Pasadena CVB, California: exciting developments blooming in Pasadena. (Hospitality).

For associations seeking a dynamic Southern California meeting destination, Pasadena's vibrant turn-of-the-century charm offers welcome respite. There's always something new and intriguing in the city that feels like a village. Recently, Pasadena celebrated the opening of a Craftsman-style, open-air shopping corridor, a cutting-edge museum, and a chic restaurant owned by Jennifer Lopez. And by the end of summer, a decision will be rendered on the much-anticipated expansion of the Pasadena Conference Center. All these enticements and more can be found nestled at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, nine miles north of downtown Los Angeles.

Getting to Pasadena is a snap. Unbeatable airfares are available from the six major carriers that service Burbank Airport. The easily accessible airport is located 15 minutes from downtown Pasadena, and Los Angeles International Airport is a 30-minute drive.

At the city's heart is the Pasadena Conference Center, composed of three unique meeting venues located under one roof. The Exhibition Building offers 32,000 square feet of column-free, carpeted exhibition space. The 28,000-square-foot Conference Building has 20 meeting rooms, and the renowned 3,000-seat Civic Auditorium is ideal for general sessions and large seminars. Proposed expansion plans will double the amount of meeting and exhibition space and add a ballroom. Stay tuned!

Once in Pasadena, guests enjoy convenient access to the city's landmarks and attractions. With Pasadena's mild Mediterranean climate, delegates can walk from nearby hotels to the Pasadena Conference Center and two major shopping and entertainment areas. Spanning 22 blocks, Old Pasadena is one of Southern California's hottest main-street entertainment districts, with 200 trendy boutiques, shops, galleries, bistros, outdoor cafes, and clubs.

Meeting delegates can enjoy Paseo Colorado, Pasadena's new three-block urban village. Located directly across from the Pasadena Conference Center, Paseo Colorado features 60 retail stores, including BCBG Max Azria, J. Jill, Sephora, and Brookstone. With its lush pedestrian promenades, courtyards and terraces, the area encompasses eight restaurants, a 14-screen movie complex, a gourmet market, and a health club.

With 2,500 hotel rooms, Pasadena offers accommodations that will satisfy every group's taste and budget. The historic 392-room Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel and Spa is situated on 23 sprawling acres. The 350-room flagship Double Tree Hotel is located in a tranquil Mediterranean setting across from majestic City Hall. The renovated 317-room Sheraton Pasadena is adjacent to the Pasadena Conference Center, and the 296-room Hilton Pasadena resembles a California boutique-style hotel. The 314-room Courtyard by Marriott, with its Craftsman-inspired decor, is the first hotel located in Old Pasadena.

When it's time to play, meeting attendees and their families will marvel at Pasadena's endless array of leisure activities, Visitors can stroll through scores of upscale shops on South Lake Avenue, find a rare antique in the Playhouse District, golf at Brookside Golf Course, or enjoy a sporting event at the world-famous Rose Bowl Stadium. Museumgoers can visit the newly opened Pasadena Museum of California Art, dedicated solely to the exhibition of California art, architecture, and design from 1850 to the present. Adding to its appeal, the museum features a 4,000-square-foot rooftop terrace with scenic views, available for off-site events. Visitors can also enjoy masterpieces by Van Gogh, Degas, Picasso, and Rembrandt at the Norton Simon Museum or explore the 207-acre Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens. Located on the estate of the late Henry Huntington, the library features 4 million items, including an original Gutenberg Bible and Ellesmere's manuscript of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The 15 botanical gardens include a desert garden, rose garden, Japanese garden, and herb garden.

As the birthplace of Julia Child, Pasadena is home to some of California's finest restaurants. Choose from more than 500, including Madre's, the stylish Latin-style eatery recently opened by singer and actress Jennifer Lopez. With such a distinguished culinary history, it's little wonder that the California School of Culinary Arts recently opened its main campus in Pasadena. An affiliate institution of Paris' Le Cordon Bleu, the school offers a three-hour cooking class that is ideal for an off-site event or spousal program.

After dark, the village takes on a whole new flavor. Guests can dance the night away at a trendy nightspot or relax to soothing sounds of jazz. Theatre enthusiasts can enjoy the Pasadena Playhouse or a Broadway-style musical at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Group tickets are also available for the acclaimed Pasadena Symphony.

Adding to Pasadena's appeal, free ARTS buses shuttle visitors between the city's bustling shopping and entertainment districts and several attractions, It's all here in the city that feels like a village.