Marlene Gordon is an Urban Explorer. It is her mission in life to discover the hidden and outlandish treasures in and out of Los Angeles, Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, and to share her discoveries with others.

Marlene has achieved recognition as L.A.'s guide to out-of-the-ordinary destinations such as the Insomniacs Tour and the now famous Chocolate Covered L.A. Tour. 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 have also highlighted various Next Stage Tours. She was selected as one of four top guides in Los Angeles in the September 2003 issue of Sunset Magazine. In 2004 she was featured in an article and radio show for Voice of America.

Marlene received a certificate from the City of Los Angeles in June, 2005 for 28 years of volunteer work for Las Angelitas del Pueblo of El Pueblo Monument (oldest site in Los Angeles) where she serves on their board of directors and continues to work as the activities and program director. (1977-2006)

She is on the board of directors of the Los Angeles City Historical Society, serving as their activities and program chair. (2003-2006) She was the activities program chairwoman for the Pasadena and San Marino Newcomers Club from June 2001-2003, and previously served two years on the advisory committee of the California Historical Society to develop special tours in Southern California.