastic appetizers. Very affordable.

Café Bizou
91 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena 91103
(626) 792-9923
Good food (steak au poivre is my favorite) and only two dollar corkage. It can be noisy, but it is a fun place. We'll be there tomorrow for a birthday.

Mojitos Restaurant & Rum Bar
69 N Raymond Ave
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 796-2520

Some neighborhood restaurants within 1/2 hour drive that I like are:

Girasole in Larchmont (very close to Hollywood, 1/2 hour from Pasadena) is a cute, intimate Italian restaurant.
Terrific pasta dishes
No liquor license, so bring your own. No corkage. Reservations are recommended, especially on a weekend. I love their panecotta dessert.
225 1/2 N Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004-3706
Phone: (323) 464-6978

Canelé
3219 Glendale Blvd.
Atwater Village
323-666-7133

www.artistsinns.com

I was thinking of the Artist's Inn, too, as it is close to the Mission Gold Line station (I would still want a car) and cute shopping/cafe area in South Pasadena. (The Inn has been 'for sale', don't know how that affects their business.)

The Bissell House is another B&B in South Pasadena.

Yes, I agree the gardens are the Huntington are sparse at the moment (the roses are not in bloom.) But it's camellia time, the ornamental fruit trees are beginning to burst, ditto the magnolias plus the desert garden is always spectacular. Definitely worth a visit.