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Pasadena lies at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains just northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It was founded in 1874 by settlers from Indiana who planted orange groves, and its mild winters soon drew wealthy visitors from the East to grand resort hotels. The first Tournament of Roses Parade was held here on New Year's Day 1890, and the Rose Bowl, opened in 1922, hosts the famous college football game that follows it.
The city's wealth produced remarkable architecture, from the domed 1927 Pasadena City Hall to the Craftsman masterpieces of Greene and Greene, including the Gamble House. The Arroyo Seco, crossed by the graceful Colorado Street Bridge, winds along the city's western edge. Pasadena is also a center of science, home to Caltech and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Visitors explore Old Pasadena's lively streets of shops and restaurants, the Norton Simon Museum's collection of European and Asian art, and the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens in neighboring San Marino. The Pasadena Playhouse, the Kidspace Children's Museum and trails into the San Gabriel Mountains round out a visit.
The Rose Bowl is a historic stadium opened in 1922, home of the Rose Bowl Game on New Year's Day and of UCLA football. It sits in the Arroyo Seco, surrounded by a popular 3-mile loop for walking and running. The huge Rose Bowl Flea Market is held here on the second Sunday of each month.
Pasadena City Hall is a 1927 Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean style building with a tall domed tower and a peaceful central courtyard with a fountain and gardens. It is one of the most photographed civic buildings in California. The courtyard is usually open on weekdays; visit in the late afternoon for soft light.
The Colorado Street Bridge is a 1913 concrete arch bridge that curves gracefully over the Arroyo Seco, with ornate lamps and railings. It is a famous Pasadena landmark and a great spot for photos. Walk across on the sidewalk, or view it from below in the Lower Arroyo park for the best look at its arches.
The Tournament House is the former mansion of chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. on Orange Grove Boulevard, now headquarters of the Tournament of Roses. Its gardens include many rose varieties. Free guided tours of the house are offered on set days, mainly in spring and summer; the gardens are open daily.
The Gamble House is a 1908 masterpiece of the American Arts and Crafts movement, designed by architects Greene and Greene, with handcrafted woodwork, stained glass and custom furniture. Movie fans know it as Doc Brown's house in Back to the Future. Visits are by guided tour only; book ahead.
The Norton Simon Museum holds a world-class art collection, including works by Rembrandt, Degas, Van Gogh and Picasso, plus South and Southeast Asian sculpture and a calm sculpture garden with a pond. It sits on Colorado Boulevard along the Rose Parade route. Allow two hours, and check discount days.
The USC Pacific Asia Museum is set in a 1920s building styled after a Chinese palace, with a quiet courtyard garden. Its collection covers art and objects from across Asia and the Pacific Islands, with rotating exhibitions. It is compact and easy to see in an hour, and is a short walk from Old Pasadena.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens sits just south of Pasadena in San Marino. Its huge gardens include Japanese, Chinese, desert and rose gardens, and the art collection includes The Blue Boy. Plan at least half a day, wear comfortable shoes, and book timed tickets in advance.
The Tournament of Roses Parade has been held in Pasadena on New Year's Day since 1890, with flower-covered floats, marching bands and horses moving along Colorado Boulevard. Many people camp on the sidewalk the night before. You can also see floats up close at post-parade viewing areas in the following days.
Old Pasadena is the city's historic downtown along Colorado Boulevard, with restored brick buildings and quiet alleys full of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. It is one of the most walkable areas in Los Angeles County. Use the public garages, and explore the side alleys and courtyards off the main street.
The Pasadena Playhouse is a historic theater opened in 1925 and named the State Theatre of California. Its Spanish Colonial Revival building and courtyard host plays, musicals and new works, and many famous actors started here. Check the season schedule, and arrive early to enjoy the courtyard and nearby restaurants.
Kidspace Children's Museum in Brookside Park near the Rose Bowl offers hands-on indoor and outdoor exhibits for young children, with climbing towers, water play, gardens and science activities. It is best for kids up to about age ten. Bring a change of clothes for the water areas, and book tickets ahead on weekends.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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