Itinerary: Rose City

The first weekend of 1998 is the biggest in Pasadena. Don’t let the petals pass you by.

Today

After watching the Rose Parade this morning in person or on TV, inspect the intricate floral detail this afternoon. Post-parade float viewing takes place along Sierra Madre and Washington boulevards from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., and again on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission is $2. After some time in the chilly outdoors, head for a hot beverage at Tea Rose Garden, the combination tea room and flower-and-gift shop, 28 S. Raymond Ave., Old Pasadena. The shop will remain open until 4 p.m. today. Hours Friday are 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (626) 578-1144.

Friday

The excitement should be palpable all weekend in and around Pasadena. Drive to the Lake Avenue district for some shopping, then hop the free Pasadena ARTS shuttle to Old Pasadena. You’ll avoid the old town congestion and get a free ride in a warm and comfortable coach. Shuttle hours are Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday, noon-8 p.m.

Venture into the most photographed building on New Year’s Day, the Norton Simon Museum on Colorado Boulevard. The museum’s permanent collection includes works by Rembrandt, Gauguin, Degas and Raphael. Open Friday-Sunday, noon to 6 p.m., $4 or $2 for students and seniors. Top off the afternoon with dessert along Colorado Boulevard, say, Barney’s for Blackout Cake, Ilfornaio or Mi Piace for desserts that could pass for works of art, and the Cheesecake Factory.

Keep in the spirit of the Rose Parade theme “Hav ‘n Fun” by laughing it up at Pasadena’s inveterate comedy club, the Ice House. The comedy team O’Brien & Valdez headlines two shows Friday and Saturday nights; on Sunday, hypnotist Mark Sweet appears. $8.50-$11.50. Reservations suggested: (626) 577-1894.

Saturday

If you’re still partial to the smell of roses, venture over to the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, to see the three-acre rose garden that is still in bloom. Docents will be around to talk about the 207-acre former estate. Also, catch the two-day exhibit of suiseki (viewing stones), an ancient Japanese art form, on view Saturday and Sunday. The stones are shaped by the elements into such familiar forms as animals and mountains. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Museum admission is $8.50; seniors, $7; students 12-17, $5; 11 and younger, free. (626) 405-2141.

Or, venture a few miles up the 210 Freeway to Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Can~ada-Flintridge, hand the kids $1.50 each to ride the Enchanted Railroad and get a few pointers on rose pruning from curator Mary Brosius. The two-hour demonstration will begin at 10 a.m. in the Rose Garden, where 5,000 plants represent 1,800 varieties of roses. The demo is included in garden admission: $5; seniors and students, $3; ages 5-12, $1. (818) 952-4401.

Return to Old Pasadena for an old-fashioned burger, fries and a shake at Jake’s on Colorado, a local legend since 1947, then saunter over to the Carriage Depot outside the restaurant and climb aboard the horse-drawn taxi.

Hit Papashon Pasadena, 91 N. Raymond Ave., for a drink and tunes from jazz singer Gina Eckstine until midnight, or at the two-story Q’s, on Colorado, where there are nearly as many billiards tables as floats in the Rose Parade.

Sunday

Start the day with a Gospel Brunch at Twin Palms, Green and Delancey streets in Old Pasadena. The buffet brunch from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. is augmented by the voices of gospel groups from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Brunch is $21.95 ($3 more with champagne). Reservations suggested: (626) 577-2567. Drive to Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, where it’s the last day of “College Bowl Days.” Fans wearing a Michigan or Washington State shirt or logo get in for $17.50--a half-price discount. (714) 220-5200.