The Guide to Pasadena, California
Historic neighborhoods, world-class culture, remarkable food, local businesses, real estate and everything you need to experience Pasadena, California.
Start here
Six ways into the city, from the historic commercial core to the canyon that shapes its western edge.
District
Twenty-two blocks of restored 19th-century commercial architecture, alleys and courtyards.
Landmark
The 1922 stadium in the arroyo, its 3.1-mile loop, and the monthly flea market.
Explore
The Norton Simon, the Playhouse, ArtCenter and the city's working cultural institutions.
Eat
Where to eat across Old Pasadena, South Lake, Playhouse Village and the neighborhoods.
Live
Ten districts shaped by architecture, geography and their commercial streets.
Outside
The arroyo, the foothill trails and the open space that frames the city's western edge.
Neighborhoods
A city of distinct districts, each shaped by its architecture, history, geography and commercial streets.
The city's 19th-century commercial core, now its busiest walking district.
Explore
Roughly sixteen blocks of early-1900s Craftsman bungalows.
ExploreBroad lots and mixed period revival architecture south of downtown.
ExploreHillside streets above the Arroyo Seco, adjacent to the Gamble House.
ExploreThe theatre district between downtown and South Lake.
ExploreEat + Drink
Restaurant listings are sample records while we verify details with each business.
Californian · Old Pasadena
Sample listing for a seasonal Californian counter-and-dining-room restaurant in the Union Street corridor.
Mexican · Old Pasadena
Sample listing for a masa-forward counter kitchen making tortillas in house.
French · South Lake
Sample listing for a brasserie with sidewalk tables on South Lake Avenue.
Things To Do
Sports
The 1922 National Historic Landmark stadium in the Arroyo Seco, home of the Rose Bowl Game and a 3.1-mile public loop.
Gardens
Library, art museum and 130 acres of botanical gardens just beyond Pasadena's southeast edge in San Marino.
Museums
European, American and South and Southeast Asian art on Colorado Boulevard at the western edge of the city.
History
Twenty-two blocks of restored 19th- and early-20th-century commercial architecture, now the city's main walking district.
Architecture
Greene and Greene's 1908 Arts and Crafts house museum above the Arroyo Seco.
Arts + Culture
The State Theatre of California, producing plays in a 1925 Spanish Colonial Revival building.
Calendar
Recurring and seasonal events across the city. Confirm dates with each organizer before you go.
Each New Year's Day (moves to January 2 when the 1st falls on a Sunday)
Festivals · Colorado Boulevard parade route
The floral parade that has run along Colorado Boulevard since 1890, followed by the Rose Bowl Game in the arroyo.
Second Sunday of most months
Community · Rose Bowl Stadium parking areas
A large monthly antiques and vintage market filling the lots around the stadium.
Summer season, most weekends
Music · Levitt Pavilion, Memorial Park
Free outdoor concerts on the Memorial Park lawn through the summer season.
Annually in spring
Community · Bungalow Heaven Landmark District
A self-guided tour of Craftsman interiors inside Pasadena's first Landmark District.
Productions run throughout the year
Arts · Pasadena Playhouse
The State Theatre of California's producing season of plays and musicals.
Weekly, weekend mornings
Sports · Rose Bowl loop
Informal group runs on the 3.1-mile loop around the stadium and Brookside golf course.
Living Here
Relocation, schools, transit, utilities and the practical questions that come up before and after a move.
Orientation to the city's geography, districts and the practical steps of relocating.
How housing, transportation and everyday costs are structured in Pasadena. Figures are published only when sourced.
An overview of the public, charter and independent school landscape, with links to official sources.
Metro A Line, buses, freeways and the parts of the city that work on foot.
What is different about buying older housing stock, including landmark district review.
Rental housing types across the city, from mixed-use downtown to older duplexes.
Real Estate
Understand Pasadena neighborhoods, architecture, housing trends and homes available throughout the city — as one part of living here, not the whole story.
Directory
A curated directory of Pasadena businesses, organized by category and neighborhood.
Claim your listing to keep hours, services and contact details accurate, or ask about featured placement in your category.
List your businessGuides
Things To Do · 8 min read
How to spend forty-eight hours in Pasadena without spending them in the car.
Living Here · 11 min read
Geography, housing stock, transit and the practical questions that come up first.
Food · 6 min read
A district-by-district look at the city's coffee, from Old Pasadena alleys to South Lake.
Neighborhoods · 9 min read
How the historic district is laid out, where to park once, and what the courtyards connect.
Architecture · 12 min read
A field guide to the styles you will actually see walking Pasadena's residential streets.
Food · 10 min read
Old Pasadena, South Lake, Playhouse Village and the neighborhood kitchens in between.
Pasadena Weekly
Local events, restaurants, neighborhood stories, real estate and things worth knowing about Pasadena.