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California, United States

Pasadena

Rose Parade city below the San Gabriels; New Year's Day for floats, a diner breakfast and a walk. Below: 2 sights, 2 activities and 1 outdoor spot, plus how Pasadena fits into a longer trip.

Plan Pasadena with friendsBrowse 8 places
Pasadena, California, United States
Places
8

2 See · 2 Do · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Shop

Curated routes
1

Los Angeles New Year's Eve

Best season
Dec 30 – Jan 1

from our route notes

Warmest month
August

31°C / 88°F avg high

Coolest month
December

18°C / 64°F avg high

Wettest month
February

about 75 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Pasadena

8 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

2 sights worth building a day around across Colorado Boulevard and Civic Center. All 2 are free to visit.

  • Rose Parade in PasadenaPhoto: Prayitno · CC BY 2.0
    See

    Rose Parade

    The Tournament of Roses parade of flower-covered floats, bands and horses, held on Colorado Boulevard since 1890.

    Tip The turn at Orange Grove and Colorado, where TV cameras sit, is the most crowded; east of Lake Avenue is calmer.

    • Colorado Boulevard
    • Free
    • 2.5 hr
    • From 8 am Jan 1
  • Pasadena City Hall in PasadenaPhoto: RBerteig · CC BY 2.0
    See

    Pasadena City Hall

    Domed 1927 Spanish Revival city hall with a fountain courtyard open to visitors.

    Tip The courtyard is a quiet place to sit between the parade and Floatfest.

    • Civic Center
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Late afternoon

Do

2 activities for when the group wants to do more than look across East Pasadena and Arroyo Seco.

  • Do

    Floatfest

    The parked floats, close enough to see the seeds, petals and bark they are covered in, on Sierra Madre Boulevard.

    Tip Use the free Tournament of Roses shuttles; there is almost no parking nearby.

    • East Pasadena
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Jan 1, 1:30 – 5 pm
  • Rose Bowl Stadium in PasadenaPhoto: Ted Eytan · CC BY-SA 2.0
    Do

    Rose Bowl Stadium

    The 1922 stadium in the Arroyo Seco that hosts the Rose Bowl Game, a College Football Playoff game, on Jan 1.

    Tip Game tickets sell out early; the stadium and the 3-mile loop around it are closed to the public on game day.

    • Arroyo Seco
    • $$$$
    • 4 hr
    • Jan 1 afternoon

Outdoors

1 outdoor spot for fresh air in Arroyo Seco.

  • Colorado Street Bridge in PasadenaPhoto: Kleaphotographer · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Outdoors

    Colorado Street Bridge

    Curved 1913 concrete arch bridge over the Arroyo Seco, with a walking path along the stream bed below.

    Tip Walk the trail under the arches from Arroyo Boulevard for a first-day stroll.

    • Arroyo Seco
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Golden hour

Eat

Where we would book a table in Pasadena across Caltech and South Pasadena border.

  • Eat

    Pie 'n Burger

    Counter diner near Caltech since 1963, known for griddled burgers, pancakes and fruit pies by the slice.

    Tip It is cash only; go after the parade crowd has moved on.

    • Caltech
    • $
    • 45 min
    • Late breakfast
  • Eat

    The Raymond 1886

    Seasonal American cooking in the former caretaker's cottage of the vanished Raymond Hotel, with a garden patio.

    Tip Book a New Year's Day dinner; the cocktail bar in back is called the 1886 Bar.

    • South Pasadena border
    • $$$
    • 2 hr
    • Dinner

Shop

Markets and shops worth the detour in Old Pasadena.

  • Shop

    Old Pasadena

    Blocks of restored brick buildings and alleys along Colorado Boulevard, with shops, cafes and bars.

    Tip The parade passes through here; shops open once the street reopens around noon.

    • Old Pasadena
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Jan 1 afternoon

How to fit Pasadena into a trip

Pasadena is stop 2 of 2 on our Los Angeles New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift Pasadena into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Pasadena month by month

Average daily highs run from 18°C / 64°F in December to 31°C / 88°F in August. February is the wettest month, with about 75 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Pasadena weather and the best time to visit →

Near Pasadena

8 other destinations from our guides within about 200 km (124 mi), measured in a straight line.

Pasadena questions, answered

How many days do you need in Pasadena?

On our Los Angeles New Year's Eve route it is stop 2 of 2 in a 3-day trip. Split evenly, that is about 2 days here, an estimate rather than a rule. The listed visit times for our 8 places add up to roughly 14 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Pasadena best known for?

Rose Parade city below the San Gabriels; New Year's Day for floats, a diner breakfast and a walk. Standouts on our list: Rose Parade (The Tournament of Roses parade of flower-covered floats, bands and horses, held on Colorado Boulevard since 1890); Pasadena City Hall (Domed 1927 Spanish Revival city hall with a fountain courtyard open to visitors); Colorado Street Bridge (Curved 1913 concrete arch bridge over the Arroyo Seco, with a walking path along the stream bed below).

When is the best time to visit Pasadena?

Our Los Angeles New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (31°C / 88°F), the coolest in December (18°C / 64°F) and the most rain in February (about 75 mm).

What are the best things to do in Pasadena?

Start with Rose Parade, Floatfest, Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena City Hall and Colorado Street Bridge. Our guide lists 8 places in all, from 2 sights, 2 activities, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat and 1 shop.

Where should a group eat in Pasadena?

Our picks: Pie 'n Burger (Caltech); The Raymond 1886 (South Pasadena border). It is cash only; go after the parade crowd has moved on (Pie 'n Burger).

What is near Pasadena?

The closest destinations in our guides are Downtown Los Angeles (about 14 km / 9 mi), Los Angeles (about 14 km / 9 mi) and Downtown LA (about 15 km / 9 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Pasadena with your crew

Open the Los Angeles New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 8 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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