Concierge.com's insider take:

Pasadena is famous for the Rose Bowl and Parade, and for the remarkably beautiful architecture, including landmark Greene and Greene houses. Old Pasadena once was a bohemian mecca, but though it's evolved into a collection of chain stores, it does still have Vroman's, the largest independent bookstore in town (695 E. Colorado Blvd.; 626-449-5320; www.vromansbookstore.com). The Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa (626-568-3900; www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/huntington/) is a landmark with a great high tea. Not far away is the beautiful Santa Anita Race Track, as well as the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Don't miss the Huntington Library + Gardens (see above); the generous-sized cactus garden, formal Japanese gardens, and English landscaped gardens are wonderful.