WHY Heavenly Mexican hot chocolate to sip in the charming and romantic upstairs room.

WHAT Tiny and vividly colorful, this coffeehouse has Mexican flair and a prime location next to the Pasadena Playhouse. In summer they host live music in the adjacent alley.

WHO Shoppers, strollers, readers and theater-goers—in addition to the Playhouse next door, there’s an art-house Laemmle multiplex and the great bookstore Vroman’s just around the corner