| If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it:
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. -William Morris |
Greene and Greene and a Green River
The Gamble House
We must start with a warning. If you are currently hunting the real estate market for a charming Craftsman bungalow, this might not be the best time for you to go on this date. It's not that you'll find Pasadena's Gamble House in any way disappointing; rather after your tour, the Craftsman offerings on your open house roster might seem a little more on the shabby side of chic than you were hoping for.
Warning aside, the Gamble house is gorgeous. Designed and built in 1908-09 by Arts and Crafts Movement superstars Greene and Greene, the Gamble House is widely considered the creme de la creme of Craftsman houses. It wasn't the first, but it is arguably the best of its kind. Honey wood joinery, sleeping porches, exposed beams, stained glass and exquisite details abound.
Tip: The tour lasts about an hour and just might leave you hungry for more. Not only does the gift shop offer an excellent selection of architectural books and gifts, but for $1.50 you can also buy a xeroxed map of other noteworthy houses in the neighborhood, at which you are welcome to peer from the sidewalk on your own self-guided walking tour.
| Cost | Adults $10, Persons 65 or over and full-time students with ID $7, Children under 12 free, and must be accompanied by an adult |
| Location | 4 Westmoreland Place
Pasadena, California 91103 view map |
| Hours | Thursday - Sunday, first tour starts at noon, the last is at 3:00pm.
Weekday tours are conducted every 30 minutes, weekend tours every 20 minutes. Tickets go on sale at the bookstore at 10 am Thursday - Sunday and 11:30 am on Sunday. |
| Website | http://www.gamblehouse.org/ |
| Telephone | (626) 793-3334 |
| Reservations | Yes, for 2:00 pm tours. Reservations must be made one week in advance for an additional $2.50 handling fee per ticket. |
| Parking | In front |
| Dress code | As you like. Ladies with spikey heels will be asked to put on granny slippers to protect the floors. |
Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain
If your craftsman experience has you in the vintage mood, a sundae or a sandwich at an old time corner drugstore complete with soda fountain might be just the cherry on top you're looking for.
Since 1915 the Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain has offered a place to get all your sundries and sundaes. Sit at the authentic antique counter and order up nostalgia by the spoonful. In addition to fountain treats, they serve burgers, sandwiches, hotdogs and even a few non-traditional vegetarian selections.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, you can actually have your non sugary prescriptions filled there as well (at the separate pharmacy counter). Browse the ecclectic array of fun and surprising gifts. Perhaps you'll pick up a whimsical notion to commemorate the day.
| Price range | $$ |
| Location | 1526 Mission Street
South Pasadena, CA view map |
| Hours | Mon-Sat: 9am - 9pm
Sunday: 10am - 7pm |
| Website | http://www.fairoakspharmacy.net/ |
| Telephone | (626) 799-1414 |
| Takes Reservations | No |
| Parking | Street |
| Type of Cuisine | Diner food |
| Outdoor seating | Yes |
| Payment | Major credit cards accepted |
| Dress code | casual |
$ Thrifty, under $10
$$ Middle of the Road, $11 - $30
$$$ Gettin' up there, $31 - $60
$$$$ Go baby go, $61-100
$$$$$ Big spender, over $100.