Pasadena Heritage Tour

September 26, 2026 7:45am-5:30pm

On the Pasadena Heritage Tour Day Trip, you will enjoy a 2½-hour narrated drive-by tour aboard our comfortable motorcoach, presented in partnership with the Pasadena Heritage Foundation. As we travel through Pasadena's historic neighborhoods, our expert guide will share the stories behind many of the region's most celebrated Mid-Century Modern homes and communities.

In the afternoon, we'll experience one of Pasadena Heritage's most anticipated annual events—Her Pasadena: Changing Ideas of Home in Mid-Century Southern California—held at the beautiful and historic Blinn House.

This Modernism Week Day Trip includes transportation to and from Palm Springs and 2 guided tours. The included lunch will take you to Green Street Restaurant, one of Pasadena's favorite dining destinations and a beloved local institution.

From the comfort of the coach, you'll view remarkable residences designed by legendary architects including Richard Neutra, John Lautner, Buff & Hensman, Harwell Hamilton Harris, Craig Ellwood, and others. Along the route, you'll discover how innovative ideas such as open floor plans, post-and-beam construction, walls of glass, and seamless indoor-outdoor living transformed residential design after World War II.

We’re fortunate to have exclusive access to two exceptional Pasadena homes, each with its own remarkable architectural story. One was designed by the renowned firm Buff & Hensman, while the other was created by acclaimed architect Harold B. Zook.

As we make our way down one of Pasadena’s distinctive streets, we’ll encounter several Zook-designed homes, offering a fascinating look at his architectural vision. And at the Buff & Hensman residence, we’ll have the special opportunity to view original photographs of the home taken by legendary architectural photographer Julius Shulman.

On display are dramatic hillside residences with soaring glass walls and seamless indoor-outdoor living to the thoughtfully planned neighborhoods of Hastings Ranch. You'll learn how innovative design, the automobile, and the California dream transformed the American home and suburban life after World War II. This engaging tour reveals how architecture, planning, and culture came together to shape the Southern California lifestyle we know today.

Built in 1906 as a private residence, the Blinn House became home to the Women's City Club of Pasadena during the 1940s, serving as a gathering place where women built friendships, developed leadership skills, and played an increasingly important role in shaping their community.

During this special event, you'll enjoy guided access to the historic home while discovering the inspiring stories of the women who influenced Pasadena's civic and cultural life. Vintage fashions, interactive exhibits, immersive photo opportunities, and engaging presentations bring the era to life, offering a unique glimpse into the changing roles, lifestyles, and aspirations of women in postwar Southern California.

Blending architecture, social history, and design, the highly anticipated annual Her Pasadena event offers a memorable look at how one remarkable home reflects the larger story of a changing America.

Joining the Pasadena Heritage Tour will be Kitty Mahon who will introduce the region's rich architectural and cultural history during the drive to Pasadena. Although now a Palm Springs resident, Kitty lived in Pasadena for more than 20 years and offers a unique perspective on both communities. She is a docent at the Palm Springs Art Museum, a member of the Palm Springs Modern Committee's BEAM (Buddy, Educate, and Mentor) program, and a member of the Palm Springs Architectural Alliance. Her extensive knowledge and passion for architecture will make the journey as informative as the destination.