Pasadena via rail

How about a tour of Pasadena via rail?

From Orange County, take a train to LA Union Station. You can print the Weekend Pocket Schedule. Or use the Metrolink weekend or Metrolink weekday train or Amtrak schedules to get to LA Union Station. After you get off the train and go down the stairs, cross the hallway to the Gold Line station (and buy a day pass).

You might wait about 10 minutes for a train. Get off at the first station, Chinatown, for some good lunch. Here are a couple favorites.

Chinatown

  • CBS Seafood
    Dim Sum until 3pm
    700 North Spring St
    up College to Broadway
    south on Broadway to Ord (who's Ord?)
    east to N Spring
    minimal English spoken, so just point to what you want
  • Yang Chow (yangchow.com)
    less authentic feel but delicious
    819 N Broadway
    Slippery Shrimp
    Mongolian Beef
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Memorial Park

Malagueta
Brazilian/Meditarranean cuisine
43 E Colorado
626-564-3030
Recommendations: Steak with cheese sauce, Chicken Aruza?

Old Pasadena is a pleasant place to walk around. Be sure to take advantage of the diagonal crosswalks. After a meal, walk or take the Gold Line to Lake for cobbler (see Lake station below).
Other places to try in Old Pasadena:

Lake

Cobbler Factory
From the Lake station, walk south on Lake to Union or Colorado
east two blocks to Catalina
33 N Catalina Ave (1 block north of Colorado)
thegourmetcobblerfactory.com

This place is off the beaten path and definately has a homey feel. You'll probably be served by the owner in the tiny shop. Choose from berry, peach or apple cobbler. Cobbler a la mode is delicious. You can also get a cobbler in a pound cake tin to share. Be sure to get some ice cream and water at Rite-aid on Colorado.
Experience LA
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Sierra Madre

Pasadena Sandwich Co
north of Foothill Blvd
259 Sierra Madre Villa (626) 578-1616.
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The return trip on the Gold line is 20-30 minutes depending on where you are. Allow 5-10 minutes waiting for the Gold Line and 10-15 minutes at Union station to buy a ticket, figure out where to board and get to the platform. Both Metrolink and Amtrak have ticket vending machines. Amtrak also has a ticket window, but allow a few more minutes.