Photo by Jamie Pham
Pasadena is alive with remarkable art collections, architecture, innovation, and entertainment. With historic architecture, world-class art museums, acres of botanical gardens, landmark theaters, and three distinct districts offering an eclectic collection of dining, shopping and entertainment, Pasadena offers something for everyone.
Pasadena’s more than 500 restaurants serve cuisine from all parts of the world. Diners can choose from charming outdoor cafes to elegant dining rooms and everything in between.
Leave plenty of time during your visit to experience it all. Please see below for a selection of places to visit from our Local Arrangements Committee. For more information, visit: http://www.visitpasadena.com/
Armory Center for the Arts
145 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 792-5101
http://www.armoryarts.org/
Hours:
Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays & Easter Sunday): 12-5pm
Price:
Free for Seniors, Students and Armory Members, $5 Suggested Donation
The Armory Center for the Arts has been at the forefront of arts education in Southern California for more than 60 years. With 20,000 square feet, the building provides space for art studios, workshops, and galleries. It hosts year-round gallery exhibits and art events.
Boston Court Performing Arts Center
Boston Court, 70 N Mentor Avenue, Pasadena, CA
(626) 683-6883
http://www.bostoncourt.com/
Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Price:
$10-25 per ticket; Student and Senior discounts available
Enjoy a variety of performances and presentations at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center. Its eclectic schedule includes musical performances, theatre productions, and author discussions.
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 949-4200
https://www.descansogardens.org/
Hours:
Open daily from 9am-5pm (last admission at 4:30pm)
Price:
General $9, Seniors 65 and over/Students $6, Children (5 to 12 years) $4
Descanso Gardens is a unique Southern California landscape treasure, distinguished by its specialized botanic collections, historical significance, and rare natural beauty. Its mission is to practice exemplary stewardship of Descanso’s distinctive character and assets, offer people an experience close to nature, and cultivate understanding of the natural world and people’s place in it through inspiration, education, and example.
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
(626) 405-2100
http://www.huntington.org/
Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 12pm-4:30pm, Tuesday: Closed,
Friday: 12pm-4:30pm, Saturday: 10:30am-4:30pm, Sunday: 10:30am-4:30pm
Price:
Weekdays: Adults $23, Seniors (65+) $19, Students $19, Youth (4-11) $10, Children (under 4) Free, Groups (15 or more) $18 ea. Weekends: Adults $25, Seniors (65+) $21, Students $21, Youth (4-11) $10, Children (under 4) Free, Groups (15 or more) $20 each.
The Huntington Library was established in 1919 by Henry E. Huntington, an exceptional businessman who built a financial empire that included railroad companies, utilities, and real estate holdings in Southern California. Huntington amassed the core of one of the finest research libraries in the world, established a splendid art collection, and created an array of botanical gardens with plants from around the globe.
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 821-3222
http://www.arboretum.org/
Hours:
Open daily from 9am-5pm (Last Admission at 4:30pm)
Price:
Adults $9, Students and Seniors $6, Children (5-12) $4, Children under 5 Free
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a unique 127-acre botanical garden and historical site that includes Native American, Rancho Period, and late 19th-century treasures. In addition to concerts and tours, the Los Angeles County Arboretum offers a wide variety of activities and events that cater to every audience.
Norton Simon Museum
411 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 449-6840
http://www.nortonsimon.org/
Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 12-5pm, Tuesdays: closed
Friday-Saturday: 11am-8pm, Sunday: 11am-5pm
Price:
Adults $12, Seniors (62 & up) $9, Children (18 & younger) Free,
Students with valid ID Free
The Norton Simon Museum is known around the world as one of the most remarkable private art collections ever assembled. Over a thirty-year period, 20th-century industrialist Norton Simon (1907–1993) amassed an astonishing collection of European art from the Renaissance to the late 20th century, as well as a stellar collection of South and Southeast Asian art spanning 2,000 years.
Old Town Pasadena
1 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 356-9725
http://www.oldpasadena.org/
Old Town Pasadena is home to more than 100 restaurants and shops that provide a variety of culinary delights and specialty items to take home. Located on Colorado Blvd, Old Town Pasadena is always bustling with visitors and residents — so take a walk up and down Colorado Blvd to find the “Little Old Lady from Pasadena” and so much more.
Pasadena Museum of California Art
490 E Union Street, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 568-3665
info@pmcaonline.org
Hours:
Wednesday – Sunday from 12–5pm, 3rd Thursdays from 5–8pm
Price:
Adults: $7, Seniors (62+) & Students $5, Children (12 and under) Free,
1st Fridays (12–5pm) Free
The Pasadena Museum of California Art was founded by two art-loving Pasadena residents, Bob and Arlene Oltman, who got their start with a small gallery space that displayed works of art created exclusively by California artists. The museum eventually expanded to encompass additional elements such as design and architecture with the help of founding Director, Wesley Jessup.
Pasadena Museum of History
470 W Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 577-1660
http://pasadenahistory.org/
Hours:
Wednesday through Sunday from 12pm to 5pm
Price:
Exhibition Galleries $7, Feynes Mansion Tour $1
Founded in 1924 by the Pasadena Historical Society, the Pasadena Museum of History is devoted to preserving and educating the public about the history, art, and culture of Pasadena and the West San Gabriel Valley. It is considered one of the country’s premier institutions of its size, growing from its humble beginnings as a collection of documents contained in one single file cabinet.
The Pasadena Playhouse
39 S El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 356-7529
boxoffice@pasadenaplayhouse.org
http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/
Price:
Prices vary (check online or call The Playhouse)
Established in 1917, the Pasadena Playhouse, with its long and rich history, has hosted many groundbreaking new plays and revivals, which have helped it become the official State Theatre of California. Take in an afternoon matinee or an evening performance and enjoy The Playhouse’s atmosphere and entertainment.
Pasadena Ice Skating Center
300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 578-0800
http://www.skatepasadena.com/
Hours:
Check the public skating hours at: http://www.skatepasadena.com/public-skate
Price:
Admission $10, Skate Rental $4, Groups 10+: $13 (includes skate rental)
The Pasadena Ice Skating Center continues its tradition of hosting a variety of ice sport programs suitable for ages 3+, and daily public open skating sessions.
The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center
360 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 564-0330
http://www.rosebowlaquatics.com/
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 5:30am-9pm, Saturday: 6am-5pm, Sunday: 8am-5pm
Price:
Varies (check Rose Bowl Aquatics Center website for more information)
The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, a non-profit organization, opened in 1990 and is located in Pasadena’s beautiful Brookside Park, just south of the famous Rose Bowl Stadium. This world-class aquatics facility offers year-round aquatic and fitness programs.
The Rose Bowl Stadium
1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 577-3100
http://www.rosebowlstadium.com/
Hours:
Varies
Price:
Varies (check website for events and other information)
A National Historic Landmark built in 1922 and known mainly for the New Year’s Tournament of Roses Football Game, the Rose Bowl Stadium has also earned its world-class reputation by hosting five NFL Super Bowl Games, the 1984 Olympic soccer matches, the 1994 Men’s World Cup, the 1999 Women’s World Cup, the 2002, 2006, and 2010 BCS National College Football Championship Games and numerous other memorable events over the past eighty plus years.
The Rose Bowl offers a variety of activities including the Rose Bowl Flea Market (second Sunday of every month). Visitors can also walk, or run, the Rose Bowl Loop Track, or swim at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
USC Pacific Asia Museum
46 N Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101
(626) 449-2742
http://www.pacificasiamuseum.org/
Hours:
Wednesday – Sunday from 10am to 6pm
Price:
$10 for General Admission, $7 for Students with a valid ID and Seniors (60+)
Founded in 1971, the USC Pacific Asia Museum houses more than “15,000 objects, spanning more than four thousand years, covering a region extending from Persia to the Pacific Islands.” The museum has a beautiful courtyard in which to relax and it even offers leisure classes!
Hiking Trails in the Pasadena Area
Bailey Canyon: 499 W Carter Ave, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Mt. Wilson Trail: 189 E Mira Monte Ave, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Sturtevant Falls: Santa Anita Canyon Rd, Sierra Madre, CA 91025
(626) 574-1613
Eaton Canyon Falls: 1750 N Altadena Dr, Altadena, CA 91001
(626) 398-5420
Echo Mountain Trail: E Loma Alta Dr At Lake Ave, Altadena, CA 91001
Santa Anita Canyon: Santa Anita Canyon Rd, Arcadia, CA 91006
Mt Zion Trail: Santa Anita Canyon Rd, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011
Monrovia Canyon Park: 1200 N Canyon Blvd, Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 256-8282
Griffith Park: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 913-4688