The best places to stay in Pasadena range from 5-star hotels to budget options. Top choices include The Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa, which provides opulent rooms and access to the Huntington Library Botanical Gardens.
For a more local scene, try Silver Lake, where you’ll find eateries like All Day Baby and Spoon & Pork, as well as a range of bars and nightlife. There are also a number of family-friendly hotels in this area.
Old Pasadena
The 22-block national historic district of Old Pasadena reflects the city’s past with well-preserved 19th- and 20th-century architecture and buildings. It also reflects the community with hundreds of boutique and franchise shops, restaurants, and bars. It’s a great place to shop, eat, and visit historical landmarks, like the Fenyes Mansion on Millionaires Row, or museums, including the Norton Simon Museum.
In addition to the city’s best shopping and dining, Old Pasadena has a wide variety of events throughout the year. Some highlights include the Tournament of Roses, which features the annual Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl game. There’s also a festival for the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, with altars created by local businesses and residents.
One Colorado is a full city block of turn-of-the-century Deco and Victorian buildings with wrought iron detailing that come together in a cozy courtyard. The courtyard is modeled after a European town square and makes a perfect spot for chatting with friends or enjoying alfresco coffee. One Colorado also hosts a variety of special events, including live music concerts, film festivals, kids programs and cultural events.
The Rose Bowl Stadium is the backdrop for the city’s world-class athletic and entertainment events, but Pasadena is renowned for its rich cultural institutions and beautifully preserved historic landmarks, too. In the heart of the city, visitors can discover world-class museums and art galleries, sun-drenched rose gardens, and a range of other attractions for all ages.
While the city is a popular destination for tourists, it’s also a great place to live. Many residents choose to rent apartments in the heart of Old Pasadena, with easy access to everything the city has to offer. The neighborhood is safe, walkable, and has a strong sense of community. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops nearby, and the Metro Gold Line provides quick transportation to downtown LA.
If you’re looking for an apartment in Pasadena, the AMLI Old Pasadena is a luxury community with modern homes and styled amenities. This new village is located in the heart of Old Pasadena, just a block off of Colorado Boulevard. Its convenient location makes it easy to reach the Paseo Mall, the Rose Bowl Stadium and the area’s best museums in minutes.
Colorado Boulevard
Unlike older neighborhoods that were developed before people began driving, Colorado Boulevard is relatively new. As a result, the street was designed for cars and not walkability, especially in the central part of the road between Ninth and Park Hill avenues. The lack of walkable features along the boulevard is a major factor behind the current traffic problems on it.
The central portion of the road, once known as State Route 248 or the Glendale Freeway, is a busy commercial area and a four-block stretch that hosts a huge part of the Rose Parade every year. The area is renowned for its collection of antique stores, bookstores, movie theaters, restaurants and nightclubs.
Throughout much of the city, the road is used as an urban arterial, with high speeds and little to no room for pedestrians. The combination of high traffic volume and speed makes it dangerous for pedestrians, especially at night when the streets are dark. Colorado Boulevard is one of the most deadly streets in the city for people who are walking, according to the Denver Vision Zero project.
In February 2021, local residents began discussing a community-led plan called “Beautiful Boulevard.” It advocated removing one of the roadway’s traffic lanes in each direction to make room for a dedicated BRT lane and other improvements. De Leon promoted this plan at a public Zoom meeting, saying it would promote clean air, address climate change, provide social equity for low-income riders and offer a transportation alternative for higher-income residents.
But when Metro officials presented their plan to reduce the number of roadway lanes on Colorado Boulevard, they emphasized parking needs rather than the benefits for pedestrians. The two-lane option loses 88 parking spaces, and would require businesses to move parking spaces away from the curb. When the Boulevard Sentinel asked why, De Leon responded that he was concerned about the safety of people who use bikes.
The street extends from Griffith Park in Los Angeles to the eastern border of Glendale, then passes through the Eagle Rock section of L.A. and Pasadena before ending in Monrovia. Its full length was once various state highways, including US 66.
Downtown Pasadena
Known as the City of Roses, Pasadena has a lot to offer for visitors looking to escape the Los Angeles madness without venturing too far from home. This charming Southern California city is just a 20-minute drive away from Downtown LA, Dodger Stadium and Griffith Park, making it the ideal base for exploring Los Angeles. Whether you want to shop, relax by the pool or take in the city’s rich history, Pasadena has something for everyone.
The heart of the city is Old Pasadena, a National Register Historic District that features 22 blocks of impeccably restored late 19th and early 20th century architecture. Here, visitors can explore open-air shopping plazas, hidden laneways and a lively strip of retailers and restaurants along Colorado Boulevard.
In addition to shopping and dining, this historic district has many parks and outdoor spaces where residents and tourists can enjoy the beautiful weather. For example, check out the lovely courtyard at One Colorado or Miller Alley if you’re looking for somewhere to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee with friends.
Other top attractions include the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens where you can see works of art from Renaissance masters and discover the on-site botanical gardens. For those looking to learn more about the universe, head to the Mount Wilson Observatory where you can join a guided stargazing session at night during the spring and autumn.
When planning your trip to Pasadena, it’s important to choose the right hotel. There are plenty of options for all budgets in the area, from hotels that offer a spa and family-friendly accommodations to affordable chains such as the Ramada Inn Pasadena and Rodeway Inn & Suites. For those looking for a bit more luxury, consider staying at the The Langham Huntington which has rooms, suites and cottages with a classic interior design.
There are also a number of great restaurants in the City of Roses, including the popular Urth Cafe and Ruth Chris Steakhouse. There are also a range of other cafes, pubs and wine bars where you can enjoy a glass of vino or sample some of the local craft beer on tap.
West Pasadena
Pasadena is a city where old world heritage meets new world innovation. Its world-renowned institutions include the California Institute of Technology, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, and the Art Center College of Design. The city’s educational and research based economy makes it an ideal location for companies seeking to grow in the southern California area.
The Monk Hill / West Pasadena neighborhood has a very high percentage of residents with at least a bachelor’s degree, which is higher than what you’ll find in most neighborhoods in America. This translates into a lot of highly skilled workers, as well as strong business opportunities.
This community also has a very low rate of child poverty, which is great news for families with children. This means that you can feel safe and secure sending your kids to school or out to play.
One of the unique things about this neighborhood is its real estate vacancy rate. This metric is based on how many homes and apartments are unoccupied at any given time. It can be a good indicator of how healthy the market is for buying or renting in a particular area. In the Monk Hill / West Pasadena neighborhoods, the vacancy rate is very low, which means that there are plenty of homes and apartments for sale or rent in the area.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in this neighborhood, it’s worth noting that the average price per square foot is very high compared to other neighborhoods in the United States. This is due to the fact that the area is very desirable and has a lot of amenities to offer.
In addition to its prestigious universities, museums and cultural institutions, Pasadena is home to numerous recreation opportunities and sports facilities. The city is also known for its beautiful parks, shopping centers and restaurants. It is a great place to live and work, with easy access to 210, 110 and 134 freeways. The city is home to the Rose Bowl, the annual Rose Parade and is a popular destination for visitors.