Black Meetings and Tourism

PASADENA Situated at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains just nine miles northeast of downtown L.A., Pasadena has a wide array of cultural, historical and recreational attrac- tions. The 22 blocks that make up Old Pasadena contain more than 130 retail stores, art galleries, theaters and restaurants. Other places to shop and eat include South Lake Avenue, One Colorado and Paseo Colorado, a three-block segment of Pasadena's Civic Center. Those with still more shopping to do can head to the Rose Bowl Flea Market or check out more than 120 stores at the Pasadena Antique Center. The city's Pasadena Playhouse District includes the historic Pasadena Playhouse — the official state theater of California — as well as other performance venues. Another famous Pasadena landmark is the Gamble House, a classic example of the Craftsman architectural style. The Gamble House has rentable space for events, as do several other local attractions. They include the Huntington Library, Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 71 ed by founding member David Hilliard. Jack London Square, the popular waterfront entertainment district, will welcome the new Jack London Market in spring 2009 as the largest public market on the West Coast. At Lake Merritt, you can take a gondola ride and a tour of the Rotary Nature Center and the Victorian-style Camron-Stanford House. Another architectural landmark, the historic Paramount Theatre, also offers tours. Local kid-friendly attractions include the Oakland Zoo, the Chabot Space & Science Center, the Museum of Children's Art and Children's Fairyland. The Oakland Convention Center & Oakland Marriott City Center encompasses 48,000 sq. ft. of column-free exhibit space and 12 meeting rooms in the convention center, plus 25,000 sq. feet of meeting and function space in the hotel. Colorado Street Bridge at sunset,Pasadena, California Photo Credit: Pasadena CVB

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