About Marlene Gordon...

Marlene Gordon is an Urban Explorer. It is her mission in life to discover the hidden and outlandish treasures of Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, and many other places ... and to share her discoveries with friends. Marlene Gordon has achieved recognition as L.A.'s guide to out-of-the-ordinary destinations such as the Insomniacs Tour, Chocolate Covered L.A. and Bella Italia, a trip to Italy without leaving town. Jerry Hulse, former Editor of the Los Angeles Times Travel Section, referred to Marlene as "The Merchant of Dreams" in a front page story about her tour service. She is the 1978 owner and founder of The Next Stage Tours, specializing in exciting places and events that take place in Los Angeles and beyond. Some of her tours are included in Fodor's, Frommer's, Eyewitness, Time Out, America Off the Wall and other guidebooks for Los Angeles and California. Her tours have been featured on television shows such as Huell Howser's California Gold, CNN, and The Today Show. Many newspapers and magazines in and out of California have highlighted various Next Stage Tours. She is currently among four tour guides listed in the September 2003 issue of Sunset Magazine suggesting favorite local places to see.

Marlene received a Certificate of Appreciation in 2003 from the City of Los Angeles for her 25 years of volunteer work for Las Angelitas del Pueblo, at El Pueblo Park (Olvera Street.) She is currently the activities and educational programs director for this docent organization. Marlene has been on the 2002-2003 advisory committee of the California Historical Society to develop tours in Southern California. Marlene is a Member and an Ambassador for the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. She is a also a Member of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce and the Montrose Chamber of Commerce, the Women's City Club of Pasadena and the Shakespeare League of Pasadena.