Pasadena Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Pasadena
Norton Simon Museum showing a statue or sculpture
Pasadena
Norton Simon Museum featuring a statue or sculpture
Pasadena

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

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

Where to stay in Pasadena

Old Pasadena

Old Pasadena

Visitors often come to Old Pasadena for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Old Pasadena Historic District and 39 Raymond. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Del Mar Station.

Old Pasadena
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North Arroyo

While visiting North Arroyo, you might make a stop by sights like Rose Bowl Stadium and Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

North Arroyo
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North Central

While North Central may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Rose Bowl Stadium and Pasadena City Hall.

North Central
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South Arroyo

While visiting South Arroyo, you might make a stop by sights like Norton Simon Museum and Colorado Street Bridge.

South Arroyo
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Playhouse Village

If you're spending some time in Playhouse Village, Pasadena Playhouse and Playhouse District are top sights worth seeing.

Playhouse Village
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Lamanda Park

When in Lamanda Park, you can plan a visit to The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens and Pasadena Playhouse, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lamanda Park
The Westin Pasadena

The Westin Pasadena

4 out of 5
191 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA
The price is £124 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
£124
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Pasadena. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,555 reviews)
"Love it really nice"

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

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 £117 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
£117
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Pasadena. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (768 reviews)
"Last minute booking - very comfortable, although a bit dated."

Reviewed on 23 Aug 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Pasadena/Old Town
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles

4 out of 5
404 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA
The price is £138 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
£138
21 Sept - 22 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,645 reviews)
"Accessible room was nice and spacious. Bathroom was clean an accessible. Definitely would recommend"

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, 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.
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 Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (704 reviews)
"Awedome hotel in Downtown L.A and now had a bar!!!"

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2025

The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Kasa Sunset Los Angeles

Kasa Sunset Los Angeles

3 out of 5
5825 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and air conditioning. Popular attractions Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood ...
9/10 Wonderful! (193 reviews)
Good place, if a bit noisy
"Overall, this was a nice place to stay. The location is not bad, though it is a bit of a walk to the Chinese Theater and surrounding things to see. It is probably a bit too far if with smaller children. The parking was difficult to see, but based on other reviews and street view on a maps site, that ..."

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2025

Kasa Sunset Los Angeles
Fenix Hotel Hollywood

Fenix Hotel Hollywood

4 out of 5
7070 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Hollywood Boulevard and Hollywood ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (180 reviews)
"Location was great closes to touristic attractions. Close to food outlets."

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2025

Fenix Hotel Hollywood
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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