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 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

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 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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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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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 Pasadena Museum of California Art 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 ₹13,920 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹13,920
₹16,314 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
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! (705 reviews)
"Great place to stay. Parking garage attached hotel so you can park on your level. Staff was wonderful. Will stay there every time I am in LA. Lots of shopping in walking distance too"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Pasadena/Old Town
citizenM Los Angeles Downtown

citizenM Los Angeles Downtown

4 out of 5
361 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹12,875 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
₹12,875
₹14,960 total
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,485 reviews)
"The staff was very friendly and the room was very peaceful."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

citizenM Los Angeles Downtown
Hilton Los Angeles Airport

Hilton Los Angeles Airport

4 out of 5
5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
The price is ₹12,045 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹12,045
₹14,003 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy 4 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the bar and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (4,786 reviews)
"I love staying at The Hilton LAX"

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

Hilton 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.
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! (677 reviews)
"Nice staff. Thanks"

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
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! (158 reviews)
"The property is located close to most tourist areas and since it was my first time in LA that was great. The place is nice and the staff is very responsive. The only thing is if you rent a car and would like to park it in the premises, call them as soon as you make a reservation to reserve a parking ..."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Fenix Hotel Hollywood
Gilmore One

Gilmore One

4 out of 5
14839 Gilmore St, A, Van Nuys, CA
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Van Nuys. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an airport shuttle (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Woodley ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (63 reviews)
"Gilmore One was located conveniently to the LA activities I was involved. The property is clean and the condition of the property was good. Parking not being on site, was a concern, but I was able to find parking relatively easy within reasonable walking distance. I stayed at the property for 2 weeks. ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Gilmore One
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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