5-Day Itinerary for Pasadena, California

  • Day 1: Pasadena Old Town - Start the day with a stroll through the Pasadena Old Town where you can explore unique shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. Visit the Norton Simon Museum to see their impressive art collection. Stop and have lunch at the El Portal Restaurant .
  • Day 2: Huntington Library - Spend the day at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, a beautiful estate featuring a stunning art gallery, rare book collection, and 16 themed gardens with over 15,000 plant species. Relax and enjoy lunch at the Rose Garden Tea Room.
  • Day 3: Rose Bowl Stadium & Eaton Canyon Falls - Take a guided tour of the Rose Bowl Stadium, one of the most historic sports venues in the world. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the nearby Eaton Canyon Falls and take a scenic hike through the San Gabriel Mountains.
  • Day 4: Kidspace Children's Museum & Los Angeles Arboretum - Spend the morning at the Kidspace Children's Museum, a hands-on learning center that offers interactive exhibits and activities for kids of all ages. In the afternoon, visit the Los Angeles Arboretum and explore its stunning gardens, lakes, and wildlife. Have a picnic lunch under the shade of tall trees.
  • Day 5: Gamble House & Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Get an architectural tour of the Gamble House, one of Southern California's most famous and admired private houses. In the afternoon, visit the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for a guided tour of NASA's space exploration center.

Time and Cost Estimates:

  • Pasadena Old Town (3 hours, $10 for museum admission)
  • Huntington Library (6 hours, $25 for admission)
  • Rose Bowl Stadium & Eaton Canyon Falls (5 hours, free admission)
  • Kidspace Children's Museum (3 hours, $15 for admission)
  • Los Angeles Arboretum (4 hours, $15 for admission)
  • Gamble House (2 hours, $15 for admission)
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2 hours, free admission)

  • Total Estimated Costs: $90

Transportation:

Travelers can use the City of Pasadena's public transit system to reach each location easily, which includes buses and light rail. Taxi services and ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, are also available across the city. Average travel time between locations is about 20 minutes with the cost typically falling between $10 and $20 per trip.

Useful Tips:

If you have extra time, drive to the nearby Angeles National Forest to hike or engage in wilderness activities, or drive to Griffith Park for a horseback riding tour. If you have less time, cut out a single activity from each day and consider adding brunch at one of the many cafes in the city like the Urth Caffe or Lavender & Honey.

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