Although Pasadena is looks like it’s absorbed into the general LA sprawl, it is in fact a separate and distinct city that’s made up of three districts – Old Pasadena, the Pasadena Playhouse District, and South Lake Avenue. And all of them feature a plethora of retailers, restaurants and things to see and do!

Things to Do

Pasadena is home to the annual Rose Parade where millions of visitors tune in to watch gorgeous floral floats, as others line up at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena for an up close and personal look. But there’s so much more going on in here – from exceptional museums like the Norton Simon and the Huntington Library/Botanical Gardens to the shopping district that makes up Old Town.

Looking for a bargain? Two flea markets take place monthly. The first takes place on the grounds of the Rose Bowl and the second is held at the Pasadena City College. Admission to either event grants you access to hundreds of vendors and the chance to pick up some one of a kind relics.

Drinks & Dining

If you are a foodie, Pasadena is a great place to indulge yourself. Not only did See’s Candy get its beginnings here, but it is the birthplace of Julia Childs. You might want to check out (deep breath): Braise & Crumble Café, Sushi Enya, Alma De la Rosa and the amazing Yang Chow (their slippery shrimp is AMAZING!).

There’s a lot of history to Pasadena too; the Pasadena Freeway follows the creek bed (arroyo) that’s lined with old sycamores. It was, in fact, the main road north during the very early days of Los Angeles and was home to the horses and buggies that made their way through the countryside. In 1939, that same road became the Arroyo Seco Parkway – the first freeway in LA!

Wherever you go, this is just a tiny sample of what’s on offer in Pasadena. Go check out whatever takes your fancy and we’ll be back week after week with blogs highlighting the best places in town! Your town! Pasadena.