Vacation like Old Money in Pasadena, CA

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Old money is a trend that never gets old. For the last year, “old money” and “quiet luxury” trends have been dominating the internet. “Old money” refers to “the inherited wealth of established upper-class families”. These families have been rich for generations and have created a whole culture around their wealth and status. 


Old money styles, hobbies, and even etiquette have been popping up on social media. Everyone seems to want to live the lifestyle of the elite, but most of us don’t have the deep pockets that come along with it. While it’s impossible to turn back time and be born into an old money family, you can still enjoy some aspects of the high life. Here’s our guide to enjoying the old-money lifestyle on your Pasadena vacation. 

Old Money Activities

Enjoying an old-money vacation means filling your time with the hobbies enjoyed by the affluent classes. Here are some of the most accessible activities of the leisure class.


Golf

There are several reasons why golf is enjoyed by the elite. Golfing offers great opportunities to socialize while you exercise. The sport is challenging without being too physically taxing, making it a great way to spend time outdoors.  You may not be able to go to the country club, but you can still enjoy a day on the greens. Here are some of the most beautiful courses around Pasadena:



Horseback Riding

It’s no secret that the rich love their horses. In addition to riding them, breeding horses for races and polo is an expensive hobby itself. While the average person can’t afford to shelter, feed, and train these beautiful animals, you can still spend a day at the stables. Here are some stables that offer day classes and rentals:




Art Collecting

Art patronage has been connected to the upper class for centuries. During the Renaissance, elites used to directly support their choice of painters and sculptures. Today the wealthiest spend millions on a single piece of art. You may never invest that much on a single painting, but you can still indulge your love of art at the following museums and galleries:



Gardening

Beautiful gardens are a hallmark of high-class homes. Perfectly manicured lawns filled with exotic plants and vibrant flowers are just as important to the ultra-wealthy as the size of their real estate portfolios. You can’t plant and grow an entire garden while on vacation, but you can still stop and smell the roses at these gardens:



Old Money Tastes

The affluent class is well known for their tastes, especially in food. If you have rich tastes you’d like to indulge in, here are our recommendations on where to go in Pasadena. 

Wine

The family wine cellar is an important part of many legacy estates. Having an entire room dedicated to storing and displaying hundreds of bottles is a luxury most of us can only imagine. But, if you are looking to add to your personal collection, here are a few places you should try:


  • The Cellar: Wine Library, wines and charcuterie boards
  • San Antonio Winery: family-owned winery offering tours, tastings, and onsite dining

Food

There’s a reason why we describe some foods as “rich”. In gourmet terms, rich food usually means that the food you are eating is high in calories–but in a more general sense, it’s food that feels indulgent. Whether it’s a buttery lobster tail, a thick cut of grass-fed steak, or an elegantly plated pasta, some meals taste more expensive than others. Here are some places you can eat like the rich:




Treats

If there’s something the rich know, it’s indulgence. Unique treats made with quality ingredients are always worth the hunt. Whether you are rewarding yourself with a decadent dessert, or finding the perfect treat for someone you love, here are some places to get treats of true taste:



Shopping

Money and spending tend to go hand-in-hand. After all, what’s the point of having generations’ worth of wealth if you never spend it? You may not have the budget of a trust-fund baby, but here are some ways you can shop like one:

Old Pasadena

To start spending money like the old money crowd, you should start by looking for where the old money comes from. In Southern California, that’s going to be around Old Pasadena. This historic business district is filled with shops and activities to suit any taste and budget, but here are some of our favorite “old money” shops you should visit:



Antiques

What’s better than something new? The answer is something old, and by old we mean “antique”. Old-money families often pass down their antiques from generation to generation, but many still enjoy shopping for new, old goods to increase their collections. Here are some of our favorite antique shops to browse:



Stay at Arroyo Vista Inn

The finishing touch of your old-money weekend is lodging at the Arroyo Vista Inn. Our historic Inn is located on a quiet street in Pasadena. With 10 beautiful rooms, a charming garden, and traditional tea service available, our elegant Inn is the perfect place to live your old-money lifestyle dreams. Book today!