Beyond the excitement of the Annual
Rose Bowl Parade and football game, Pasadena, California is also a Route 66 adventure.
The original path of The Mother Road began in Old Town where Colorado Boulevard meets Fair
Oaks Avenue. This is also the first road through town to sport the new Historic Route 66
signs. Buildings dating from the 1920s stand alongside more contemporary business houses
such as the Rose City Diner where flapjacks hit the grill at 6:30 a.m. in an
atmosphere of yesteryear. A walk along Colorado Boulevard will quickly burn off any
breakfast, and window shopping in Old Town can be entertaining and enlightening.
History buffs will appreciate the unique merchandise of the many antique dealers,
including early mission furniture. And occasionally, the intrepid buyer will find
treasures such as maps with 66 shields. But, don't overlook the contemporary work that can
be found at modern shops like the Mano Gallery. Here, visitors can sample work by
artists and artisans from across the nation. It is a refreshing view of today's creative
energies.
Nature's creations are also well represented in Pasadena. In addition to the fine rose
gardens, there are rare and remarkable gardens with other themes. Just off Route 66 on
North Los Robles Avenue is the Pacific Asia Museum. The building was constructed as
a residence in the 1920s and is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Its garden is one of only two authentic Chinese gardens in the United States. And in
neighboring San Marino, you can visit the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and
Botanical Gardens. Among the fifteen different gardens on the grounds is the largest
matured cacti garden in the country.
While the Huntington may be a few blocks off Route 66, it has brought to California
what would otherwise require a long Route 66 drive to Springfield, Illinois. In
cooperation with Illinois State Historical Library, the Huntington is home to one of the
largest and most comprehensive exhibitions ever devoted to the life and achievements of
Abraham Lincoln.
A drive back to Old Town by way of south Fair Oaks will take you to the Route 66 Restaurant at the corner of Bellevue. This is not a
historic landmark, but does present an interesting automotive history as its theme. The
menu is not traditional highway fare, but the meatloaf sandwich has been road tested, and
the auto atmosphere is a treat in itself. Their small, but tasteful gift shop offers a
variety of items for the auto enthusiast including Route 66 merchandise. The dining room
is decorated with classic vehicle as well as contemporary art reflecting the impact of the
automobile in our culture. (This business has closed its doors since this article was
first published).
The art of masters, such as Monet and Picasso, is featured at the Norton Simon
Museum. The museum is on the second alignment of Route 66 through Pasadena. (See Map) From the 1930s to 1940s Route 66 traveled west on
Colorado from Fair Oaks to Figueroa. The Norton Simon is located just before the Colorado Street Bridge crosses the Arroyo Seco. This
structure is a work of art itself. Because of difficulties in finding solid footing,
engineer John Drake Mecereau gave the bridge its graceful curves. It stands 150 feet high
and extends 1,468 feet. Weaknesses were discovered in 1989 and the bridge was closed for
reconstruction. Today the bridge is painstakingly rebuilt with all the original elegance.
A drive across this national treasure is a must.
Turning back toward Old Town offers options to view other architectural marvels. South
of Colorado on Orange Grove is the Tournament House and Wrigley Gardens; home to
the Tournament of Roses Association. It was originally built by William Wrigley of chewing
gum fame in 1914.
A drive north of Colorado on Orange Grove leads to the Gamble House. This home
of hand-rubbed woods and multi-colored glass was designed by the team of Greene and Greene
who are recognized as masters of the Arts and Crafts era. It was built in 1908 for David
and Mary Gamble of Proctor and Gamble. These are only two of the many fine and famous
homes and buildings in Pasadena. Many are registered as National Historic Landmarks, and
tours are available through most of the homes.
Historic Route 66 makes its third and latest run through the city off Colorado at
Arroyo Parkway. This alignment leads to downtown LA and points west by way of the Pasadena
Freeway 110. First referred to as Arroyo Seco Parkway, this ushered in the freeway system
of modern Los Angeles. But, don't miss the opportunities this course affords. When you
take time to exit, you'll find cultures of Native Americans, including those of this
region at the Southwest Museum, the beauty of native plants surrounding a home of
native stone built by Charles Lummis at El Alisal, and the charm of Southern
California before the days of freeways at Heritage Square.
Staying in Pasadena is a comfortable option. The city holds as many overnight rooms as
Tucumcari, more than 2,000. It is a short drive to Follows Camp in Azusa for RV
travelers, and all the major attractions of Southern California are within reach by
freeway.
Old Town bustles late into the evening. Most stores and restaurants are open past 7
p.m. check the menu boards for your personal tastes and budget. Jake's has been
pleasing the taste buds with his hamburgers since 1947. Sports bars often feature live
entertainment on the weekends, and the billiard cafes offer a rack of ribs or a rack of
eight ball.
For an epitome of fine music, enjoy the nearly perfect acoustics of the Ambassador
Auditorium. Sounds vary from the International Piano Competition to James Whitmore's
presentation of Will Roger's USA. The Pasadena Civic Pop offers such diverse per- formers
as Emmylou Harris and the Guy Lombardo Royal Canadians to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
The Pasadena Playhouse has brought theater to California audiences for
seventy-five years. It is the official State Theater and has served as the training ground
for many famous actors; both stage and screen. The Spanish architecture building was
constructed in 1917 and has recently undergone renovation.
Whatever Route 66 you chose to explore in Pasadena, you're sure to find an adventure.
Pasadena is a pleasant portrait of historic and present day Southern California. Write or
stop by the Pasadena Conventions and Visitors Bureau for more information. Ask for
a Los Angeles Arts Passport for significant savings on local land area attractions.
