Pasadena Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Pasadena
Norton Simon Museum which includes a statue or sculpture
Pasadena
Norton Simon Museum which includes a statue or sculpture
Pasadena

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.

citizenM Los Angeles Downtown

citizenM Los Angeles Downtown

4 out of 5
361 South Spring Street Los Angeles CA
The price is NZ$254 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
NZ$254
17 Nov - 18 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,954 reviews)
The atmosphere and the rooms were very high tech and Davy

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2025

citizenM Los Angeles Downtown
Hilton Los Angeles Airport

Hilton Los Angeles Airport

4 out of 5
5711 W Century Blvd Los Angeles CA
The price is NZ$243 per night from 9 Dec to 10 Dec
NZ$243
9 Dec - 10 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy 5 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the bar and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (4,915 reviews)
Paula checked us in after an exhausting day! She was able to process our room quickly! Great job!

Reviewed on 12 Nov 2025

Hilton Los Angeles Airport
Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport

Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport

4 out of 5
6225 W Century Blvd Los Angeles CA
The price is NZ$342 per night from 18 Nov to 19 Nov
NZ$342
18 Nov - 19 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,400 reviews)
Check in was very fast. Room was clean and safe. Shuttle service was prompt and made traveling to LAX very easy.

Reviewed on 14 Nov 2025

Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (747 reviews)
Great!

Reviewed on 12 Nov 2025

The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Kasa Sunset Los Angeles

Kasa Sunset Los Angeles

3 out of 5
5825 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and air conditioning. Popular attractions Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood ...
9/10 Wonderful! (227 reviews)
Great location and room was clean and way larger than depicted. Great views as well.

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2025

Kasa Sunset Los Angeles
Fenix Hotel Hollywood

Fenix Hotel Hollywood

4 out of 5
7070 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Hollywood Boulevard and Hollywood ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (242 reviews)
Great hotel and convenient location. Fair warning, this hotel is in the middle of Hollywood, so with that, there’s a lot of traffic, parking sucks, and it can’t be noisy at times. But, you’re nearby a lot of really cool spots in Los Angeles so it’s a worthy trade off. The room was clean and the record ...

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2025

Fenix Hotel Hollywood
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.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Pasadena

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 14%
4 - Good
5
4 - Good 71%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

Cities near Pasadena