Caltech graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Pasadena

Friday, 11 June 2027 · ExpectedPasadena, United States

Caltech Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Pasadena for a weekend. The ceremony takes a morning: this guide covers where to stay, the celebration dinner and what to do with the rest of the time.

Tours in Pasadena Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Confirm the date and ticket rules on the school's commencement page: guest tickets are often limited.
Book the celebration dinner when you book the hotel. Every restaurant in town is full that weekend.

Airport to Beckman Lawn

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

Walk from Old Pasadena or the Metro A Line.

Public transport directions to Beckman Lawn

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	East Colorado Boulevard	Motels and chains.
Mid-range	Old Pasadena	Walk to restaurants and the A Line.
Splurge	The Langham	Historic resort hotel.

Three hotels we would book

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

Links search the nights from 10 June to 12 June. 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.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual graduation weekend schedule for Friday, 11 June 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Thursday 10 June

Check in, walk the campus with your graduate and book a celebration dinner.

FreeNorton Simon Museum on the first Friday evening.
EatPie 'n Burger Classic diner

Ceremony day

Friday 11 June

Ceremonies take the morning. The afternoon is for photos and a long lunch.

EatUnion Italian
Easy outingThe Huntington Library and Gardens Half day · Low walking · Family
Gardens and art.

The day after

Saturday 12 June

A free day before everyone leaves. A good time for a trip out of town.

Half-dayJPL open house or Caltech walk Half day
Science city history.
EatOld Town cafés Brunch

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickMount Wilson and the Angeles forest Half day · Family
Mountain views.
Rain or heat backupNorton Simon Museum.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Low walking · Family

The Huntington Library and Gardens

Gardens and art.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Mount Wilson and the Angeles forest

Mountain views.

See times and prices

Kidspace Children's Museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

After dark

Old Pasadena bars.

4 tours worth booking for Caltech

Tour	Length	Good for
JPL open house or Caltech walk	Half day	Everyone
The Huntington Library and Gardens	Half day	Tired legs, Families
Mount Wilson and the Angeles forest	Half day	Families
Old Pasadena food walk	Half day	Food lovers

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

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

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Norton Simon Museum.

Getting around on event days

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

Day trips from Pasadena

Downtown LA: 25 minutes
Santa Anita: 15 minutes

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Caltech.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Caltech Commencement 2027?

The next edition is Friday, 11 June 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Beckman Lawn?

Burbank (BUR) is 20 minutes away; LAX is 45 to 60 minutes. Walk from Old Pasadena or the Metro A Line.

Where should I stay for Caltech Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is Old Pasadena: Walk to restaurants and the A Line.

What else can we do around Caltech Commencement?

Good short outings in Pasadena include The Huntington Library and Gardens, Mount Wilson and the Angeles forest, Old Pasadena food walk. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Caltech Commencement?

Family-friendly picks: The Huntington Library and Gardens, Mount Wilson and the Angeles forest. Kidspace Children's Museum.

How far is Beckman Lawn from Pasadena centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. Walk from Old Pasadena or the Metro A Line.

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