As you venture east past Lake Avenue along Colorado, the cute shops and restaurants segue into drab auto repair shops, dingy motels, and the attendant detritus. But head south and you’ll find not only some of the smartest people in southern California (thanks to the presence of Caltech), but also some of the richest. The homes around Pasadena City College make for a fancy Sunday drive.

Landmarks

• The Huntington • 1151 Oxford Rd
626-405-2100
The perfect place to take relatives from out-of-town.

• Lacy Park • 1485 Virginia Rd
Second only to the Huntington, Lacy Park is 30 acres of gorgeous greenery

• The Old Mill - El Molino Viejo • 1120 Old Mill Rd
626-449-5458
Southern California’s first water-powered gristmill. Who needs Disney’s California Adventure?

Restaurants

• Café Verde • 961 E Green St
626-356-9811 • $$
Tiny and tasty BYOB spot.

• In-N-Out Burger • 2114 E Foothill Blvd
800-786-1000 • $
Top California burger joint.

• Noodle World • 932 Huntington Dr
626-300-1010 • $
Big portions. We’re talking LARGE.

• Rose Garden Tea Room & Cafe • 1151 Oxford Rd
626-683-8131 • $$
The Huntington Library’s famous tea room runs rather pricey, but is a definite don’t miss.

• Yoshida • 2026 Huntington Dr
626-281-9292 • $$$
San Marino’s only place for raw fish and dim sum.