The Gamble House
The huge two-story Gamble House, built in 1908 as a California vacation home for the wealthy family of Procter and Gamble fame, is a sublime example of Arts and Crafts architecture. The interior, designed by the famous Pasadena-based Greene and Greene architectural team, abounds with handcraftsmanship, including intricately carved teak cornices, custom-designed furnishings, elaborate carpets, and a fantastic Tiffany glass door. No detail was overlooked. Every oak wedge, downspout, air vent, and switch plate contributes to the unified design. Admission is by 1-hour guided tour only, which departs every 15 minutes. Tickets go on sale on tour days in the bookstore at 10am. No reservations are necessary, but tours are often sold out, especially on weekends by 2pm.If you can't fit the tour into your schedule but have an affection for Craftsman design, visit the well-stocked bookstore and museum shop located in the former garage (you can also see the exterior and grounds of the house this way). The bookstore is open Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 5pm, and Sunday 11:30am to 5pm.Additional elegant Greene & Greene creations (still privately owned) abound 2 blocks away along Arroyo Terrace, including nos. 368, 370, 400, 408, 424, and 440. The Gamble House bookstore can give you a walking-tour map and also conducts guided neighborhood tours by appointment.

Norton Simon Museum of Art
Named for a food-packing king and financier who reorganized the failing Pasadena Museum of Modern Art, the Norton Simon displays one of the finest private collections of European, American, and Asian art in the world (and yet another feather in the cap of architect Frank Gehry, who redesigned the interior space). Comprehensive collections of masterpieces by Degas, Picasso, Rembrandt, and Goya are augmented by sculptures by Henry Moore and Auguste Rodin, including The Burghers of Calais, which greets you at the gates. The "Blue Four" collection of works by Kandinsky, Jawlensky, Klee, and Feininger is impressive, as is a superb collection of Southeast Asian sculpture. Still Life with Lemons, Oranges, and a Rose (1633), an oil by Francisco de Zurbarán, is one of the museum's most important holdings. Perhaps the most popular piece is The Flower Vendor/Girl with Lilies, by Diego Rivera, followed by Goya's Disasters of War. The collection of paintings, sculptures, pastels, and prints by French Impressionist Edgar Degas is among the best in the world. Tip: Unless you're an art expert, you'll probably want to take the "Acoustiguide" audio tour -- it's $3 well spent.

Descanso Gardens
Camellias -- evergreen flowering shrubs from China and Japan -- were the passion of amateur gardener E. Manchester Boddy, who began planting them here in 1941. Today his 160-acre Descanso Gardens contain more than 100,000 camellias in more than 600 varieties, blooming under a canopy of California oak trees. The shrubs now share the limelight with a 9-acre International Rosarium, home to hundreds of varieties. This is a very relaxing place, with paths and streams that wind through the towering forest, bordering a lake, bird sanctuary, Japanese Garden & Tea House, and Boddy House art museum. Each season features different plants: daffodils, azaleas, tulips, and lilacs in the spring; chrysanthemums in the fall; and so on. Monthly art exhibits are held in the garden's hospitality house, and the Courtyard Café offers light meals daily from 10am to 3pm. Guided tram tours, which cost $2, run Tuesday through Friday at 1, 2, and 3pm; and Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 1, 2, and 3pm. Picnicking is allowed in specified areas.

Miyako Hotel Los Angeles
Find the Spirit of Japan at the Miyako Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The handsomely appointed and spacious guest rooms feature all the comforts of being home while away from home. The decor of the 174 guest rooms brings a blend of Japanese elegant flair with the spacious contemporary comforts of home to make your stay more enjoyable. All rooms are equipped with complimentary high speed internet connections, in-room safe, work desk, coffee maker, iron and ironing boards, hairdryer, mini ...

Elan Hotel Modern
Vibrant, culturally balanced and perfectly located. Just steps from the Beverly Center, at the cutting edge of West Hollywood, where the world of entertainment and design meet to conduct business and expand pleasure. Neighborhood cafes invite one to linger. Antique shops and art galleries beckon to browse. The Pacific Design and Beverly Center just 2 blocks. The hub of Los Angeles Commerce and the incomparable "Sunset Strip" 1 1/2 miles. Uncluttered, soothing modern accommodations with a ...

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Nearby Airports: * Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport - 15 Miles * Los Angeles International Airport - 25 Miles * John Wayne/Orange County Airport - 50 Miles * Ontario International Airport - 60 Miles Nearby Cities: * Hollywood - 10 Miles * Pasadena - 10 Miles * Beverly Hills - 15 Miles * Century City - 15 Miles * Burbank - 20 Miles * Glendale - 20 Miles * Manhattan Beach - 20 Miles * Marina del Rey - 20 Miles * Santa ...