We love living in the San Gabriel Valley with all of the wonderful neighborhoods, restaurants, shopping and recreation! And we strongly believe in referring business to outstanding businesses; our own business is founded on referrals of our many satisfied clients. Here is a list of some of our favorite merchants, restaurants, service providers and recreation opportunities in the area*

APPAREL APPEARANCE & HEALTH ART & DESIGN COMPUTERS BEST GAS PRICES

MERCHANTS PET CARE POINTS OF INTEREST RECREATION RESTAURANTS

Angels Everywhere | Sierra Madre
26 North Baldwin Avenue - (626) 355-0024

A boutique featuring womens clothing and accessories. Katherine can't leave without buying something!

Don Caster - Sidney Barney-Pyscher | San Marino
(626) 458-7676

Excellent quality, high style clothing with amazing personal service from Sidney. Katherine loves her!

The Secret Pocket | Monrovia
114 South Myrtle Avenue - (626) 305-1040

Custom designed and made clothing and accessories for babies and children... adorable!

Back to Health Chiro Care - Dr. Ted Marriott | Pasadena & Los Angeles
(323) 651-0500

Dr. Marriott uses a gentle instrumental technique that is applied manually called Activator Method Chiropractic Technique. Both Barbara and James swear by Dr. Marriott's care. His main office is in Los Angeles, but he also sees patients in Pasadena twice per week.

Cosmo Hair Barr | South Pasadena
1020 Fair Oaks Avenue - (626) 403-0922

Roseanne Miller is the greatest hair stylist! Men and women.

Sierra Fitness | Sierra Madre
20 North Baldwin Avenue - (626) 836-1236

A small neighborhood gym offering personal training, group fitness classes, nutrition counseling and sport-specific conditioning in a non-intimidating environment. James swears by Joella's yoga classes!

Dorrie Braun Photography | Pasadena
(626) 405-1937 | EMAIL

Amazing photographs of nature and flowers. Prints and postcards are available.

TJ and Co | Pasadena
(626) 405-1937 | EMAIL

Custom photo jewelry and accessories made from your own photographs! One of Katherine's favorite gift ideas... beautiful.

Whyr'hymer Furniture | West Hollywood
(323) 851-2205| EMAIL

Beautiful hand made custom furniture and lighting by woodworking artist Brandon Morrison and his wife, artist Sundeep Morrison. We love the modern yet timeless sensibility of their work, and the fact that all of the pieces are made using sustainable woods. We also love that, like us, Brandon and Sundeep donate a percentage of each sale to charity. Brandon is a modern wood craftsman worthy of Greene & Greene!

Worth Having - Garden Furniture by Jack Fenn | Los Angeles
(323) 227-1182| EMAIL

We have two gorgeous wood chairs built by Jack Fenn on the front porch of our Craftsman home... and we love them! Jack customized the chairs based on our wishes to match the architecture of our house, and they look fantastic... not to mention the fact that they are very comfortable.

Orion Business Technology - Jim McDavid | Arcadia
(818) 445-7345 | EMAIL

Jim provides excellent technical support and service. He keeps all of our computers running smoothly!

Local Gas Prices on MSN

Here is a great search tool to locate the best prices for gasoline in your area by entering your zip code.

Jones Coffee | Pasadena
537 South Raymond Avenue - (626) 564-9291

We love good coffee, and no one does it better locally than Jones, a boutique coffee roaster owned and operated by Chuck Jones and his mother Mireya. They even own a coffee farm in Guatamala where some of their coffee beans are grown. Stop by their working roastery where you can buy fresh roasted coffee beans or a hand made drink at the espresso bar.

K.C. Hopper | Monrovia
401 South Myrtle Avenue - (626) 357-7643

A charming small stationary and gift store offering unique cards and custom made items. Kathleen and her staff are always helpful and accommodating.

Leonora Moss | Sierra Madre
9 Kersting Court - (626) 355-1180

Florist and unique gifts. Beautiful and unusual arrangements.

Moda Optique | Pasadena
415 South Lake Avenue #104 - (626) 796-0111

The most stylish eye-glass frames in town... one look at Katherine and you'll know that. Owner Hrach is helpful and attentive.

TJ and Co | Pasadena
(626) 405-1937 | EMAIL

Custom photo jewelry and accessories made from your own photographs! One of Katherine's favorite gift ideas... beautiful.

Silver Birches | Pasadena
650 South Raymond Avenue - (626) 796-1431

Known for many many years for distinctive floral designs. The flower shop can accomodate custom arrangement with delivery available, but these days the business has developed into a special event design and production studio where James spends most of his time as a Project Manager.

Vroman's Bookstore | Pasadena
695 East Colorado Boulevard - (626) 449-5320

A Pasadena institution. Vroman's is Southern California's oldest and largest independent bookstore featuring an eclectic mix of books, stationary and gifts as well as author events, children's parties, book discussions, lectures and more.

Foothill Veterinary Hospital | Pasadena
2204 East Foothill Boulevard - (626) 792-1187

Yes, we are related to Dr. Lippincott! Everywhere we go, it seems that someone seems to connect us to Foothill Veterinary Hospital, and there is always a nice story about how well their pets have been taken care of by Dr. Lippincott. Our pets get the same great care at Foothill too!

Pet Sitting

We know some good reliable and qualified people who offer in-home pet sitting and house sitting services from time to time. Please contact us directly and we will help make the introductions

Angeles National Forest Brookside Golf Course Hiking

Mt Baldy Ski Lifts Mount Waterman Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park

Descanso Gardens | La Caņada Flintridge Huntington Library | San Marino Los Angeles County Arboretum | Arcadia San Gabriel Mission | San Gabriel

Mt Wilson Observatory | San Gabriel Mtns Norton Simon Museum | Pasadena Pasadena Museum of Calif. Art | Pasadena Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden | Claremont

Bistro 45 | Pasadena .
45 South Mentor Avenue - (626) 795-2478

One of our favorite places for a special night out. The food is wonderful, that atmosphere is beautiful, the staff are warm and attentive. Fine dining with out the stuffy attitude.

Firefly Bistro | South Pasadena .
1009 El Centro Street - (626) 441-2443

A unique spot for casual fine dining in a garden setting. Firefly has an eclectic menu for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and special events. Plus, co-chef/co-owner Monique King is a graduate of James' alma mater, Pitzer College, so Firefly get's bonus points... though it doesn't really need any!

Gale's Restaurant | Pasadena .
452 South Fair Oaks Avenue - (626) 432-6705

Excellent Northern Italian cusine, full bar and good wine list.

La Nueva Posada | Pasadena .
2835 East Foothill Boulevard - (626) 793-7191

All the usual Mexican dishes, but for an outstanding dinner ask Peter what he recommends. The fresh fish and Tom Burrito are always delicious, as is the "shrimp on a stick" which isn't listed on the menu. This is a great place to be "a regular."

Lucky Baldwins Delirium Cafe | Sierra Madre .
21 Kersting Court - (626) 355-1140

While the original Sierra Madre Brewing Company (on Montecito) is sorely missed, it is nice to have Luck Baldwins in town. It's all about the extensive beer offerings and the small town atmosphere here... good fish and chips if you are looking for pub grub. The original Lucky Baldwins in Old Pasadena is also a favorite hang out.

Magnolia Lounge | Pasadena .
492 South Lake Avenue - (626) 584-1126

A very hip bar and lounge tucked in the back of an unassuming building on South Lake... the "story" is that it was an old speak-easy. The menu consists of a delicious assortment of appetizers and small plates. Happy hour specials on food and drinks are offered Monday through Friday.

Mama Petrillo's | Temple City .
9082 Las Tunas Drive - (626) 285-0228

Old fashioned Italian cooking, American style! The most delicious pizza in the San Gabriel Valley, pasta dishes (great "old school" red sauce), antipasto salad and specialties made with fresh ingredients. A family favorite of ours for over 25 years.

Mama Petrillo's also has a location in La Verne at 2123 Foothill Blvd.

Marston's Restaurant | Pasadena .
151 East Walnut Street - (626)796-2459

Located in an old bungalow near Old Pasadena, this is a long time favorite of ours, (James & Katherine had the rehearsal dinner for our wedding here). Their reputation for breakfast and lunch means that you will probably have to wait on the weekends. They recently began offering dinner more nights of the week, and the food is just great.

Mediterranean Garden Grill | Monrovia .
335 West Foothill Boulevard - (626) 358-6811

The best Fattoush we've found west of Toledo, Ohio... seriously, but that's another story. Joey and his staff make great food in a casual fun atmosphere.

Mountain View Sushi | Sierra Madre .
24 West Sierra Madre Boulevard - (626) 355-1324

We love sitting at the sushi bar with chef and owner Yasu who prepares wonderfully fresh sushi.

Parkway Grill | Pasadena .
141 East Colorado Boulevard - (626) 599-9092

A Pasadena institution, the Smith Brothers Grill serves innovative regional cuisine. Recognized as one of "America's Top Tables" by Gourmet Magazine, we love Parkway for outstanding fine dining in a relaxed setting.

The Peach Cafe | Monrovia .
141 East Colorado Boulevard - (626) 599-9092

We can just imagine that this fun little place was lifted right out of a charming Atlanta neighborhood and plunked down in Monrovia. Delicious breakfast and lunch dishes (try the Peach Cafe Benedict on the weekends!) and a good place to pop in for coffee and baked goods.

Ranchero Mexican Restaurant | Pasadena & Duarte .
2663 East Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena - (626) 599-9092
1501 Huntington Drive, Duarte - (626) 358-6398

An old fashioned family style Mexican restaurant with good staples and better specialties (James loves their mole). A family favorite for many many years, and the owners are wonderful clients!

The Raymond | Pasadena .
1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue - (626) 441-3136

A classic Pasadena restaurant located in an historic cottage, the Raymond is an updated Pasadena tradition. Fine dining with an excellent wine list.

Saladang & Saladang Song | Pasadena .
363 South Fair Oaks Avenue - (626) 793-8123

Two amazing Thai restaurants - the first was so popular they opened another location across the parking lot! Creative and fresh preparations, each restaurant has its own unique menu.

Sesame Grill | Arcadia .
308 East Huntington Drive - (626) 821-0880

Excellent California cuisine influenced by Italian and Asian cooking styles. Good atmosphere and great service, the perfect spot for a nice lunch or dinner.

Scarlet Tea Room | Pasadena .
18 West Green Street - (626) 577-0051

Traditional style tea service with a modern twist.

Trattoria Tre Venezie | Pasadena .
119 West Green Street - (626) 795-4455

Exquisitely refined and authentic cuisine of north-east Italy offers a far from ordinary dining experience. Prepare to be transported to another continent!

Viva Madrid! | Claremont .
225 Yale Avenue - (909) 624-5500

Hands down the best authentic Spanish tapas around. Be prepared to wait if you don't arrive early!

Yang Chow | Pasadena & Los Angeles .
819 North Broadway, Los Angeles - (213) 625-0811
3777 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena - (626) 432-6868

Outstanding Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine. We like having the location in Pasadena near by, but the Chinatown location is more consist ant. We love the Spicy Szechuan Wonton Soup, Slippery Shrimp, Szechuan Beef, House Special Chicken and pan fried dumplings, just to name a few.

Zelo | Arcadia .
328 East Foothill Boulevard - (626) 358-8298

Cornmeal crust pizza... really! Different and delicious. We love the Corn Pizza (with fresh corn, smoked mozzarella and roasted balsamic marinated red onions) and the Potato Pancetta (with Italian bacon, roasted potatoes and smoked mozzarella) as well as the Fresh Beet Salad (with walnuts, blue cheese and greens tossed in a shallot-balsamic dressing).