Pasadena
Pasadena is a quiet city with an estimated population of 150,000 inhabitants. A legend says that the same person who lives in Pasadena can ski in Mount Baldy in the morning (about 45 minutes East away by car) and surf in Santa Monica in the afternoon (about 45 minutes West away by car).
Pasadena is also secure and safe in general.
Pasadena is also the cradle of the most artistic persons and the most talented researchers: you can count Caltech of course, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Art Center College of Design, and the one-of-a-kind Kaiser Permanente tuition-free medical school.
Pasadena is renown for hosting two events on New Year's Day: the Rose Parade in the morning, a procession of gigantic floats decorated with fresh flowers, and the Rose Bowl Football Game in the afternoon at the Rose Bowl stadium. Also, in November each year, the popular Doo Dah Parade gently satirizes the Rose Parade.
Restaurants are located everywhere in the city with a high part of them in the old part of the town. Pasadena Weekly, which is a free news magazine, has elected as best places to eat in L.A a couple of restaurants in Pasadena. Be sure to also check out on-campus dining options, as these will often be cheaper than restaurants as well as being closer.
Shopping can be an enjoyable hobby, whether you prefer to wander among the boutiques of Old Town Pasadena or shop in the nearby mall of Santa Anita or at The Americana at Brand
Pasadena has many amazing museums and galleries including the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, Norton Simon Museum, USC Pacific Asia Museum, Gamble House, Art Center College of Design, Armory Center for Arts, and many others.
The Pasadena Playhouse and aNoiseWithin have classic, Broadway type and modern plays all the year round. The Pasadena Symphony and the Pasadena POPS offer several concerts the year at the Ambassador Auditorium.
Flea Markets are another ways to venture and discover Pasadena. Every first Sunday of the month, the Pasadena Flea Market offers a comprehensive choice of art, furniture and clothes (free entrance). The Rose Bowl Flea Market happens the second Sunday of every month and if you are lucky, you can find real antiques and old paintings (entrance fee per person).
Entertainment can be experienced in different ways, whether you like ice skating, playing bowling, or betting on horses at the Santa Anita Racetrack.
Nature is part of the landscape of Pasadena, whether you want to spend a day in the city at the Huntington Gardens, the Arboretum or the Descanso Gardens. Just a little further and for those who love outdoor hikes, the San Gabriel Mountains offer spectacular sceneries.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is for general information only. Caltech does not endorse or recommend any of the organizations listed.