A Pasadena playhouse

Old Town Pasadena remains the perfect place to spend an idyllic evening

By CHRIS SALAZAR
Contributing Writer

To live and drive in Los Angeles. That certainly seems to be the motto for many residents who have become accustomed to living in a city with heavy traffic, noise and pollution. Yet a 15-minute drive northeast from downtown Los Angeles can take you to a whole new world. And while you may need a car to get you there, you certainly don't need one to explore this old town.
Located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, Old Town Pasadena has earned a reputation as Los Angeles' premiere pedestrian neighborhood. It's a place where car-weary Angelenos can go to stroll, window-shop and dine in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Old Town is an authentic neighborhood, which dates back to the 1870s when it was Pasadena's main downtown shopping district. Today the entire district is on the National Register of Historic Places.
"It's a tamer version of Melrose," said Bernadette Kastner, a junior majoring in business.
What many people don't realize is that the present-day appearance of this trendy hotspot is the result of an extensive revitalization process. Not long ago, Old Town Pasadena was little more than a rundown section of decaying buildings and dingy streets. Most of the historic buildings, which indeed give character to the area, have been preserved. Both the interiors and exteriors have been restored for modern use and most of the former tenants have been replaced with upscale vendors.
Old Town Pasadena is centered on a four-block stretch of Colorado Boulevard and is bordered by Pasadena Avenue to the west, Arroyo Parkway to the east, Green Street to the south and Holly Street to the north.
Within this area you'll find an array of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, boutiques, art galleries, billiard rooms and movie theaters. With so many different things to do, it's easy to see why Old Town attracts such a diverse crowd.
"It's a place where you can go and hang out with your friends and have a good time," said Manuel Urteaga, a junior at Cal State Fullerton.
While many people just like to mingle with the crowds, some go to Old Town with a specific purposeto eat, shop or relax with a few drinks.
For those who are looking for a good dining experience, Old Town boasts a number of restaurants and eateries. Some of the more expensive restaurants include Twin Palms, Xiomara and Rhapsody at the Green. For those of you who are looking for great food at a lower price, check out Ruby's Diner, the Crocodile Cafe, Jerry's Famous Deli, Johnny Rockets and Il Fornaio.
If you're looking for a more exotic menu, Old Town offers diverse cuisine from Buca di Beppo (Italian) to Kansai (Asian) to Gaucho Grill (Latin American). In the mood for plain old American food? Try Cafe Xpress or the Cheesecake Factory.
If you're on a diet or trying to lose weight, walk down the street and do some window shopping after a good meal. Old Town offers a variety of retail stores including Banana Republic, Color Me Blue, Gap, J. Crew, Il Teatro and the Old Pasadena General Store. Go shopping for music at Moby Disc or examine collectibles at the Comic Odyssey.
For those who enjoy the nightlife or just want to have a few drinks, visit Moose McGillicuddy's or Q's Billiards, both of which are well-known night clubs and sports bars that offer dancing and live bands.
Sometimes the best place to be is not inside a store, but outside on the sidewalk. It is here that you are likely to run into street performers entertaining visitors as they wander by. The contrast between the secluded alleyways and the airy European-style piazzas demonstrates the charm and tradition of Old Town.
Although the nightlife may seem more appealing to the college crowd, Old Town is also a place where you can go to relax, soak up that California sun and hang out with a friend.
No matter what may take you there, Old Town Pasadena is a wonderful place to enjoy the weather and spend a relaxing day or an eventful nightjust leave the car behind.
From downtown Los Angeles, take the Pasadena (110) Freeway north to Arroyo Parkway. Go north to Colorado Boulevard and head west.

Copyright 2001 by the Daily Trojan. All rights reserved.
This article was published in Vol. 142, No. 53 (Friday, April 6, 2001), beginning on page 5 and ending on page 7.