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Pasadena, California

Things to Do

Whether you're a foodie, culture vulture, nature lover, music chaser, movie fanatic, fine art aficionado, or history buff, there's more than enough in Pasadena to keep you busy. Here are the best things to do, from shopping boutiques and breathtaking museums to trendy restaurant bars and lush outdoor adventure.

UCLA Football
How to do UCLA Bruins Football at the Rose Bowl Stadium like a local

Be a part of the UCLA Bruins Football Fandom and experience the beloved Rose Bowl Stadium just like the locals do.

hiking forest bathing couple
The Arroyo Seco

The Arroyo Seco translates to "dry gulch" in Spanish and was named by explorer Gaspar de Portolà. The land was first...
The Brunch Guide to Pasadena: 5 Ways to Brunch

Brunch is back and leisurely weekend feasts have officially been revived across Pasadena, where even the brunch is a...
Boba Trail

Rooted in local Asian American history and cultural relevance, Pasadena’s boba culture is a vibrant celebration of the...

In Pasadena, California's history and heritage is met with palm-lined streets, ornate architecture, national landmarks, popular art & cultural institutions, shopping boutiques, and ethnically diverse food. Explore the “Crown of the Valley” solo or as a group to discover what makes the city one of Los Angeles’ unique hidden gems.

Architecture

From historic architectural marvels to heavenly craftsman homes, there are over 30 historic and landmark districts packed into 23 square miles in...

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Pasadena Shopping Destinations, Vintage Finds, Antique, One-of-a-kind, Southern California, Things to Do

Shop Pasadena

Shopping in Pasadena is a popular recreational activity, set against the backdrop of ornate buildings and historic landmarks, the one-of-a-kind shops...

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Pasadena Shopping, Bookstore, Things to Do

Bookstores & Comic...

Are you tired of the same old bookstore chains? Have you read enough "New York Times Best-Sellers" to make your eyes go dry?

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Norton Simon Museum

Museums

Pasadena is known for its abundance of renowned cultural institutions, many within walking distance of one another.

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Pasadena Civic Auditorium

Music and Theater

Do you accidentally give driving directions using stage left and stage right? Is your go-to dance move the jazz square?

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Restaurants &...

Trying new cuisines is one of the most thrilling experiences for taste buds and cultural immersion. Pasadena is home to over 650 restaurants, where...

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Pasadena Hotels

Hotels and Lodging...

Choosing Pasadena as your home base for any trip to the Los Angeles area is a smart strategy. From here, you’ll have fast, easy access to downtown...

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Hiking at Angeles National Forest

Outdoor & Recreation

With temperate weather, ample wildlife, and natural areas, Pasadena is home to the ancestral lands of the Hahamog'na band of Tongva people. They...

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Pasadena is home to over 30 nationally registered historic districts, including the thriving downtown neighborhoods that offer shops, bars and restaurants in well-preserved turn-of-the-century buildings.

District Guide
Old Pasadena Street

Old Pasadena

With 22 blocks designated as a National Register Historic District, Old Pasadena abounds with impeccably restored late 19th and early 20th-century...

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convention center exterior

Civic Center...

The Civic Center District is a vibrant zone that sits between Old Pasadena and The Playhouse Village. The beautiful Beaux-Arts and Mediterranean...

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Pasadena Arts

Playhouse Village

The artsy Playhouse Village is home to the renowned Pasadena Playhouse along with museums, galleries, eateries, and a smattering of independent...

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South Lake Avenue

South Lake Avenue

South Lake is a 12-block stretch of boutiques, restaurants, and purveyors of beauty, health, and wellness. Major national chain stores like Macy’s...

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Descanso gardens tulips
Gardens

Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens. Descanso Gardens features nine botanical collections, a (ride-able) miniature railroad, house museum, modern art gallery, cafe and gift...

Two children on swing set at Desiderio Neighborhood Park in Pasadena, CA.
Outdoors

Desiderio Neighborhood Park

Desiderio Neighborhood Park is a little bit of a hidden gem. For architecture enthusiasts, this family friendly park sits right below the historic Colorado...

Eaton Canyon
Outdoors

Eaton Canyon

Hiking Trails in Pasadena. Eaton Canyon is a 190-acre zoological, botanical, and geological nature preserve at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. While...

Eaton Canyon Golf Course with a view of a large pond and red flag in Pasadena, CA.
Sports

Eaton Canyon Golf Course

Nestled at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Eaton Canyon Golf Course is a 9-hole par 35 course just under 300 yards. Built in 1962, the...

Europane tuna sandwich
American

Europane

French-inspired. Europane is walking distance from the Pasadena Convention Center off of historic Route 66. Since 2010, Europane has served breakfast and...

Fair Oaks Pharmacy ice cream sundae
Historic Building

Fair Oaks Pharmacy

A South Pasadena Landmark. Located in the heart of South Pasadena, Fair Oaks Pharmacy is a historic old fashion pharmacy originating in 1915. Fair Oaks...

float ice cream milkshake
Outdoor Dining

Float Pasadena

Retro Soda FountainFloat is a modern take on the old-fashioned soda fountains from the 40s and 50s. When they walk in, guests are greeted by friendly baristas...
Steakhouse

Fogo de Chão

Fogo de Chão, the internationally acclaimed restaurant brand that allows guests to make culinary discoveries at every turn features an expansive dining room...

Gamble House
Architecture

Gamble House

Craftsman Masterpiece. The Gamble House was designed in 1908 by Pasadena architects, Greene & Greene as the winter residence for David and Mary Gamble. The...

Gold Bug Store
Shopping

Gold Bug

Gold Bug is a unique vintage-inspired shop that sells jewelry, offbeat artwork, insect taxidermy, sculptures, and decor. Ideal for antique collectibles, the...

Grist and Toll
Shopping

Grist and Toll

Grain miller Nan Kohler runs Grist & Toll in an industrial complex just north of the 110 freeway finish on Arroyo Parkway. She mills powdery, stone-ground,...

Hahamongna watershed park
Outdoors

Hahamonga Watershed Park

Hahamongna Watershed Park is located at the Southeast corner of Oak Grove Drive and Foothill Boulevard. This 1300-acre park in the Arroyo Seco extends from...

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