The marriage of Pasadena's historic architecture with its cluster of hip bars, shops and restaurants has become a model of urban renewal for the rest of the country.

Old Pasadena is the city's entertainment, dining and shopping center. Architecturally, this 20-block historic district looks much like it did in the 1920s, but is now filled with baby boomer and Gen X shops, restaurants, bars and a Laemmle Theatre. The shops, which are collectively known as One Colorado, include A/X Armani Exchange, J. Crew, Sophea Parros, Crate & Barrel and Gap; the One Colorado Courtyard hosts film festivals, free music series and art shows. Crowded and lively at night, Old Pasadena feels a bit like Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, although this is more of a local hang than a tourist destination.