Table of Contents

• Introduction
• History of Pasadena
• Safety in Pasadena
• Where to Stay in Pasadena
  • Hotels
  • House and Room Rentals
  • Motels
• Arrival, Parking, and Transportation Within Pasadena
• Things to Do in Pasadena
  • The Norton-Simon Museum
  • San Gabriel Mission
  • Walk Around Old Pasadena
  • The Huntington Library
  • See a Game or Show at the Rose Bowl
  • Visit/Hike in the Angeles National Forest
• What and Where to Eat in Pasadena
  • Howlin’ Ray’s (Chicken & Waffles)
  • Osawa (Japanese)
  • Lucky Boy (Hamburgers)
  • Salt & Straw (Ice Cream)
  • Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery (American)
• General Tips for Visiting Pasadena
  • Use Alltrails
  • Homeless
  • Be Mindful of Events and Conventions
  • Wildlife While Hiking in Angeles National Forest
• Conclusion
• Los Angeles Blogs

Introduction

Pasadena is located south of the Angeles National Forest next to Glendale. It is grossly underrated and often overlooked by travelers, but this city has so much to offer tourists. Pasadena has one of the most prestigious universities on Earth the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). It also has top-grade museums like the Norton-Simon and Huntington Library and a nice downtown area. This blog post will cover the history of Pasadena, safety, accommodation, arrival, parking, transportation, things to do, general tips, and what and where to eat.

History of Pasadena

Before Pasadena was Pasadena, it was inhabited by the Hahamogna people who were a tribe of Native Americans. After the Spanish arrived they began taking over the land, and it became part of New Spain. The San Gabriel Mission was built (the fourth one in California) which converted the Hahamonga Tribe into Christianity and used their labor for the church’s needs. After Mexico seceded from Spain in 1821, things began to change in the area.

1833, saw Mexico secularize the missions handing them off to individuals. Current Pasadena was divided among three main families and it wouldn’t be until 1886 that all the land would come together and be called Pasadena. The addition of electricity, sewers, and streets allowed the city to grow and draw in attention of businesses and settlers.

Safety in Pasadena

I have found Pasadena to be safer and cleaner than most cities in Los Angeles, but not to the same level as Beverly Hills. Pasadena does have its share of problems like most places on Earth, but not to the extent of other areas. Homeless can be found in the area so be mindful, and in general, I don’t recommend you walk alone at night, especially if you are a woman.

Crimes of opportunity can occur here. What is a crime of opportunity? Crimes of opportunity are not pre-planned crimes, but rather when the perpetrator sees someone mess up and allows them to commit the crime. Even though smaller crimes like pickpocketing and car break-ins are still low, do not give anyone the chance to do so and keep aware of your surroundings. Pasadena has its own fire and police departments so you will be perfectly fine visiting. If you want more information about safety in Los Angeles, click here to go to the “Safety in Los Angeles: Complete Guide” blog post.

Where to Stay in Pasadena

Pasadena can be a good place to stay if you do or do not have a car. It is safer than most other places in Los Angeles and has six metro stations, but it is a little more expensive. Pasadena may be a little more calm than you may think. It can be very lively in the downtown area and near the Rose Bowl and other touristy areas. But the area tends to be a bit more sleepy after dinner time. There are three primary accommodation options in Pasadena, motels, hotels, and room and house rentals, which will all be discussed in detail below with specific recommendations.

Hotels

There are several hotels in the city but they are not cheap. The hotels offer parking spots, so if you have a car or rent a vehicle, it should not be a problem. However, some hotels charge an additional fee to park your car, so be sure to ask at the front desk, and they will give you a parking hanging tag or sticker for your vehicle if applicable. 

Most hotels have a check-in time of around 3 p.m. / 15:00 and a check-out time of around 11 a.m. / 11:00, but this can vary depending on the location. If you want an early check-in or late check-out you can call ahead and see if they can do anything, but in most cases, it will cost extra. Prices can change depending on the time you are going and for how long. Average rates that I’ve seen range from $90.00 to $120.00+ / €83.65 to €110.83+ per night.

House and Room Rentals

Airbnb and Vrbo are popular rental companies and offer guests opportunities to rent private and/or shared spaces for a few days to a few weeks. If you are a solo traveler or a couple, I would recommend you use Airbnb as they have smaller accommodation options. All rooms and houses offered usually have many reviews, so you can look at them and see how their experience was. I’ve also noticed that ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, both companies have charged a very high cleaning fee. Sometimes close to $200.00 / €185.54!

Costs and availability can vary depending on the time you go and for how long, but the prices range from $50.00 to $100.00+ / €46.38 to €92.77+. It is also possible that many options do not have any parking spots, so if you rent a car or have a personal vehicle, check to make sure it has a parking spot. Generally speaking, most places have a check-in time around 3 p.m. / 15:00 and a check-out time around 11 a.m. / 11:00, but it can vary depending on the location. 

Normally if you want an early check-in and/or late check-out they can accommodate you without an extra fee. Air conditioning does not come in all the units (sometimes at an extra fee), so if you come during summer, I’d recommend finding a place with air conditioning since it can get very hot in central Los Angeles. To check out Airbnb’s official website, click here. For Vrbo’s official website, click here.

Motels

Motels are very common in Canada and the United States. For my readers outside the U.S. and Canada, motels may seem like a weird concept, but let me explain. Motels are very similar to hotels but offer fewer amenities. Motels are very basic, they have a room with a bed, a desk, and a private bathroom, and sometimes the campus will have a pool which can be closed seasonally. Sometimes they will have air conditioning and will always have a parking spot (sometimes limited). 

Motels tend to be a little cheaper than hotels but do not offer flexible check-in and check-out and tend to have virtually no security. Just like hotels, most motels have a check-in time of around 3 p.m. / 15:00 and a check-out time of around 11 a.m. / 11:00, but this can vary depending on the location. Of course, the prices can depend on the time you are going and for how long, but it is more expensive than other motels.

Recommendations:

1. The Langham ($$$)
2. Hilton Pasadena ($$)
3. GreenTree Pasadena Inn ($)

If you want more information about accommodation in Los Angeles, click here to go to the “Where to Stay in Los Angeles Guide” blog post.

Arrival, Parking, and Transportation Within Pasadena

• Arrival

Arriving to Pasadena can be done by three means. You can drive/take a ride-share app, take the L.A. Metro, or take city buses. In general, the best way to get to Pasadena is driving, but taking the metro could also be a good option but very restrictive. 

Driving is very straightforward, as you put your desired destination in your map application or ride-share app and drive over. Parking will be discussed in the next section. If you plan on taking the L.A. Metro, the A Line (blue line) is the one you will be utilizing the most. The A Line, is the longest metro line in L.A. running from Long Beach, which is the southernmost station to Glendora in northeastern Los Angeles. 

There are six metro stations in Pasadena. The stations are the South Pasadena Station, Fillmore Station, Del Mar Station, Memorial Park Station, Lake Station, and Allen Station. The station runs through Old Pasadena but is not near places like the Huntington Library or the Rose Bowl.

If you want to use the L.A. Metro, the first thing you will need to get is a TAP Card. The TAP Card is required to ride the L.A. Metro. You can either download the TAP L.A. application here or purchase one at any of the metro stations. Once you have a physical or digital card, just put your card or phone on top of the device and “tap” to pay for the fare. The price is $1.75 / €1.61 for a two-hour ride. Reloading the TAP Card or the Tap LA app is very easy and can be done online.

Once you are on the metro, find your way to the A Line, as that one gets you to Pasadena. Once you arrive, you will tap once more. The main hours of operation of the L.A. Metro are from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. / 05:00–00:00 but can differ. The last option are the city buses, and they should just be avoided unless you are with a local. Although affordable, the buses are raw and unpredictable. Drive or use the L.A. Metro.

• Parking in Pasadena

Parking should be pretty straightforward in Pasadena. It is not the hardest location for parking but also not the easiest. There is free parking for a lot of activities in the city but around Old Pasadena, you do need to get a little lucky for free parking. To learn how to use the Los Angeles metro, click here to go to the “Arrival and Transportation Within Los Angeles” blog post.

• Transportation Within Pasadena

Since many of the things to do in Pasadena are spread out a car is best used to traverse the area. Whether rented or personal, a car can get you to Rose Bowl, Norton-Simon Museum, or San Gabriel Mission with ease. The next best way to get around is by taking a ride-share application like Uber or Lyft. But be wary of traffic and remember that from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. / 06:00–10:30 and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. / 15:00–18:30 is rush hour (peak traffic). You could also use the L.A. Metro, but it’s not convenient to use many of the stations since they are not located near touristy areas (minus Old Pasadena). Again, there are city buses but don’t use them unless you are with a local since they are not the safest.

Things to Do in Pasadena

There is so much to do in Pasadena I don’t understand why people don’t visit it as much. From visiting museums to the best gardens in California, there are things to keep you occupied for a couple of days. This is by no means a complete list but rather highlights I recommend. In no particular order, these are the top things I recommend you do in and around Pasadena.

The Norton-Simon Museum

The Norton Simon Museum is a well-done art museum that displays older artwork and when I went, had a gorgeous Indian exhibit that had dozens of sculptures highlighting the Hindu and Jainism faiths. The building is deceptively large, so make sure you have enough time to visit the entire museum. On top of the indoor exhibits, there is also a small outdoor sculpture garden and a nice-sized pond that has ducks, geese, and turtles (depending on the time of year).

The Norton Simon Museum website has a free audio guide that is available in both English and Spanish. Just type the number into the pad and there will be background information provided on the specific art piece. Click here to go to their audio device webpage. The museum does have free onsite parking, but it can fill up. If it’s full, there are places to park nearby or a short 10-20 minute walk from the museum, just pay attention to the signs.

San Gabriel Mission

The San Gabriel Mission is the only California mission in Los Angeles. California has 21 different missions, but they are not unique to California as they can also be found in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Florida. I was surprised just how important this mission was to the construction and development of Los Angeles. The grounds have the original church, a small exhibition hall, a cemetery, and a new church. Please keep in mind that both churches are still used as places of worship so be respectful, be quiet, and if there is mass in session, wait to see the church instead of interrupting.

Walk Around Old Pasadena

Old Pasadena is a nice part of the city that offers 22 blocks of restaurants, bars, and shopping. This is a good place to go after visiting the museums or watching a game at the Rose Bowl. I ate a couple of good restaurants (listed below) and is a cool area to just get lost in.

The Huntington Library

This was one of the biggest surprises I experienced in L.A. The Huntington Library comprises three major parts, the galleries, the library, and the gardens. The library is usually restricted to research purposes, but there are four main gallery halls that feature over 45,000 objects that range from American, Asian, European, and British artwork. The exhibitions are beautifully done and very large, so make sure you allocate enough time.

The biggest aspect of this institution is the gardens. There are a whopping 130 acres / 52.6 hectares that contain over 83,000 living plants. Within the gardens, there are 16 themed areas including Japanese, Chinese, Australian, and desert gardens. And if you are not the biggest walker (because there is a lot of it), the area does have free trams that run about every 30 minutes, so there are options to get around campus. I would set aside a whole day for this area. 

The Huntington Library has free parking onsite, but it can fill up quickly. If parking is full, you can park on the street around the property, just make sure you don’t park in front of the homes as you can’t park there.

See a Game or Show at the Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl is a stadium where the UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) Bruins play. Alongside the popular university players, it is also home to popular concerts and events. The arena can hold up to 89,702 spectators and is home to the annual college gridiron football game. 

Alongside the games, events, and concerts, the Rose Bowl also has stadium tours on the last Friday of every month at 10:30 a.m. / 10:30 and 12:30 p.m. / 12:00. It costs $25.00 / €23.00 for a general admission ticket. If you can’t make it on the last Friday of the month, you can check out the VIP Tours as they can be booked at different parts of the month. Click here to learn more about tours at the Rose Bowl.

Visit/Hike in the Angeles National Forest

Angeles National Forest is a natural area just north of Pasadena. Even though the park takes up roughly 700,000 acres / 283,279.95 hectares many tourists are unaware of its existence. This is as wild as southern California gets. You can see countless birds, and mesmerizing mammals, and stand in awe of the beautiful wilderness that surrounds L.A. There are dozens of hikes that traverse the forest and some of L.A.’s best hikes are found here.

What and Where to Eat in Pasadena

Pasadena is not known for anything specific but does have amazing mom-and-pop places to grab a delicious bite. There are amazing chicken and waffles places and top-notch hamburgers. In no particular order, these are the locations I recommend you eat in Pasadena.

Howlin’ Ray’s (Chicken & Waffles)

Howlin’ Ray’s is one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles. This place is known for its chicken and waffles. Just as it sounds, the dish is only composed of fried chicken and Belgian waffles but is to die for. The chicken has a succulent dry rub and the waffle is fluffy and not too sweet. The original restaurant opened in Chinatown, but the one in Pasadena is better due to the free parking. Make sure you get here early as they get long lines very fast.

Osawa (Japanese)

Osawa is a mom-and-pop-owned Japanese restaurant that has some amazing Japanese food. The sushi tasted so fresh and divine. I got the bento box, and it came with steak, salmon, and sushi. Everything was so good!

Lucky Boy (Hamburgers)

Lucky Boy is a popular burger place in Pasadena and almost feels like an institution. They have classic hamburgers and cheeseburgers with crispy fries. They also have tacos, but I did not try them. I’d recommend the burger and fries if you come.

Salt & Straw (Ice Cream)

Salt and Straw is an amazing local ice cream place that sells gourmet ice cream and weirdly unique flavors. There are a few around the Los Angeles area, but the one located in Pasadena is found at the Americana. When I went during summer, they had an Earl Grey and Blueberry ice cream that was divine.

Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery (American)

Agnes is not only a restaurant but also a cheesery. A cheesery is a location dedicated to, you guessed it, cheese! You can order a charcuterie board filled with assorted gourmet cheeses. They also have brunch and dinner menus which include pastas and assorted proteins. We went for the charcuterie board, but the food looked delicious.

General Tips for Visiting Pasadena

Compared to other parts of Los Angeles such as Venice Beach and Downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena seems so much calmer. Of course, as in every city, it does come with its own set of tips which will be discussed in detail below. In no particular order, here are some tips about Pasadena.

Use Alltrails

For people who don’t know, let me enlighten you. AllTrails is a godsend when it comes to hiking. The app has millions of trails across dozens of countries in thousands of cities. There is a built-in GPS mechanic that tracks you while you are hiking which is a key feature. It is perfect for those trails that are overgrown or confusing as you can track your progression to make sure you are on the right trail. They also have an easy-to-use search option to look up trails wherever you search. To visit AllTrails’ official website and download the app for both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, click here.

Homeless

Unfortunately, Los Angeles is going through a homeless crisis at the current moment. It’s not as prevalent in Pasadena, but you may see it. You may see many makeshift shelters and tents where the homeless sleep. These shelters can be found throughout the city and can appear everywhere. They also panhandle a lot, and it is not uncommon for many homeless people to have dogs. I always advise if you want to give them something, give them something that is not straight money. Food, water, or even dog food are good options since you don’t know what that money will be used for.

Some people who live on the streets are addicts and/or mentally unstable individuals, and although they keep to themselves on most occasions, they can cause some trouble and discomfort. It is not uncommon to hear them yell into the sky, or move erratically, so just ignore their shouts and if they make you uncomfortable, walk to the other side of the street or turn around. Not all homeless are bad people. I have noticed an improvement in homelessness in the area. However, I think it is just preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games that will take place in Los Angeles. So hopefully, the improvement stays.

Be Mindful of Events and Conventions

Pasadena is one of the most popular areas for conventions and major events. When that happens, the entire city becomes much more expensive (in terms of accommodation) and busy. It’s not uncommon for traffic to occur around the city and restaurants to become crowded. Be mindful if events or conventions are in the area and plan accordingly.

Wildlife While Hiking in Angeles National Forest

Since the Angeles National Forest is the largest forested area in Los Angeles, and one of the largest in southern California, it is no surprise that wildlife is abundant in the region. Some of the wildlife does require some warnings as they can ruin a trip.

• Insects

Insects exist everywhere on Earth, except Antarctica. There are three that are best known for their ability to transmit some nasty diseases: fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks. All three are in and around the Angeles National Forest, but the diseases they transmit are not common in the area. I’m adding a couple of spiders to this list as there are misconceptions about them. 

There are dozens of species of spider in the area, but two stand among the group: The black widow and the brown recluse. Black Widow and brown recluse bites will rarely result in hospitalization or death, despite what you heard. However, if you are allergic to bees, you may also be allergic to spiders, so have your epinephrine ready just in case. Remember, spiders are more afraid of you than you are of them.

• Rattlesnakes

The most common animal that can cause harm in the Angeles National Forest is rattlesnakes. They are most commonly found in hiking areas. There are seven different species of rattlesnakes in southern California, and all can be fatal if bitten. The good news is that they have a rattle to let you know you are getting too close. They also hide during the day to avoid the sun. If you are bitten, do not constrict the area or try and suck out the venom. 

Remain calm and call 911. Rattlesnakes are not the only snakes in the area but are the only deadly ones in L.A. One piece of advice I can give you is to stick to the trails. Rattlesnakes only go on the trail to cross from one side to the other since there is no shade. For more information, click here to go to the official University of California, Davis Health website.

• Coyotes

Coyotes are small canines related to dogs and wolves. They rarely approach, let alone, attack humans. They are often found in groups and can be seen in hiking areas, as well as, around the city. Coyotes do not pose a threat but in some instances, transit rabies, so keep a safe distance and you will be fine. 

• Black Bears

I thought bears in California were extinct. Well, brown bears are, not black bears. Black bears are a smaller species of bear that are not as aggressive or as threatening as its cousin, the Grizzly Bear. Black bears are only found in one location in all of L.A. County, the Angeles National Forest. There are approximately 150–500 bears in the forest. Black bears rarely attack humans and tend to stick to themselves. Bears can become more aggressive if they have cubs, but it is still uncommon for them to attack. To learn more about the California Black Bear, click here to go to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s official website.

• Bobcats

Bobcats are a species of feline that resembles a large house cat. They are much bigger than your average house cat and can be territorial, and aggressive. However, they stick to themselves and rarely confront humans. If you see one, clap loudly and create noise to scare them off. 

• Mountain Lions

Mountain Lions are the most intimidating animals in the area, but also the most elusive. Sometimes referred to as pumas, cougars, and panthers, mountain lions are the apex predators in the areas and, just like the black bears, are found in the Angeles National Forest as well as the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu. There is on occasion one mountain lion located in Griffith Park and as of August 2024, there is one. Sightings are rare, and there has never been a recorded attack on a human in Los Angeles.  If you see a mountain lion, wave your hands above your head and make noise so they get frightened and leave your area.

• Poison Oak

Poison oak can be found around the Angeles National Forest and can ruin your L.A. trip. Poison oak contains an oily resin (urushiol oil) that causes an allergic reaction when exposed to human skin. It is not life-threatening, but the rash can last days and ruin your trip. If you come into contact with poison oak, rinse the affected area with soap and cold water and remove any clothes that may have come into contact with the oak. If you want to learn more about prevention and treatment, click here to go to the FDA’s official website.

 If you want to learn more about safety in Los Angeles, click here to go to the “Safety in Los Angeles: Complete Guide” blog post.

Conclusion

This has been a comprehensive and detailed list of everything regarding Pasadena including where to stay, how to get around, what and where to eat, safety, general tips, and what to do. Have you visited Pasadena? Have you done any of the studio tours in the area? If so, Which was your favorite and why? Would you return? If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, feel free to post them below. Also, please check out blog posts related to Los Angeles below, or go back to the Los Angeles page to learn more about traveling to L.A.