There are so many places of interest in Pasadena, California. Whether it’s a tranquil garden, a stately home, a haunted forest, or a hike into the mountains, Pasadena has something for everyone, even for outer space enthusiasts. Below is a list of our must-see places in Pasadena and the surrounding areas.
homes and gardens
Arlington garden
Eden within a Metropolis
South Pasadena
Free from clutter and noise, where you can sit and think, surrounded by beauty at every turn and feel completely alone.
CASTLE GREEN
A CASTLE THAT ISN’T A CASTLE OLD TOWN PASADENA
Passing through the gates of Castle Green, 1940s swing music caresses our ears with a sweet, sultry voice.
GAMBLE HOUSE
“BACK TO THE FUTURE” millionaire’s row, PASADENA
Most people recognize the Gamble House from the 1985 film Back to the Future, starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. Only the exterior of the house was used as the home of Doc Brown.
Huntington library and botanical garden
San Marino
Explore the 16 themed gardens with over 15,000 different varieties of plants on 120 acres. Sip tea in the Japanise Tea Garden before viewing the collection or rare books, manuscripts, paintings and other artefacts..
JAPANESE GARDEN
Tranquillity in Suburbia SOUTH PASADENA
As we enter, peace and serenity wash over and cloak us in a veil of contentment. Sporadic sunlight and shade dot the pathways in a cordial slow dance with the constant movement of time.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARBORETUM
Arcadia
The area in Arcadia where the L.A. County Arboretum and Botanic Garden sits was first inhabited as far back as 3000 years ago. The original Natives that lived here named it Aleupkigna, which translates to “the place of many waters.”
NORTON MUSEUM
old town Pasadena
The bright, warm, open foyer greets you first and looks out onto the gardens where there is a sizeable pond.
WRIGLEY MANSION
TOURNAMENT HOUSE PASADENA
This magnificent white, 3-story, 18,500 square foot Italian Renaissance-style mansion was built in 1906 originally for the Stimson family in Pasadena’s “Millionaire’s Row”.
hiking in and around pasadena
DEVIL’S GATE
PASADENA
Hiding just on the fringes of a bustling metropolis is a place enveloped with mystery and intrigue. It is a secluded place that is said to be guarded by the profile of a horned creature.
ECHO MOUNTAIN
Mount Lowe Railroad Trail Altadena
The hike begins at the Cobb Estate at the very top of N. Lake Avenue in Altadena, north of Pasadena and continues along the Sam Merrill Trail for approximately 2.5-miles in the San Gabriel Mountains.
EATON CANYON FALLS
ALTADENA
Eaton Canyon is in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and was initially named “El Precipico” by Spanish settlers.
hiking the haunted forest
altadena
Overgrown bushes and twisting tree limbs hang over sheer slopes, enveloping you as you walk past. It is as if you’ve stepped into a fairytale. Then a haunting remnant of the past looks down upon you.
looking up to the stars
MT WILSON OBSERVATORY
PASADENA
You can see why in Ancient history; they believed their Gods lived atop the mountains because the views are quite celestial. These are the moments where everything melts away, and you can’t help but think how beautiful this world can be from a distance.
JPL – NASA
pasadena
JPL is the acronym for Jet Propulsion Laboratory. J.P.L. stayed under the jurisdiction of the Army until 1958 when it was then transferred to N.A.S.A. Tours to the general public are available.
THINGS TO SEE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA
HAUNTED OLD ZOO
GRIFFITH PARK
If you listen carefully, you may hear the ghostly roar of the lions.
HAUNTED PICNIC TABLE 29
MT HOLLYWOOD ROAD GRIFFITH PARK
A young couple still haunts the area where they tragically died in each other’s arms.
LUMMIS HOME
OFF OLD ROUTE 66 ARROYO SECO
The structure of El Alisal, which means Place of the Sycamore Trees, rises from the earth in a very natural way.
ROCKHAVEN SANATARIUM
GLENDALE
The reputation of this small sanitarium grew over the years and attracted Hollywood names including Marilyn Monroe’s mother Gladys Pearl Eley Baker who lived here from 1953 to 1966.
These were our must-see places in Pasadena so far. Please keep an eye out for more posts to be added to must-see places in Pasadena.
location map of pasadena
Leave a Reply