Pasadena Townhall - Picture by Devette Johnson fromPixabay
According to the latest U.S Government census, Pasadena, California, has a population of just under 140,000.
It has a wealth of shopping centers, stores, boutiques, movie theaters, art galleries, museums, and of course, it hosts the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl.
Since it is situated on the San Fernando Valley's edge, at the start of the San Gabriel Valley and just nine miles north of downtown Los Angeles, it draws on a large area population.
According to the Pasadena Visitors Bureau, the city employs more than 100,000 people.
Despite those numbers, no one thinks about the city of Pasadena, California, unless it is Rose Bowl or Rose Parade time. Well, except if you are a Los Angeles County resident or heard the song "Little Old Lady From Pasadena."
When tourists plan to visit California, they often think about going to places like Disneyland, Los Angeles, or San Francisco.
The famous beach cities like Long Beach, Monterey, Newport Beach, San Diego, and Santa Monica are also on the must-visit list.
Very few people think about visiting or staying in a small town like Pasadena, which might be a big mistake.
St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church (Pasadena, California) - Cbl62 at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
What to do in and around Pasadena
No matter what you are looking for on holiday or what you wish to do, you can find it in or near the city of Pasadena.
There are hotels of all categories and for every wallet: from inexpensive motels to the Ritz Carlton. Tourists can eat in one of the over 500 restaurants that serve nearly any type of food they can dream of.
The town counts on dozens of art galleries and antique shops, fine museums such as the Huntington Library and the Norton Simon Museum of Art. Not to mention the over 200 churches spread around the city.
Night and comedy clubs, shopping galore, and much more attractions can entertain people of all ages on vacation in Pasadena.
Mountains, ski resorts, beaches, the desert, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, The Aquarium Of The Sea, the Getty Museum are all within one hour's drive away.
Downtown Los Angeles is only nine freeway miles from downtown Pasadena. The city is also a great starting point to visit the Arboretum, the Botanical Gardens, or the Los Angeles Zoo.
Sports fans can take in a Dodger, Lakers, Clippers, Kings, or Galaxy game or attend a horse race at Santa Anita. Collectors can't miss one of California's largest swap meets at the Rose Bowl.
Rose Bowl Game - Itsschneebly, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
What and where to eat while in Pasadena
Due to the many inhabitants, visitors, and employees who spend time in Pasadena, the city hosts an inordinately large number of dining establishments: restaurants, coffee shops, fast food places, and specialty eateries.
The city boasts more than 500 places where to eat.
Whether you are looking for a cheap, mid-priced, or expensive dining establishment, if you are craving for central or south American, Chinese, French, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Thai food, a hamburger joint, a steak house, indoor dining, outdoor dining or a drive-thru, you will find what you are searching for in this lovely town.
Old Town Pasadena is fast becoming one of Los Angeles County's most prominent attractions. Old Town has several restaurants on every block, many with patio or sidewalk seating where you can take a break from shopping, visiting museums, and have a leisurely lunch, dinner, or cup of coffee while people-watching.
Everywhere you go in Pasadena, you will find places to eat and have fun.
You can taste some of the best hamburgers in California at Original Tommy's or In-N-Out. Instead, to eat some good traditional Mexican food while listening to live music, try Mijares Mexican Restaurant.
A must-try is a prime cut of beef at the Parkway Grill or the Beckham Grill, while you can have sushi at Zono Sushi or delicious Italian dishes in any of the numerous fine Italian restaurants in town. You can also dine while enjoying stand-up comics at the Ice House, or eat, dance, and drink at Moose Mcgillycuddy's.
Whatever you are searching for in a restaurant, you will find it in Pasadena.
Picture by Constanze Riechert-Kurtze from Pixabay
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