Guidebook for Pasadena
Food Scene
Lavender & Honey® Espresso Bar
Local color and a hip cafe.
We love Indian food -- pick up or make a reservation (it is popular, so reservations are recommended). No delivery.
Mint Leaf Indian
We love Indian food -- pick up or make a reservation (it is popular, so reservations are recommended). No delivery.
We discovered J J's because we love red bean paste buns. They have so much more! Grab a tray at the entrance and be prepared to stand in line. There is also a great Asian market nearby where you can get fresh fish and Asian specialties.
JJ Bakery
We discovered J J's because we love red bean paste buns. They have so much more! Grab a tray at the entrance and be prepared to stand in line. There is also a great Asian market nearby where you can get fresh fish and Asian specialties.
Italian food for take out or patio dining. We like this place for healthy salads with several vegan and vegetarian options.
Porta Via Italian Foods
Italian food for take out or patio dining. We like this place for healthy salads with several vegan and vegetarian options.
Farm to table menu, based on what is available. Fantastic restaurant for a special event. Open Wednesday through Sunday; reservation required. Worth the trip! Mission Street in South Pasadena is fun for window shopping, as well.
Shiro
Farm to table menu, based on what is available. Fantastic restaurant for a special event. Open Wednesday through Sunday; reservation required. Worth the trip! Mission Street in South Pasadena is fun for window shopping, as well.
Parks & Nature
Great for hiking or running. Entrance is just a few blocks away from our place.
Eaton Canyon Falls Trail
Great for hiking or running. Entrance is just a few blocks away from our place.
The famous Rose Bowl Stadium is located in the Arroyo Seco, a dry river bed. There are many entrances to the Arroyo and many hiking trails. Near the Rose Bowl, there is an aquatic center and kids' museum. It also hosts a large flea market on the second Sunday every month.
115 locals recommend
Rose Bowl Stadium
The famous Rose Bowl Stadium is located in the Arroyo Seco, a dry river bed. There are many entrances to the Arroyo and many hiking trails. Near the Rose Bowl, there is an aquatic center and kids' museum. It also hosts a large flea market on the second Sunday every month.
This quiet water-wise public garden is supported by neighborhood gardeners and the community. Orange marmalade made from the garden's many Navel Orange trees is sold locally. Open sunrise to sunset.
Arlington Garden in Pasadena
This quiet water-wise public garden is supported by neighborhood gardeners and the community. Orange marmalade made from the garden's many Navel Orange trees is sold locally. Open sunrise to sunset.
Arts & Culture
Wonderful art collections in a stunning setting. Go for the gardens alone (rose gardens, Japanese and Chinese gardens, among many others), or visit the galleries.
294 locals recommend
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Wonderful art collections in a stunning setting. Go for the gardens alone (rose gardens, Japanese and Chinese gardens, among many others), or visit the galleries.
Norton Simon Museum
Essentials
This is our favorite grocery store, and just a few blocks from the house. Pick up store-made hummus, baba ghanoush and fresh pita bread, as well as marinated meats for your barbecue.
Armen Market
This is our favorite grocery store, and just a few blocks from the house. Pick up store-made hummus, baba ghanoush and fresh pita bread, as well as marinated meats for your barbecue.
We shop here for good fresh fish, organic vegetables and a great variety of health foods, etc. Has a good vegan selection and freshly baked vegan muffins. Weekly specials.
Sprouts Farmers Market
We shop here for good fresh fish, organic vegetables and a great variety of health foods, etc. Has a good vegan selection and freshly baked vegan muffins. Weekly specials.
Shopping
Iconic book store offers a great selection, lectures, and coffee shop.
12 locals recommend
Vroman's Bookstore
Iconic book store offers a great selection, lectures, and coffee shop.
Shopping mall with convenient underground parking. Parking can be validated at the movie theatre.
6 locals recommend
The Paseo
Shopping mall with convenient underground parking. Parking can be validated at the movie theatre.
Gentrified "Old" Pasadena has everything within a few blocks. Several parking garages offer free 90-minute parking.
130 locals recommend
Old Pasadena
Gentrified "Old" Pasadena has everything within a few blocks. Several parking garages offer free 90-minute parking.
Hastings Ranch shopping mall features Einstein Bagels, Whole Foods Market, Bev Mo, and lots more.
Hastings Ranch
Hastings Ranch shopping mall features Einstein Bagels, Whole Foods Market, Bev Mo, and lots more.
Getting Around
This is the closest stop on the Gold Line. If coming from LAX, catch the Flyaway bus to Union Station, then take the Gold Line to Pasadena. Give me a call, as I might be able to meet you at Allen Station if I'm not working.
Allen
This is the closest stop on the Gold Line. If coming from LAX, catch the Flyaway bus to Union Station, then take the Gold Line to Pasadena. Give me a call, as I might be able to meet you at Allen Station if I'm not working.
Entertainment & Activities
This movie house has several theaters and features foreign and Indie films, as well as more conventional offerings.
Laemmle's Playhouse 7
This movie house has several theaters and features foreign and Indie films, as well as more conventional offerings.
This is the site of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and Convention Center in downtown Pasadena.
Pasadena Convention Center
This is the site of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and Convention Center in downtown Pasadena.