Minigolf through Pasadena: 9 holes, par 25

Pasadena is the setting for this round, with the map following the real city and the ball rolling along its actual streets. The holes are built from real attractions, ending the walk at All Saints Episcopal Church. Skip knows these sidewalks well. It is a quick nine-hole round with a par of 25, covering a 3.3 mi walk.

Rose Bowl Stadium

Myron Hunt was the architect behind the Rose Bowl Stadium. This multi-purpose stadium opened in October 1922 and is located in Pasadena, about 10 miles north-northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the 20th-largest stadium in the world. You can pick out the massive scale of the place when you realize it holds 89,702 people in its modern all-seated configuration. Because of its history and design, the stadium is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. I've seen plenty of crumbs dropped in these stands over the years, but the view of the field is always the real draw. Whether you are here for a game or just passing through, the structure is a centerpiece of the local area that remains impressive over a century after it first opened its gates to the public.

Kidspace Children's Museum

You will first notice the proximity to the Rose Bowl, as Kidspace Children's Museum sits right next to the stadium. This children's museum is located in Pasadena, California, and occupies the former Fannie E. Morrison Horticultural Center. It is a nonprofit organization that first had its inception in 1979. Since then, it has become a major local destination, welcoming 200,000 annual visitors. I have spent a fair amount of time circling this area, and the energy here is always high as families arrive to explore. It is the kind of place where the noise of happy children carries quite a distance, making it one of the most spirited corners of the city. Whether you are visiting for the first time or just passing through on your way to a game, the museum is a prominent fixture of the local community.

The Gamble House

Tucked into a residential pocket of Pasadena, you will find the Gamble House. This single-family detached home is a National Register of Historic Places listed place and a California Historical Landmark. It is a primary example of the Arts and Crafts movement style. The architectural firm of Greene and Greene designed the residence, creating a space that is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Whether you are interested in local history or specific design movements, it is a site worth visiting for its distinct aesthetic. I have noticed the woodwork here is quite something, though I usually prefer the view from the roof where I can see the rest of the neighborhood. It is one of the most celebrated homes in the area for those who appreciate the details of early twentieth-century residential architecture.

Norton Simon Museum of Art

Founded in 1969, the Norton Simon Museum is an art museum located in Pasadena. While it is known today by this name, the institution has a longer history in the city and was previously known as the Pasadena Art Institute and the Pasadena Art Museum. If you take a stroll around the exterior, you can pick out numerous sculptures on its grounds. The building itself was designed by architect Frank Gehry, whose work gives the site a distinct look. I've found that the outdoor art makes for a great spot to pause and stretch your wings before heading back inside to see the rest of the collection. It is a place where the architecture is just as much a part of the experience as the art displayed within the galleries.

Friendship Baptist Church

Norman F. Marsh designed Friendship Baptist Church in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. This Baptist church in Pasadena, California, is defined by specific architectural details, including a tower, a bell-gable, a tile roof, and stained-glass windows. While the building was constructed in 1925, the congregation it houses was founded much earlier, in 1893. It holds the distinction of being the oldest black Baptist church in Pasadena. Due to its significance to the community and its architectural design, the church was officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 20, 1978. Visitors can observe the blend of early twentieth-century style and the long history of the congregation in this single site.

Armory Center for the Arts

You will first notice the contemporary art exhibitions and arts education programs offered here. The Armory Center for the Arts is a museum and non-profit community arts organization located in Pasadena, California, United States. While the center was founded in 1989, its roots go back much further than that. It originated as the education department of the Pasadena Art Museum in 1947. After that museum closed in 1974, the education program became known as the Pasadena Art Workshops. Eventually, those workshops and the Baxter Art Gallery merged to become the center you see today. I've found that the local creative energy here is quite contagious, making it a great spot to see how the neighborhood expresses itself through art.

USC Pacific Asia Museum

You might think this is just another stop in Pasadena, but it is actually the USC Pacific Asia Museum. This Asian art museum is located at 46 N. Los Robles Avenue. If you enjoy history alongside art, you can pick out details from its inception in 1924. The building was designed by the firm Marston, Van Pelt & Maybury and is a National Register of Historic Places listed place. I've found that the architecture is just as interesting as the galleries inside. Whether you are here for the CityGolf course or the culture, it is a spot that stands out in the neighborhood. It is a great place to pause and appreciate the aesthetic of the city before you move on to your next hole.

Pasadena Playhouse

The Pasadena Playhouse is a theatre building and educational institution located at 39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California. Designed by architect Elmer Grey, the site features the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture style. It is a National Register of Historic Places listed place that has been part of the community since it was founded in 1925. Visitors can see the large auditorium, which has 686 seats. I've always found the facade to be a great spot for a quick perch while watching the crowds go by. Whether you are interested in the history of the stage or the specific design of the building, there is plenty to see here. It is a landmark that combines the arts with a commitment to teaching the next generation of performers in a historic setting.

All Saints Episcopal Church

This is not a modern construction, but rather a church building in the Gothic Revival style. All Saints Episcopal Church is located in Pasadena, California, and had its inception in 1924. It is an Episcopal church that belongs to the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. Visitors can appreciate the specific architectural choices of the Gothic Revival movement in the structure, which provides a distinct visual presence in the neighborhood. This current building is the third home for the ministry of the church, marking a continuation of its presence in the community. The site serves as a place of worship and a representative of the Gothic Revival style within the city. By visiting the grounds, you can see how the design of the building reflects the traditions of the Episcopal church and its place within the larger diocese.

Pasadena Presbyterian Church

Pasadena Presbyterian Church is the first church in Pasadena, California. Established in 1875, this church building is located at 585 East Colorado Boulevard. Visitors to the site can see how the property has changed as the community grew around it. While the organization is the oldest of its kind in the city, the architecture of the sanctuary reflects a much later period. The sanctuary is Modern-style and was designed by architect John Gougeon of Gougeon-Woodman. This particular structure was completed in 1976, blending the long history of the first congregation in the area with a mid-century architectural approach. It remains a significant landmark on Colorado Boulevard, representing both the early beginnings of the city and the later development of its religious buildings.