Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Series: Spending the Day in Pasadena, a walkable guide

3.18.26

We know it, we love it. But could we know it better and love it more? Find out with this one-day walkable itinerary packed with the best things to do - without driving - in Pasadena.

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Getting There

  • Metro: Take the A (blue) line to Del Mar.
  • Driving: Park at the Schoolhouse Garage - 33 E Green St - for a $12 daily max.

Morning

  • 8:20am: Join a Saturdays-only free lawn bowling lesson at Central Park, put on by the 100+ year old Pasadena Lawn Bowling Club. The lesson starts promptly at 8:30am, so don’t be late!
  • 9:30am: Celebrate your new skill one block North over a Venezuelan breakfast at Amara Cafe & Restaurant. Expect excellent cachapas - sweet corn pancakes with cheese filling - and top notch coffee. We know it’s early, but the hot chocolate is a must.
  • 10:15am: You’re located in Old Pasadena! Head 3 blocks Northwest to One Colorado, a hidden square and shopping mall. Grab a drink at Coffee and Plants to enjoy on the go.
  • 11:00am: Meander North on Fair Oaks Ave to admire the architecture and visit cute shops like Homage and Maude Woods among bigger retailers like Patagonia and The Container Store. 

Afternoon

  • 12:00pm: Stop for an early lunch at Russell’s, an American-French diner opened in 1930. Try something from the breakfast menu, for which they’re famous. 
  • 12:45: Just a block and a half Southeast of Russel’s you’ll find Neon Retro Arcade, a retro arcade with games like pinball and Pac-Man. An hour of all-you-can-play is $15, so go nuts!
  • 1:45pm: Head East on E Colorado Blvd, (window) shopping along the way. After about 4 blocks you’ll see The Paseo shopping center to your right. Head on in, stopping at the Pasadena Antique Mall along the way.
  • 2:30pm: Exit The Paseo on Green Street, and just on around the corner from the convention center you’ll find the Pasadena Ice Skating Center. Slide on in for a public skate session any time of year ($20/p admission & rental).
  • 3:30pm: Head North 2 blocks. Just on the other side of E Colorado you’ll find the USC Pacific Asia Museum, a free art, history, and culture museum and library.
  • 4:00pm: Just one block North, check out Plaza Las Fuentes, a serene public garden. It backs right up to the Pasadena City Hall, which you may recognize as its alter ego, Pawnee City Hall.
  • 4:30pm: Catch the longstanding weekly comedy show, Deez Nuts, at the Ice House ($21/p + two item minimum). As you may guess from the name, the show has been around since 2005, and ran at The Comedy Store until the last few years. This show is Saturdays only, but check their website for other days.

Evening

  • 6:00pm: Two blocks South of Ice House, experience California comfort food at the popular Green Street Restaurant. Whatever you order, start with a slice of their famous zucchini bread.
  • 6:45pm: Make your way back up to E Colorado and head back West until you arrive at Vroman’s Bookstore. Be prepared to browse both expansive floors of books until you find one (or two or three) you must take with you.
  • 7:30pm: Just across the way, head to Pasadena Playhouse for a show ($40+/p). Make sure to check the website in advance, as there’s not always a current production.
  • 9:30pm: Choose your own adventure! For a pub vibe, try The Blind Donkey. For live music, shimmy over to Old Towne Pub. For a cocktail bar, sneak to The Speakeasy - you’ll have to email them to request the password, which changes daily (info@speakeasypasadena.com). These are all within 5 blocks of your parking garage / Metro train stop. Have fun!

Tips

  • Total walk time: 1h 45m
  • This itinerary can be done Thursday-Sunday if you skip the lawn bowling lesson and comedy show, which are Saturdays only.
  • We love the Rose Bowl, particularly the monthly flea market, but it’s not particularly walkable to the rest of Pasadena. Check it out if you’ve got a ride and extra time!
  • If you’re more in the mood for a museum day, head West after breakfast to visit the Norton Simon Museum to admire the art, the Pasadena Museum of History, and the Gamble House for architecture. It’ll take you most of the day to enjoy those museums and make time for your meals - this totally different version of a day in Pasadena is about 1 hour walking.

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