The King and Queen 1952–53 by Henry Moore in the Norton Simon Museum Sculpture Garden. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

Cheap Date: Old Town Pasadena

Forget your troubles for little to nothing.

We live in divisive times. People are pissed-off and freaked out. Is neo-extremism driving western civilization into chaos?

Regardless of how insane things feel, until bombs rain down, people still want to have relationships; they want to go on dates, fall in love and enjoy time with friends, romantic and otherwise. And if these dates don’t cost a lot, all the better.

Here are a few suggestions for a high quality, low cost date centered around Old Town Pasadena. Cheap ways to spend a day that aren’t all “cheap.” You’ll have something to do, something to eat, and something to drink, and it can be had from around $15 for two, plus transportation.

Pasadena is known for a lot of things: the Rose Parade, Rose Bowl, Cal Tech and expensive real estate. It’s a luxurious city. You can shop for a Rolls Royce or Tiffany’s engagement ring, but this high-rent hood is also an ideal spot for an extremely inexpensive date or day out with friends.

The Rusnak Maserati, Rolls Royce and Bentley luxury car dealerships just east of the Norton Simon Museum on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

For a pleasant walking experience, Old Town Pasadena can be easily reached on the Metro Gold Line by exiting either the Memorial Park or Del Mar Metro stations.

Taking Metro can save on parking and driving costs. One-way Metro fares begin at $1.75. Day passes are $7. A reusable Tap Card, which serves as your ticket, costs $1. Many stations along the Gold Line east of Pasadena offer free parking; however, stations towards the end of the line have inexplicably small parking lots and fill up early in the day, so keep this in mind as you plan your date.

Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen by Edgar Degas circa 1878–81 in the Norton Simon Museum. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

Something To Do: The Norton Simon Museum

The centerpiece of your date is the Norton Simon Museum (closed Tuesdays). A striking, mid century-modern campus comprised of beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces, filled with thought provoking art to inspire reflection and stimulate conversation with your companion. While diverse, the collection is also compact enough to view in a few hours without being overwhelmed. And admission to this world-class museum is free with your valid student ID! If you opt to drive, parking is also free for museum guests.

A close-up view of Diego Rivera’s 1941 oil painting, The Flower Vendor (Girl with Lilies). Photo by Douglas de Wet.

The soaring ceilings of the museum galleries, cool air, expansive skylights, and streaming with sunlight contribute to create a calm, meditative, even holy atmosphere. This provides visitors a respite from the chaos and distraction of media soaked everyday life. It makes it easier to focus on your companion.

The outdoor Sculpture Garden of the Norton Simon Museum. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

Enjoy works of ancient Asia, painted masterpieces by El Greco and Rembrandt, textured, Impressionist meditations on light by Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Degas. Contemplate the meaning of modern works by Picasso and Matisse, or post-modern works by Warhol and Ruscha. Stroll the Sculpture Garden’s pathways around the pond and enjoy sitting together in the shade of trees.

On most Saturdays, from 4 to 7 p.m., you can even take a free Drop In Drawing art class.

Draped Reclining Women 1957–58 by Henry Moore in the Sculpture Garden of the Norton Simon Museum. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

If you’re already in an established relationship, then you’re probably already comfortable spending quiet time with each other. But in the early stages of a relationship, silence can seem awkward, especially on a first date.

The main entrance to the Norton Simon Museum. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

When trying to impress someone, the self-imposed pressure keep a conversation active can make it easier to say something stupid. Museums ease this pressure. They allows people to be together quietly. Silence is a natural part of the museum experience.

From Pakistan, Ancient Gandhara, circa 200, a stone statue portrying Buddha Shakyamini. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

At the same time, this museum provides food for thought. Surrounded by works exploring life’s big questions: love, God, death, family, loss, power, suffering and the meaning of life, you‘ll have lots to discuss as you and your partner navigate your date.

Looking west at The Norton Simon Museum across the pond in Sculpture Garden. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

Maybe all of this quiet reflection has made you hungry. There is a pleasant, outdoor cafe run by the Patina Group, which offers casual fare such as salads and sandwiches in the $10 range.

Pablo Picasso’s 1932 oil painting, Women with a Book. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

But maybe it’s time to get back into the energetic flow of city sidewalks, so, you head out from the museum for a bite to eat.

Something to Eat: 85ºC Bakery Cafe

In the interest of keeping costs down, forgo a full meal, and opt instead for some carb-loading snacks at 85ºC Bakery Cafe. Referred to as the Starbucks of Tawain in a recent Los Angeles Times article, 85ºC offers a wide assortment of tasty breads, pastries and drinks at low prices.

Most items in the self-serve bakery are around $2, so you should be able to get out the door with two or three items for between $4 and $6.

Customers use plastic tongs and trays to select baked goods in the self-service section of the 85c Bakery Cafe in Pasadena. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

Their best selling baked item is the marble taro sweet bread ($2.25), a soft, pillowy bread with lavender swirls. Filled with sweetened taro paste, the airy loaf is tender enough to melt in your mouth. The starchy taro filling is slightly sweet, floral and somewhat exotic.

A Marble Taro sweet bread is selected from the self-serve case at 85ºC. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

Guests inspect pastries in the counter-service side of 85c Bakery Cafe in Pasadena. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

Strawberry Tiramisu at 85ºC Bakery Cafe in Pasadena. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

Fruit Jelly Cups in the counter-service case of the 85ºC Bakery Cafe in Pasadena. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

If you want your bakes to have a more hand-made, artisan quality, or you want sandwiches, you might prefer Euro Pane Bakery half a mile east at 345 East Colorado Blvd. It is a farther walk from the museum, and you’ll spend a bit more to get here, but it’s still reasonable and tasty.

Something to Drink: Copa Vida

While fine beverages are available at 85ºC, head instead a block east on Green Street for high quality coffees and teas at Copa Vida on the northeast corner of Green Street and Raymond Avenue.

Barristas preparing drinks at Copa Vida in Pasadena. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

The Copa-Cold-Brew ($4), is smooth and chocolatey and packs a potent caffeine punch. For a less stimulating beverage, the Hibiscus Cooler ($3.75) is a bright, refreshing alternative. It won’t get you too amped or give you coffee breath.

Most Copa Vida drinks cost between $3 and $6. They also serve breakfast and brunch items, sandwiches, salads which range from $7 to $14 dollars, as well as pastries.

Copa Vida on the corner of East Green Street and South Raymond Avenue in Pasadena. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

Some say $4 for coffee is outrageous, but I say “welcome to 2017.” Taste is subjective, so you may or may not love the drinks here, but they pay considerable attention to providing value by delivering a quality product and experience to their customers.

They also have free WiFi, but you are on date; maybe you should keep your phone in your pocket.

Other nearby, reasonably priced beverage alternatives include Amara Chocolate & Coffee, which is right across Raymond, and Intelligentsia Coffee about a block north on Colorado Boulevard at Raymond. If you’re comfortable enough with your companion to bring booze into the equation, an excellent variety of tap handles can be found at Lucky Baldwin’s Pub, also just across Raymond. A block and half south on Raymond, at the Del Mar Metro Station, is an outpost of Stone Brewing Company.

The Stone Company Store on South Raymond Avenue in Pasadena. Photo by Douglas de Wet.

Whether you build your cheap date around the places mentioned above, or create your own itinerary, Pasadena provides countless options for exploration and enjoyment. If you have an enthusiastic appetite for exploring on foot, you can add other Gold Line stops such as Lake Street, South Pasadena, or Highland Park to your repertoire. There are hundreds of other places to discover.

Happy dating and adventuring.