For those of you who have never visited the left coast, there's plenty to do. First, however, some travel tips. Flying into the Burbank Pasadena Glendale Airport (www.burbankairport.com), rather than LAX, will make for a more pleasant arrival. There's less hassle, fewer people, it's closer and it's named after Bob Hope. Also, the LA area now offers light rail service to hot spots (www.mta.net), so you don't need to cab everywhere.

Pasadena is a great walking town, with great antique shops and boutiques. There's plenty to see as you walk, as well. Examples of Craftsman style architecture like the Gamble House by Greene & Greene are nestled along the streets. The Huntington Library (www.huntington.org), another amazing structure, offers amazing art collections and botanical gardens.

For other arts and entertainment, there's the Norton Simon Museum (www.nortonsimon.org), offering the world's finest collections of European, American and Asian art, or the Pasadena Playhouse (www.pasadenaplayhouse.org), an acclaimed theater occasionally featuring some Hollywood actors trying to keep up their chops.

If gastronomy is your art of choice, Pasadena offers plenty of restaurants to please every palate. Saladang Song (626.793.8123) serves up new spins on classic Thai recipes and Jennifer Lopez' eatery Madre's (www.madresrestaurante.com) has fancier versions of food served in her childhood home.

After you've toured a museum, stuffed your gut and, of course, had a mindful of industrial design, unwind at one of the nearby bars. You could try the famous Derby (www.the-derby.com), a swing haven packed with jumpin' music, or visit the loungey Dresden (www.thedresden.com), featuring beautifully flawed piano jazz. For more information of Pasadena, visit: www.oldpasadena.org or www.pasadenacal.com/shopdine_mtg.htm.