Southern California Close-Ups: Pasadena and environs

The 1901 Charles Sumner Greene House began with two bedrooms, eventually becoming seven, with a brick garage built into the hillside as the last addition to the house in 1914.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The 1906 Cole House is now the home for the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church of Pasadena.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

“Mountain,” a 1937 sculpture by artist Aristide Maillol, sits in the garden of the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors take in “The Triumph of Virtue and Nobility Over Ignorance” by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

A float from South Pasadena entitled, “When life gives you lemons...”   (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Tiffany & Co. is one of the stores along Colorado Boulevard in Old Pasadena.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Tina Raymond, left, and Paul Lines entertain the crowd at Red White + Bluezz Jazz Club in Old Pasadena.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Upstairs at Zona Rosa Caffe, in the heart of the Pasadena Playhouse District, visitors can drink Mexican hot chocolate and view artwork.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Now nearing 90, the Rose Bowl is in the middle of a renovation, but the sports continue. Besides hosting the Rose Bowl football game every January, the stadium is home field for UCLA football.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Mother and daughter play in the entrance to the Kidspace, a participatory museum for children.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The Langham Hotel, Pasadena (1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave.), stands on 23 genteel acres and specializes in spa indulgences and twinkling holiday decorations.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The wine cellar at the Royce restaurant, which opened at the Langham in late 2010.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

For the cost of breakfast, you can watch early workouts at Santa Anita Park from Clocker’s Corner at the west end of the track. In the afternoon, for $5 adult admission, you can watch the races or linger near the paddock room and gardens as horses, jockeys and trainers prepare.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Jerry Truman walks down the Mt. Wilson Trail with his dog Missy.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Patrons work on laptops inside Bean Town coffeehouse.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Din Tai Fung offers its world-famous dumplings at two locations in Arcadia.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Student Jasmine Hulett walks to her next class at Occidental College in Eagle Rock.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Annette Baghumyan and Arthur Abopyan enjoy lunch at Auntie Em’s in Eagle Rock.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Callie Butts, 21, relaxes with a book outside Buster’s Ice Cream & Coffee Stop in South Pasadena.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Attractions at Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens (1151 Oxford Road, San Marino) include Thomas Gainsborough’s 18th century “The Blue Boy” painting and 120 acres of gardens, including a bamboo forest.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Children play on the grounds of the Huntington Library.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Lacy Park in San Marino is a 30-acre refuge of tall trees and paths well-suited to beginning bicyclists. On weekends, there’s a $4 fee for nonresidents 4 and older.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Julienne restaurant and gourmet market in San Marino is good for a meal or a quick stop to pick up picnic fixings.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)