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

4/5(3 area reviews)

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

3/5(1 area review)

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
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 £131 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
£131
per night
28 Sept - 29 Sept
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! (803 reviews)
"We were able to check our luggage early, went for lunch, returned when the room was ready to check in. Ubered to a concert at the rose bowl, walked back after with all the other concert goers. Made a quick getaway in the morning for LAX. Everything went to plan. Slept well."

Reviewed on 9 Sep 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 £164 per night from 22 Sept to 23 Sept
£164
per night
22 Sept - 23 Sept
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! (2,674 reviews)
"I really enjoyed my stay at Westin Bonaventure. I booked a one night stay in a tower suite and it was a beautiful room. Bed was so comfortable, bathroom was huge. We had a little wet bar station and view was amazing! I would definitely am one back here"

Reviewed on 10 Sep 2025

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles
Hilton Garden Inn LAX Los Angeles Airport

Hilton Garden Inn LAX Los Angeles Airport

3 out of 5
5249 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
The price is £110 per night from 29 Sept to 30 Sept
£110
per night
29 Sept - 30 Sept
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a free airport shuttle and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (614 reviews)
"Clean room and friendly staff. Close to the airport with a shuttle to LAX"

Reviewed on 9 Sep 2025

Hilton Garden Inn LAX Los Angeles 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.
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! (207 reviews)
"The room was sooo beautiful on floor 3 and staff helped me with parking situation I couldn’t figure out through the phone. Would definitely stay again!!"

Reviewed on 7 Sep 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! (195 reviews)
"Nice place to stay in Hollywood"

Reviewed on 9 Sep 2025

Fenix Hotel Hollywood
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! (711 reviews)
"The suite was awesome! It was like a little apartment! I loved it and would stay there again! The location is super convenient and right in the middle of downtown. Its perfect if you like the big city life!"

Reviewed on 29 Aug 2025

The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
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

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
6
5 - Excellent 55%
4 - Good
5
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Nice, clean place.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely place. Friendly people. Very scenic

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

has real character

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Everyone so pleasant and area clean and safe to walk highly recommended hotel and area

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Plenty to do and see but you will need a car

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Pasadena is beautiful. Lots to do. A very safe area were you can leave the car and walk about . Plenty of dining and shopping close by. The rose bowl is a short drive.we found it a very friendly area.

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