Remote Surveillance Trailer in Pasadena, CA

PASADENA, Calif.— The City of Pasadena is proud to recognize Nathan Wolford as the 2026 recipient of the Robert Gorski Access Award, an award established by the City of Pasadena Accessibility and Disability Commission and presented annually to a Pasadena community member with a disability who has made a significant contribution toward improving accessibility and quality of life for people with disabilities and the City of Pasadena’s disability community. Nathan will be honored at the Pasadena City Council meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026.

Nathan is a disability advocate and enjoys working with and for people with disabilities. He lives in Pasadena, CA, after moving from West Michigan with his wife Erin and serves as the Villager and Volunteer Coordinator at Pasadena Village, where he chairs the Accessibility Task Force. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Ministry from Cornerstone University and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity Degree at Fuller Seminary. Nathan intends to pursue a career in healthcare chaplaincy after graduation.

In addition to his work with Pasadena Village, Nathan enjoys finding opportunities to answer questions and educate those around him about his experience living with limb loss. In 2017, Nathan was injured in a work accident in Michigan, which led to the amputation of both legs below the knees. Since then, Nathan has volunteered as a mentor for people in the limb loss community, having volunteered as a peer mentor with Hanger Clinic, Camp No Limits, and the Limb Kind Foundation. Nathan believes that although challenges can accompany life with a disability, it is entirely possible to thrive and enjoy life despite such obstacles. A central part of Nathan's message in his mentor and accessibility work is the empowerment of people with disabilities and the belief that people in the disability community hold unique experiences and perspectives which equip them to make a positive impact on their communities.

In the city of Los Angeles and its environs, there’s one question a traveler will find themselves asked again and again: What part of town are you staying in? Where are you located? Driving across the city can make for an all-day affair, especially if your timing doesn’t account for traffic congestion. But with some common sense planning, and something nice to listen to on the stereo, there’s no reason not to explore.

With this in mind, Pasadena beckons. The city’s food and beverage scene is booming, and there’s the almighty Rose Bowl Flea Market on the second Saturday of each month, which is worth visiting on any trip. Today we’re profiling a new cafe in Pasadena, with a unique hook and fun vibe. This is Milk Brew.

The 2026 Build-outs of Coffee is presented by DONA, Pacific Barista Series, and La Marzocco.

For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?

We specialize in “Milk Brew,” which is a drink made by steeping coffee directly in milk. We think this produces a drink similar to a latte but more balanced. Without the water in the espresso the drink ends up creamier. Meanwhile the coffee is even throughout and you cannot taste where the coffee ends and the milk begins. Because this removes some espresso duties from latte preparation, we can focus on craft espresso and pour-over beverages. We use Black & White Coffee Roasters and love making drinks out of their funkiest and fruitiest offerings as well as their clean and floral beans.

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

We are situated in a historic building with a ton of natural lighting. Our goal when we took over the space was to make it as bright and as inviting as possible. We also wanted to highlight some of the historic features. For example we used a limewash on the walls but painted the ceilings white. We think this contrast really brings out the original molding.

What’s your approach to coffee?

What I love the most about coffee is the diversity you can find from cup to cup. The producers and roasters work so hard to bring the best product they can to our shop that we believe it is our duty to bring out the best possible expression of each unique cup. Often times this means taking a slower approach to making drinks.

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

We have two Weber EG-1s on bar. One with ultra burrs for pour-over and one with core burrs for espresso. Each drink we make on bar is prepared with intentionality with the most fun grinders we have ever used. Our espresso machine is the Victoria Arduino Eagle One.

What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?

We are currently in soft open but our grand opening date is August 1st!

Thank you!

If you're working your way down our bucket list of 100 things to do before your LA kids grow up, you might notice how many of those are fun things to do in Pasadena—and we're not just talking about the Rose Parade. The inland, foothill community rivals Santa Monica for family-friendly, walkable streets and a variety of arts and entertainment. It's also one of the oldest communities in the LA area, which gave it a head start on collecting cool stuff.

Let the tourists spend their days in Hollywood because there's more going on most weekends in Pasadena, a city so bursting with kid and family-friendly activities that we had a hard time picking the best of the best.

Explore the trails, trees, waterfalls, and wildlife. The Nature Center is especially suited for little ones, as is the Family Nature Walk on Saturdays from 9am to 10am.

Enjoy a game of Frisbee and a picnic for a fun day at this sprawling park on the east side of the city.

It's ships ahoy, matey every day at this universally accessible playground in Brookside Park near the Rose Bowl. Kids will love the foam-core bottom, musical activities, and bucket swings.

Delight in the sights and smells of Pasadena's only dedicated public garden. Have your kids see if they can identify all seven plant communities!

Sling some arrows at this archery range during one of their Saturday classes.

This golf course caters to families with its newly renovated nine-hole mini golf course. A fun outing on summer nights and weekends, purchase your tickets before 8pm!

Museums Kids Love in Pasadena

Wander through 120 acres of botanical gardens, soaking in the breathtaking views of 15,000 plant varieties in more than a dozen gardens, including the children's Gardens (complete with water features).

Stroll through and drink in the culture and arts of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Every second Sunday is free for families, and activities include storytimes, performances, workshops, and more.

Take a tour of the American Arts and Crafts style house (children 12 and under get in free). Check out their family tour options for an experience catered to kids.

This museum offers more than just an array of glorious paintings. Your little ones might also enjoy the museum's Family Days,Young Artists Workshops, and more.

Head to Kidspace for a day of play and exploration. Kids will love exhibits like the Arroyo Pequeño water play area, the Physics Forest, and the Muddy Boot Farm. Check for Free First Fridays when admission is free during specific hours.

Older kids will enjoy a tour of the Tournament House and the 4.5-acre gardens featuring 1,500 varieties of roses, camellias, and annuals. Reservations are required, but the tour is free!

Launch your imaginations into space during Explore JPL, which is typically held in the spring. Be sure to bring sunscreen because many of the fun exhibits are outside!

Photo courtesy of Neon Retro Arcade

Best Things To Do in Pasadena: Activities with Kids

Whirl and twirl in your skates at this indoor rink that offers daily skating sessions throughout the week. Don't know how to ice skate? Sign up for a lesson!

And... strike! Go bowling with friends, and don't miss out on the fun food like burgers, chicken wings, and beverages for the adults.

Walk, run, ride, or stroll around the Rose Bowl on this popular 3.3-mile paved loop. Flea Market Sunday is also a fun family outing but go early to avoid the heavy crowds.

Play, explore, and learn at this spacious indoor children's museum. The exhibits change, so it's always something new, and the last Thursday of every month from 12:30pm-3:30pm is All-Abilities Hours, a dedicated playtime for kids with developmental differences.

Play a few rounds of old-fashioned pinball or a classic arcade game like Donkey Kong, Galaga, and Ms. Pac-Man at this exciting throwback.

Pasadena is home to one of the most elite universities in the country, and it's also one of the most beautiful! Beat the summer heat by taking an architectural tour of the lush, shady grounds that are home to top scientists.

Things To Do in Pasadena With Art-Loving Kids

See a show—especially a holiday panto—at this historic theater.

Older kids and teens might enjoy taking a unique art class like DIY Printmaking + Textiles, Designing Cars, Darkroom Photography, or Character Design.

Audition for a play or be a theatergoer at this award-winning children's theater.

Enjoy a summer concert on the lawn at this gorgeous outdoor space in historic MacArthur Park.

You cream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream. Photo courtesy of Carmela Ice Cream/Facebook

Fun Things to Do in Pasadena With Food-Loving Kids

This sweet cafe and candy shop is a must when it comes to things to do in Pasadena with kids. Grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or some melt-in-your-mouth caramels).

Dots started as a cupcake shop and recently changed locations to include a cafe. They still offer amazing cupcakes (think Meyer Lemon, Carrot, Dulce de Leche, Hazelnut Crucn, and more), but are now serving breakfast and lunch daily. They even have family-style meals available to go.

This quintessential coffee shop opened in 1963 and has been serving up some of the best diner food in the area ever since. Come for a classic dish like the Swiss on rye or grilled tuna and stay for a slice of apple, cherry, lemon meringue, butterscotch, or boysenberry pie, to name a few.

Skip over for a scoop of small-batch organic dairy ice cream. There are so many amazing flavors, it's hard to know where to begin.

The Gourmet Cobbler Factory is tops in the city for the other fruit-filled pastry. Plus, you can grab an authentic Southern BBQ lunch!

Things To Do in Pasadena With Kids Who Love to Shop

Fill your bags with fresh and local produce at Villa Park or Victory Park. Another great farmer's market option is the South Pasadena Farmer's Market.

If you've got a kid who loves all things prehistoric, a trip to the Dinosaur Farm is a must. One of Pasadena's most uniquely entertaining independent toy and bookshops, you'll find everything from puzzles to large stuffed dinos, room decor, and more.

Vroman's is Southern California's oldest and largest independent bookstore. Browse the aisles, find new books, and listen to a story or two at weekly storytimes.

PASADENA, Calif. — For the past week, residents and business owners near East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena have been finding flyers in their mailboxes alerting them to six proposed affordable housing developments planned for their neighborhood.

Four of the projects would be built along East Colorado Boulevard between Allen and Grand Oaks avenues, with two more proposed farther east near Hastings Ranch.

The flyers drew a crowd Wednesday to Pasadena City Hall, where residents packed a meeting of the city’s Housing and Planning Committee to voice their concerns.

“We’re not getting answers,” Pasadena resident Katrina Richardson said. “We’re just getting up there, building them. Deal with it. If you want to have a say, you can come to these meetings, but it’s meaningless.”

Richardson, who has lived in Pasadena for decades, said her biggest concerns are traffic, parking and overdevelopment.

The proposed buildings would range from at least three to four stories tall and include limited parking — something allowed under California law for qualifying affordable housing developments built near major transit.

“If you want to build them here, let’s compromise on the height, the structure, the parking,” Richardson said. “I just cannot believe you can build 151 units and no parking.”

In total, the six developments would add about 760 apartments to Pasadena’s housing market, many of them reserved for low-income renters.

The projects are part of Pasadena’s East Colorado Specific Plan, first drafted in 2022 to help meet California’s housing goals. They also align with newer state laws encouraging denser housing development near major transit lines, including the Metro A Line.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo said those state housing laws leave cities with limited authority over many qualifying projects.

“Reach out to your assembly member and state senator,” Gordo said. “Because the result of state law is what you’re seeing, and they’re not finished yet.”

Not everyone opposes the development.

Rabbi Joshua Grater, CEO of the homeless services organization Friends In Deed, said Pasadena urgently needs more affordable housing as more residents struggle to remain housed.

“We’re getting significant numbers of people off the street,” Grater said. “But it’s staying flat because more people are coming onto the street than we can get off the street.”

For the past three years, Pasadena’s homeless count has remained relatively flat, largely because people continue falling into homelessness as quickly as others are housed.

“They can’t afford their rents or their rents getting raised,” Grater said. “We know it’s all connected. Cost of gas, cost of groceries, cost of insurance.”

Meanwhile, change is already underway along East Colorado Boulevard.

Several businesses have already closed or relocated to make way for future mixed-use developments, including the longtime Pasadena pub Lucky Baldwin’s, which first opened in 1996.

For residents like Richardson, these changes raise concerns about preserving the city’s identity.

“When you don’t preserve the historical nature of the city and the charm of the city, you lose the city,” she said.

Richardson said she hopes state lawmakers will give cities more flexibility to find a compromise between building much-needed housing and addressing neighborhood concerns.