Old Pasadena

Old Pasadena

With 22 blocks designated as a National Register Historic District, Old Pasadena abounds with impeccably restored late 19th and early 20th-century architecture. “Old Pas,” as locals affectionately call it, offers open-air shopping plazas, hidden laneways and a lively strip of retailers and restaurants along the main drag, Colorado Boulevard.

maestro green sauce

Eat

Maestro excels at modern Mexican in a plush setting, with a killer mezcal list to boot. True Food Kitchen and Sage Plant Based Bistro specialize in ultra-healthy, super delicious fare. Osawa delights sushi and shabu shabu lovers with their meticulously prepared Japanese cuisine and artful presentation. The fruits of the sea are the star of the show at New England-inspired Fishwives. The intimate, Italian-inflected Union Restaurant is deservedly one of Pasadena’s most popular dinner destinations. Another Italian hot spot, Mi Piace has been pleasing palates for 30 years. Luggage Room Pizzeria prepares delectable pizzas in their woodburning oven.

Shop

Colorado Boulevard and Green Street are lined with a large mix of national chains and independent retailers as diverse as Design Within Reach and Warby Parker, to name just a few. Meander through the upscale One Colorado outdoor shopping center to find elegant clothing stores like Finn + Willow. If you’re in the market for one-of-a-kind housewares and gifts, beeline to Gold Bug, Maude Woods, and Homage. Jenette Bras carries Southern California’s largest selection of size D-K bras and swimwear.

Gold Bug Store
Castle Green

Play

Play arcade and video games straight out of the 1980s at The Neon Retro Arcade, where more than 50 “vintage” games entertain all ages. Stroll through the 9.2-acre Central Park (275 S. Raymond Ave.). Take exterior photos of the 1898 Nationally Registered Historic Monument Castle Green, a popular film production and event space—the inside is open to the public for tours only twice a year. Check out the latest exhibits at the Armory Center for the Arts, an independent contemporary art and community arts educational institution. Sip while you paint your very own masterpiece at Pinot’s Palette. Watch a movie paired with gourmet eats and drinks at IPIC Pasadena, a high-end cinema in One Colorado.

Nightlife

True to its name, The Speakeasy (25 N. Raymond Ave.) is a proper 1920s bar where you need a password to gain entrance—email info@speakeasypasadena.com to request the magic word. Oenophiles can swirl, sniff and sip California vintages at We Olive’s Wine Bar, and The Cellar. A good time can always be found at Pasadena’s largest night club, Club 54 Lounge & Nightclub, offering three levels of music, dancing, and drinks. A full-on nightclub experience is also on the menu at iX Tapa Cantina. Lively, laid-back Edwin Mills by Equator is the spot for late-night drinks with tasty eats.

The Cellar
Event Venue

One Colorado

one-colorado_c3cc3d3e99a0496ea9909ca43528d03d.png

Historic Courtyard Shopping, Dining and Entertainment Destination. Nestled in the heart of Old Pasadena and comprising a full city block, One Colorado is...

Asian

One Zo Boba

One-Zo-945x596-5_c3cc3d3e99a0496ea9909ca43528d03d.jpg

One Zo is a bubble tea brand from Taiwan established in 2015. They are the first cafe in the world to make their own boba in-store. Their goals is to serve the...

Osawa-1_c3cc3d3e99a0496ea9909ca43528d03d.jpg

Owners Sayuri Tachibe and chef Shigefumi Tachibe fuse the modern and the traditional at Osawa, a celebrated Pasadena restaurant for sushi, shabu-shabu, udon,...

Asian

Paper Rice

Paper-Rice-Spring-Rolls_c3cc3d3e99a0496ea9909ca43528d03d.jpg

Paper Rice is a Vietnamese restaurant in Old Pasadena that puts a "make your own" twist on traditional Vietnamese classics. Enjoy a custom spring roll or rice...

Performing Arts

Parson's Nose Theater

Parsons_1_c3cc3d3e99a0496ea9909ca43528d03d.jpg

Classic Theater. Parson's Nose Theater is a classical comedic theater company that established a new permanent home in Pasadena, California. Parson's Nose is...

Credit: Pasadena Lawn Bowling Club

The Pasadena Lawn Bowling club is located at the clubhouse at Central Park. Established in 1921, the club is older than the Rose Bowl Stadium and was built...

Performing Arts

Pasadena Symphony Pops

Pasadena Symphony Association The Pasadena Symphony Association was founded in 1928, it was called the Pasadena Civic Symphony then and it was fully funded by...

European

Perle Restaurant

perle-7_c3cc3d3e99a0496ea9909ca43528d03d.jpg

Perle is a family-owned French-inspired restaurant located in a beautiful, historic setting in Old Pasadena. Perle's menu was thoughtfully created with one of...

Pez Cantina

Pasadena welcomes new upscale seafood focused eatery, Pez Coastal Kitchen, to bring a lively and innovative dining experience. With a focus on sea and...

Poke-Salad-Bar-9_d7c7cf07de53ecd99cffb905c9ef30dc.jpg

Poke Salad Bar serves up fresh poke bowls, a Hawaiian dish consisting of cuts of raw fish tossed with rice, vegetables, and umami-enhanced sauces. Choose your...

Popping-Yolk-Cafe-2_c3cc3d3e99a0496ea9909ca43528d03d.jpg

Popping Yolk Cafe is one of SoCal’s most popular brunch spots. Now open in Pasadena, the cafe offers an inviting atmosphere to all. They serve brunch favorites...