Foothills Recommendations (San Diego, Pasadena, San Gabriel: hotel, houses, neighborhoods)

[bigcaat]

Hi.

I have a big birthday coming up. We were thinking about going to L.A. for the weekend (Saturday night, we live in San Diego) and possibly doing something around the foothills, maybe near Pasadena. We will start by going to Mood (a famous fabric store) in the La Brea area. I have some questions.

-- First, how far from the Miracle Mile, driving time, to Pasadena on a Saturday? (Mood is near there, La Brea Tar Pits, etc.)
-- We were considering staying at the Hilton in Pasadena because we wanted a view of the San Gabriel Mountains. Any better suggestions in or around that area?
-- How far is it, time wise, to Descanso Gardens, and is that worthwhile?
-- Or, we may just like to drive around those foothill residential areas. We like the old houses and such. Suggestions there?
-- Also, we would like to go out to a nice restaurant for dinner. Suggestions?

Any other suggestions are welcome. It will be a short trip, Mood and dinner are the definites, whatever else we have time for nearby around a hotel with a nice view is the plan.

Thanks much.
Caat

[ryanms3030]

Huntington and Descanso are both great. If you've never been to either I would probably do Huntington because it has the museum as well (if you like museums). I think Descanso is actually a little bigger and in a less busy area and nice neighborhoods to drive around

[bigcaat]

Thank you both for the great suggestions. We do like seeing the craftsman like houses, rather than the mansions. I've been to the Huntington years ago, but don't remember much. The neighborhoods around Descanso sound nice. Is Descanso almost to La Cañada?

The restaurants look nice, but do you have any suggestions for someplace nice that might have some vegetarian options? I'm not seeing any in those. (I forgot to write that in my original post, but it wouldn't let me change it when I went back.) For some places that might have to be Italian or Middle Eastern Food.

My husband is looking up the Westin now. Thanks for that.