Reese's Retreat at Brookside Park

Arts and Crafts architecture kids can actually enjoy, with 45-minute tours led by teen docents and summer storytime under the big oak.

Three and a half acres of hands-on everything: a stream to splash in, a physics forest to climb and a muddy farm for digging.

A quiet pocket park under the Colorado Street Bridge with modern play equipment, grassy meadows and one of the best bridge views in town.

An Old Town base with an outdoor pool and hot tub, walking distance to more than 100 shops and restaurants.

An Old Pasadena arcade packed with playable 80s and 90s machines, where kids meet the games their parents grew up on.

A tiny candy kitchen and cafe making its own sea-salt caramels and marshmallows, plus breakfast and lunch.