Pasadena event weekends: what to do between sessions

Rose Bowl town at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains: the Huntington gardens, Old Town and the New Year's Rose Parade.

Events we cover in Pasadena

Arriving

Burbank (BUR) is 20 minutes away; LAX is 45 to 60 minutes.

Where to stay

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Hotel Constance Pasadena
• Mid-range: Hilton Pasadena
• Splurge: The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Where to eat

• Pie 'n Burger Classic diner
• Union Italian
• Old Town cafés Brunch

With kids

• Kidspace Children's Museum.

Rainy-day backups

• Norton Simon Museum.

Free things to do

• Rose Bowl loop walk.
• Norton Simon Museum on the first Friday evening.

Getting around

• Metro A Line to downtown LA and Long Beach; shuttles to the Rose Bowl on event days.