Pasadena Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Norton Simon Museum which includes a statue or sculpture

With remarkable museums and art galleries, this Californian city is known as one of the cultural centres of the San Gabriel Valley.

Pasadena has many cultural and scientific institutions, including the renowned California Institute of Technology. This city is an important hub of creative and historic life in California. Visit well-known museums, art galleries and city landmarks.

Stop at the Norton Simon Museum, a famous art centre featuring European paintings, Asian artworks and sculpture gardens. Explore Old Pasadena, with one of the first modern art museums in the United States. Take an architectural walking tour and admire some of Old Town’s historic buildings.

Old Pasadena, the significant centre of Pasadena, has some of the best shopping and entertainment in Southern California, with over 200 one-of-a-kind shops. Dine in award-winning restaurants and charming sidewalk cafés. Shop for antiques, boutique fashions, vintage items and fresh produce.

Admire masterpieces of modern art in the Pasadena Museum of California Art. See ongoing exhibits of expressionist and contemporary art. This museum preserves the artistic and cultural history of California through painting, graphic design, photography and architecture.

In San Marino, the affluent community about 10 minutes’ drive to the southeast from Pasadena, tour the Huntington Library and Gardens, an educational and research institution that features 12 gardens with over 15,000 plant species. Admire European art from the 15th to the 20th century and American art from the 17th to the 20th century. The Huntington Library is one of the largest research libraries in the world, with over 9 million items, including rare books, manuscripts and photographs.

Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Stadium is an outdoor athletic arena built in the 1920s. This site is regarded as one of the most famous arenas in sporting history and has hosted five Super Bowl games. Watch a sporting event or attend one of the Rose Bowl Flea Markets on the second Sunday of each month.

Pasadena is located about 30 miles (50 kilometres) from Los Angeles International Airport. Alternatively, fly into Bob Hope Airport about 16 miles (26 kilometres) from Pasadena.

Pasadena is the perfect city to appreciate California’s cultural and artistic history.

Where to stay in Pasadena

Old Pasadena

Old Pasadena

If you're in Old Pasadena, take some time to enjoy the ample dining options. Consider stopping by 39 Raymond, and you can hop on the metro at Del Mar Station to see more of the area.

Old Pasadena
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North Central

While North Central may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Rose Bowl Stadium and Pasadena City Hall.

North Central
Los Angeles featuring a house

North Arroyo

While visiting North Arroyo, you might make a stop by sights like Rose Bowl Stadium and Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

North Arroyo
Norton Simon Museum featuring a statue or sculpture

South Arroyo

While visiting South Arroyo, you might make a stop by sights like Norton Simon Museum and Colorado Street Bridge.

South Arroyo
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Lamanda Park

3/5(1 area review)

When in Lamanda Park, you can plan a visit to The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens and Rose Bowl Stadium, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lamanda Park
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East Pasadena

When in East Pasadena, you can plan a visit to Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Gardens and 626 Night Market, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

East Pasadena
Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport
Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport
3.5 out of 5
9750 Airport Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$180 per night from 26 May to 27 May
NZ$180
per night
26 May - 27 May
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, a free airport shuttle, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
6/10 (5,829 reviews)
"Ok"

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport
The Westin Pasadena
The Westin Pasadena
4 out of 5
191 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA
The price is NZ$275 per night from 19 May to 20 May
NZ$275
per night
19 May - 20 May
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Pasadena. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"Staff is so nice & helpful!"

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

The Westin Pasadena
Courtyard by Marriott Pasadena/Old Town
Courtyard by Marriott Pasadena/Old Town
4 out of 5
180 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA
The price is NZ$261 per night from 19 May to 20 May
NZ$261
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Pasadena. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (149 reviews)
"Clean, updated, comfortable"

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

Courtyard by Marriott Pasadena/Old Town
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
3 out of 5
219 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (282 reviews)
"Property was great. LA area not so much"

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
The Crescent powered by Sonder
The Crescent powered by Sonder
4 out of 5
403 N Crescent Dr, Beverly Hills, CA
Stay at this 4-star boutique condo in Beverly Hills. Enjoy valet parking (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Rodeo ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Replace head boards and foot boards. Remotes didn’t work for the Fan. I had to go downstairs to get batteries for the Roku remote. Nice size spiders came out in the bathroom. Shampoo and body wash pumps did not work. But I would stay again. Little fixes."

Reviewed on 5 May 2024

The Crescent powered by Sonder
GORGEOUS Hollywood Living Los Angeles
GORGEOUS Hollywood Living Los Angeles
3.5 out of 5
900 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the convenient ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (147 reviews)
Recommended
"Every single day was a good time for me and the locations were amazing easy to get in and get out to every attractions. Definitely would stay there again ."

Reviewed on 22 Apr. 2024

GORGEOUS Hollywood Living Los Angeles
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Pasadena

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
" "5 - Excellent 14.285714285714286%
4 - Good
5
" "4 - Good 71.42857142857143%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 14.285714285714286%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
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" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
7 Sep 2019

Pasadena is a pretty place. I like to walk the main streets and check out the shops. Beautiful climate. Friendly people.

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