Everyone knows Los Angeles but much less know about Pasadena, a neighboring city in Los Angeles County that deserves much more love and attention. There are a ton of hidden gems in Pasadena so we’ve listed out the 15 best things to do in Pasadena and why it’s so special. From museums to historical sites to shopping, there’s truly something for everyone in Pasadena. Many fun things on this list are considered a national historic landmark and have tons of history behind them.
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Hidden Gems In Pasadena
1. Huntington Library
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens are one of the top things to do in Pasadena. There are essentially three parts to this space. The first is a Library known for a wide collection of British and American history. The second is an art museum that displays American and European paintings, sculptures, and artifacts.
The third and biggest is the botanical gardens. If you love nature, you will absolutely fall in love with the botanical gardens. There are many different gardens including Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden, Australian Garden, Desert Garden, Rose Garden, and more. The gardens are so big that you may get lost as you’re exploring.
2. Norton Simon Museum
Norton Simon Museum is an art museum in Pasadena that features European, American, and Asian art collections. The collection displays art pieces from the most famous artists in the world including Picasso, Degas, and Rembrandt. The museum holds a large sculpture collection from Southeast Asia.
3. Arlington Gardens
Arlington Gardens is a public park in Pasadena and people come here to enjoy the calm atmosphere. The park has interconnected gardens with lush greenery and each one is distinct. Some gardens include a Mediterranean garden, a rose garden, and a desert garden. There are a lot of walkways to take a stroll and benches to sit and relax. Many people come here to take engagement and wedding photos.
The best thing is the beautiful garden is free to enter.
4. Eaton Canyon Nature Center
The Eaton Canyon Nature Center is a park located at the base of the San Gabriel mountains that includes a variety of habitats including coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and a small waterfall. What this place is famous for and what people like to come here for is its hiking trail. The trail can be tricky but the waterfall at the end makes it worth it.
5. Colorado Street Bridge
Colorado Street Bridge is a historic bridge in Pasadena and spans across the Arroyo Seco. Many people know the bridge for its amazing architecture and lots of people come to the bridge to enjoy picturesque views of the city. Many cultural and social events are hosted on the bridge. In fact, the bridge was featured in the movie La la land.
6. Old Pasadena
Old Pasadena is like downtown where all the chain and local restaurants, shops, and offices are located. What’s special is these modern stores are all housed in historic buildings and are representative of Victorian-era architecture. There is a lot to explore here and definitely something for everyone. It’s one of the best places for shopping lovers.
7. The Gamble House
The Gamble House is a historic house museum in Pasadena and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a great example of early 20th-century Craftsman architecture. The house was designed by famous architects Charles and Henry Greene for David and Mary Gamble of the Procter & Gamble Company. Now, it’s used as a museum by the University of Southern California.
If you’re into architecture and beautiful interior design, the Gamble House is a must-visit hidden gem in Pasadena.
8. USC Pacific Asia Museum
This is a museum with thousands of ceramics, sculptures, paintings, and other art works from Asia and the Pacific Islands. If you’re a fan of Asian art and culture, this museum is a hidden gem and definitely worth a visit. Admission is $10 for general admission and $7 for students with valid student i.d. and seniors. Ages 17 and under are free.
9. California Institute of Technology
Short for Caltech, it’s a private research university and is rated one of the top universities in the world for its science and engineering programs. There are students and faculty working on research in a range of fields including astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, and more. Not only is its programs world renowned, the campus is also incredibly beautiful with lots of green spaces.
It’s definitely worth visiting and exploring the campus.
10. Rose Bowl Football Games
Rose Bowl is a stadium in Pasadena and is widely known as a host for the annual Rose Bowl Game, a college footbowl game played on New Year’s Day. It’s also a popular venue for concerts and other events. Some popular events Rose Bowl hosted was FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. Check out Rose Bowl upcoming events here.
11. Rose Bowl Flea Market
Rose Bowl is very famous for its games but it’s also quite popular for its flea market. The flea market takes place every second Sunday of the month and you’ll find tons of antiques, crafts, artwork, and other second-hand pieces. Great place to go thrifting and shopping for gifts. There’s an endless number of vendors here and you can literally spend the entire day here.
12. Pasadena Playhouse
Pasadena Playhouse is a historic theater in Pasadena. In fact, it’s one of the oldest and most well-known theaters in the United States. The theater has had a long history of showcasing many notable actors and directors. The inside has a very intimate setting which lets the audience feel very engaged with the stage.
13. Mount Wilson Observatory
Mount Wilson Observatory is a historic astronomical observatory and is one of the most important research institutions in the world. The Hooker Telescope is one of the most famous instrument at Mount Wilson and is the largest telescope in the world. If you’re interested in astronomy, you’ll love visiting this place.
14. Pasadena City College Flea Market
Pasadena City College Flea Market is a flea market with over 400 vendors selling antiques and collectibles. This flea market is not as big as the Rose Bowl Flea Market but there’s still enough to spend a good amount of the day. The event usually occurs on select Sundays and it’s free admission.
15. Pasadena Ice Skating Center
The last one on this list is a more interactive one. It’s a skating rink that is well-loved by many locals. The rink is located in downtown Pasadena so it’s quite convenient to get here. The ice rink size is quite big as well so there’s plenty of space to free skate.
Must-Try Pasadena Tours!
And that’s a wrap on the best things to do in Pasadena! Hope you were able to decide on what to do in Pasadena with this list 🙂
Are you looking for more ideas on things to do near Pasadena? Check out these posts!
- South Bay LA: 45 Best Things To Do In South Bay Los Angeles (Cannot Miss)
- Orange County: 13 Really Fun Things To Do In Orange County
- Little Tokyo: Things To Do In Little Tokyo LA
- Best Breakfast: Top Breakfast Spots In Long Beach
- Where to Stay: Best Beach Hotels In Orange County
- What to Pack: What To Pack + Wear In LA
