jessenotjohn

One of the main streets of Glendale, Brand Blvd does not have much to offer aesthetically-- lots of traffic, dirty sidewalks, and many rundown establishments. The only highlight is the Americana at Brand, a beautiful new outdoor mall that is like an oasis from the unpleasantness of the rest of the area. I wouldn't recommend Brand (or the rest of metropolitan Glendale, for that matter) as a day trip, but for the excellent shopping at the Americana.

Santa Monica Blvd is the essence of the area, and has tons of fun things for people of all ages. DUring the day and the evening, families with children will enjoy visiting the pier and seeing clowns and other street performers, as well as playing at the arcade, visiting the aquarium and riding the carnival-style rides. After dark, young singles and couples will find that Santa Monica Blvd has plenty of nightlife, with numerous clubs, bars and restaurants. Overall, aside from the occasional wild homeless person, Santa Monica Blvd is a wonderful place to visit.

West Colorado is the heart of Pasadena, and has EXCELLENT shopping and dining. The overall vibe is very welcoming and tourist-friendly much like the rest of the city. Small details, such as the cross-intersection crosswalks, make it clear that the city has made an effort to tend to the needs of tourists and pedestrians. Highlights on West Colorado include H&M, a Swedish retail chain for men and women, and The Melting Pot, a "gourmet fondue" restaurant, as well as numerous small shops and restaurants. Overall, a wonderful place to visit.

Right in the heart of busy Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Blvd seems to epitomize the area-- a well taken care of combination of metropolitan bustle and unique, edgy funk. A particular highlight is Sprinkle Cupcakes, a perfect place to enjoy a cupcake (red velvet is DELICIOUS!) and people watch (it's not unheard of to see a few celebrities in this area). Overall, Santa Monica Blvd is a great place to spend a few hours, but definitely not a day trip in itself.