Destination: Pasadena, California

Explore Pasadena, California: The Crown of the Valley!

A dynamic city centered in beautiful Southern California, Pasadena is a city of discovery - from dining and shopping to theater and art galleries.

Pasadena is home to the world-renowned NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, CalTech, and the Rose Bowl, and is within easy driving distance to Mojave SpacePort and number of aerospace companies such as SpaceX, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman. Pasadena is also home to several noted civil engineering companies.

Pasadena offers the business and recreational traveler a surprising combination of sophisticated charm, culture, history, and fun. Within Pasadena’s 1.5-mile downtown core, you’ll find most retail areas, cobblestone courtyards, sidewalk bistros, and nightlife within three alluring shopping and entertainment districts: Old Pasadena, the Playhouse District, and South Lake Avenue.

OLD PASADENA - The city’s original commercial hub in the 19th century, Old Pasadena today is a bustling urban center with top-rated restaurants, boutiques, exclusive national retailers, and exciting nightlife filling its buildings from Victorian, Mission Revival and Art Deco eras. The 22-block area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and encompasses two city parks, a historic performance band shell, and the Moorish influenced Castle Green - one of Pasadena’s first grand hotels, built in 1898. www.oldpasadena.org

PLAYHOUSE DISTRICT - If you’re looking for an eclectic mix of antique sellers, museums, bookstores, restaurants, and one-of-a-kind shops, all enhanced with culture and 1920s architecture, the Playhouse District is one place you’ll want to visit. On the National Register of Historic Places and anchored by California’s Official State Theatre, the Pasadena Playhouse area is centered at El Molino Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Want to find classic vinyl plus all of today’s chart-topping hits? Check out Canterbury Records. Witness a creatively daring presentation of drama and music in one of the intimate, state-of-the-art settings at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, known for its special emphasis on nurturing new talent. www.playhousedistrict.org

SOUTH LAKE AVENUE - A European-style tree-lined avenue, the South Lake district is flanked by a mixture of Pasadena institutions like Smitty’s Grill and Pie ’n Burger, as well as brand-name stores and restaurants. Its cornerstone, Macy’s department store, is a sleek, modern icon, circa 1947, designed by renowned architect Welton Becket and, in the spirit of the district, the building is small enough for easy navigation. The 10-block area winds its way between Colorado and California boulevards. www.southlakeavenue.org

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