My Pasadena: Lisette Gaviña Lopez

With more than 15 years in the coffee industry and a lifetime of experience in her family’s business, fourth-generation coffee roaster Lisette Gaviña Lopez just might have coffee running through her veins. As chairman of the board and managing director of sales and marketing for F. Gaviña & Sons, Gaviña Lopez oversees the company’s array of brands, including Don Francisco’s Coffee, Café La Llave Espresso, Gaviña Gourmet Coffee, and Jose’s Gourmet Coffee—all made from high-quality coffee beans, sourced from the world’s best coffee-growing regions. Under the Gaviña family’s leadership, the minority-owned business has grown to become one of the largest family-owned coffee companies in the U.S. Here, the coffee connoisseur shares what she’s sipping and her favorite holiday traditions.

I grew up in La Cañada Flintridge but now I live in Northwest Pasadena, near Annandale Golf Club, with my husband and son. It’s an oasis from the busy urban life of Los Angeles surrounded by mature trees, lots of wildlife, and spectacular views of the San Gabriel Mountains and Valley. A couple of our favorites close by are Little Flower Café and Bakery and San Rafael Park. Watching the sunrise from my kitchen is the best place to sip my first cup of coffee and start the day. I prefer grinding and brewing my own pour-over of Don Francisco’s Coffee, usually 100% Colombia Supremo or Kona Blend. My favorite local restaurant is Stoney Point. It’s classic Italian food where the owners and staff treat you like family. Be sure to order the chocolate souffle. It’s an off-menu dessert and comes with two large servings, perfect for sharing. We always pick up olive oil and other Italian treats at Roma Market on Lake. A relaxing spa day at Chuan Spa at The Langham Huntington hotel is a treat, followed by its afternoon tea. Chignon Salon is my go-to for a fresh cut and color, and Emblush Beaute for a manicure and pedicure. I love to be in nature and enjoy the many trails in the San Gabriel Mountains. Acorn in Eagle Rock is a great shop for gifts and the owner is a Pasadena native. We’ve attended the Teddy Bear Tea at The Langham every December since my son was a baby and it’s become a wonderful family tradition. We love the Parkway Grill for dinner as it’s decorated beautifully for the holidays. Our favorite part of New Year’s Day is watching the B-2 Stealth Bomber fly over our home on its way to open the Rose Parade.