Pasadena

Travel Guide
Norton Simon Museum featuring a statue or sculpture

With remarkable museums and art galleries, this Californian city is known as one of the cultural centers 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 center 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 center 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 kilometers) from Los Angeles International Airport. Alternatively, fly into Bob Hope Airport about 16 miles (26 kilometers) from Pasadena.

Pasadena is the perfect city to appreciate California’s cultural and artistic history.

Where to stay in Pasadena

Old Pasadena

Old Pasadena

5/5(8 area reviews)

If you're looking for abundant dining options, a trip to Old Pasadena might be just the ticket. Explore top sights in the area like 39 Raymond and get around town on the metro at Del Mar Station.

Old Pasadena
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North Central

4/5(1 area review)

When in North Central, you can plan a visit to Rose Bowl Stadium and Pasadena City Hall, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

North Central
Los Angeles showing a house

North Arroyo

If you're spending some time in North Arroyo, Rose Bowl Stadium and Jet Propulsion Laboratory are top sights worth seeing.

North Arroyo
Norton Simon Museum which includes a statue or sculpture

South Arroyo

If you're spending some time in South Arroyo, Norton Simon Museum and Colorado Street Bridge are top sights worth seeing.

South Arroyo
A #burger lover can’t miss one of the most famous drive ins! #red

Lamanda Park

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Lamanda Park and surrounding area, you can visit The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens and Rose Bowl Stadium.

Lamanda Park
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East Pasadena

When in East Pasadena, you can plan a visit to Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Gardens and 626 Night Market, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

East Pasadena
The Westin Pasadena
The Westin Pasadena
4 out of 5
191 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA
The price is CA $194 per night from May 19 to May 20
CA $194
CA $226 total
includes taxes & fees
May 19 - May 20
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Pasadena. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,010 reviews)
"Staff is so nice & helpful!"

Reviewed on May 10, 2024

The Westin Pasadena
Courtyard by Marriott Pasadena/Old Town
Courtyard by Marriott Pasadena/Old Town
4 out of 5
180 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA
The price is CA $185 per night from Jun. 2 to Jun. 3
CA $185
CA $214 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 2 - Jun 3
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Pasadena. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (157 reviews)
"The updated gym is great, could use a few more items though. Also it was so warm in there! Like 5 degrees more and increased as people came in. I like how close it is to the shopping and restraurants on Colorado, but the gas station attracts some transients and when the windows face the Shell you ..."

Reviewed on May 14, 2024

Courtyard by Marriott Pasadena/Old Town
Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport
Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport
3.5 out of 5
9750 Airport Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
The price is CA $127 per night from May 20 to May 21
CA $127
CA $148 total
includes taxes & fees
May 20 - May 21
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, a free airport shuttle, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
6/10 (5,859 reviews)
"The parking situation is outrageous. Guest shouldn’t have to pay $55 a night to stay there."

Reviewed on May 13, 2024

Four Points by Sheraton 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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (321 reviews)
"Property was great. LA area not so much"

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
The Crescent powered by Sonder
The Crescent powered by Sonder
4 out of 5
403 N Crescent Dr, Beverly Hills, CA
Stay at this 4-star boutique condo in Beverly Hills. Enjoy valet parking (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Rodeo ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Replace head boards and foot boards. Remotes didn’t work for the Fan. I had to go downstairs to get batteries for the Roku remote. Nice size spiders came out in the bathroom. Shampoo and body wash pumps did not work. But I would stay again. Little fixes."

Reviewed on May 5, 2024

The Crescent powered by Sonder
GORGEOUS Hollywood Living Los Angeles
GORGEOUS Hollywood Living Los Angeles
3.5 out of 5
900 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the convenient ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (130 reviews)
"The apartment itself is clean if u drive and not to plan to walk around then it is good place. However instruction wasn’t great. My check-in time was 4:pm but i got message extra ly at 4 pm and saying that tell them 30 min before the arrival…… And no fork and spoon……………………. Other than that good place ..."

Reviewed on May 13, 2024

GORGEOUS Hollywood Living Los Angeles
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.

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Reviews of Pasadena

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
14
" "5 - Excellent 48.275862068965516%
4 - Good
14
" "4 - Good 48.275862068965516%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 3.4482758620689653%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Feb. 5, 2020

Pasadena itself is great, lots of amenities. Just a word that if you are not used to city driving and travel times, plan ahead well. Getting to a beach from there is between 20-40 miles, but it may take at least an hour to get to one.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jan. 27, 2020

Very friendly people and nice suburban area.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Jan. 19, 2020

Short stay. Not much time to explore yet

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Nov. 21, 2019

What a beautiful city, cannot wait to go back!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Jul. 13, 2019

Beautiful city

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jul. 10, 2019

Pasadena is a great place to visit. Nice architecture, great shops and restaurants. Very safe and quiet. Loved it.

Cities near Pasadena