Pasadena, California

Wild parrots and space missions, eleven miles from LA.

Located 11 miles from Los Angeles, this city houses Caltech, JPL space research centers, and the Rose Bowl stadium. Tree-lined streets lead to 19th-century buildings and wild parrots nest above Old Town's cafés.

4.3
out of 5

Just 11 miles northeast of Los Angeles, Pasadena welcomes you with tree-lined streets where wild parrots nest and 19th-century buildings house independent shops. You can watch the Rose Parade on New Year's Day, explore the Norton Simon Museum's extensive art collection, or hunt for vintage treasures at California's largest flea market at the Rose Bowl. Scientists work on space missions at Caltech and JPL while locals enjoy coffee at sidewalk cafés in Old Pasadena.

Walking Through Old Town Pasadena

You'll find more than 200 shops and restaurants within Victorian and Art Deco buildings across 21 blocks. At One Colorado, shop owners have transformed 19th-century structures into modern retail spaces and restaurants. After 6 PM, join locals on Colorado Boulevard for comedy shows at Ice House Comedy Club ($15-25 cover), craft beers at Lucky Baldwin's pub, or dinner at one of the many sidewalk cafés.

Museums and Art Collections

The Norton Simon Museum holds 12,000 artworks, including Van Gogh's "Mulberry Tree" and several Degas ballet paintings. Walk through the sculpture garden to see 40 bronze and marble works placed among Mediterranean plants and reflecting pools. The USC Pacific Asia Museum welcomes you into a Chinese courtyard with koi ponds, leading to galleries filled with ceramics, paintings, and textiles from across Asia. Step back to 1906 at the Pasadena Museum of History's Fenyes Mansion, where you can see original furniture and decorative objects from the early 20th century.

The Rose Bowl Experience

Visit the Rose Bowl for more than just the New Year's Day football game. Every second Sunday, 2,500 vendors set up at the flea market (entry $12, 9 AM-3 PM), selling antiques, vintage clothing, and handmade items to 20,000 shoppers. Play a round at Brookside Golf Course's two 18-hole courses or swim laps at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center's Olympic-sized pools ($10 day pass).

Getting Around Pasadena

Take the Metro A Line from downtown Los Angeles to any of Pasadena's six stations. Trains run every 7-12 minutes during rush hour (6-9 AM and 4-7 PM) and every 15-20 minutes at other times. From Hollywood Burbank Airport, 16 miles away, catch a shuttle to major Pasadena hotels. Local ARTS buses ($1.50 per ride) connect shopping areas and cultural sites along main streets.

Scientific Legacy

Walk through Caltech's 124-acre campus to see 80 buildings, including architect Bertram Goodhue's Spanish-style designs. The public can visit the Athenaeum club's exterior and the distinctive Beckman Auditorium. At the nearby Jet Propulsion Laboratory, free public tours (book 3 months ahead) take you through mission control and space exploration exhibits. You'll see where scientists guide Mars rovers and plan deep space missions.

Average temperatures during the day in Pasadena, California.
January
19°
Feb
20°
Mar
20°
Apr
22°
May
23°
Jun
25°
Jul
28°
Aug
28°
Sep
27°
Oct
25°
Nov
22°
Dec
20°

What people say about Pasadena, California

4.3
People
5
Food
5
Spaces
5
Value
3
Safety
3

Be the first to review Pasadena, California

Tell us about it! Is it place worth visiting, are you coming back?

Places nearby Pasadena, California

Best places to visit in🇺🇸United States

A map of your visited countries

Share where you have been with your own interactive map of the world.

Your travel bucket list

Keep track of where you want to go with an interactive travel bucket list.

Articles about United States

Image of The best national parks in USA
Image of The best national parks in USA

The best national parks in USA

January 2024,
This is a carefully selected guide to the most breathtaking and unique national parks in the United States. With over 60 national parks, some among the best national parks in the world, each offers it
Image of National parks in California
Image of National parks in California

National parks in California

January 2024,
This article will dive into each of these eight wonders, how to get there, tips for each season, and essential sustainability practices to ensure these treasures continue to inspire for generations to
Image of The most beautiful national parks in the world
Image of The most beautiful national parks in the world

The most beautiful national parks in the world

November 2024,
National parks are unique in several ways, about 15% of all land and 8% of all water in the world is protected. National parks are protected pockets of nature that offers a unique opportunity for bot
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851

All World Expo locations since 1851

November 2024,
For more than a century and a half, global citizens have congregated at World Expos to celebrate human achievement, explore pressing issues of the day, and experience the cultural expressions of peopl
Popular on Humbo right now
Humboâ„¢AboutVisitedBucket listQuizzesSustainable travelPrivacyTerms