One Day in Pasadena, California: An Itinerary of Art, Architecture, and Gardens

• Pasadena City Hall (9:00am)
  Start your day in Pasadena's historic city hall, built in 1927 in the Mediterranean Revival style. It boasts a central courtyard with a fountain and tiled stairways. The building's bell tower and observation deck offer stunning views of the San Gabriel Mountains and the city. Free tours are given on weekdays by knowledgeable docents.
• Norton Simon Museum (11:00am)
  A world-renowned museum with a collection of over 12,000 art pieces from Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia dating from the 14th to the 20th century. The museum also boasts an impressive sculpture garden which contains works by artists such as Rodin, Moore, and Giacometti. The museum's café is an excellent spot for lunch or a quick snack.
• The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (2:00pm)
  The main house was built in 1911 by a Gilded Age railroad magnate Henry E. Huntington, who amassed a staggering collection of rare books and manuscripts which are now housed in the library. The art museum contains European and American art from the 17th to the 20th century. Outside the museum, explore 120 acres of botanical gardens featuring over 15,000 plant varieties from around the world.
• Colorado Street Bridge (4:00pm)
  Take a scenic walk across the 112-year-old Colorado Street Bridge which offers amazing views over the Arroyo Seco and San Gabriel Mountains. The bridge is also known as the "suicide bridge" due to its history of suicides in the Great Depression-era.
• The Gamble House (5:30pm)
  A masterpiece of American Arts and Crafts style architecture, designed and built by Charles and Henry Greene in 1908 as a winter residence for the Gamble family, of Procter & Gamble. The house features exquisite hand-crafted woodwork, art glass windows, and a Japanese garden. Guided tours are offered daily.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Pasadena City Hall (1 hour, free)
• Norton Simon Museum (2 hours, $15 admission fee plus extra for special exhibitions)
• The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (4 hours, $25 admission fee plus extra for tea room reservation)
• Colorado Street Bridge (1 hour, free)
• The Gamble House (1.5 hours, $15 admission fee for adults, $12 for seniors, students, and children)
Total Estimated Costs: $55-$70

Transportation

If you're not driving to Pasadena, you can take the Metro Gold Line which stops at several stations in Pasadena, including Memorial Park, Fillmore, Del Mar, and Lake. The fare is $1.75 per ride, and trains run every 15 minutes on weekdays. However, to reach some destinations from the Metro station, you might need to take a shuttle, taxi or rideshare service.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting the Pasadena Museum of California Art or the Rose Bowl Stadium, where the Rose Bowl Game is annually held every January 1st. Alternatively, if you have less time, you can skip one of the destinations on this itinerary, but make sure to visit at least 2 places that interest you. To avoid the heat and crowds, start your day early and bring sunscreen, hat, comfortable walking shoes, and a bottle of water.