Pasadena/eagle rock/Glendale

Pasadena is where I first decided to live in L.A. It was pretty and I enjoyed the drive on the 110, the country's first modern freeway. Eventually its prettiness bored me. But I think it was a good transition place. Otherwise L.A. would have been way too harsh for me.

Points of interests

Huntington Library

Very picturesque. A collection of themed gardens and art exhibits. There was a Japanese Garden, a Chinese one, a rose garden, an Australian one.. I pretty much felt like I traveled the world in a span of a few hours. They do tea parties too. There is an entrance through of about $20.

Food

Drive to eagle rock for Oinkster for burgers and pastrami. Menu is by a Filipino chef who grew up in New York so he has pastrami recipe down! He also served Ube shakes and has a good beer selection! 

If you crazy about seafood head to Newport Seafood in the San Gabriel Valley for Vietnamese style crab and lobster! Lobster cooked with basil and jalapenos.  Another good place in the valley is DinTai Fung for dimsum or Golden Deli for Vietnamese food. 

Shopping

Stroll around Old town Pasadena. Or drive over to the Americana in Glendale for outdoor shopping. 

Coffee

Intelligentsia or bird pick for tea

Boba
Half and half tea house is the clear winner here. But you must call in your order about an hour before! Yeah. It gets that crazy. Ozero takes 2nd place, order your tea "fluffy." It's almost magical. 

Dessert

Papa rich, for fluffy buns of sweet bread with a slight coffee taste and salty butter! 

Drinks

There's a lot of decent options in old town for drinks, walking around won't be too hard. You can start of a red, white, and bluezz for wine and cheese. Cocktails at the Blind Donkie. End your night at a sports bar  such as  Freddie35er.

Late night food

Doghaus for awesome hotdogs. They even have a very believable vegan dog. They have toppings such as Guac, salsa, cheese... Etc! They also have sweet potato tater tots! Cool space and beer too! 

Hike

Hermit falls

An easy 2 mile down hill and you end up at pools. People like to jump off the 60 foot rock. I rather not. Saw someone get really hurt, but for the adrenaline junkie, it's a good pick. I just relax and jump off the small rock.

Place to stay

Westin: next to old town
feeling fancy? do the Langham