TRAVEL BY NIC…….The Perpetual Tourist!

 

Rose Bowl Flea Market – Pasadena

This is the MOTHER of all flea markets!!  There are miles and miles of treasures to be found.  The flea market is open the second Sunday of every month, rain or shine.  We parked for free, and entry was only $8 per person 9am-3pm.  However, this is the only place I know of that the entry price goes up the earlier you come!   For example:

$20 Express admission 8am-9am / $15 Early admission 7am-8am / $20 preview VIP admission 5am-7am

As a 1^st timer it was overwhelming!   I had a few things to keep my eye out for, but trust me….you can find about anything there.  As you enter you’ll learn that vintage/antiques are one direction, crafts and new items another direction.  The tents are set up completely around the Rose Bowl arena.  As you can imagine, the later you stay the busier it gets.

So what did I see?!  Spices, chandeliers, retro furniture, antique furniture, vintage clothes & jewelry, metal signs, typewriters, globes, china, trunks, pocket watches, silver, toys, postcards, scarves, church relics, purses, animal skins rugs. Glasses…..I could go on & on!

You will find plenty of food stands, and shade.  So be sure to take a minute and relax, trust me, it helps to rejuvenate before you head back out to the shopping extravaganza!

 

 

Gamble House – Pasadena

4 Westmoreland Pl, Pasadena, CA

I just love the neighborhoods in Pasadena.  Actually the whole town just has a great vibe to it.  As we were driving around searching for houses used on movie sets, we ran across the Gamble House.  When we noticed that it was open for tours I immediately put it on our list of places to visit.

OK…..let's get the movie trivia out of the way……do you recognize the house?  (Sorry it’s kinda of a dark shot, didn’t feel right copying a photo off the internet.)

 

This house was Emmet Smith’s house in Back to the Future!!  I know!!!  To cool huh?!  However, if you take the tour, not ONE word is mentioned about the movie!  Not one trinket is sold in the gift shop!  Interesting huh?!  Who wouldn’t want to recognize such an AWESOME movie?!

With that said, I still enjoyed my tour, because I also love architecture!  Parking was free and adult entrance $12 per person.  They are closed on Monday.  Tuesday-Saturday 10am-500pm/Sunday 11:30am-500pm.

Gamble House is an example of the American Arts & Crafts style architecture.  The house and most all of the furnishings were designed by Charles & Henry Greene in 1908 for Mary Gamble.  The house stayed in the family until one of the children donated it to the city of Pasadena.  That is why it is so nicely kept intact.  The docent was very knowledgeable.  He was able to tell us every kind of wood, style, and impeccable details about every room. 

As you enter, it will take a minute for your eyes to adjust to the lighting.  They have kept the original lighting for the tour experience.  Here’s the bummer….no photography inside the house!!  WHATTTT?!  Yes, I followed the rules!  Oh ya, and no touching!  Some of the things I thought were cool:  3 secret panel doors as your standing in the entry!  One was a closet; one went to the kitchen, and one to the basement stairs.  They wanted the staff to be able to cut through from the kitchen to the front door, and then be able to slip “back into the woodwork!”  The docent pointed out that the only area we are unable to view were the servants living area…..guess why?!  Two college students get chosen to live in the Gamble House rent free for a year and that is where they reside!  Pretty cool huh?!  I also love the stained glass and the stair case!  I know the stair case has an Arts & Crafts style name, but it reminded me of a zig zag pattern.  I wasn’t able to take a photo, so be sure and look it up.  I also found the large doors & windows interesting, you could tell that the cross winds would keep the cool breezes weaving in & out of the rooms.

I’m sure the Gamble House folks would choke if they heard me say this, but the interior & exterior reminds me of the Californian Hotel at Disneyland!  Very warm artsy feeling.

Finely, I thought I’d share a little bit about the Gambles.  Yes, they were the “Gambles” from Proctor & Gamble.  David Berry Gamble was a second generation member of the Proctor & Gamble Company in Cincinnati.  He had already retired from the business when his wife Marry Huggins Gamble began spending her winters out in Pasadena.  It was just a matter of time before they made the move to Pasadena to enjoy the beautiful weather.  David & Mary lived at the Gamble House until they passed away in 1923 & 1929. 

The tour will end at their garage which is actually a book store, the book store that you buy your tickets to take the tour!  So you come full circle!  If you’re expecting to learn a biographical history lesson about the Gambles, you don’t really get that.  If you are expecting to see Doc, from Back to the Future…..Good luck!  But if you love architecture and all of the details …..this is the tour for you!