"Pasadena beyond the Rose Bowl" Top 5 Page for this destination Pasadena by Dabs


Pasadena Travel Guide: 374 reviews and 817 photos

Pasadena can easily be done as a daytrip from wherever you are staying in Los Angeles or if you have a little extra time in your schedule you could easily spend a couple of days here seeing all the wonderful things that Pasadena has to offer. Top on my list would be the Huntington Library, Art Collection and Gardens followed by the Norton Simon Art Museum, perhaps with a stop in Old Town Pasdena for lunch or dinner.

If you have the luxury of a couple of days in Pasadena or if you really enjoy architecture, make a stop at the Gamble House and I imagine they will be able to help you with an architectural tour through Pasadena in their bookstore.

The first time I went to Pasadena was to check out the huge flea market at the Rose Bowl held on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Since then I've returned six times, again to the Rose Bowl flea market and to the Norton Simon and Huntington Library, another trip to the Gamble House, to the Descanso Gardens in nearby La Canada, went on the Bungalow Heaven tour twice and another visit to drive through some of the areas listed in the walking tour guide.

Tournament of Roses

Pasadena is perhaps best known though for the Tournament of Roses, the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl usually held on New Year's Day each year (but never on Sunday). Since 1947, the Rose Bowl has been a college football game between the Big 10 champions and the Pac-10 champions although there seem to be a few exceptions in recent years.

The Tournament's official headquarters is the Wrigley Mansion, pictured above. It was donated to the city of Pasadena with the stipulation that it be used for that purpose.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Beautiful and diverse architecture, great museums and gardens
  • Last visit to Pasadena: Apr 2008
  • Intro Updated May 4, 2008
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Reviews (24)

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  • tratoria's Profile Photo
    tratoria Dec 15, 2010 at 11:08 AM Report Abuse

    Thanks, very good info. Happy holidays

  • VeronicaG's Profile Photo
    VeronicaG Oct 20, 2008 at 3:12 PM Report Abuse

    Pasadena must have a wealth of historic homes--I love old house tours!

  • Hopkid's Profile Photo
    Hopkid Dec 14, 2007 at 7:46 AM Report Abuse

    Bar Celona? Seriously?

  • Escadora7's Profile Photo
    Escadora7 Nov 15, 2007 at 8:41 PM Report Abuse

    Hi Kristi! Interesting Pasadena tips. We will definitely have to check out the bungalow tour next year. Best wishes, Ash & Eve

  • RickinDutch's Profile Photo
    RickinDutch Aug 30, 2007 at 10:13 AM Report Abuse

    Wonderful tips. As a teen, we would camp along the route of the Rose parade to be sure to get a good seat. Then rush off to watch the Trojans kick butt. Thanks for the gush of memories!

  • BluBluBlu's Profile Photo
    BluBluBlu Aug 29, 2005 at 9:17 AM Report Abuse

    Great tips Kristi, regards, Blu

  • easyoar's Profile Photo
    easyoar May 9, 2005 at 2:06 PM Report Abuse

    After seeing that the Gamble House was part of Proctor and Gamble, it didn't take a lot of guessing who the Wrigley House belonged to!

  • pedersdottir's Profile Photo
    pedersdottir Mar 22, 2005 at 9:58 PM Report Abuse

    Next time around, do try the Amigos restaurant, Kristi. It's almost as good as Wholly Frijoles, no kidding!

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    matcrazy1 Mar 17, 2005 at 11:40 AM Report Abuse

    Great tips and suggestions. Wow, Degas and Picasso to see and cool gardens. Haha, the old town looks like the new one in Europe. Well, this is America :-). Hmm... unsatisfied restaurants... not usual America :-(.

  • deecat's Profile Photo
    deecat Mar 13, 2005 at 9:41 AM Report Abuse

    Kristi, thanks for the "heads up" tip on Soly Azul. Some great sites to see in Pasadena. Interesting, informative tips and some great photos to match.

Dabs

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