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
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
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
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
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East Pasadena

When in East Pasadena, you can plan a visit to Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Gardens and Westfield Santa Anita, 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $194 per night from Jun. 9 to Jun. 10
CA $194
CA $225 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 9 - Jun 10
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! (1,012 reviews)
Really nice hotel
"Very nice stay in a pretty hotel. The parking was a bit weird. We were told many different prices, but self parking is $17 per night in a garage not owned by the hotel. Just ask valet for a coupon."

Reviewed on May 30, 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 $183 per night from Jun. 18 to Jun. 19
CA $183
CA $212 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 18 - Jun 19
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (199 reviews)
"I had a great experience staying there.i would definitely stay there in the future.the room was very clean and the service was great."

Reviewed on May 30, 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 $138 per night from Jun. 16 to Jun. 17
CA $138
CA $160 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 16 - Jun 17
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 (6,039 reviews)
"The parking per day is expensive, but the hotel itself is clean and comfortable."

Reviewed on May 31, 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! (341 reviews)
"It was really nice I just wish they had better parking & the area is very loud with people hollering other than that I enjoyed my stay"

Reviewed on Jun. 1, 2024

The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
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! (152 reviews)
"The staff was great and communicated immediately with all my questions. Parking was great and safe."

Reviewed on May 31, 2024

GORGEOUS Hollywood Living Los Angeles
Kasa Sunset Los Angeles
Kasa Sunset Los Angeles
2 out of 5
5825 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and air conditioning. Popular attractions Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (26 reviews)
"Excellent instructions on how to find the place and get in. Decently located for Ubering to destinations. Walking distance to a Target, which was great for groceries. Unit was spacious and well equipped. Fast internet. One of the windows however couldn't be fully closed. Not a big deal because the ..."

Reviewed on Jun. 1, 2024

Kasa Sunset 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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

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