Old Town Pasadena is best known for its annual Rose Parade and is one of my favorite areas of Los Angeles not only because it is lovely, but also because of its history and architecture. When you visit this lovely community, you’ll see historic brick buildings, craftsman homes, parks, museums, and glorious gardens.
Watch my video walking tour on YouTube
Old Town Pasadena has plenty of activities to keep you busy depending on your interests. There are fine hotels to stay in, gourmet restaurants, and plenty of shopping in its historic district.
One of my favorite things to do in Old Town Pasadena is to walk around the old buildings and alleys off Colorado Blvd near Fair Oaks Blvd. and the surrounding streets. Park at meters in the historic district using the Passport app on your smartphone or at designated public parking garages.
Book the Pasadena Mystery Picnic: Self-Guided Foodie Adventure HERE
Botanical gardens and green spaces
The temperate weather in Los Angeles makes it possible to enjoy outdoor activities all year round. Pasadena offers spectacular options for nature lovers.
A must-see is the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. It is located in San Marino, which is one of the most affluent areas of Los Angeles, and almost puts Beverly Hills to shame.
Spend hours walking its grounds that include serene Chinese and Japanese gardens, over 1200 varieties of roses, and a huge collection of desert plants.
The Huntington is the home of Gainsborough’s Blue Boy and its art museum hosts some of the finest European and American Art in the world.
Reserve a table for high tea at the Rose Garden Tearoom. You can also lunch at the Red Car coffee shop, 1919 Cafe, Freshwater Pavilion, or the Jade Court Cafe.
Don’t forget to stop at the Huntington’s amazing gift store on your way out for books, teas, garden items, and collectibles.
Other extraordinary public gardens near Old T0wn Pasadena include Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, The L.A. Arboretum in Arcadia, Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden and Teahouse, and Arlington Gardens across from Storrier Stearns. It’s a free community garden adorned with native California plants.
Another hidden gem is the Ambassador Mansion and Gardens next to the Ambassador Auditorium.
Parks and green spaces are in abundance in Old Town Pasadena. Memorial Park at 85 Holly St. has an outdoor Amphitheatre and is dedicated to Veterans.
Central Park is located next to the historic Victorian-style Castle Green Apartments and is often the location of art fairs and other events.
For more things to do and where to stay in Pasadena, here.
Pasadena is LA. Metro friendly
Del Mar Station was once the Pasadena Santa Fe Station built in 1935 for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railways. It was designed in the Mission Revival style and is a convenient L.A. Metro drop off point to visit the historic section of town.
The station is also home to eateries The Luggage Room Restaurant, Stone Brewing Tap Room, and Le Grande Orange Café.
Memorial Station is another L.A. Metro Station on Holly St next to Memorial Park and The Armory in the heart of Old Town Pasadena.
Explore the historic alleys of Old Town Pasadena
Each alley is marked with historical markers that give visitors information about its history and take you back in time.
I took a virtual walking tour during the pandemic with Pasadena Walking Tours called Haunted Pasadena and learned about some of the intrigues that took place in the early days of the city. It is now available as a walking tour. I also took a tour of Old Town Pasadena that started at City Hall and traversed through the old alleys.
Notable landmarks in historic Pasadena
The Pasadena Playhouse was founded in 1917 by Gilmor Brown and became internationally known as a star factory for many actors, directors, and playwrights who later became famous. The Playhouse was voted the official state theatre of California in 1937.
I’ve seen excellent performances there with top performers like Ed Asner and Hershey Felder.
One of the most photographed buildings in Los Angeles is Pasadena City Hall. It was designed in 1927 to recreate the early Renaissance style of the 16th century and is a popular filming location.
Across the street is the Robinson Memorial which commemorates baseball legend and Pasadena residents Jackie Robinson and his brother Mack.
The Pasadena Scottish Rite Cathedral on Madison Avenue was completed in 1925. Its pre-PWA Classical Moderne stylefeatures sphinxes.
The Gamble House was constructed in 1908, and is one of the most stunning examples of Craftsman architecture in Los Angeles. It was designed as a winter residence for the Gamble family by architects Greene & Greene. You can take a tour of both the exterior and interior.
The Old Colorado Bridge
This Beaux-Arts style bridge, completed in 1912 spans the Arroyo Seco. It is known as Suicide Bridge” because dozens of people have jumped off it. A chain-link fence was installed to prevent it from happening. The bridge has been a popular filming location for decades.
Desiderio Neighborhood Park sits underneath the bridge and is a picturesque location to have a picnic and traverse the underside of the bridge.
Take in world-class art and culture
In addition to the Huntington Library and its art galleries, Old Town Pasadena is a cultural mecca.
The Norton Simon Museum showcases the private fine art and sculpture collection of the late industrialist Norton Simon. With over 12,000 pieces in the collection, you can view European works from the Renaissance to the 20th century. There is also an extensive collection of Asian art, modern works, and sculpture downstairs.
The USC Pacific Asia Museum, founded in 1971, is located in the heart of Old Town Pasadena on Los Robles Blvd. The building was constructed in 1926 to resemble a Chinese Imperial Palace with gardens. It holds a permanent collection as well as special exhibits.
Other notable art spaces include The Armory Center for the Arts, the Kidspace Children’s Museum, and Tournament of Roses House and Wrigley Gardens.
Public art is on display throughout the district.
Take part in ArtNight Pasadena
The City of Pasadena hosts ArtNight twice a year in March and October. Galleries, theaters, and performance spaces open their doors to visitors to view local art and culture. Pasadena Transit buses park at City Hall to the venues. Food trucks are provided to seel snacks for attendees.
Watch my short video about ArtNight
Culinary delights
The Old Town Pasadena Historic Coreis an exemplary destination for fine dining and shopping. It has a wide variety of restaurants serving California and multi-ethnic cuisines, pubs, coffee, and tea houses, and bakeries.
Several restaurants that have been operating for decades include:
The Raymond 1886 – The date refers to the Old Raymond Hotel which burned down in 1886. A new and even larger hotel replaced it but closed during the Great Depression. That hotel was torn down to make way for residential housing, but the caretaker’s Craftsman-style cottage remained and now houses the restaurant.
Russell’s Restaurant has been in Pasadena since 1930 and specializes in breakfast. Specialties include Monsieur and Madame Croques, Belgium waffles, French toast, and gourmet waffles. It is located at 30 N Fair Oaks Blvd.
El Cholo serves authentic Mexican cuisine and has been in operation since 1923.
Some of my favorite restaurants include Agnes Cheesery, The Union, El Patron Mexican Food, and Lucky Baldwin’s Pub. But, there are so many more to try!
Shop ‘til you drop
If books are your passion, you will adore Vroman’s Bookstore which has been a fixture in Pasadena since 1894 and is California’s oldest and largest independent bookstore.
To thoroughly enjoy a shopping excursion in Old Town Pasadena, start off at One Colorado where you can find luxury boutiques and stores like J.Crew, Anthropology, Patagonia, and Sephora. Across the street is Tiffany’s, Zara, Madewell, and Banana Republic.
Get your steps in hiking and walking
The Rose Bowl Loop is in the center of the Arroyo Seco. It is a 3.1 mile trail that surrounds the Rose Bowl Stadium built in 1921. Joggers, dog walkers, and others exercise and socialize while enjoying the scenic Arroyo. Take note that parking can be difficult on weekends as there are often large events taking place.
If you are there on the second Sunday of the month, you can pick up cool items at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, which has hundreds of vendors.
There are at least 14 excellent hiking trails in the Pasadena area and at the foot of the scenic San Gabriel Mountains. One of the most popular trails is at Eaton Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center. Take a lovely 3.5-mile round-trip hike across creeks to a 40-foot waterfall with gorgeous views of the mountains. Tip: Wear waterproof shoes as there are many creeks to cross.
Stay for a night or two, or three
If you are looking for the ultimate luxury hotel, a stay at the Langham Huntington Hotel is a must It is a 5-star historic hotel located near the Huntington Library in San Marino. It has been serving Pasadena for over 100 years and is a popular wedding venue. It also serves a luxurious afternoon high tea.
Other hotels in and near Old Town Pasadena include The Westin, Hilton, Sheraton, and Courtyard by Marriott.
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