Secret Places Pasadena California
Well, I know the secret places, And the nests in hedge and tree; At what doors are friendly faces, in what hearts are thoughts of me. - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
It might be hard to believe but wandering in the urban sprawl of Pasadena in Southern California can transport you to Europe without taking flight. I am quickly collecting a laundry list of interesting evocative places in Southern California that are worth a wander during an afternoon or day.
This week, I decided to compile some destinations that formed a nice circle not too far from home and venture abroad and see what’s what. I don’t know about you but one of the questions that’s nudging at my mind is what is so special about Pasadena that so many interesting, intriguing almost secret places can be found here.
If you have thoughts and answers to Why Pasadena? please share them in comments of notes so we can all share in the knowledge.
My first stop on today’s adventure was the Arlington Gardens. Apparently, this area was once the staging area for the construction of the 710-freeway expansion but when the freeway project was abandoned due to community opposition this parcel of land was left vacant and eventually turned into a garden.
Betty and Charles Mckenny are the founders of the garden who worked with designer Mayita Dinos based on inspiration from the book Sun-Drenched Gardens: The Mediterranean Style. The Garden they created demonstrates how beautiful and practical a well-planned, water conserving, and climate appropriate garden can be.
The garden includes thousands of California-native plants and a variety to benches, tables, birdbaths and statues. You definitely feel like you may be in Italy as you wander through the garden.
Another very interesting feature is this walk of wish trees donated by Yoko Ono which are laden with wishes tied on the branches. You can bring your own wish here as well as read other’s wishes.
We left the Mediterranean lands behind for the urban sprawl of South Pasadena to step back in time at the Fair Oaks Pharmacy on the corner of Mission and Fair Oaks.
People could get ice cream, candies, drinks, sodas, milk shakes and custom compounded medications all under one roof.
You can sit at a swivel stool and order and enjoy your treats as you chat with the gentleman behind the counter. Alternatively, there are tables scattered around both inside and outside. I actually took my ice cream to go.
Even though I could not relate to all the various candies and items for sale and display I sure enjoyed browsing through everything on offer.
The Old Mill, El Molino Viejo, was completed about 1816 as a gristmill for Mission San Gabriel. The original adobe sits amongst a couple of acres of gardens that highlights many of the trees and plants that would have been in the Mission San Gabriel’s Garden.
There is a strong sense of serenity and peace as you sit at one of the benches scattered about the garden where I enjoyed my ice cream treat from the Fair Oaks Pharmacy.
The historic adobe building so reminiscent of the early Spanish settlers is open to the public, but I came here too late to go in.
Summer concerts are hosted here on the patio with soothing sound of the fountain and lights strung across the top. I will be checking the schedule and hope to make it here for an evening entertainment.
As I moved along my circuit, I made a brief stop at the very charming Burlington Arcade that is modeled after a shopping arcade in London complete with its authentic red phone booth. There are some interesting shops and cafes, here that were fun to browse through.
My last stop on my way home, The Wrigley Mansion and Rose Gardens. Originally the home of chewing gum magnate William Wrigley this mansion is now the headquarters of the Tournament of Roses and sits amidst lavish rose gardens that are free to the public.
Supposedly this was one of Mrs. Wrigley favorite homes since she could watch the Rose Parade pass by from her front porch.
Another beautiful rose garden to add to the list of rose gardens that I have been exploring this spring. Of course, it’s a bit late in the season now but still the roses covered the grounds in color.
One of the reasons I picked Sydney in Spring is to see the Jacaranda Trees blooming. Did you know that Los Angeles has so many Jacaranda trees that the city actually maintains a map where they might be found.
Here in Pasadena as I made my circuit, I drove down a street with blooming trees. What a fabulous finale to a wonderful afternoon.
And no, I’m not canceling my Australia trip because I’ve seen the Jacaranda bloom here at home.