Self-Guided Tour of Pasadena in Los Angeles with Fun Facts and Best Photo Ops

Admire the beauty of the City of Pasadena City Hall A stunning example from the City Beautiful movement, you could say that Pasadena City Hall is a physical representation of the city’s beauty and wealth. With its exquisite domed and arched centerpiece which can be seen from all around town, it’s one of the most photographic buildings in Pasadena. Make sure you take a stroll around the courtyard and admire all the roses there.

Take some time to browse Vroman’s Bookstore Vroman’s Bookstore is a testament to how much the residents of Pasadena love to read. As the oldest and largest independent bookstore in the whole of SoCal, it hosts a number of events – such as children’s storytimes, craft classes and trivia nights – as well as selling a wide variety of books, audiobooks, gifts and stationery. Vroman’s is also famous for its book signings by famous authors, including Neil Gaiman, ex-President Bill Clinton and Salman Rushdie.

Join the cool kids in Old Pasadena Commonly referred to as the Old Town, Old Pasadena is the city’s historical center. If you want to hang out in the hippest part of town, this is the place to come. There are over 200 independent boutiques which will satisfy anyone’s retail desires, plus there’s always some kind of event going on, such as the Old Pasadena Food Tasting Tour and the Bob Baker Marionette Theater.

Shop till you drop on Colorado Boulevard The main artery of Old Pasadena, Colorado Boulevard is filled with all kinds of stores and restaurants housed in beautiful, historic brick buildings. Many of the stores you’ll find here are national chains, but there are also cute and quirky independent shops to be found. This street is also home of the Pasadena Rose Parade.

Take a romantic stroll down Colorado Street Bridge. Whether you’re a fan of the movie La La Land or not, you won’t be able to resist a stroll along this historic bridge. Spanning the Arroyo Seco, the Colorado Street Bridge is a wonderful example of Beaux Arts architecture with epic arches and quaint street lamps.

Explore the extravagance of Fenyes Mansion. Located on what was once known as ‘Millionaire's Row’, Fenyes Mansion is a typical example of the Beaux Arts movement and reflects the opulent tastes of the wealthy at the turn of the 20th century. Nowadays home of the Pasadena Museum of History, who manage the mansion and the grounds, inside you can see the original furnishings and works of art which belonged to the Fenyes family. Film buffs will enjoy knowing that the building was used in the movies The Prestige and Being There. Please note: admission to Fenyes Mansion is by guided tour only. Tours are offered on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 12:15pm, lasting one hour and 15 minutes. It is closed on all major holidays and opening times may also be affected by the Rose Bowl Stadium schedule and other events. It’s advisable to book your tour in advance.

Explore the city’s history and art at Pasadena Museum of History. Housing the extensive collection of the Fenyes family, the Pasadena Museum of History is the only institute of its kind dedicated to the history, art and culture of Pasadena and the west San Gabriel valley. Exhibitions are rotated, with two to four exhibitions usually taking place throughout the year. Opening times for the Exhibition Galleries: Wednesdays to Sundays 12pm to 5pm.

Marvel at the beauty of Gamble House. Originally constructed as a winter retreat for David B. Gamble of Proctor and Gamble fame, this aesthetically pleasing home is a unique mix of Japanese architecture and Californian spaciousness. Now a National Historic Landmark, a tour of the house will allow you to discover the beautiful interiors and grounds. A whole host of interesting events also take place here. General one-hour tours take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and weekends; check the Gamble House website for available times. Gamble House is closed on all major holidays. Advance booking is recommended.

Dive into the Tournament of Roses’ history at Wrigley Mansion. Another extraordinary building on what used to be ‘Millionaire’s Row’, Wrigley’s Mansion was once the home of chewing gum tycoon William Wrigley. Upon Wrigley’s death, the mansion was bequeathed to the city on the provision that it was used as the Tournament of Roses’ headquarters. Today you can see all kinds of memorabilia connected to the tournament as well as enjoy the stunning Wrigley Gardens, which house more than 1,500 varieties of roses and camellias. Free tours of Wrigley Mansion are held every Thursday at 2pm and 3pm between February and August. The grounds are open all year round.

Get a glimpse of the East at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden. Originally designed by first generation Japanese immigrant Kinzuchi Fujii, this exquisitely landscaped garden centered around a Japanese tea house will make you feel you have been transported to the Land of the Rising Sun itself. The garden was designed in the Hill and Pond Strolling Garden style, a traditional style in Japan, and features a number of walking paths and water features, including waterfalls, ponds and bridges. The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and the second and last Sundays of every month. Opening times are from 10am to 4pm. The Garden is closed on Thanksgiving and the last Sunday of December.