Love Old Town Pasadena, been visiting since the late 90s (think I just aged myself, haha). Definitely seen a lot of changes in the past few decades as many shops and restaurants have come and gone. Even so, there's still something for everyone regardless of age. There use to be a couple of parking structures with limited free parking, but now they're still reasonable at a few couple of dollars. Street meters are still available up and down the street. Some of my top favorites include Waunderlust Creamery and The Pie Hole. There are also mainstream popular brand stores such as JCrew, Madewell, Urban Outfitters, and a few others. A few thrift/consignment stores are also along Colorado Blvd. Traffic can get tricky around the area, please bring your patience. See you next time, Old Town Pasadena! #46/2025 read more

Old Town Pasadena is a fun place to visit. I have spent a lot of time in this area on my many trips to Pasadena. I love the red brick buildings, patio-front restaurants, the alleyways, the criss-cross pedestrian intersections and the art galleries. Old Town has hundreds of restaurants and shops up and down its tree-lined streets. It is a very walkable city for both locals and tourists. At night, Old Town has a fun nightlife scene and is always a good time. Old Town Pasadena has a long rich history that goes back over 150 years. It saw some decline in the mid-1900's before it was revitalized into this vibrant but charming business and entertainment district. Colorado Boulevard is the main road that runs through Old Town. I have walked up and down this street many times over the years. There are so many dining options to choose from. Back in the 90's, we used to hang out at the old Moose McGillycuddy's and go dancing. If you have some time, walk all the way to the historic Colorado Street Bridge and check out the view. You might get a glimpse of the Rose Bowl Stadium. Some of my favorite places to visit are the Pasadena Playhouse, the Norton Simon Museum, the Gamble House and City Hall. There are a number of cafés that I enjoy grabbing a bite or getting a coffee drink at. The Urth Caffé is a longtime hangout of mine. One of my favorite things about Pasadena is the architecture. I appreciate the old historic buildings here and enjoy photographing them. The annual Rose Bowl Parade on New Years Day starts in Old Town Pasadena and goes down Colorado Blvd. Traffic can be a real pain at times. Especially on the weekends. You can usually find parking on the side of the road. But in the downtown area, finding parking can be hassle. There are some garages or you can valet or uber. read more

See all

I declare SKIP LA and stay in Old Pasadena. We, three chosen aunties and uncle, were here for a high graduation. Pedestrian friendly. Foodie friendly. Cultural arys friendly. Nature lover friendly! And home of Big Bang Theory Way. read more

Old Town Pasadena - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pasadena, California

i love coming to old town pasadena on the wknds. you can easily spend half a day here. from shopping to grabbing food, there is a plethora of different types of cuisine to choose from. after you finish your feast you gotta stop for dessert and/or coffee/tea! a historical part of the city that is very well maintained i never have an issue finding parking. there is metered street parking or parking garages that really affordable! $1 for 2 hrs read more

Old Town Pasadena - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

When I first came to live in Los Angeles, having grown up in the DC-Metro area, I was really looking for a place I could recognize. LA is quite a different beast than the large cities in the middle of the East Coast that I was familiar with: The District of Columbia, New York City, Philadelphia...etc. So, when I found Old Town Pasadena, my first thought was "This reminds me of Georgetown!" In some ways I still do find this to be the true. They both have a main drag (M Street in DC, Colorado in Pasadena), lined with shops, restaurants and cafés. They both are close to major universities (Georgetown U and CalTech) and both have some really nice, well preserved older architecture with cool facades. But enough comparing. As stated, Old Town is centered along Colorado Boulevard. The architecture is beautiful and it is a major shopping destination. The shops are definitely aimed at the upper-middle-class. It starts with Gap and Zara and moves to Banana Republic and Tiffany's. It is not aimed at the those on a search for a bargain nor the ludicrously wealthy. You might note that I'm going through a lot of well-known brands. And there is a reason for that. With a few exceptions, most of the stores on Colorado Boulevard are large chains: Crate & Barrel, Sephora, Starbucks, Restoration Hardware...etc. There are exceptions to that, but they are few. However, if you take a turn off of Colorado, you may find yourself delighted by a collection of semi-secret shops. But you have to know where to look. There are places in the area that I've only heard of in the last few years, and I've lived in LA and visited Old Town for over two decades! So if you get off of Colorado and go over to where Fair Oaks Avenue and Holly Street intersect, you're going to find some really interesting and unique places to shop. Gold Bug on Holly is an absolutely singular store devoted to the intersections of art and natural history. More than a shop, it's practically a gallery or a really beautiful museum. And while major pieces of taxidermy are going to be pricey (but reasonable), you can find some amazing presents you'll find nowhere else. Also on Holly, you can find Retreat, a charming gift shop with an amazing collection of witty cards, wall art and jewelry. And while Retreat is technically a chain, it only has two locations in the world: one here, the other in South Pasadena. There's also Hömage, a gift shop with an entirely different feel and set of merchandise. Both are definitely worth a look. Additionally, on this one street is the sole (to my knowledge) brick and mortar location for Maude Woods, a rather interesting home wares store in which I have found on both visits, something really special for the holidays or, more recently, a gift for myself. Also, though I have yet to eat there, amidst all these wonderful shops is Pearl Thai Eatery a restaurant that been recommended to me by virtually everyone that worked in the area. That is just one street and there are shops that I haven't even mentioned. What I do suggest, is if you are in the area, check out what is down some of the side streets. You will often be pleasantly surprised. Now, some tips for visitors. Parking is a bit nuts, especially if you are visiting during the weekend. You may find taking the Metro an attractive option. If so, get off at the Memorial Park station: it's on Holly, close to all the fun stores I've mentioned. And if you enjoy walking you can easily get from shopping to restaurant to a café to relax. However, if you're like most Angelenos with cars, you're going to want to use it. The parking structures a block off of Colorado are excellent and will allow you to park without worrying about potential fines or moving your car. If you want to use street parking, be prepared to go around the block a few times. And before heading out, download the Passport app for your phone. You can link a debit or credit card to the app and upload the tag number of your license plate. This allows you to use money at multiple spaces as long as you remain in the same 4-digit area. When you are getting close to the end of the time you've paid for, you will receive a notice. You may choose to add more (and more parking time) from your seat. It's actually really helpful. There's no wasting money since the money follows your car, not the meter. Walking in the area can be kinda nuts when you have to cross the street. There are no less than two spots on the main drag that allow for crossing North-South, East-West AND Diagonally. Stop looking at your phone while walking or you're going to end up with a concussion. I realize I've given this place a mediocre rating. This is not to say that I think Old Town is just OK. It's more accurate to say that there are some five star elements (cool shops on Holly...etc.) and some one or two star elements (shops along main drag are almost all chains, parking can be difficult..etc). But is it worth a visit? Yes, definitely. read more

Alright, listen here. I'm from Boston, right? So I'm walkin' through Old Town Pasadena and I gotta say, it's a whole different world. First off, the weather. It's like, sunny all the time. You could fry an egg on the sidewalk, and I ain't talkin' metaphorically. It's so nice out here, I almost forgot what snow looks like. You know how we Bostonians love a little snow to keep us humble? Nah, not here. It's like they invented "perfect weather" and just decided to rub it in your face. Good luck tryna pahk yuh cah. The street parking is super limited and there are some garages but the pricing scheme would confuse a CalTech professor - first 15 minutes this, next 15 minutes that... A short lunch and a walk later, you're looking at a $20 stub for parking. The shopping's pretty decent, I'll give 'em that. You got your fancy boutiques and some of those stores where you walk in and immediately feel like you're not rich enough to be there. It's like I went to the Lululemon, and the leggings were askin' me if I even belong there. The only thing I could afford was the smell of the overpriced candles. But hey, it's a vibe, right? Now, let's talk food. I know, I know--Boston's got great seafood, but listen, I had this seasonal and locally sourced salad here from True Food Kitchen that practically made me question my loyalty to clam chowder. And let's not even get into the coffee. You walk by some of these cafes (Intelligentsia, cough cough), and they're makin' coffee like they're brewing a potion. Like, this place is way too fancy for my Dunkin' iced coffee heart. But still delicious if you got the moolah to fork over. Also, the people. You know those folks who jog around in yoga pants like they're straight out of a magazine? Yeah, well, they live here. They're everywhere. I had to dodge a few, just tryin' to get to the next store. I'm like, slow down there, buddy, I'm just tryin' to get a slice of pizza from Prince St., not run a marathon. But, I gotta admit, it's a nice place. If you like the sun, and you don't mind feeling a little out of place with your Boston Red Sox cap, it's worth a visit. Just don't expect me to call it "Chowda Town" anytime soon, alright? P.S. If I see another fancy store that sells candles for $30 a pop, I might just lose my mind. P.P.S. Oh wait. I'm originally a New Yowkah. And this review is still accurate. Just me trying on the Boston accent. read more

I have lived in the LA/Pasadena area for over 10 years and I have been to Old Town Pasadena dozens of times. I love how everything is designed; old-style and unique. There are many restaurants to eat from and many places with sweet drinks and ice cream. If you are looking to buy a car, Old Town Pasadena has dealerships like the Porsche dealership, Rolls-Royce, Lucid, and more. There is a ton of history behind Old Town Pasadena which makes it extremely special. History dates back to 1870 when it was first a thing. They used to grow oranges there and now it's a thriving tourist destination! That's just so unique. This place is very walkable for tourists with many different alleyways and streets. Green St. Right next to Pasadena is also pretty nice. It's like Old Town Pasadena but some places there are more of a hidden gem. Other than dealerships and restaurants, Old Town Pasadena has a ton of clothing stores and shops to go to. They even have museums art galleries and events. This place also has a pretty big car culture like the concorso ferrari event where they line dozens and dozens of Ferraris in Old Town Pasadena. At night, Old Town Pasadena is still very cool. There are many active bars to go to and still cars and people walking around! If you are in the area and haven't gone to Old Town Pasadena yet, you should definitely go see if you like it or not. If you like cars you might see some cool cars too! Overall there is a lot of history behind this place and I would recommend it. read more

Definitely a great way to spend the day, walking around and checking out the shops, eateries, and sights with friends. Just know that not all of Old Town Pasadena is walkable since it's HUGE. We spent one day at Fika Fika, had to drive to park at Vroman's, and then drive one more time to go to the "main" area where most of the stores are. With this in mind, some places have free parking, free parking only during a certain time frame after parking, or just straight up paid parking itself. There are some bougie high end stores and some more common business chains like Miniso, some antique and thrift shops, specialty stores, and a good amount of boba places. Not my automatic go to to hang out, but it does the trick if you're not in the area super often. read more

See all

Old Town Pasadena has been a regular place for me to visit lately since I've been trying a few different eateries and stores with my daughters. Just to name a few... Chef Tony's Dim Sum, Hello Gelato, YiFang, 3CateaGo, All India, and Miniso. We haven't even touched the surface. Just a neat neighborhood to hang out on the weekends. Give yourself at least 3 hours, but if you have more time, then stay however long you choose. This is the place to be for some great dining, shopping, entertainment, and so much more. It does indeed has a charming vibe to it. Check out the Old Town Pasadena map that is posted at parking structures and/or street corners. There are diagonal crosswalks at some intersections, but not all. You may be able to find some street parking, but there are parking structures all over Old Town Pasadena. Do read the signs and don't assume all signs are the same. They may have different days and times specified for parking. You just need to figure out where you'll be spending most of your time and park closest there. Parking fees are cheap... $1 for 1st 2 hours, $2 for each additional hour, $12 for max daily or lost ticket. Sorry, no more free 90 mins parking. Happy Dining, Shopping, and Whatever Your Heart Desires! read more

See all

Old Town Pasadena is chic, hip, modern and vintage with mostly brick buildings, great streets, local public transportation access (including the LA Metro Gold Line aka my favorite way to get there) paid parking meters or lot (though fair for LA County) and tons of history. From Vroman's Bookstore to the Castle Green... You can enjoy hotels, inns and leisure at many establishments like the Westin, Sheraton, Dusitd2, etc... Savor desserts at Wanderlust, The Piehole, Oakobing and FrenchiFornia among others. Eating is a must: Noodle St (Chinese), Naughty Vegan, Paper Rice (Vietnamese), Perle (New American), U Street Pizza, True Food Kitchen (New Healthy) and numerous spots you'll want to try. Shopping is fun at various boutique style establishments or even more well knowns such as H&M, TJ Maxx, Target, Zara and Crossroad. The nightlife varies and recently discovering The Speakeasy was fun, Club 54 is pretty lively... Over the years I've ventured just outside of the Old Pasadena area to The Boulevard bar for karaoke, piano sing-a-longs and great drinks or even a round of pool at the local lgbtq+ bar. Old Town Pas has one of the biggest all inclusive churches that I've seen, lgbtq+ owned establishments and events. I've enjoyed the Anytime Fitness, Speakeasy Fitness and can tell you Old Town has got plenty of gyms and centers to stay active at plus great streets for brisk walks. The Blick Art Materials store isn't my favorite among others in Los Angeles due to it's tighter layout. An art supply store/hobby shop should be a bit more spacious. The House of Intuition on Raymond Ave absolutely is one of my favorites (the service, the selection and the energy are impressionable). Some kid/family friendly spots range with multiple museums, historic buildings, movies (IPIC or Regency) and the local Neon Retro Arcade. Enjoy great coffee, the Rose Parade on New Year's Day down Colorado Blvd from its start down Orange Grove Blvd and those pretty lights in the form of string lights down alleys or old timey lamps. This part of Pasadena has a lot of magic that's been sweeping people away for several decades blossoming originally in the 1920s after the city of Pasadena had began it's journey in the late 19th century (1886). Even when busy OTP is fairly relaxed, welcoming and well-rounded for all forms of daily living and/or visiting adventures. read more

See all

A lively area with plenty of shops, restaurants, and places to explore. I enjoyed walking around and taking in the mix of old architecture and modern spots. It's a fun place to spend an afternoon or evening. read more

Adventure awaits! Without further ado let's begin. Old Pasadena (est 1873) is the business district of Pasadena, a lively and diverse city located just ten miles from downtown Los Angeles. It has rich in history and diverse community. It has 22 blocks designated as a National Register Historic District, Old Pasadena abounds with impeccably restored late 19th and early 20th-century architecture. "Old Pas," as locals affectionately call it, offers open-air shopping plazas, hidden laneways and a lively strip of retailers and restaurants along the main drag, Colorado Boulevard. Overall, this old town has many to offer for locals and tourist. I recommend you explore and get to know this modern and yet old fashion town of Old Town Pasadena. read more

See all

Old Town Pasadena definitely has charm to it. Just minutes east of LA, this neighborhood has everything you need. From eateries to shopping and sightseeing (think the Pasadena bridge), you'll for sure have a great time spending a day out in Pasadena. They have those diagonal crosswalks too, truly giving it charm to the city. Street parking is hard to come by, but they have plenty of public parking lots to choose from when looking to shop here. read more

I used to shop here quite frequently, but I still come visiting Old Town Pasadena these days during the Pandemic ever since they improved their formerly horrible parking situations. I was in Old Town Pasadena today for a Yelp Elite Experience, so I got the time to work on my exercising by strolling around the Colorado block. Parking this time round was a lot more convenient: so, I rated them three stars. I was able to fortunately find street parking off Colorado and St. John. I also visited a Japanese boutique store called 'Miniso,' for the first time which I spent about half hour browsing all the super cute Sanrio items they carry. The reason for Old Town Pasadena being three stars was those one-way streets that can get overwhelming~I mean a Lot overwhelming, but I suppose I need to be patient if I was going to visit some stores that can only be located here in 'Old Town Pasadena.' Despite these overwhelming one-way streets, I'd be back again for another visit to Old Town Pasadena, CA. read more

See all

There are a number of "Old Town" neighborhoods in numerous cities across the United States: Old Town Philadelphia, Boston's North End, the Victorian District in San Francisco, the Gaslamp District in San Diego, the French Quarter in New Orleans, The "Hill" in Providence Rhode Island, the Canal Area in Old San Antonio, and one of the most utilized yet underrated 19th & early 20th century neighborhood in the US, Old Town Pasadena. ***History of Pasadena, California: (Go to end of article for a brief history)*** HISTORY OF OLD TOWN PASADENA (more to come) TOP 10 PLACES TO GO TO IN OLD TOWN PASADENA (more to come) HISTORY OF PASADENA/RANCHO SAN PASCUAL, CALIFORNIA The area that now includes Pasadena, also known as "Rancho el Rincón de San Pascual" was a 14,403-acre (58.29 km2) Mexican land grant in present-day Los Angeles County, California given to Juan Marine in 1834 by José Figueroa. Rancho San Pascual land now includes the cities of Pasadena, South Pasadena, and portions of San Marino, and the unincorporated communities of Altadena and San Pasqual. Decades later, during a severe Indiana winter in 1872-73, prompted a group of friends from Indianapolis to form an investment group with the purpose of moving to the warmer climate of Southern California. Sent to scout the area, D. M. Berry recommended purchasing a portion of the Rancho San Pasqual, which later became Pasadena. With the cession of California to the United States following the Mexican-American War, the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo provided that the land grants would be honored. As required by the Land Act of 1851, a claim for Rancho San Pascual to the Public Land Commission for 3 square leagues based on the Alvarado grant to Enrique Sepulveda and José Perez, was made by María Merced Lugo de Foster and María Antonia Perez June, but was rejected. Garfias received a US patent for 13,694 acres (55.4 km2) based on the Micheltorena grant.[8] Benjamin "Don Benito" Wilson acquired a small part of the Rancho in 1852, and received a US patent for 709 acres (2.9 km2). Following its founding in 1874 as an agricultural cooperative for orange growers, the City of Pasadena is incorporated in 1886, its commercial heart centered on the intersection of what is now Fair Oaks Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. The community soon adopted the name Pasadena, derived from the Ojibwa (Chippewa) word meaning of the valley, and the intersection became the nexus from which the commercial district expanded. read more

See all

Traffic Nightmare! Ever since COVID, they have reduced the lanes to a single lane. Now, it's traffic congestion all day long. I used to come here, but no more. Time to remove the street restaurants and use it for cars. read more

I give the city of Pasadena their props on Old Town Pasadena. Very clean, you actually feel safe walking around and there is tons to do. Shopping, franchise and privately owned restaurants, affordable parking, easy to navigate, convention center, and everything else you can think off. A yelpers paradise. read more

I've always love coming here for a stroll or a day outing. Of course everyone is on the same page as they needed fresh air. But today, the streets were pretty much bare. Clearly covid has taken its toll. Streets was pretty quiet. Majority of the restaurant are closed as some were still open for takeout and delivery. It's not the same vibe as it always has been. Some of the stores are still open with limited amount at a time. Did notice that some places had a line for entering. Walking along the street, it just felt off as it's not the same vibe as it used to be. Restaurant lined along the street sits bare or closed. Hopefully thing changes and we could all get back to normal. Everything is quite a little different theses days. But when things get back to normalcy. The vibe here is amazing. People enjoying walking along the street and shopping. Restaurant lines the street with outdoor dining and people watching. But until then, it's just going to be a quite strip. read more

Old Town Pasadena - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pasadena, California

Underwhelming. I used to come to Old Town Pasadena a lot back in the days for shopping and dining. I recently came back post pandemic and it was no longer the same. The area looks more run down than before and it looks like a lot of the old stores and restaurants are gone. It's honestly a shame because it used to be a really great area to enjoy a small break from the hustle and bustle of DTLA but not anymore. read more

I used to be a huge fan of downtown Pasadena and used to spend more time in the area. In the meantime, I've discovered other areas in Pasadena that I'm more attracted to and spend more time strolling about. Downtown Pasadena is still attractive from an architectural point of view, it's cute, historic, it'll always have its charm. Unfortunately, a lot of restaurants and dessert places I used to go frequently and loved have closed. The replacements aren't as good in my book. Besides the Norton Simon museum, culturally, the downtown area is lacking. Bookstores are gone, don't seem to last long, too bad. The area is full of mostly chain stores, so they lost me at that. It's loosing the uniqueness. Parking has never been easy, street parking is very hard to get and not free on Sundays! There are some OK garages around, 90 minutes free, the best bet. Old Town Pasadena is still a cute area to walk around, but we need more unique stores, attractions, restaurants to get locals like myself visit more often! read more

See all

Based on reading we expected an area rich in British/European architecture. Some of these buildings are very beautiful though dispersed while others are run down. Downtown has a lot of vacancies which seems common in cities after flight based on Covid19, and a lot of homeless (seems a huge problem on the West Coast). We were easily able to park our 29' RV in an outdoor public lot because it is June 19th (new Federal Holiday). We backed into two spots and paid the $10. When we returned several vehicles had citations (good work Pasadena PD - 5 stars for you all). What brought the area to life were some of the buildings and an unusual number of well rated restaurants. We went to Craft by Smoke which I left a review of. read more

A nice getaway in downtown Pasadena. Looking for nice shopping? This is the place. Quality food? Again the place. There is a vibe with people walking around and a great energy that is contagious. The shops are in the higher scale end so be prepared. But it keeps the clientele nice and upscale. You may run into the occasional transient but they typically leave you alone and are friendly. And it gives you an opportunity to share with them. read more

Great and wonderful area. The natural beauty of the trees nestle within the busyness of the small cigar bars and pubs. Had a great beverage at Rocco's Tavern! read more

See all

Loved walking around here. Lots of historic buildings and plenty to do within walking distance!

The parking around here is horrendously overpriced and misleading. I'm a longtime local resident. I consistently use the Passport parking app and every single time I end up erroneously getting a parking ticket. I'm not going to come down here to shop anymore.fed up. read more

Despite my 3-Star review, I really do enjoy shopping and dining in Old Town Pasadena. Some of my most favorite restaurants and shops are in this neighborhood. Review is just to warn you about meter parking along the street South Raymond Ave. My truck got hit by one of the metro buses on a weeknight a couple years ago. Lucky for me a Good Samaritan was able to leave me a note with their cell number to let me know they saw a metro bus side swipe my truck and which bus line it had been. The repairs cost a few thousand dollars. I filed a police report before leaving the area to pursue compensation. Took a while, but tracked down the metro service line and did receive reimbursement for my repairs. Still a hassle as it took about 6 months. Just a warning if you park along the busy streets of Old Town. So thankful for that helpful witness! read more

Old Town Pasadena - 10/2016 just a caution note if you park in the streets/meters; metro bus side-swiped my truck - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pasadena, California

2.5 stars, rounded up. When I go to an "Old Town", I expect a certain vibe... quaint buildings, quirky little shops, and a nice park-and-walk touristy or cute date area. I was scanning the businesses, and I was expecting more mom and pop, and not so many chains. I mean, I saw 85C Bakery, Apple, Buca de Beppo, Pressed Juicery, Sephora, Dog Haus Biergarten, Cheesecake Factory, Dots Cupcakes, and a Core Power Yoga for example. A focal point was an oddly-placed Forever 21 on an otherwise beautiful tower. The things that stood out to me were the coffee, tea and dessert places, but I already had my sweet treat fix on that outing. Also, though closed, this Old Town has a vibrant night scene, with many bars and taverns (however I am not a night person so I don't see myself heading back for any of that). The energy was relaxed and mellow on a Friday evening as many are sheltering in place (which I know is the proper thing to do however I was out of my bubble and curious). Overall, I would return to walk around and enjoy a lava lamp tea from Jin, a coffee from Intelligensia, and ice cream from Wanderlust. I only have two hands- who wants to help me triple-fist haha?! Pros: - lots of street and parking structures - some old buildings/architecture - a few artsy or unique places - vivid nightlife Cons: - can get very hot - too many chains (a gentrified, typical outdoor mall feel) read more

Am inherently a fan of the preservation of our architectural history, so visiting Old Pasadena to go for a walk seemed like a grand idea. We were in the area to visit the Japanese Garden in town. We'd picked the wrong Sunday, which brought us to Old Pas as the alternative activity We parked in the Old Schoolhouse Garage, which offers the first 90 minutes free. We headed to Colorado Boulevard and points East from there. In the late afternoon light, highlights of the buildings' facades came to life. It was a crisp winter afternoon after a rainstorm the day before, so all looked freshly scrubbed. Convenient maps affixed to street lamps at the intersection corners let us see our progress. We wandered up to City Hall, then through part of Paseo Colorado. Unfortunately, our dinner restaurant choice provided a less than stellar experience, but that was their fault, not that of Old Pasadena. Generally, we found it to be bustling, clean, and full of visual interest. One of the funky bars near the parking structure offered live music at high volume. It would be amazing to hear other options around the area. Seems like a district which could be ripe for a live music scene. We definitely plan to spend more time in this area, now that we've dipped our toes into the water. read more

See all

I remember when Old Pasadena was a typical neighborhood with a few shops and restaurants. Over the years, they have redeveloped the area to attract more businesses and people. Old Pasadena has become one of the best places to visit in LA. There are so many great restaurants and shops here, it's a great place to come and just hang out for a couple of hours. For nightlife, there are a few bars here where you can get a drink and socialize with friends which some are open until the early morning hours. There are several parking structures along the side streets where you can park with some offering free 90 minute parking. Street metered parking is an alternative but be careful, parking enforcement is very strict on parking here. read more

Old Town Pasadena - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

As one of the west coast's most vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment destination, Old Town Pasadena is the area I've been to so many times. It's at the heart of a city that boasts mountain views, rose gardens, cultural institutions, and old fashioned architectures, which is featuring an authentic downtown experience combined with all of the modern conveniences. read more

Who doesn't love Old Town?! If you're visiting Pasadena, this is definitely the spot to be in! All kinds of great restaurants, bars, parks, shopping, and of course; a whole lot of history! There are several parking garages with reasonable rates which makes it easy to spend more time there. Take a stroll down Colorado Boulevard and get a piece of the magic. Some recommendations during your visit to Old Town: *Amara Chocolate & Coffee: Absolutely DELICIOUS Venezuelan hot chocolate sold here! Incredible Venezuelan breakfast and lunch plates as well. *Mi Piace: A great place for tasty New York inspired Italian pasta and a great wine list. *The Cellar: An amazing wine bar with a total speakeasy feel. Great wines and great vibes! *21 Choices Frozen Yogurt: Bomb ass froyo with excellent flavors and even better service! (Closed during the winter for renovations) *Slater's 50/50: Great brews and even better burgers! Perfect for catching a game or two. *Copa Vida: An excellent spot for casual breakfast. Perfect for the tea connoisseur! So many options in Old Town Pasadena! Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area. read more

Wow, I didn't even know there was a Yelp page for Old Town Pasadena. Not to age myself too much... haha, I remember when OTP was a ghost town many moons ago. Waaaay before all the trendy restaurants and all the shopping, the bars, the movie theaters, and yes, before the Cheesecake Factory (an OG that revived OTP). Now OTP has become an icon in Los Angeles. Many nice stores to shop in, lots of restaurants that serves good food, dessert and coffee places galore, and bars that has changed ownership frequently, but still nice to go for drinks. I always enjoy going to OTP. Great ambiance, beautiful people, and it's always cozy! My kind of feeling. Parking on streets is no longer free, until after midnight. So park inside a structure that charges a flat rate in the evenings ($5.00), or during the day for ninety minutes at no charge. A great way to attract consumers for the local economy. Most of the time it's crowded on weekends. But during the week is fine, as it seems less chaotic. Hush, don't tell anyone I told you this inside secret. Lol. read more

This is the happening district of Pasadena where most locals and tourists come to shop and eat. The area can get busy and the auto parking can be tough to find but you have the bus and metro to get you here also. We are usually here for the dining options that are on every street corner and also hidden on the side streets. read more

Old Town Pasadena - Strolling Colorado Blvd - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pasadena, California

This is kind of place I wish to live or visit again when I retire. It has so much history which I didn't get to explore more. Time just ran out. They have so many specialty shops old and new all around the area. You feel like you're in a movie when you browse through the streets. I only regret that I didn't have enough time to sit and get a cup of coffee and daydream all day. I hope you get to visit here near future. read more

Old Town Pasadena - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pasadena, California

A great little area full of stores and restaurants for locals and tourists alike to enjoy. Street parking is not too bad on the weekends, and you can park for $1.25 an hour, maximum 2 hours at a time otherwise you park in the garage for more. Would recommend adding more trees for some shade to walk under and be great for the environment as well. Recommend checking out the architectures, very unique from one building to the next. Come and shop here for a day and see for yourself read more

I'm one of the lucky ones! I work close enough to Old Town that I walk to lunch most of the time and don't have to pay for parking! :P I grew up around the SGV area and Old Town has been my stomping grounds since I was in Jr High. So much has changed over the years, but some things have been the anchor to the community. Old Town is a bustling outdoor shopping & eating destination in the northwest side of Pasadena on Colorado/Fair Oaks and the surrounding streets. I love that there is 90 min free parking at most structures. Some of my fave stores & restaurants include: Roll Factory by Straycat - my fave spot for poke! Sage Vegan Restaurant - some of the most flavorful & healthy food around Il Fornaio - the cafe side has great quick lunch items (made to order salads, hot & cold sandwiches, pasta, pizza & soups) for reasonable prices Sephora - for last min shopping or make up needs Dots Cupcakes - the chocolate cupcakes are to die for Lush - for skincare & sleepytime lotion Slater's 50/50 - great burgers & BEST sweet potato fries Come during the holiday season, its always decorated and bustling! Best part, the New Year's Rose Parade runs down this area of Pasadena too! Definitely recommended! read more

Good option to exercise, I mean to go shopping around Old Town Pasadena. Lots of small stores or big stores. Variety of shops big and small. When you get hungry, you can stop for snacks, ice cream or a nice sit down restaurants all around. We shopped for hours, looking for gifts for others and ended up buying a few goodies for ourselves. You can spend the day here easily. I usually find good street parking or cheap lots around Pasadena Avenue and Union. Try it out. read more

See all

I don't visit Pasadena often enough, but when I do I discover new things every time. Good shopping and food options. It's chill to just walk around and enjoy the sites and relax at one of the restaurants with patio seating. Also enjoy a few art galleries and museums in the area. There's something to do day or night. Colorado Blvd. is also host to many events through out the year. The blvd is shut down, which is cool but can lead to some traffic issue depending on the size and popularity of the event. Come early if you want to check out any of the events. Weekends can be busy as well as and parking a challenge, but there are street and structure parking within walking distance. read more

Old Town Pasadena - Ferrari Concorso on Colorado Blvd. 5.6.12 - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pasadena, California

Love this little gem! Walkable with great shops. It gets busy on the weekends but still pretty manageable to find parking spots. read more

See all

First the bad news. Parking is a bear. Find a lot and walk. Secondly, they call it "Old Pasadena" but it has been all renewed and except for the buildings themselves there is nothing "old" about it. Now, having said that, it is fun. It is several blocks of walking and it is very clean and safe. It can be hot in the summer, so dress cool. The coffee shops are fun, do not stop at a Starbucks when there are several little ones that are fun and better. They have the new shops that you see everywhere, like Banana Republic etc. but they also have some small shops with adorable kids clothes and adult wear. Expect to spend a few hours there. There are great places to have lunch. If you are staying in Pasadena, by all means go to Old Pasadena. If you have to drive 2 hours to get there, don't bother. read more