33 Things to Do in Pasadena, California

Pasadena is located just 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles, and it’s one of my favorite cities in southern California. With the San Gabriel Mountains as a backdrop, Pasadena is filled with museums and trendy restaurants. The historic Old Pasadena gives the city a small-town vibe.

Pasadena is famous for the Tournament of the Roses parade and the Rose Bowl football game, but the city has so much more to offer than just roses! 

I frequently travel to Pasadena, and I’m excited to share my list of my favorite things to see in Pasadena.

Best Things to Do in Pasadena

1. Old Pasadena

One of my favorite things to do is to walk around Old Pasadena (also known as Old Pas). Pasadena’s first buildings were created in the 1880s. Pasadena quickly grew to become a resort town for wealthy tourists to spend their winters. Today, Old Pasadena has 22 blocks and is a National Register Historic District. To see Old Pasadena, just walk up and down Colorado Boulevard. You’ll find plenty of historic buildings, restaurants, and open-air shopping centers. 

2. Pasadena Playhouse Village

In addition to Old Pasadena, another district you need to visit is the Playhouse Village. The Playhouse Village is home to the performing arts, museums, and lots of galleries. Of course, be sure to check out the Pasadena Playhouse!

3. Pasadena City Hall

An impressive building that you cannot miss while visiting Pasadena is the city hall. The building was constructed in 1927 during the City Beautiful movement. The building has architectural influence from the Italian Renaissance and Spanish design. This beautiful building has been featured in dozens of films! It’s really easy to reach Pasadena City Hall while you’re out exploring Old Pasadena. I took a quick 2-minute detour from Colorado Boulevard, and I was able to see this beautiful building in person.

4. Pasadena Civic Auditorium 

The Pasadena Civic Auditorium is another beautiful building located in downtown Pasadena. If you are a fan of the show America’s Got Talent, this is one of the venues used for the show. This is also the venue for the Daytime Emmy Awards. The building first opened in 1932 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

The first time I visited the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, I saw that they were filming for America’s Got Talent. I wasn’t able to peek inside during that visit, but I absolutely loved the exterior of the building. During my last visit to Pasadena, I did get to walk inside the building, and I thought that the painted ceiling was fabulous. 

5. Colorado Street Bridge

The Colorado Street Bridge was constructed in 1912 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Colorado Street Bridge bridge is known for its arches and classic light fixtures. The bridge makes for a beautiful backdrop for photos.

6. Jet Propulsion Laboratory

The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory offers free public tours on a limited basis. You’ll need to make a reservation through their website. If you’re a smaller group, you’ll need to visit on one of their designated Visitor Day Tours. The property contains a number of places to visit. This includes the Space Flight Operations Facility, the von Karman Visitor Center, and the Spacecraft Assembly Facility.

7. The Gamble House

The Gamble House is a historic home that is known for its architectural influence. The home was constructed by architects Charles and Henry Greene. You can visit the house for a tour on select days of the week. There are a variety of tours to choose from, which cover topics such as the craftsmanship, gardens, and more.

To see all our posts about California, click here!

8. USC Pacific Asia Museum

The USC Pacific Asia Museum focuses on the art and culture of Pacific Asia. The museum has been operating in Pasadena for over 50 years. At the time of this writing, a general admission ticket for an adult was $10. If you happen to be in town on the second Sunday of the month, admission is free. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday (closed on Monday and Tuesday). 

9. Norton Simon Museum

The Norton Simon Museum consists of multiple galleries and a sculpture garden. Norton Simon was an art collector with an impressive collection. Currently at the museum, there are over 12,000 objects. Some of the most exceptional pieces of art include paintings by Raphael, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh. At the time of this writing, an adult admission ticket costs $15. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

10. Rose Bowl Stadium

If you want to check out the Rose Bowl Stadium, you don’t have to wait for a football game. The stadium offers public tours. Tours offered the last Friday of every month. You’ll be able to check out a locker room as well as look at the field. The Rose Bowl Stadium was built in 1922 and is now a National Historic Landmark. The Rose Bowl typically takes place on January 1st of each year. If you happen to be in Pasadena during the Rose Bowl, you’ll see the town flooded with football fans from across the country.

11. Pasadena Museum of History

The Pasadena Museum of History is dedicated to preserving Pasadena’s artistic and cultural history. If you want to learn more about Pasadena and the local area, this is the museum you should visit. The museum is located on the beautiful Fenyes Estate, which is a mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The mansion was built in 1907 and still contains much of its original furniture. You can also visit the Finnish Folk Art Museum while on property. The property is also surrounded by well-maintained gardens that are worth a visit. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

12. Wrigley Mansion and Gardens

The Wrigley Mansion was built in 1906. It was gifted to the city of Pasadena in the 1950s for the purpose of serving as the Tournament House for the Tournament of Roses annual parade. At the time of this writing, free tours are offered to the public on Thursdays from February until August (2pm and 3pm). You’ll definitely want to visit the Wrigley Gardens, which contain more than 1,500 types of flowers. (Many of which are roses!) The Tournament or Roses parade has been operating since 1890.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

13. The Church of Saint Andrew

As you explore Pasadena, you can’t help but see the tall bell tower attached to the Church of Saint Andrew. The Romanesque Revival Campanile is one of Pasadena’s landmarks. The church was built in 1927. I think it looks particularly beautiful when it’s lit up at night.

14. Castle Green

Castle Green is a beautiful building and a Nationally Registered Historic Monument. Castle Green was built in 1898 originally as part of a hotel. It has architectural elements from Moorish and Spanish-style buildings. It now serves as a private residence and event venue. 

I remember walking by Castle Green thinking it was a really pretty building. I didn’t go inside, but it’s certainly worth a stop as part of a walking tour of Pasadena. 

15. Central Park

Located right next to Castle Green is Pasadena’s Central Park. This 9-acre park contains a rose garden, playground, and plenty of benches and green space. When I visited, I thought it was a nice place to relax or read a book. The playground equipment looked new and well-maintained. 

16. Historic Route 66

Pasadena is actually located along Historic Route 66. If you’re planning a road trip along Route 66, definitely add Pasadena to your itinerary! The Saga Motor Hotel Pasadena is a historic motel that is located along this route. The hotel is known for its iconic neon-sign that has been shining since the 1950s. 

17. IPIC Pasadena

Watch a movie in comfort at the IPIC movie theater in Pasadena. With comfortable seating and a delicious menu, IPIC is the perfect place to go for a date night!

Although I haven’t been to the IPIC theater in Pasadena, I have been to other IPIC theaters and they are THE BEST. 

18. Pasadena Antique Mall

The Pasadena Antique Mall contains thousands of vintage items. Going antiquing can be a fun way to spend an afternoon and get to know the city.

19. Vroman’s Bookstore

Vroman’s Bookstore is southern California’s oldest and largest independent bookstore. The bookstore has been operating since 1894. 

20. The Pasadena Symphony & POPS

21. California Institute of Technology 

Caltech is located in Pasadena, and the university has an impressive campus. The university hosts a monthly architectural tour of its campus. (Information linked here.)

 

22. Arlington Garden

The Arlington Garden is Pasadena’s only free public garden. The botanical garden contains a citrus grove, an oak grove, a desert, and a mediterranean garden. 

23. Neon Retro Arcade

Fan of classic video games? The Neon Retro Arcade contains over 40 classic games. You pay an admission price to enter, and then all games are set to “free play.” We paid $15 per adult for an hour. We had so much fun playing all the old games! Our daughter also enjoyed it. They even provided us a stool, that way she could stand up and see all the screens.

The arcade included racing games, shooting games, video games, and pinball games. Some of the classic games we liked were Donkey Kong, Tetris, Burger Time, Off Road, The Simpsons, Ms. PacMan, Street Fighter, and Dragon’s Lair.

24. Kidspace Children’s Museum

If you’re looking for a fun activity for kids, check out the Kidspace Children’s Museum. The museum features a variety of exhibits, including a splash space, a rope bridge, and trike tracks. The museum is closed on Mondays.

We recently visited the Kidspace Children’s Museum with our daughter, and we were surprised that we spent over 5 hours there! There are some indoor exhibits, but most of the experiences are outdoors. We especially enjoyed the sound garden, the campsite space, and the fishing boat area. The museum has a cafe on-site, with lots of kid-friendly menu options. We ordered a grilled cheese sandwich that was in the shape of a goofy monster, complete with cucumbers and olives for eyes!

25. Fork in the Road

This is a silly landmark, but if you want to see something quirky, visit this statue of a fork in the road!

26. Eaton Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center

The Eaton Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center is open seasonally. The park has a variety of trails through Eaton Canyon. It’s closed on Mondays. 

27. Annandale Golf Club

If you like to golf, Annandale Golf Club has a nice course in Pasadena. The golf club has been operating since 1906.

28. Rose Bowl Flea Market

The Rose Bowl Flea Market takes place on the second Sunday of every month. The flea market has over 2,500 vendors and thousands of items to explore. There is an admission fee to enter. 

29. Pasadena Farmers Market

Enjoy fresh produce and food from vendors at the Pasadena Farmers Market. The market is open at Victory Park on Saturdays and at Villa Park Center on Tuesdays.

30. Memorial Park

Pasadena’s Memorial Park has a bandstand, playground, and picnic area. There’s plenty of grass to run around and play.

31. Brookside Park

Brookside Park is located adjacent to the Kidspace Museum and near the Rose Bowl. At over 60 acres, it’s the largest maintained park in Pasadena. There’s even a pirate-themed playground that kids are sure to love.

32. Arroyo Seco Trails

If you’re looking to get out in nature, there are numerous trails and loops in Arroyo Seco. You’re sure to find a trail that’s the perfect length and difficulty level.

33. Southern California Children’s Museum

The Southern California Children’s Museum is an indoor play space that has tons of interactive exhibits for imaginative play. Our daughter had the best time here!

---

Recommended Restaurants

Looking for a place to eat in Pasadena? Here’s some places I recommend!

• Union: This wine bar/Italian restaurant is one of my favorite restaurants ever. The menu is filled with Northern Italian dishes with a California focus. Their homemade pasta is to die for, and I think this is the perfect place for a date night. 
• Mi Piace: Another excellent Italian restaurant is Mi Piace. I haven’t had the chance to visit Mi Piace yet, but several different people have recommended it to me, so it’s high on my list!
• True Food Kitchen: This restaurant focuses on healthy meals. When I visited, I had a bowl of butternut squash soup and a plate of brussels sprout. The brussels sprout were some of my favorite ever! True Food Kitchen also had a courtyard with heaters, so it was a beautiful spot to dine for either indoor or outdoor seating.
• Anaya’s Restaurant: This Mexican restaurant served up an amazing taco platter. I especially liked the shrimp tacos. Their bar also had an extensive tequila list.
• Yard House: Whether or not you’re a fan of craft beers, you’re sure to enjoy their food menu! 

---

How to Get There

Pasadena is located in the Southern California. Pasadena is about 10 miles away from Los Angeles, 40 miles away from Disneyland, and 135 miles away from San Diego. 

Airports Close to Pasadena:

If you’re flying into Pasadena, there are several airports you can choose from.

• Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR): about 15 miles away from Pasadena
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): about 28 miles away from Pasadena
• Long Beach Airport (LGB): about 29 miles away from Pasadena
• Ontario International Airport (ONT): about 36 miles away from Pasadena

I typically fly into Hollywood Burbank Airport when I visit Pasadena because it’s the closest airport. I can sometimes find better deals flying into Los Angeles International Airport, but sometimes it’s not worth it to sit in the extra traffic.

---

Fun Facts 

• There are tons of parrots that live in Pasadena. The legend is that a lot of parrots were released after a fire in the late 1950s at a bird farm.
• The official flower is, of course, the rose!
• The city of Pasadena was established, in part, to ban the sale of alcohol in the late 1800s. 
• The name Pasadena has been bestowed upon an asteroid, a submarine, and even another city in Texas. 
• A typical float in the Tournament of Roses parade has over 100,000 roses!
• Pasadena has been home to numerous celebrities, including Albert Einstein and Julia Child. 
• Locals sometimes refer to Pasadena as just ‘dena. 

---

Nearby Activities

Huntington Library

Located in nearby San Marino, the Huntington Library is a great place to visit. In addition to the library, there’s also an art museum and botanical gardens. (My aunt highly recommended visiting just to see the gardens!) The library itself contains over 11 million items. During the weekend, reservations are required.

Mount Wilson Observatory

The Mount Wilson Observatory, located on the summit of Mount Willson, has a visitor’s gallery and tours.  

Disneyland

One of our favorite places to visit in California is Disneyland! Disneyland is located about 42 miles from Pasadena. We have driven from Pasadena to Disneyland, and the travel time can vary tremendously depending on traffic. One time it took us 50 minutes to drive to Disneyland, and another time it took us 1 hour and 50 minutes! (We recommend avoiding rush hour if possible!) If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland, we recommend staying at the Disneyland Hotel. You’ll be right next to the park!

Tip: When you purchase Disneyland tickets through Undercover Tourist, an authorized ticket seller, you can save money on your park tickets! 

Los Angeles

Because Pasadena is so close to Los Angeles, it’s easy to spend a day in the city. You might be especially interested in seeing the Griffith Observatory, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and The Grove.

Fly High Adventure Park Altadena

Located just a few miles from Pasadena, you can easily reach Fly High Adventure Park in Altadena. This trampoline park has lots of kid-approved spaces for jumping and bouncing. 

---

Recommended Hotels

There are a lot of great lodging options in Pasadena. I’ll share my personal review of two hotels I’ve stayed at, as well as some further ideas!

• Hyatt Place Pasadena: Where I usually stay in Pasadena is the Hyatt Place Pasadena. The Hyatt is conveniently located near Colorado Boulevard, so everything is walkable. The rooms are spacious, the complimentary breakfast was delicious, and there’s an outdoor pool. The lobby was very large with a lot of break-out seating areas. On a rainy day, my daughter enjoyed running up and down the ramp over and over.
• Hilton Pasadena: I have also stayed at the Hilton Pasadena and would also recommend this hotel. This hotel is also located not too far away from Colorado Boulevard. The Hilton also has an outdoor pool. I thought that the pool was pretty small, but it’s good for a quick dip.
• Saga Motor Hotel Pasadena: This classic hotel on Route 66 is timeless. 
• The Langham, Huntington, Pasadena: This 5-star hotel in Pasadena is absolutely luxurious. With large rooms, a spa, and a wellness, you will be well-rested at the Langham. It has been awarded as one of the top 10 best hotels in southern California. 

---

Summary

Pasadena is one of my favorite cities in California. It’s close to Los Angeles, it has the beautiful San Gabriel mountains as a backdrop, and there’s tons to see in this small city. The weather is almost always perfect, and the restaurants are so good. I’ll definitely be going back to Pasadena, and I hope this article helps you plan your own trip!

Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.