It’s hard to believe that today is Day 365 of 365 Things To Do In Pasadena™.   The idea to document 365 different activities in Pasadena came over lunch with my friend Dustin Luther exactly one year ago.  He was telling me that several folks across the country started this project to highlight the community that they live in and love. He knew how much I love Pasadena and thought that it would be a fun “thing to do” for me.

Pasadena, even though not my native city, has been home to me for many years.  I love its architecture, historic districts, museums and gardens, its culture, proximity to both mountains with white snow and sandy beaches for frolicking in the ocean, and of course, the nightlife.  Restaurants featuring foods from all over the world, bars, dance halls, or just strolling down Old Pasadena, there’s so much to do.  And… let’s not forget the Arroyo, our beautiful tree-lined streets… well… you get the point.

Little did I know that when I came home after lunch that day and wrote Day 1 (about our beautiful City Hall) of 365 that this project was going to totally consume my life over the next year!  People ask me all the time whether or not I had a bunch of these posts written before I started, but honestly, this project evolved from day to day.  Sometimes, I wouldn’t know what I would highlight until day off the activity.

Given that I made a commitment to myself to post each day and the fact that our fan base of the 365 Facebook page grew very quickly, the stress was on!  It was sort of like being on a diet and broadcasting your weight daily to everyone.  Talk about pressure!  However, this was by far the most rewarding project I ever embarked on.  I explored Pasadena as never before.  I scoured websites, twitter and facebook for what Pasadeneans were doing.  I made it a point to try as many new restaurants as I could and even went to a bar or two… sort of hard for me since my drink of choice is a Mojito (I can nurse it all night!) and even that is not very often.  🙂

Thankfully I had help from my wonderful team – Lila Marie and Ellie.  I am so thankful that they are in my life and participated in both the joys and trials of this project.  We even had a couple of guest writers – Justin from An Immovable Feast (check out his site, it’s always a fun read!), Petrea Burchard from Pasadena Daily Photo (queen of Pasadena blogging!) and a few folks submitted their events via our Author for 365 Things To Do In Pasadena™.  Thanks to all of you!

So… the question that comes up daily now is “What are you going to do on DAY 366?”  The answer is rest!

In the meantime, I encourage all of you to explore Pasadena and SUBMIT YOUR PASADENA AREA ACTIVITIES, YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS AND TO DOs so that we can share them with the rest of the world.  🙂

My team and I will continue our exploration and sharing the Pasadena that we love with you… just not as often!

Thanks to everyone for following, commenting and LIKING us!

And now… let’s celebrate and close out our first year of 365 Things To Do with an evening at Bodega Wine Bar at the Paseo Colorado, 2nd level terrace by El Cholo and Noir.  We have the fabulous Red Room reserved from 5:30 pm until 8 pm or so.  I’ll buy the appetizers, you buy your drinks.  Okay?

See you there!

LOCATION:
Bodega Wine Bar
260 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 793-4300

Visit 365 Things To Do In Pasadena®  for more fun activities in Pasadena California and surrounding neighborhoods.