Overview
Pasadena is a sophisticated city northeast of Los Angeles that draws over a million visitors annually for its iconic New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. Beyond the famous parade, it offers 22-block Old Pasadena with Art Deco architecture, world-class museums (Norton Simon, USC Pacific Asia, Gamble House), and easy access to San Gabriel Mountain hiking.
Architecture · Festivals · History · Museums · Nature
Why go?
Pasadena is a sophisticated city northeast of Los Angeles that draws over a million visitors annually for its iconic New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. Beyond the famous parade, it offers 22-block Old Pasadena with Art Deco architecture, world-class museums (Norton Simon, USC Pacific Asia, Gamble House), and easy access to San Gabriel Mountain hiking. As the birthplace of Julia Child and home to Caltech (32 Nobel Prizes among alumni), it blends intellectual cachet with a thriving food scene of 500+ restaurants.
Get in
Pasadena is accessible via the Metro A Line (Gold Line) from Downtown Los Angeles, with stations at Memorial Park, Del Mar, and Fillmore in central Pasadena. The closest airport is Hollywood Burbank (BUR), about 20 minutes north. Amtrak's Southwest Chief stops at nearby LA's Union Station. The city sits at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, just 11 miles northeast of Downtown LA.
Get around
The Metro A Line provides easy transit within Pasadena and connects south to Downtown Los Angeles. The city has typical Los Angeles car dependency for reaching attractions outside the walkable Old Pasadena district. The Arroyo Seco Historic Parkway (110 Freeway) is a National Scenic Byway running 9.4 miles between Pasadena and Downtown LA.
When to go
Pasadena enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild winters (45-68°F) and warm summers (83-91°F). Summer heat can exceed 100°F (38°C), making mountain hiking dangerous without ample water. The most popular time is around New Year's for the Rose Parade (Jan 1) and Rose Bowl Game. Spring brings comfortable temperatures (50-76°F) ideal for outdoor activities. Avoid the intense summer heat for hiking.
Where to stay
Hotels cluster around Downtown Pasadena with full-service options like Hilton Pasadena (296 rooms), The Westin Pasadena (350 rooms), and Sheraton Pasadena (311 rooms). Budget travelers find motels along East Colorado Boulevard near the Rose Parade route, including Holiday Inn Express, Howard Johnson, Travelodge, and Super 8 Motel. Note that hotels charge significantly more during Rose Parade and Rose Bowl weeks.
Food and drink
Pasadena has 500+ restaurants serving global cuisines. Must-try spots include El Taquito Mexicano Truck (tacos $1.25 each, open 6PM), Carmela Ice Cream (artisan scoops $3.50, Salted Caramel, Lavender Honey), La Caravana (Salvadoran pupusas ~$3, Plato Tipico ~$10), and Jones Coffee Roasters (local roastery in warehouse setting). Old Pasadena and South Lake offer upscale dining, while Lake Avenue has diverse affordable options.
Things to do
Major attractions include the Gamble House (1908 Arts and Crafts masterpiece, $10 admission, tours Thu-Sun noon-3PM), Norton Simon Museum (European masters including Van Gogh, Picasso; adults $12, free first Friday 5-8PM), and USC Pacific Asia Museum (5,000 years of Asian art, adults $10, free Thu 5-8PM). The Rose Bowl Stadium (built 1922) offers public tours. Outdoor activities include hiking the abandoned Mount Lowe Railway in Angeles National Forest and the Eaton Canyon Nature Preserve with its famous waterfall.
Stay safe
Pasadena is generally very safe, particularly in tourist areas south of the 210 Freeway (Old Pasadena, Playhouse District, South Lake Avenue). Northwest Pasadena should be approached with caution due to gang activity. Summer heat in the Angeles National Forest can exceed 100°F (38°C)—bring plenty of water and stay on marked trails. Watch for rattlesnakes on summer hikes. Eaton Canyon's "second waterfall" has killed hikers; heed posted warnings. Call 911 for emergencies.
Connectivity
Pasadena uses standard US cellular networks (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint). WiFi is widely available at hotels, cafes, and public spaces. Power plugs use Type A/B (two flat pins, 120V/60Hz), the same as the rest of the US.
Budget
Backpacker daily budget in Pasadena: $25-40 for dorm/budget accommodation, $8-15 for meals at food trucks and cheap eats, $5-10 for transit with Metro A Line ($1.75/ride). Museum admissions range from free (Caltech tours, All Saints Church) to $12-15. Budget 2-3 days minimum, or 4-5 days if including day trips to nearby San Gabriel Valley Chinese food destinations.
Day trips
Nearby destinations include NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge (10-min drive, Mars rover tours), Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in San Marino (150 acres of gardens, art collection), and Alhambra/San Gabriel/Monterey Park (largest Chinese-speaking communities outside China/Taiwan, excellent dim sum). The Metro A Line provides easy access to Downtown Los Angeles.
Etiquette
Pasadena follows standard US urban etiquette. Dress modestly for museums and churches (All Saints Church has Tiffany rose windows). Tipping 15-20% is customary at restaurants. Bargaining is not expected except at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Hikers should follow trail safety protocols and leave no trace.
Go next
From Pasadena, drive north on Lake Avenue to the Angeles National Forest for mountain views. Take Metro A Line south to explore Downtown Los Angeles museums and nightlife. Head east to the San Gabriel Valley (Alhambra, Monterey Park) for authentic Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine. The historic Route 66 passes through, connecting west to Santa Monica and east to Barstow. The 210 Freeway leads to San Bernardino and mountain resorts.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Eat
All India Cafe
Good Indian food.
Eat
Carmela Ice Cream
Easily the best ice cream spot in and around Pasadena. This small artisan ice cream and sorbet maker uses local farmers market produce and organic dairies to create unique flavors, such as Salted Caramel, Brown Sugar Vanilla Bean, Lavender Honey, Lemon Basil Sorbet, and Cucumber Sorbet. Ice cream and sorbet-making classes available too. Must try.
Price when recorded: $3.50/scoop
Eat
Dog Haus
Gourmet hot dogs, sausages, and burgers served on King's Hawaiian Bread with massive toppings such as fried egg, haus garlic aioli, caramelized onions, grilled jalapeños, smoked bacon, curry ketchup, dill pickle chips, blue cheese crumbles, and all the usual suspects. Sides include fries, onion rings, and tater tots. Good soda selections.
Price when recorded: $5.95 and up
Eat
El Taquito Mexicano Truck
No trip to Southern California is complete without experiencing eating tacos out of a food truck. Try the carne asada (beef), al pastor (pork), or whatever strikes your fancy. (Cabeza, anyone?) Choose red or green sauce. (Red is spicier.) Wash them down with a cold can of coke or Mexican soda. The truck is parked on the lot of Nishikawa Automotive. Do not get confused with the yellow taco truck nearby.
Price when recorded: $1.25/Taco
Eat
Europane bakery & cafe
This small artisan bakery makes some of the best sandwiches, homemade bread, and desserts in Pasadena. It is famous for its open-face egg salad sandwich (yolky-creamy) and decadent macaroons. (Flavors include Blackberry, Hazelnut, Mocha, Passion Fruit, Pistachio, Raspberry, and Salted Caramel.)
Price when recorded: $7 and up for sandwiches
Eat
Kabuki
Popular Japanese food chain, moderately priced.
Eat
La Caravana Restaurante Salvadoreno
If you have never eaten Salvadorian foods before, come try the pupusas. They are a traditional Salvadoran dish made of thick, hand-made corn tortilla that is filled with a blend of cheese, pork, refried beans, and/or loroco. For first timers, try the Plato Tipico, which comes with rice, beans, one choice of pupusa, grilled pork, tamales, cheese, fried plantains, and vegetables. There is also a mini pupusas sampler plate.
Price when recorded: About $3/pupusa and $10/plate
Eat
Lucky Boy
Classic Pasadena fast-food place known for breakfast burritos, chilli cheese fries, and burgers.
Before you go
Accommodation
Hotels along Colorado Boulevard and motels on East Colorado offer options for all budgets. Prices spike significantly during Rose Parade (Jan 1) and Rose Bowl.
Connectivity
Standard US cellular carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile). WiFi at hotels and cafes. 120V/60Hz power with Type A/B plugs.
Food
500+ restaurants including food trucks (El Taquito $1.25 tacos), artisan ice cream (Carmela $3.50/scoop), and diverse ethnic cuisines. Lake Avenue and Fair Oaks Ave have affordable options.
Money
US dollars. Credit cards accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops. ATMs widely available. Tipping 15-20% expected at restaurants.
Safety
Generally safe south of 210 Freeway. Avoid Northwest Pasadena at night. Summer heat requires water and trail caution. Eaton Canyon has dangerous unofficial trails.
Transport
Metro A Line connects Pasadena to Downtown Los Angeles ($1.75/ride). Most attractions accessible by foot in Old Pasadena, but car needed for museums and hiking trails.
Weather
Mediterranean climate: mild winters (45-68°F) and hot summers (83-91°F, can exceed 100°F). Best seasons are spring and fall for outdoor activities.