Pasadena CVB.

The City That Feels Like a Village

When Looking for the ideal Southern California meeting destination, consider the unique turn-of-the-century atmosphere that is Pasadena. Nestled at the base of the majestic San Gabriel Mountains, this charming "village" is located just 15 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles. And with premier hotels, meeting facilities, and leisure pursuits all within steps of each other, it's easy to see why meeting delegates find Pasadena easy to Love and hard to Leave.

The renovated Pasadena Conference Center features three distinct meeting venues, all under one roof. The Exhibition Building offers 32,000 square feet of carpeted, column-free exhibition space. The 28,000-square-foot Conference Building features 20 well appointed meeting rooms, and the renowned 3,000 seat Pasadena Civic Auditorium is ideal for general sessions and Large seminars.

The center lies within walking distance of four major hotels and Old Pasadena--one of Southern California's hottest main street shopping and entertainment districts. The bustling 20-block area, noted for its historic, turn-of-the-century architecture features 200 chic boutiques, shops, galleries, bistros, outdoor cafes, and clubs. Nationally known retailers include Saks Fifth Avenue, Crate & Barrel, Banana Republic, Restoration Hardware, The Gap, Illuminations, and more.

And beginning in October 2001, visitors can enjoy Paseo Colorado. Located across the street from the Pasadena Conference Center, this three-block, open air urban village will feature 65 street-front retail shops, Macy's department store, eight restaurants and outdoor cafes, a day spa, a 4,000-seat multiscreen movie complex, a gourmet market, and a health club.

With 2,500 hotel rooms, Pasadena specializes in small to midsize meetings, making it ideal for groups requiring 600-1,000 peak rooms. The city's major resort, the 392-room Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa, is situated on 23 sprawling acres and features a full-service spa and salon. The 350-room flagship DoubleTree Hotel is located in a tranquil Mediterranean setting at the Plaza of the Fountains, adjacent to Pasadena City Hall. The renovated, 317-room Sheraton Pasadena is located directly next to the Pasadena Conference Center, while the 296-room Hilton Pasadena has been transformed into a California boutique-style hotel. The 314-room Courtyard by Marriott, which opened in August 2000, is the first hotel to be located in Old Pasadena.

Once business is finished, Pasadena offers an endless array of leisure activities. Meeting participants can stroll through scores of upscale shops on South Lake Avenue or find a rare antique in the Playhouse District. Golf enthusiasts can play 18 holes at Brookside Golf Course, which is located adjacent to the world-famous Rose Bowl in the lush Arroyo Seco recreation area.

Pasadena is also home to some of the country's most revered museums. Visitors can enjoy seven centuries of European art at the Norton Simon Museum. Named one of America's top 25 museums by Travel Holiday, the Norton Simon features masterpieces by Van Gogh, Degas, Picasso, Fragonard, and Rembrandt.

Visitors can also 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 the Gutenberg Bible and the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Among the treasures in the art collection are Gainsborough's Blue Boy and Lawrence's Pinkie. The 15 botanical gardens include a desert garden, rose garden, Japanese garden, and herb garden.

Evenings in Pasadena offer a host of options. As Julia Child's birthplace and the home of Le Cordon Blue-affiliated California School of Culinary Arts, Pasadena is recognized as a dining mecca. With 500 restaurants, visitors can dine on culinary creations from around the world in a variety of settings. And Pasadena's balmy evenings invite diners to enjoy their meals alfresco year-round.

After indulging in fabulous fare, visitors can top it off by experiencing Pasadena's nightlife. From soothing jazz, dance, and comedy clubs, to extravagant Broadway-style musicals at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena has the perfect ending for a night on the town.

With Southern California's mild Mediterranean climate, visitors can easily walk to most of Pasadena's sites and attractions. Delegates can also ride a free ARTS bus when traveling to and from the major entertainment and shopping areas of Old Pasadena, South Lake Avenue, and the Pasadena Playhouse District.

Adding to Pasadena's appeal, Burbank Airport is 15 minutes from Pasadena, while Los Angeles International Airport is just 30 minutes away.