Pasadena

Travel Guide

Pasadena
Pasadena
Pasadena
Pasadena
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

Find the best Pasadena areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Pasadena
Learn more about Pasadena

Old Pasadena

Spend some time visiting places like Old Pasadena Historic District while getting to know Old Pasadena, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Memorial Park Station or Del Mar Station to see more of the area.

South Lake Avenue District

While there might not be top attractions in South Lake Avenue District, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Pasadena Playhouse and Pasadena City Hall.

Playhouse Village

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

South Arroyo

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

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 Kidspace Childrens Museum.

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 RM684 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
RM684
RM802 total
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Pasadena. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,251 reviews)
"The cleaning person forgot to put clean towels in our room, when we call reception they put us on hold for more than 5 min therefore we went to downstair and ask for towels."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Pasadena/Old Town
Pasadena Hotel & Pool

Pasadena Hotel & Pool

4 out of 5
928 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena CA
The price is RM594 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
RM594
RM761 total
1 Jul - 2 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Pasadena. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,514 reviews)
"Really love the decor in the lobby. Had a lovely feel in the courtyard. Beds were very comfortable. Room was a little small but quiet. We really enjoyed the pool area."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2026

Pasadena Hotel & Pool
Hilton Los Angeles Airport

Hilton Los Angeles Airport

4 out of 5
5711 W Century Blvd Los Angeles CA
The price is RM607 per night from 12 Jul to 13 Jul
RM607
RM705 total
12 Jul - 13 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy 5 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very good! (5,666 reviews)
"The staff was so friendly and helpful! Place was immaculate too"

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2026

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.
Kasa Sunset Los Angeles

Kasa Sunset Los Angeles

3 out of 5
5825 Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (333 reviews)
"Amazing place to stay at if you’re travelling alone or with a group— location is great as well!"

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2026

Kasa Sunset Los Angeles
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 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 rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (878 reviews)
"The location of this hotel makes it a potentially noisy night if your room is towards one of the two streets. Unfortunately our room was on the corner so we had to deal with traffic noise, sirens, drag racing noises on two streets for most of the night. The hotel was good enough to move us to a room ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2026

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 aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Hollywood Boulevard and Hollywood Bowl ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (351 reviews)
"It was noisy and bothersome. There were sounds like footsteps from the floor above, noise from the next room, and the sound of doors closing."

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2026

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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Explore a world of travel with Expedia