Guidebook for Pasadena
Arts & Culture
ArcLight Cinemas - Pasadena
300 E Colorado BlvdModern movie theater with current listings
Regency Academy Cinemas
1003 E Colorado Blvd$3 movies!
Laemmle's Playhouse 7
673 E Colorado BlvdArt house movie theater playing indie and foreign films
Pasadena Museum of California Art (PMCA)
490 Union StCalifornia artists
Pacific Asia Museum
46 N Los Robles AveArt, artifacts, and textiles from around the Asian world
The Pasadena Playhouse
39 S El Molino AvePopular theater
Sightseeing
City of Pasadena City Hall
300 S Raymond AveBeautiful architecture and grounds. Free.
Gorgeous gardens and art gallery
999 locals recommend
Huntington Library Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford RdGorgeous gardens and art gallery
Norton Simon Museum
411 W Colorado BlvdBeautiful museum with famous impressionist work.
Bungalow Heaven
Famous for its bungalow architecture. A short stroll away.
Famous house designed by Greene and Greene. Classic Arts and Crafts architecture. They have tours.
157 locals recommend
The Gamble House
4 Westmoreland PlFamous house designed by Greene and Greene. Classic Arts and Crafts architecture. They have tours.
Everything Else
Pasadena City College
1570 E Colorado BlvdWe've hosted guests from here
California Institute of Technology
1200 E California BlvdWe've hosted guests from here
Oak Grove & Jet Propulsion Laboratory station
We've hosted guests from here
Fuller Theological Seminary
135 N Oakland AveWe've hosted guests from here
ArtCenter College of Design
1700 Lida StWe've hosted guests from here
Visit Pasadena
300 E Green StWe've hosted guests from here
City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center - Duarte
1500 E Duarte RdWe've hosted guests from here
Food Scene
La Estrella Restaurant
320 Orange Grove BlvdYummy and affordable Mexican
El Taquito Mexicano
490 N Lake AveFamous for their tacos
Urth Caffé
459 S Hewitt StInsanely popular restaurant and coffee shop. Gorgeous architecture.
Souplantation
2131 W Commonwealth AveOur daughter's favorite restaurant. Soup, salad, and pasta buffet.
Copa Vida
70 S Raymond AveOur favorite artisanal coffee shop
Another cute artisanal coffee shop and cafe with easy parking.
40 locals recommend
Lavender & Honey® Espresso Bar
1383 E Washington BlvdAnother cute artisanal coffee shop and cafe with easy parking.
The Pie Hole
714 Traction AveHipster pie spot
Coolhaus
59 E Colorado BlvdHipster ice cream sandwiches named after architects
Insanely delicious hot dogs and burgers served on Hawaiian rolls. Full bar, too.
14 locals recommend
Dog Haus Biergarten Old Pasadena
93 E Green StInsanely delicious hot dogs and burgers served on Hawaiian rolls. Full bar, too.
King Taco
45 N Arroyo PkwyOur favorite Mexican food in LA
Ruth's Chris Steak House
369 E Colorado Blvd$$$$ but amazing.
The Counter
5779 Wilshire BlvdDesign your own burger
Umami Burger
49 E Colorado BlvdRated best burger by GQ magazine
Noodle World
700 Valley BlvdAll things Asian food
A true California restaurant-- over a dozen fresh salads to choose from.
516 locals recommend
Lemonade
1661 Abbot Kinney BlvdA true California restaurant-- over a dozen fresh salads to choose from.
Azeen's Afghani Restaurant
110 Union StAfghani food
Nine & Nine Thai Kitchen
738 E Colorado BlvdOur local Thai delivery place. Can eat there, too.
Islands Restaurant Pasadena Paseo Colorado
300 E Colorado BlvdBurgers and full bar with TVs
Blaze Pizza
667 E Colorado BlvdDIY Pizza for $7
One of our faves. Fresh and local salads, sandwiches, and hot plates.
432 locals recommend
Tender Greens
6290 Sunset BlvdOne of our faves. Fresh and local salads, sandwiches, and hot plates.
Marston's Restaurant
151 E Walnut StPopular brunch place in a cute Pasadena bungalow house
Malbec Argentinean Cuisine
1001 E Green StGreat steak and other Argentinean food
Abricott
238 South Lake AvenueAsian fusion and affordable. Beautiful design inside.
Roy's Restaurant
641 E Colorado BlvdUpscale Hawaiian food
Mi Piace
25 E Colorado BlvdPopular Italian restaurant with sidewalk tables
Cafe Santorini
64 W Union StOne of our faves for a romantic night out. Request the balcony.
Maison Akira
713 E Green StSpendy Japanese French fusion restaurant
Daisy Mint
1218 E Colorado BlvdPopular Asian fusion restaurant
The Hat
491 N Lake AveFamous for their pastrami sandwiches and other greasy spoon items
The Slaw Dogs
720 N Lake AveFancy hot dogs and burgers
Kathleen's Restaurant
595 N Lake AveAll American food (mostly senior citizens)
Famous for their...chicken and waffles! Avoid on a weekend morning unless you want to wait at least 30 minutes.
33 locals recommend
Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles - Pasadena
830 N Lake AveFamous for their...chicken and waffles! Avoid on a weekend morning unless you want to wait at least 30 minutes.
Tonny's Restaurant
843 E Orange Grove BlvdHole in the wall Mexican with delicious fresh juices and smoothies.
Polkatots Cupcakes
720 N Lake AveCupcakes!
Cabrera's Mexican Restaurant
655 N Lake AveFree appetizers during happy hour
Reyn
635 N Lake AveCheap and filling breakfast. Lunch, too.
Drinks & Nightlife
Kings Row Gastropub
20 E Colorado BlvdOur favorite gastropub
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
6000 Sepulveda BlvdPizza, beer, and everything in between
Yard House
13455 Maxella AveGreat happy hour. The place to watch sporting events
Essentials
Trader Joe's
1566 Colorado BlvdThe first Trader Joe's in the country!
Ralphs
160 N Lake AveLarge supermarket with a Starbucks inside
Baja Ranch Market
475 Orange Grove BlvdHispanic supermarket
Shopping
Target
2626 Colorado BlvdEverything you could ever need is at Target. Groceries, too.
Largest independent bookstore in Southern California. Lots of great talks and book signings
65 locals recommend
Vroman's Bookstore
695 E Colorado BlvdLargest independent bookstore in Southern California. Lots of great talks and book signings
Walgreens
670 N Lake AveLarge drugstore for all your sundry needs
Old Town Pasadena-- tourist destination with shopping, restaurants, etc.
480 locals recommend
Old Pasadena
23 E Colorado BlvdOld Town Pasadena-- tourist destination with shopping, restaurants, etc.
South Lake Avenue
South Lake AvenueShopping destination with many restaurants