Pasadena

If Venice Beach [1] is the liberal haven of L.A., rockers love the Sunset Strip [2], and the gay community flocks to West Hollywood [3], then Pasadena is the elder statesman of the Los Angeles [4] neighborhoods and towns.

Once a resort-like haven for the very wealthy, Pasadena gently decayed, then was re-created as a charming upper- middle-class residential town.

Dotted throughout Pasadena, you can still see fabulous examples of the Craftsman architecture that was prevalent throughout Southern California in the early 20th century. This older city also lays claim to one of the best known and most attended parades (and ensuing college football games) in the United States.

Finally, Pasadena has the distinction of being the town in which my dad was born and raised.