Comics Restaurant & Ice House: The famous comedy club at which many world-class performers got their start and where they still perform. (626) 577-1894, 24 N. Mentor Avenue, www.icehousecomedy.com.

The Gamble House: Built in 1908 during the American Arts and Crafts movement, this masterpiece is the best preserved example of work from internationally recognized architects Charles and Henry Greene. The home was built for David and Mary Gamble of Procter & Gamble and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Docent Tours: Thursday-Sunday, noon-3 p.m. (626) 793-3334, 4 Westmoreland Place, http://gamblehouse.org.

Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Gardens: The Huntington is an oasis of art and culture set amidst 150 acres of gardens. The Library features works from British and American history and literature, including an original Gutenberg Bible and Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Three galleries showcase eighteenth-and nineteenth-century art, British and French masterpieces, including the "Blue Boy" and "Pinkie." Fifteen gardens feature 14,000 species of plants. Open: Tuesday-Friday, noon-4:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (626) 405-2100, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, www.huntington.org.

The Knightsbridge Theatre: This intimate theatre offers live year-round presentations ranging from William Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream" to Neil Simon's "The Female Odd Couple." (626) 440-0821, 5 South Raymond Avenue, www.knightsbridgetheatre.com.

The Norton Simon Museum: The museum features seven centuries of European art from the Renaissance to the twentieth century, including works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt, and Fragonard. The museum also features an extensive collection of South Asian sculpture and a sculpture garden with works by Rodin. Open Wednesday-Monday, noon-6 p.m. and Friday, noon-9 p.m. (626) 449-6840, 411 West Colorado Blvd. (take the free Arts Shuttle to the Simon), www.nortonsimon.org.

Pacific Asia Museum: Housed in the historic Grace Nicholson mansion, the museum is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and understanding of the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It includes an eclectic collection and great gift shop with Asian antiques. Open: Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (626) 449-2742, 46 North Los Robles Avenue (one and a half blocks from the Hilton), www.pacificasiamuseum.org.

Pasadena Civic Center: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story will be playing while we are in Pasadena. (213) 365-3500 (for tickets), located one block away, opposite Paseo Colorado, www.theaterleague.com.

Pasadena Jazz Institute: Concerts by the world's finest jazz musicians. (626) 398-3344, Travis Auditorium, 180 N. Oakland Ave.

Pasadena Museum of California Art: The only museum in Southern California devoted exclusively to California art, architecture, and design. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (626) 568-3665, 490 East Union Street (two blocks from the Hilton), www.pmcaonline.org.

Pasadena Playhouse: Dirty Blonde, with Claudia Shearer recreating her Broadway roles as Mae West and the admiring Mae West fan Jo, will be playing while we are in Pasadena. (626) 356-7529 (Box Office:), 39 S. El Molino Ave (just a few blocks from the hotel), www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.

Santa Anita Park Thoroughbred Racing: Wed._Sun.; $5 admission; $4 parking. (626) 574-RACE, 285 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, www.santaanita.com.

Beyond Pasadena

Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure: (714) 956-MICKEY, 1313 S. Harbor Blvd. Anaheim, www.disneyland.com. Drive Time: 1 hour.

The Getty Center: (310) 440-7300, 200 Getty Center Drive, L.A., www.getty.edu. Drive Time: 40 minutes.

Heritage Square Museum: A living history museum reflecting the settlement and development of Southern California from the Civil War to the early 20th Century. Open Friday to Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m. (626) 449-0193, 3800, Homer Street in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles (approximately 3 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, on the 110 Pasadena Freeway), www.heritagesquare.org.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art: (323) 857-6000, 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Drive, L.A., www.lacma.org. Drive Time: 40 minutes.

Los Angeles Zoo: (323) 644-6400, 5333 Zoo Drive, L.A., www.lazoo.org. Drive Time: 20 minutes.

Museum of Contemporary Art: (213) 626-6222, 250 S. Grand Ave., L.A., www.moca.org.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: Includes permanent exhibits on Native Americans from North, Central, and South America, California history, dinosaurs, giant sharks, and a special exhibit opening March 15, 2004: "LA: Light, Motion, Dreams." Open Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m._5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m._5 p. m. (213) 763-DIN0, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles (between Vermont and Figueroa).

Southwest Museum: Oldest museum in L.A. Nationally acclaimed collection of Native American art and artifacts. (323) 221-2164, 234 Museum Drive, L.A., www.southwestmuseum.org. Drive Time: 10 minutes.

Universal Studios Hollywood: (800) 864-8377,100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. www.universalstudioshollywood.com. Drive Time: 20 minutes.