Pasadena

Travel Guide

Pasadena
Norton Simon Museum showing a statue or sculpture
Pasadena
Norton Simon Museum showing 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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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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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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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
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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
Hilton Los Angeles Airport

Hilton Los Angeles Airport

4 out of 5
5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM502 per night from 29 Oct to 30 Oct
RM502
RM584 total
29 Oct - 30 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy 4 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the bar ...
8/10 Very Good! (4,874 reviews)
"Excellent place to stay"

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Hilton Los Angeles Airport
citizenM Los Angeles Downtown

citizenM Los Angeles Downtown

4 out of 5
361 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA
The price is RM588 per night from 10 Nov to 11 Nov
RM588
RM683 total
10 Nov - 11 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,822 reviews)
"Great place to stay"

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

citizenM Los Angeles Downtown
Loews Hollywood Hotel

Loews Hollywood Hotel

4 out of 5
1755 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
The price is RM968 per night from 21 Oct to 22 Oct
RM968
RM1,273 total
21 Oct - 22 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,564 reviews)
Room with a great view
"We had an amazing time at Lowes. Customer service is the name of their game. Everyone was helpful, friendly, and caring. There was a maintenance issue in our room that was immediately remedied. I’m still dreaming about the comfortable bed and pillows that enveloped us every night. This is a great ..."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Loews Hollywood Hotel
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 WiFi, parking (surcharge), and air conditioning. Popular attractions Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood ...
9/10 Wonderful! (217 reviews)
"Detailed information, quick service, easy check-in, reasonable prices, beautiful views, and cozy rooms that feel just like home."

Reviewed on 6 Oct 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 WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Hollywood Boulevard and Hollywood ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (214 reviews)
"Overall it’s a good place to stay. Good location"

Reviewed on 10 Oct 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 WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (730 reviews)
"The room was spacious and staff were so kind. Generally needed a deep clean though"

Reviewed on 2 Oct 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.