Neighborhoods

Neighborhoods

Pasadena Guide

Pasadena Guide

Featured Listings
Macerich-Triplets
It’s three times the experience. 14 department stores. 600 specialty stores. 140 fashion destinations. 100 dining options. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it at Lakewood, Los Cerritos and Stonewood Centers.
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The Westin Bonaventure
Elegantly presiding over the City of Angels, The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites provides the ultimate urban oasis in the heart of the business district.
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This land of roses has an unexpectedly quirky underbelly and traditions both proud and weird. It’s that unique spirit that keeps Pasadena cool. After all, H&M chose it for its first SoCal outpost.—Katherine Spiers

 
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Culture & Recreation

Many smart people ended up in the Pasadena area, which explains the museums. Well, the one featuring stuffed animals is anybody’s guess.

1.

Norton Simon Museum

Forget the Getty. This is where the most impressive art collection in SoCal lives.

2.

Old Pasadena

Eat some cheesecake, buy some cashmere; it’s preppie heaven here.

3.

Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens

Get academic with Canterbury Tales. Get botanical with the 150-acre gardens. Get fancy with afternoon tea. Plenty to do here.

4.

The Bunny Museum

Just lots and lots of bunny rabbits, mostly stuffed, some not. The curators started with one, and they multiplied like...you know.

5.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

Some of the best scientists in the world work here, and if you ask nicely, and early, they’ll give you a tour.

 

Dining

More international than you might expect, Pasadena’s restaurants go from France to Cuba to Japan and back. There aren’t a lot of hole-in-the-wall places here, though, so put on your very cleanest jeans.

1.

Bar Celona

Oooh, tapas! And mojitos!

2.

The CrepeVine Bistro & Wine Bar

Brunch to dinner, this little alley bistro serves French classics with charm.

3.

Firefly Bistro

Wine and catfish fill this intimate spot that’s influenced by both Louisiana cuisine and the local farmer’s market.

4.

Madre's

Much like owner Jennifer Lopez, this Latin American restaurant is upscale and drenched in gold and lace, but still a little spicy.

5.

Sushi Roku--Pasadena

This outpost of the popular upscale mini-chain, with Americanized sushi and potent drinks, might not get as crazy as the one in Las Vegas, but it’s still delicious.

 

Nightlife

Sipping wine with scientists and artists, or pounding back brewskis with overgrown frat boys: There is very little middle ground.

1.

Lounge at Bar Celona

Be it flamenco, football, or a DJ spinning, the scene here is always swank.

2.

Bodega Wine Bar--Pasadena

This swinging '60s-style lounge serves up wine and flirty strangers.

3.

Lucky Baldwin's British Pub & Cafe

Make a British day of it: scones in the morning, fish and chips in the evening, beer anytime.

4.

Freddie's 35er

Drink some brews, throw some darts, get yelled at by the lady bartenders.

 

Shopping

Stores in Pasadena are very specific: You may only find one type of item, but rest assured it’s the best.

1.

Chronicle Wine Cellar

A tiny little store manned by a knowledgeable sommelier with (gasp!) no attitude.

2.

Greyone

Seen a must-have pair in a Japanese fashion mag? They might also be seen here.

3.

Vroman's Bookstore

This independent bookstore has everything to be found in a large chain, but with actual personality.

4.

H&M--Pasadena

People lined the street in anticipation of the European chain’s first SoCal store, and haven’t been disappointed yet.

5.

The Folk Tree

While you might not have time to go to Oaxaca, you can certainly head to Pasadena for some authentic Oaxacan crafts and art.

 

Hotels

Classic hotels that don't break the bank abound in Pasadena. Of course, bank-breakers are here, too.

1.

The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena

The luxury property in the San Gabriel Valley. The staff caters to every whim, especially during the famed brunches.

2.

Bissell House Bed & Breakfast

A beautiful and historical inn in South Pasadena, this is the third-oldest house in SoPas and has the Einstein stories to prove it.

3.

Artists' Inn

A quirky little B&B in SoPas with an affinity for bright colors and the artists who used them.

4.

Saga Motor Hotel

Get your kitsch on at an old-school motel with Astro Turf and a Route 66 vibe.