A cold Midwestern winter in 1873 gave birth to Pasadena. In Indianapolis during that
winter, Daniel Berry, a teacher-turned journalist, met with a small group of friends.
Where could they go to escape annual snows and freezing temperatures, they wondered? Where
was there year-round sunshine and citrus trees and adventure? Berry traveled by
"E" train to California and although he saw much land he liked, nothing
impressed him as much as his first viewing on September 12, 1873 of Rancho San Pasqual, a
13,694-acre tract at the base of the San Gabriels mountains which rose to 9,000 feet.
The group from Indiana bear responsibility for the name of Pasadena, a Chippewa Indian
word meaning "Crown of the Valley." Officially incorporated on June 19, 1886,
Pasadena's scenery and climate were such that soon wealthy Chicagoans and New Yorkers were
using the city as their playground, arriving first as winter visitors to the new resorts -
The Raymond, The Green, The Huntington - then as residents who turned Orange Grove
Boulevard into Millionaires' Row.
Pasadena has retained a charm and identity all its own. Whether for business or
pleasure, visitors prefer to stay in Pasadena. A world apart, yet just a short 30 minute
drive to down-town Los Angeles and within an hour's drive to all major attractions,
Pasadena is the perfect base for a week of exploring Southern California.
The Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau is here to assist with all your vacation
plans. Give us a call at (626) 795-9311, drop us a note, or stop by our Visitor
Information Center at 171 S. Los Robles Avenue Pasadena, California 91101. We look forward
to talking to you soon!
