Oak House Guide
Sightseeing
This place has something for everyone. The gardens (particularly the desert, Japanese, and Chinese gardens are worth the visit alone. However, there are several incredible art museums inside specializing in American and European art. The library itself is great too. One of our favorite places in the region and where we got engaged.
999 locals recommend
Huntington Library Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford RdThis place has something for everyone. The gardens (particularly the desert, Japanese, and Chinese gardens are worth the visit alone. However, there are several incredible art museums inside specializing in American and European art. The library itself is great too. One of our favorite places in the region and where we got engaged.
Shopping, cute and walkable streets, bars and restaurants... lots to do in the area.
480 locals recommend
Old Pasadena
23 E Colorado BlvdShopping, cute and walkable streets, bars and restaurants... lots to do in the area.
If you want incredible views of the region much higher up than the Hollywood Hills, complete with an abandoned railroad and hotel at the summit, give yourself some time for this hike. Do not do on a hot day.
8 locals recommend
Sam Merrill Trailhead
Sam Merrill TrailIf you want incredible views of the region much higher up than the Hollywood Hills, complete with an abandoned railroad and hotel at the summit, give yourself some time for this hike. Do not do on a hot day.
If you're in the area during the holidays, just down the street from us is Christmas Tree Lane, a residential street lined with Deodar Cedars that the neighbors have decorated in holiday lights for over 100 years.
6 locals recommend
Christmas Tree Lane
Christmas Tree LaneIf you're in the area during the holidays, just down the street from us is Christmas Tree Lane, a residential street lined with Deodar Cedars that the neighbors have decorated in holiday lights for over 100 years.
Football Games, Concerts, Flea Markets... etc. One of the most famous football stadiums in the country is less than 3 miles away.
575 locals recommend
Rose Bowl Stadium
1001 Rose Bowl DrFootball Games, Concerts, Flea Markets... etc. One of the most famous football stadiums in the country is less than 3 miles away.
This is another beautiful botanical garden nearby to the place. Here the focus is really just on the gardens. Seasonal light displays are quite nice as well.
238 locals recommend
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso DrThis is another beautiful botanical garden nearby to the place. Here the focus is really just on the gardens. Seasonal light displays are quite nice as well.
Great museum close by focusing on a wide variety of styles. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, etc.
485 locals recommend
Norton Simon Museum
411 W Colorado BlvdGreat museum close by focusing on a wide variety of styles. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, etc.
A must-see for any architecture buff, particularly those smitten with Arts & Crafts / California Craftsman, etc. This house was built for the Gamble millionaires (of Proctor & Gamble) by the renowned MIT-trained Greene & Greene. The garage was used as Doc's garage in Back to the Future. The exterior of the home is stunning but the home's interior is well worth the tour with a docent (call ahead). Greene & Greene were known for their fastidious attention to detail. That comes through in this museum-quality home that's been immaculately preserved.
157 locals recommend
The Gamble House
4 Westmoreland PlA must-see for any architecture buff, particularly those smitten with Arts & Crafts / California Craftsman, etc. This house was built for the Gamble millionaires (of Proctor & Gamble) by the renowned MIT-trained Greene & Greene. The garage was used as Doc's garage in Back to the Future. The exterior of the home is stunning but the home's interior is well worth the tour with a docent (call ahead). Greene & Greene were known for their fastidious attention to detail. That comes through in this museum-quality home that's been immaculately preserved.
Food scene
This casual Taiwanese place is an incredibly good value and down to earth. The Joy special is such a value. Highly recommend. Cute shops and bars in this area too.
84 locals recommend
Joy
5100 York BlvdThis casual Taiwanese place is an incredibly good value and down to earth. The Joy special is such a value. Highly recommend. Cute shops and bars in this area too.
This is not LA-style Mexican food, more Texas-style. Nevertheless, approachable and good. Nice ambience.
188 locals recommend
HomeState
4624 Hollywood BlvdThis is not LA-style Mexican food, more Texas-style. Nevertheless, approachable and good. Nice ambience.
Great pollo a la brasa (roasted chicken) and the burritos are huge and killer. The sides here are good too. A 2 minute walk from the place. - Great casual spot
Pollos Puebla
2057 N Los Robles AveGreat pollo a la brasa (roasted chicken) and the burritos are huge and killer. The sides here are good too. A 2 minute walk from the place. - Great casual spot
My Place Cafe
2057 N Los Robles AveCute local cafe. 2 mins walk from the place.
High-quality artisanal products including brass extruded pasta and gourmet ingredients from Italy and elsewhere. Very close to the place and a good place to stop and buy gifts for loved ones.
Semolina Artisanal Pasta
1976-1978 Lincoln AveHigh-quality artisanal products including brass extruded pasta and gourmet ingredients from Italy and elsewhere. Very close to the place and a good place to stop and buy gifts for loved ones.
Delicious soul food / southern food / diner fare in the heart of Altadena.
19 locals recommend
Fox's Restaurant
2352 Lake AveDelicious soul food / southern food / diner fare in the heart of Altadena.
Bulgarini Gelato Artigianale
749 E Altadena DrGelatooooo, need I say more?
A-1 Liquor
2040 N Los Robles AveBeer, wine, liquor? The closest place to purchase that. 2 mins walk
Great grocery store nearby.
Strengths: affordable produce, international products, dairy, deli
Weaknesses: Butcher, baked goods, highly processed foods
37 locals recommend
Super King Markets
2260 Lincoln AveGreat grocery store nearby.
Strengths: affordable produce, international products, dairy, deli
Weaknesses: Butcher, baked goods, highly processed foods
Great selection and prices. Lovely if you need some help purchasing the right bottle for a special event or a loved one.
Total Wine & More
721 E Colorado BlvdGreat selection and prices. Lovely if you need some help purchasing the right bottle for a special event or a loved one.
Activities
A public outdoor pool close to the stadium you can get a day passes for if you'd like to soak in some rays and get some laps in.
https://www.rosebowlaquatics.org/
31 locals recommend
Rose Bowl Aquatics Center
360 N Arroyo BlvdA public outdoor pool close to the stadium you can get a day passes for if you'd like to soak in some rays and get some laps in.
https://www.rosebowlaquatics.org/
Second Sunday of every month, there's a giant outdoor flea market. 10 dollar admission.
https://www.rgcshows.com/
Pro Tip: If it's over 85 degrees, don't go. You'll melt in the sun.
99 locals recommend
Rose Bowl Flea Market
1001 Rose Bowl DrSecond Sunday of every month, there's a giant outdoor flea market. 10 dollar admission.
https://www.rgcshows.com/
Pro Tip: If it's over 85 degrees, don't go. You'll melt in the sun.
Though this post just includes this one business, it is meant to cover all of the lovely antique marts up and down Fair Oaks.
Pasadena Antiques & Design
330 S Fair Oaks AveThough this post just includes this one business, it is meant to cover all of the lovely antique marts up and down Fair Oaks.
Great plant nursery nearby. Both indoor and outdoor plants, but more emphasis on outdoor.
Lincoln Ave. Nursery
804 Lincoln AveGreat plant nursery nearby. Both indoor and outdoor plants, but more emphasis on outdoor.
BLVD Nursery
170 E Orange Grove BlvdGreat nursery with a strong selection of indoor plants, planters, etc.
Deliciously steampunk/retro/industrial bowling alley, bar, and restaurant in the heart of Highland Park.
253 locals recommend
Highland Park Bowl
5621 N Figueroa StDeliciously steampunk/retro/industrial bowling alley, bar, and restaurant in the heart of Highland Park.