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Pasadena, California Area Attractions
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The greater Pasadena area is home to many entertainment venues, sports and recreation facilities, world-class institutions, beautiful gardens and engaging destinations as well as historic architecture, magnificent outdoor opportunities and even the finest dog park in Southern California. In Pasadena, a visitor can experience everything a large city has to offer in a comfortable, safe, engaging and active small city environment. Vibrant shopping and entertainment districts, world-class performing arts venues and museums, rollicking music clubs and a full range of eclectic, cutting edge and traditional restaurants make Pasadena a unique destination for visitors and locals alike. For more interesting links, please check here. |
While perhaps best known for the Tournament of Roses® parade and Rose Bowl® game, the Pasadena area is also home to some of the world's most renowned art and culture institutions, The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, the Pasadena Playhouse State Theater of California, the Pasadena Symphony, the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Boston Court theater and the Armory Center for the Arts. It is only a short drive to family attractions such as Legoland. Nestled in the Arroyo Seco, Kidspace features world-class exhibits for children and 2.2 acres of outdoor learning environments designed to encourage children to discover the excitement of learning while engaging in the creativity of play. Pasadena is also home to a wide diversity of activities and events, from monthly swap meets at the Rose Bowl and Pasadena City College to professional bicycling races and an annual half marathon, the Pasadena area boasts participatory events for the entire family. For those seeking alternative activities, Jake's Billiard Club, The Vault Bar and Grill, Pasadena Jazz Institute and Dave and Busters offer the chance to enjoy a drink, food, music and fun. The UCLA Bruins play their home football games in the Rose Bowl. |
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Pasadena is an area alive with historic architecture. Pasadena Heritage hosts walking tours and provides information on self-guided tours of notable structures throughout the area. Heritage Square Museum provides a glimpse into the past with its collection of relocated and restored historic homes and buildings. The Pasadena Museum of History includes displays of local historic artifacts and tours of the intact Feynes Mansion. Visitors can also enjoy the restored downtown dining, shopping and entertainment areas of Old Pasadena and the Playhouse District. In addition to a wide variety of shopping and dining opportunities, South Lake Avenue boasts the historic Macy's store, one of the finest examples of mid-20th century retail architecture still open as a department store. Downtown Pasadena's Paseo Colorado is one of the first open air mall shopping experiences in the country.
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The Pasadena area offers shopping and entertainment opportunities for the whole family. A Noise Within, Boston Court and the Pasadena Playhouse offer first rate theatrical productions. The Pasadena Civic Auditorium hosts the Distinguished Speaker Series, classical, jazz and contemporary music and theatrical productions in a grand and historic hall. Book lovers can browse the shelves at Vroman's Bookstore, one of the finest independent bookstores in the country, or enjoy the restored historic Pasadena Public Library with its grand reading room. Shoppers can browse downtown Pasadena's shops and enjoy drinks and dinner at Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana, All India Café, Celestino's or Holly Street Bar and Grill. In East Pasadena, Robin's Restaurant and Woodfire Grill serves award-winning barbecue while President Thai and Margaritas offer excellent and exotic specialties. Burger Continental on South Lake Avenue serves traditional fare with a Middle Eastern and Armenian twist and the Hamlet serves quality American food. Unique southern California informal dining experiences include In-N-Out Burger, The Original Tommy's World Famous Hamburgers and The Hat while those seeking luxury can be pampered in the dining room at the Langham Huntington Hotel, recently named one of the top ten dining experiences in Southern California by Los Angeles magazine. All manner of ethnic dining opportunities offer food from around the world. El Portal features Mexican fare with a Yucatan flare. Diners at Mijares enjoy traditional Mexican fare in one of Pasadena's oldest restaurants. Brits Restaurant and Pub offers the best food and drink from the British Isles. Masa, Japon Bistro, Sushi Roku and Kabuki offer varied food inspired by Japanese cuisine. McCormick and Schmick's serves fresh seafood daily. Maui Wowi serves coffee favorites with an island flair and family run Café Culture offers a nice contrast to chain coffee venues. Pasadena is also home to some of the finest educational institutions in the country. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is the top research university of its kind in the world. The Caltech campus is a gem of gardens, historic and cutting edge architecture. Fuller Theological Seminary trains Christian leaders for service worldwide on a campus that features restored Craftsman architecture and a beautiful, tree-lined promenade. Art Center College of Design, a nationally renowned leader in art and design education, has a beautiful campus overlooking the Arroyo Seco. The California School of Culinary Arts trains chefs in the tradition of Le Cordon Bleu in downtown Pasadena classrooms. Student-prepared meals are served at culinary school operated restaurants, 561 Cafe and the informal School Café.Pasadena is a city to enjoy. Fine dining, extraordinary shopping, varied entertainment and recreational opportunities in the best small city in the United States. |
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Japanese Gardens
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Tournament of Roses
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Pasadena Playhouse
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