Guidebook for Pasadena
Food Scene
Fantastic steaks, seafood and drinks. The service and ambiance here is second to none and the value is hard to beat.
41 locals recommend
Ruth's Chris Steak House
369 E Colorado BlvdFantastic steaks, seafood and drinks. The service and ambiance here is second to none and the value is hard to beat.
A superb upscale steak and fish restaurant. Good cocktails and service too! There's valet parking but you can self park as well.
32 locals recommend
Arroyo Chop House
536 S Arroyo PkwyA superb upscale steak and fish restaurant. Good cocktails and service too! There's valet parking but you can self park as well.
One of the best restaurants in Pasadena. Whatever they have are very tasty and with the experience. Great staff that are trained well to work with business guests. Easy valet, drive in and drive out. Perfect place for business lunches and dinners.
25 locals recommend
Parkway Grill
510 S Arroyo PkwyOne of the best restaurants in Pasadena. Whatever they have are very tasty and with the experience. Great staff that are trained well to work with business guests. Easy valet, drive in and drive out. Perfect place for business lunches and dinners.
It's a great spot to get quality food, but beware of the waiting time for the food to come to your table. This is a popular spot, if it's busy, you're going to wait awhile. I totally recommend the Moroccan mint with boba, chocolate milk shake is excellent and the smoked salmon pizza is to die for!
288 locals recommend
Urth Caffé
459 S Hewitt StIt's a great spot to get quality food, but beware of the waiting time for the food to come to your table. This is a popular spot, if it's busy, you're going to wait awhile. I totally recommend the Moroccan mint with boba, chocolate milk shake is excellent and the smoked salmon pizza is to die for!
All their coffees, multigrain bagels and their little bags of dried fruit are good! The coffee with coconut cream is superb. The mocha and the caramel coffees are my favorites and I highly recommend them to everybody!
124 locals recommend
Starbucks
300 E Colorado BlvdAll their coffees, multigrain bagels and their little bags of dried fruit are good! The coffee with coconut cream is superb. The mocha and the caramel coffees are my favorites and I highly recommend them to everybody!
Drinks & Nightlife
Food is great and reasonably priced, and they have a wide selection of beers! Hard to beat the ribeye cheddar burger! Also the staff and service are great!
23 locals recommend
Congregation Ale House Pasadena Chapter
300 South Raymond AvenueFood is great and reasonably priced, and they have a wide selection of beers! Hard to beat the ribeye cheddar burger! Also the staff and service are great!
Arts & Culture
Amazing art collection in a truly manageable and not overwhelming floor plan. Large permanent collection occupies most the gallery space. Outdoor sculptures decorate the grounds. Pleasant setting for the outdoor Garden Cafe. Diverse shopping in the museum store. Love the complete Impressionist paintings including Van Gogh works.
485 locals recommend
Norton Simon Museum
411 W Colorado BlvdAmazing art collection in a truly manageable and not overwhelming floor plan. Large permanent collection occupies most the gallery space. Outdoor sculptures decorate the grounds. Pleasant setting for the outdoor Garden Cafe. Diverse shopping in the museum store. Love the complete Impressionist paintings including Van Gogh works.
Great theater! Good productions! I love the stately architecture and the location. It's nice to see older California architecture still around!
137 locals recommend
The Pasadena Playhouse
39 S El Molino AveGreat theater! Good productions! I love the stately architecture and the location. It's nice to see older California architecture still around!
California Institute of Technology
1200 E California BlvdVisit Pasadena
300 E Green StSightseeing
Really great shopping and tons of places to stop for dining. There are gelato and ice cream shops, ramen, bakeries and a multitude of shopping from name brands to vintage boutiques!
480 locals recommend
Old Pasadena
23 E Colorado BlvdReally great shopping and tons of places to stop for dining. There are gelato and ice cream shops, ramen, bakeries and a multitude of shopping from name brands to vintage boutiques!
Paseo Colorado is the home of Rose Parade. This is a street with character. Lots of fine places to eat, and you'll get a sense of the architectural heritage of Pasadena. Lots to take in form the chic city center to the outlying areas with dollar stores and tattoo parlours. Take as much time as you need; it's all fascinating.
117 locals recommend
The Paseo
300 E Colorado BlvdPaseo Colorado is the home of Rose Parade. This is a street with character. Lots of fine places to eat, and you'll get a sense of the architectural heritage of Pasadena. Lots to take in form the chic city center to the outlying areas with dollar stores and tattoo parlours. Take as much time as you need; it's all fascinating.
Parks & Nature
Amazing historical museum that has a variety of plant life, art, sculpture, gardens, books, furniture, fountains, architecture and more! I enjoy the ambiance and finger food at the Rose Garden Tea Room, where the service is excellent and the staff very friendly. It definitely enhances the experience to take a break from the many wonderful exhibits and gardens to drink tea and refuel yourself to explore the rest!
999 locals recommend
Huntington Library Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford RdAmazing historical museum that has a variety of plant life, art, sculpture, gardens, books, furniture, fountains, architecture and more! I enjoy the ambiance and finger food at the Rose Garden Tea Room, where the service is excellent and the staff very friendly. It definitely enhances the experience to take a break from the many wonderful exhibits and gardens to drink tea and refuel yourself to explore the rest!
Nice easy hike. A few areas- moderate. Getting to waterfall is worth the hike. Nice views of the canyon and LA.
42 locals recommend
Eaton Canyon Falls Trail
Eaton Canyon Falls TrailNice easy hike. A few areas- moderate. Getting to waterfall is worth the hike. Nice views of the canyon and LA.
Entertainment & Activities
This is my go to place for movies. It is a little more money than some other chains but provides a superior experience. The membership is a nice perk as well!
110 locals recommend
ArcLight Cinemas - Pasadena
300 E Colorado BlvdThis is my go to place for movies. It is a little more money than some other chains but provides a superior experience. The membership is a nice perk as well!
Rose Bowl Stadium
1001 Rose Bowl DrGetting Around
Take an easy ride by Metro Gold Line to Downtown LA! Stop by Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Highland Park and Union Station. Once at Union Station you can transfer to the Metro Red Line which will take you to Hollywood!
46 locals recommend
Metro Gold Line
13005 Meridian AveTake an easy ride by Metro Gold Line to Downtown LA! Stop by Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Highland Park and Union Station. Once at Union Station you can transfer to the Metro Red Line which will take you to Hollywood!