Jeanne Goldschmidt is no stranger to Pasadena’s charm. In her role as executive director, Goldschmidt leads the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau (visitpasadena.com), the destination-marketing organization that attracts leisure and group travelers to Pasadena year-round. A native of Upstate New York, she moved West in 2012, falling in love with Pasadena and its welcoming community, abundant cultural attractions, and plethora of fine restaurants that make promoting Pasadena both fun and rewarding. Outside of work, Goldschmidt enjoys interior design, cooking, traveling, and rooting for Notre Dame.
The diversity of Pasadena is what makes me really love this environment. There are so many cultures to experience—from the global cuisines to the exhibits in all the museums around the city. In addition to the world-renowned cultural intuitions, I also love that public art abounds throughout the city. There are vibrant murals, ghost signs that are relics of the past, and sculptures, including The Thinker at Norton Simon, Kneeling Man with Hammer at One Colorado, and Jackie and Mack Robinson Memorial across from City Hall—two large bronze sculptures by artists Ralph Helmick and John Outterbridge that pays tribute to the boundary-breaking athletes who spent their teenage years in Pasadena.
Often overlooked, Kidspace Children’s Museum is rated the best kids’ museum by Red Tricycle. My son loves being outside and Kidspace’s 3.5 acres of hands-on exhibits are a great place to bond with him and teach him to explore the world. Another family-friendly activity is to lace up a pair of skates at the Pasadena Ice Skating Center—they offer group lessons for all ages and ability levels, as well as public skate sessions for fun with family and friends.
South Lake’s British-influenced plaza, Burlington Arcade, is the perfect place for retail therapy. When you walk through and see the windows of stores lining both sides, you can really tell that each local merchant has poured their heart into their shop. Ingredients are fresh, decorations are full of soul, and they always have a smile on their faces and a passionate flair when they talk about their products. Pasadena is renowned for our Rose Bowl Flea Market, but if your weekend plans don’t align with the second Sunday of the month, check out the Antique District, a hub of well-curated antique stores, including T. L. Gurley Antiques, the Pasadena Antique Center and Annex, the Pasadena Antique Mall at The Paseo Colorado, or Poo-Bah Record Shop and Canterbury Records for vintage vinyl.
When I feel the need to stretch my legs, a Caltech Architecture Tour always helps center me. The tours of the campus and its historic halls allow me to appreciate all the groundbreaking investigations that have happened here in Pasadena. Caltech has been a valuable partner in helping us secure scientific conventions.
One of the best contrasts from the harsh winters in Upstate New York is the warm-weather climate—perfect for exploring the outdoors at one of the region’s nearby botanical gardens during any time of year. For a free (and less crowded) experience, Pasadena’s three-acre Arlington Garden is a great place to stroll.
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