Even if you're not a big fan of the Beach Boys, I bet it's hard for you to not sing along or tap your foot when they all hit the harmonies to "Little Old Lady From Pasadena." Of course, it was a hit for Jan & Dean, those purveyors of all things surf related, first -- but I digress. The song is couched in the history of Pasadena, California that few people know about.
So it happened that as families fled from the starvation and desolation of the Dust Bowl of the Twenties, Thirties, and Forties, they made their way to California to settle in sunny Pasadena. During the Fifties and Sixties, when many of these transplants began dying, it became folklore that the husbands would die off before their wives, leaving the widows to drive around in their husbands' cars.
It became something of a phenomenon in Southern California for car salesmen to pitch cars with something to the effect: "This car was owned by a little old lady in Pasadena, who only drove it to church on Sunday." Hence, it was a barely-used car in excellent condition. Of course, the song turns that perception around, casting the "Little Old Lady" as a drag racer, firing her Super Stock Dodge up and down Colorado Boulevard.
The little old lady (and Jan & Dean) aside, Pasadena has managed to hold its own against its renown and infamous neighbor to the south: Los Angeles. In fact, it has shaped itself into a haven for artists and engineers alike. Between the students at Caltech and the California Arts Club, the city has a rich selection of cultural and artistic organizations.
And certainly, there is the Tournament of Roses Parade and the affiliated Rose Bowl. When it comes to the college game, the Rose Bowl is considered the "Granddaddy of Them All." Although Los Angeles tends to take the lion's share of notoriety and prestige, most people who know a thing or two about Southern California know the real class and history reside in the city that made the little old lady famous. The only way to know for yourself is to scour the Pasadena hotels, book a room, and get here as fast as your Super Stock Dodge can go.
So it happened that as families fled from the starvation and desolation of the Dust Bowl of the Twenties, Thirties, and Forties, they made their way to California to settle in sunny Pasadena. During the Fifties and Sixties, when many of these transplants began dying, it became folklore that the husbands would die off before their wives, leaving the widows to drive around in their husbands' cars.
It became something of a phenomenon in Southern California for car salesmen to pitch cars with something to the effect: "This car was owned by a little old lady in Pasadena, who only drove it to church on Sunday." Hence, it was a barely-used car in excellent condition. Of course, the song turns that perception around, casting the "Little Old Lady" as a drag racer, firing her Super Stock Dodge up and down Colorado Boulevard.
The little old lady (and Jan & Dean) aside, Pasadena has managed to hold its own against its renown and infamous neighbor to the south: Los Angeles. In fact, it has shaped itself into a haven for artists and engineers alike. Between the students at Caltech and the California Arts Club, the city has a rich selection of cultural and artistic organizations.
And certainly, there is the Tournament of Roses Parade and the affiliated Rose Bowl. When it comes to the college game, the Rose Bowl is considered the "Granddaddy of Them All." Although Los Angeles tends to take the lion's share of notoriety and prestige, most people who know a thing or two about Southern California know the real class and history reside in the city that made the little old lady famous. The only way to know for yourself is to scour the Pasadena hotels, book a room, and get here as fast as your Super Stock Dodge can go.
About the Author:
There are any number of Pasadena hotels that are right for your budget. From motels on up, Pasadena prides itself on being a tourist friendly town. From the luxurious Pasadena hotels, to the cozy motels, you are sure to find a place to begin your Californian adventures.
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