Moving to Pasadena

[vickylikesstars]

Hello all,
I'm going to be moving from the UK to Pasadena in a couple of months. I've been out once before, but only for a couple of days, so its all a bit scary :\
Can anyone reccomend good places to eat/shop/go etc?
Sorry, I realise it's a bit of a broad question, but I really have no clue - I only know a few people there (the people I will be working with) and I don't think that any of them are veggie, although the subject didn't really come up while I was over, so maybe they are!
I'm kind of panicking a bit, I'm moving in 2 months, will have to find somewhere to live, make new friends, all the usual. But maybe if I know where I can eat it will be a bit less scary.
Thanks
v

[luvourmother]

lucky!
pasadena is wonderful, i love that whole area out there, its the best part of los angeles IMO.
here are some local veggie restaurants ive been to in the area of pasadena:
http://www.fattyscafe.com/
http://www.cinnamonvegetarian.com/
http://lovinghutcuisine.com/

there are 2 Whole Foods Markets in Pasadena. Bristol Farms, Gelsons, Wild Oats, and Trader Joe's are all in Pasadena and great places to shop!

here is a link to some meetup groups in the area:
http://vegan.meetup.com/cities/us/ca/pasadena/groups/

a bakery ive yet to try, but looks amazing: http://www.yourveganmom.com/your_vegan_mom/2009/03/a-new-bakery-opened-recently-on-mission-in-south-pasadena-and-this-is-noteworthy-because-my-sweet-cupcake-stocks-three-vega.html

i was just singing this song yesterday, enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hclaMQmzLk

[Amy SF]

Welcome to Southern California! I can't tell you about restaurants, since I don't go out to Pasadena, but I can give you some ideas of where to go grocery shopping.

Trader Joe's is a big deal in this part of the US, so here, from their website, is the listing of their locations in Southern California. http://www.traderjoes.com/Attachments/SC_loc.pdf Scroll down to the San Gabriel Valley section to see the listings for Pasadena. They're more vegetarian friendly than vegan friendly, but they do have some vegan items, and a lot of them are labeled as vegan. A lot of vegetarian items are labeled as such, too.

If you want to shop at Whole Foods, here are their Pasadena locations:

Pasadena
Whole Foods Market • Arroyo
465 South Arroyo Parkway
Pasadena, CA 91105
626.204.2266
626.204.2277 fax
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. seven days a week.

Pasadena
3751 E. Foothill Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107
626.351.5994
626.351.1664 fax
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. seven days a week.

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/all/index.php#ca

Also, I would love to have a meetup in Pasadena because Alternative Outfitters, which is an online vegan boutique, has a showroom in Pasadena!

http://www.alternativeoutfitters.com/contact-us.aspx

[vickylikesstars]

Cool, thank you both for your help!
I'd heard about trader joes, had been informed that was where to buy proper tea bags and marmite (marmite is like crack to me). It's good to know that there is stuff other that wal-mart. Where I live now has a little supermarket and lots of little shops like greengrocers, so i tend to go there rather than face the masses in the cathedral of doom (asda).
I've been thinking about transport too. I'm pretty much set on not buying a car. I haven't had one for a year, before I used to drive a lot, and since getting rid of it I've realised how lazy i was being. Now I just walk/train/bus everywhere. It's saved me a fortune! But everyone keeps telling me how I'll need one when I move because you can't get round LA without one. BUT, while I was there (which was only for a few days, granted), I walked everywhere, and there seemed to be a lot of buses about and there's the metro thing too, so I think I'd be ok. Does anyone have any opinions on this?

[Amy SF]

Having grown up and spent my entire life in the L.A. area and having taken public transport in other cities in various parts of the world, my feeling is that the public transportation system in this part of the country has a lot to be desired. After living here for a while, you may decide you need a car after all, but you may be able to get a used one on the cheap. You can also buy a bicycle to get about town. I can't imagine NOT having a car, but as I've said, I've lived here all my life.

[vickylikesstars]

That's pretty much the impression other have given me too. My bf used to live there and said he needed a car, but then again he still says he needs a car now, and you definately don't here!
I guess I'll have to see how it goes anyway. I won't be in a position to even think about a car until january, so i guess if i can get through a couple of months without one maybe i'll be fine :)
The bike idea is good though. i used to have a bike here but it got stolen :( I miss my bike.
Thanks for your advice, starting to feel better about the whole thing now. I have been to visit once, but it was starting to feel like i was moving to mars. applied for my visa today though, so well on the way now, just a trip to the embassy between me and the governator now :)

[Kellye]

You should check out the Little Homestead in the City. The Dervaes are the founding family of Freedom Gardens and Path To Freedom, a sustainable agriculture nonprofit. They are urban homesteaders who supply a LOT of food to the Pasadena area on a VERY small plot.

http://www.pathtofreedom.com/about/index.shtml

Their documentary "Homegrown Revolution" is a total inspiration! :D

[luvourmother]

i dont have a car and rarely drive!

you can totally live in LA without a car, its easy especially since you are already used to taking public transportation and biking. i think the reason people think you "need" a car in LA is because our public transport system is fairly new and people aren't used to it or have not altered lives yet to use it yet.
The gold line is what you will be riding the most in Pasadena, it is convenient and they are adding another line and just added some more stops. I ride public transportation all over LA and can help whenever you need!

[Amy SF]

luvyourmother: Tell the MTA to add a Subway to the Sea line out to the ocean and I'll change my mind about the area's public transportation system. Until then... :stinkeye: :p

[luvourmother]

until then the buses are frequent and cheap and go everywhere else!

[karlinda]

Hi! Welcome to Pasadena! It's great here, and you can easily live without a car (we've been here 4 & 1/2 years & never needed one!). For getting around, there's the ARTS buses (http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/trans/transit/ARTSRoute_Rev.asp), Foothills buses (http://www.foothilltransit.org/), Metro buses, and the Metro into Union Station (http://www.metro.net/index.asp).

For food shopping there's:


Whole Foods Market, 465 South Arroyo Parkway
Whole Foods Market, 3751 E. Foothill Blvd
Trader Joe's, 345 S Lake Ave
Trader Joe's, 610 S Arroyo Pkwy
Trader Joe's, 467 N Rosemead Blvd
O Happy Days healthfood store & cafe (http://www.vegguide.org/entry/253), 2283 N. Lake Avenue
Farmers' Market, East Villa & Garfield Avenue, Tuesdays, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Farmers' Market, Sierra Madre & Paloma, Saturdays, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Farmers' Market, El Centro and Meridian Avenue, Thursdays, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM


Other shopping:

Alternative Outfitters (http://www.alternativeoutfitters.com/), 408 S Pasadena Ave
Lush Cosmetics, 24 E Colorado Blvd


Food:

My Vegan Restaurant (http://www.vegguide.org/entry/8881), 633 S Arroyo Pkwy # 3
Orean's The Health Express (http://www.vegguide.org/entry/283) (veggie drive-through), 817 N Lake Ave
Japon Bistro (http://www.vegguide.org/entry/3184) (has a good veggie menu, but it's not cheap. Fantastic sakis though!), 927 E Colorado Blvd
Sachi Sushi (http://www.vegguide.org/entry/5972) (has a great vegan menu, and it's cheap!), 696 E Colorado Blvd


Check out the SoCal Green map (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=118004650413820983458.000451766c47c64bbc768&z=7) for other stuff in the area.

For apartments, try Craig's List (http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/apa/). We also know a really good realtor who'll help you find an apartment at no cost to you, if you want his info?

If you want anyone to show you around when you get here, or you want any other info, just give us a holler! :cool:

[vickylikesstars]

Thanks for all the info! It's good to see there's a lush, was just thinking yesterday I needed to the one in liverpool! But now I can put it off till I move (and I actually have some money again) As much as I like being a student, it will be nice to get paid :)
I'd been looking on craigslist to get an idea about apartments, but if you could send me the realtors details that would be great, thanks!
Nerves are starting to set in big style now. I'm off to the embassy next week to get my visa then all I have to do is book my flight... and pack... and finish my thesis... oh bugger :( It will all be fine....

[Amy SF]

Once you're settled in Pasadena and have some time to spare, post back here on the board and let us know. We should plan a meetup. :yes:

[karlinda]

Just PM'd you the realtor's details. He's a good bloke.

As well as Lush, there's also a Body Shop in town, but I never use them now they've sold to L'Oréal. Plus there's the Soap Kitchen (http://www.thesoapkitchen.com/default.asp) - I think all their stuff is vegan.

Forgot to mention another couple of places to eat:


Father Nature's Lavash Wraps (http://www.vegguide.org/entry/250), 17 N De Lacey Avenue
Mediterranean Cafe (http://www.kokosmediterraneancafe.com/), 273 Shoppers Lane
Le Pan Quotidian (http://www.painquotidien.com/), 88 W. Colorado Boulevard

[butterflytat20]

lucky!
pasadena is wonderful, i love that whole area out there, its the best part of los angeles IMO.
here are some local veggie restaurants ive been to in the area of pasadena:
http://www.fattyscafe.com/
http://www.cinnamonvegetarian.com/
http://lovinghutcuisine.com/

there are 2 Whole Foods Markets in Pasadena. Bristol Farms, Gelsons, Wild Oats, and Trader Joe's are all in Pasadena and great places to shop!

here is a link to some meetup groups in the area:
http://vegan.meetup.com/cities/us/ca/pasadena/groups/

a bakery ive yet to try, but looks amazing: http://www.yourveganmom.com/your_vegan_mom/2009/03/a-new-bakery-opened-recently-on-mission-in-south-pasadena-and-this-is-noteworthy-because-my-sweet-cupcake-stocks-three-vega.html

i was just singing this song yesterday, enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hclaMQmzLk

omg! i know exactly where Cinnamon is. i've driven by there. it looks good.
Loving hut i know the area. i should try this place too! oh which one first:pibo:

there is a little place i like called Grassroots Natural Market
1119 Fair Oaks ave. Pasadena, CA
its a health food store and they serve food there. i just had some yummy vegetarian chili beans 2 days ago

[butterflytat20]

so i just came back from lunch at Cinnamon"s resteraunt. i dragged my boyfriend with me, he is not a vegetarian. well he enjoyed it!
he had veggie enchiladas



i had "chicken" fajitas

[maresicle]

I love Pasadena!!!! Congrats on the move!!! As far as public transportation goes, car is king, but the gold line (a train) will take you right into Union Station downtown. From there you can get anywhere!!!

The new Whole Foods in Pas in 2 stories and I've been dying to go!!!

Also, as long as its not fire season, you don't need a gym! Just run around or venture up into the hilly paths above the Rose Bowl! I've covered as much as 18 miles on that terrain so it won't bore you.

Pasadena is home to my FAVE iniquitious/quickie veg spot...Orean's Health Express (http://www.oreanshealthexpress.com)!!!! SUPER YUM!!! Gosh...now I want to get up there for a nosh today :) If you go try the African Birrito and Fries...sigh.