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Best Hotels in Pasadena, California

Looking for a place to stay in Pasadena? You’ve come to the right place. From classic mainstays you know and love to chic boutiques with fun amenities, we got you covered in Pasadena.

Known as the city of roses, Pasadena is a classic California town. Whether you’re hitting Old Town to walk historic Route 66, hunting for antiques at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, or hiking the San Gabriel mountains, Pasadena has plenty to offer with hotels to match. From high-end luxury suites to budget hotels with great value, HotelTonight can help you find the perfect Pasadena-area hotel.

Why We Love Pasadena

Pasadena may not be as hot as Hollywood or flashy as Beverly Hills, but it holds all the heart and soul of the Los Angeles area. Here are just a few reasons why we think Pasadena will win you over:

• Classic hotels: You know we got hotels on lock in Pasadena. From expansive establishments with killer views to retro motel vibes with all the basics, we’re stacked with options for your trip to Pasadena. Whether you're traveling for business or with the whole family, there's a hotel deal in Pasadena for you.
• Smell the roses: Chances are if you’re visiting Pasadena, you might be there for an event at the Rose Bowl. Home to the UCLA Bruins football team, the annual New Year’s Day game and a Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza, the famous venue also hosts concerts, playoff games and other events. Plus it hosts the ultimate flea market every month with an endless array of antiques and vintage clothing. Happy treasure hunting!
• Mansion mood: Pasadena is crawling with idyllic houses and mansions. From quaint neighborhoods to iconic TV home-fronts (Brady Bunch house, anyone?) to famous mansions like the Gamble House, there are many homes to feast your eyes on. And dream about.
• Get bookish: If you have a thing for libraries, just wait until you check out the Huntington Library. Although the full collection is limited to researchers, notable items, like the earliest known edition of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, are always on display to the public. Take the day to wander the 120 acres of themed gardens and stop by the impressive art collection.
• Wine and dine: Pasadena is quickly becoming a dining destination. From cute coffee shops of Old Town and a train station turned pizzeria to farm-to-table luxuries and the best falafel in LA,Pasadena has something for everyone’s taste buds.

What to Do in Pasadena

From historical to futuristic, every edge of Pasadena has something to do, see or enjoy. You'll find places to relax, to learn, to shop and to have fun. While you're in the city, you should:

• Enjoy the Outdoors: Pasadena is home to several parks and gardens, beautifully maintained and open to the public. Relax on the sprawling lawns of Central Park and Brookside Park, or take a hike up one of the several trails at the Eaton Canyon Falls. Enjoy the meditative atmosphere of the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden, designed and brought to life by Kinzuchi Fujii and continued by his son. This garden is tranquil and a perfect place for reflection. You may also visit the Arlington Garden, a Mediterranean-style garden filled with Pasadena-native plants, focusing on water conservation and acting as a refuge for local fauna. Any of these areas provide great spaces to kick back and enjoy the California nature.
• Appreciate the Architecture: With the area's rich history, it's no surprise that there's some swoon-worthy architecture around. One of the local favorites is Wrigley Mansion, a 1906 Orange Grove Boulevard estate with an Italian-Renaissance style, three stories and 22 rooms. It is home to the Tournament of Roses and surrounded by a 4.5-acre floral garden that visitors may tour for free, along with the inside of the mansion. Another Pasadena icon is the Gamble House, crowned a National Historic Landmark in 1978 and an excellent example of American Arts and Crafts style. You can tour the house, its preserved furnishings and decor and the terrace. The grandest of all may be Pasadena City Hall, with its towering entry and spacious courtyard. Take some time to bask in the intricate beauty of these architectural marvels.
• Learn Something New: Want to make the most of your day? Try learning something new at one of the city's local museums or centers. The Pasadena Museum of History is a great choice, providing tours of the Fenyes Mansion and its gardens, exhibitions of different periods and focuses, and hundreds of thousands of artifacts, documents and photographs in their collections. If science is more your fancy, Pasadena is home to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the leading robotic exploration center in the U.S. and an institution that promotes education. You can attend a tour free of charge, as long as you reserve your spot in advance. There are also several options geared towards youngsters — namely the Southern California Children's Museum and Kidspace Children's Museum — that encourage interactive play and experiential learning.
• Relax with Some Art: Pasadena is a huge supporter of curating and preserving art for visitors and locals to enjoy. The Norton Simon Museum is a staple of California, hosting works from artists all over the world. The museum has pieces from some of the top names in art, such as Picasso, Monet, Matisse, Cézanne, Degas and Van Gogh. It also has a sculpture garden and cafe, a perfect place to sit and think. The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens is another gorgeous venue to enjoy art. The library exhibition includes the likes of Shakespeare's First Folio, eight first edition copies of Newton's Principia, one of twelve surviving vellum copies of the Gutenberg Bible and handwritten manuscript drafts of Thoreau's Walden. Their multimedia art collections are American and European in nature and contain over 36,000 works. Outside, The Huntington keeps 16 themed gardens cultivated for visitors to stroll. If you are interested in any medium of art or literature, Pasadena has places for you.
• Go Shopping: In a booming city like Pasadena, it's no surprise there are a few great shopping areas. The Paseo, located in historic downtown, is a modern outdoor center with beautiful architecture and a pleasant atmosphere. With two stories of designer fashion outlets, lifestyle retailers and restaurants, you can enjoy window shopping or treat yourself to something new. Part of The Paseo's complex, the Pasadena Antique Mall offers a step back from the modern, filled with vintage decor, furniture, fixtures, clothing, jewelry and more. About five blocks away sits the chic One Colorado mall, featuring sophisticated fashion and food, as well as live musicians and events. With such a blend of culture to draw from, Pasadena shopping is an experience you'll remember.
• See What the Rose Bowl is Up To: Whatever you do with your time in Pasadena, always be sure to check out what events are going on at Rose Bowl Stadium. Depending on when you're in town, the stadium hosts monthly flea markets, concerts, festivals, food truck events, tours and — of course — UCLA football games. If you happen to catch an event weekend, or even just take a tour, you'll be sure to have a good time.

Where to Eat in Pasadena

Home to a broad blend of cultures, Pasadena's dining scene has a table for every taste. Whether you're looking for a quick pick-up, casual sit-down, full experience or lavish evening, you'll find it in the city. The list of well-established eateries includes:

• Osawa: Serving authentic Japanese in the heart of Old Town Pasadena, Osawa features daily specials alongside otsumami, rice bowls, udon, shokado bento, sukiyaki, shabu shabu, sushi and sashimi — all traditional types of dishes and styles of cooking. Take a seat at the sushi bar and observe the chefs as they make your order in front of you, or sit in the dining area, order a hot pot dish and watch as your selected ingredients cook in front of you. Osawa commits to the freshest food possible, flying in wagyu beef from Japan overnight, ladling sake from the drum and even serving some seafood dishes live. Whatever your fancy, you'll find a memorable meal at Osawa.
• Central Grille: Located just across from Central Park, this restaurant is sure to please with its modern decor and exposed brick, relaxed lighting, comfortable menus and varied wines, beers and a cocktail program. Central Grille serves classic and familiar dishes with little twists to make them new. From sausage florentine omelettes to chilled gazpacho or their monster burger, this is a safe and delicious choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
• Maestro: For a blend of modern Mexican with a California flair, visit one of Old Town's gems, Maestro. With artful decor and a refined rustic ambiance, this restaurant is warm and welcoming — and you'll surely stay when you see the menu. Whether you decide on one of the dinner plates, like the enchiladas or arrachera, or try new flavors with a few appetizers, like plantain chips and guacamole or tamal, you're bound to enjoy your experience. Maestro is excellent for any occasion or evening out.
• Union: If farm-to-table fare in an intimate setting isn't enough to pique your interest, how about California-inspired Northern Italian? You can have it all at Union, appropriately located in Old Town on Union Street. Since their seasonal menu changes with the availability of freshly farmed ingredients, you are assured the best quality possible. Choose from a select list of starters, pasta, vegetables and entrees, featuring local land and sea dishes, and enjoy the social atmosphere.
• Cafe Santorini: Everyone loves a rooftop balcony. Add in colorful Mediterranean dishes, specialty cocktails and a view of the One Colorado shopping mall courtyard, and you've got a stellar time. Cafe Santorini has a beautiful outdoor and indoor dining space, where you can enjoy Greek dishes like kebobs, pasta, risotto, grilled vegetables and seafood. Or, order a few mezze — Mediterranean starters — like hummus, tabouleh, spanakopita, babaghanoush and stuffed grape leaves. With 25 years to show for it, Cafe Santorini is a Pasadena favorite.
• Malbec: Whether you already love Argentinian cuisine or you haven't tried it yet, Malbec will win you over quickly. Paired with select wines and an elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere, the classic flavors of South America pop in every dish. Try their varieties of cebiche, a traditional meal of raw fresh fish marinated in peppers and choice ingredients. However daring your palate may be, Malbec has something sure to please.
• Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar: Sometimes, breakfast or lunch calls for a cafe experience. And there may be no better cafe in Pasadena than Lavender & Honey. They serve perfect pastries, elegantly stacked sandwiches, decorated toasts and carefully brewed tea, coffee, espresso and cold brew, and they source their ingredients from small, local businesses — all of which are listed proudly on their website. By buying your midday meal at Lavender & Honey, you're supporting several independent vendors at once. Pretty neat, huh? Enjoy a pour-over and a Parisian to sample the flavors of a community — your tastebuds will thank you.
• The Arbour: Classy style, warm ambiance, farm-fresh flavor — that's what The Arbour is all about. Live wood tables, amber exposed lighting and candles give off an inviting feel. Their menu is well balanced, offering appetizers and entrees from land and sea, with ingredients sourced locally. There are plenty of options for those who want a hearty meal or a light taste, as well as cocktails and wines to pair. The Arbour is a beautiful venue for an upscale evening.
• Fishwives: Inspired by the owner's grandmother, who spent the 1940s as a fishwife, this easygoing restaurant is committed to serving the freshest sea-fare possible. In under 24 hours, most of their seafood travels from dock to dish. With a primarily New-England style and a pinch of West Coast charm, Fishwives brings the flavor. Choose from their raw bar, featuring Pacific and Atlantic oysters and shellfish, cold plates and hot entrees, and pair it with a draught or bottled beer, glass of wine — some of which they have on tap — champagne or sake. Their contemporary vibe is anything but pretentious, and no one will look at you sideways if your hands get a little messy.

Grab a Drink in Pasadena

With a balanced variety of upbeat to quiet, intimate to airy and casual to classy, Pasadena is guaranteed to have a bar that tickles your fancy. Some of the top places to grab a drink are:

• The Speakeasy: Ever wonder what it was like to get into a secret bar during Prohibition? Well, no need to wonder when you can visit this one for yourself. The Speakeasy is dimly lit and as vintage as they come, but you won't be able to find the sign and walk in. It's unmarked, and guests are required to call or email — politely, or else they'll deny you — for the secret password and how to find the hidden entrance. Once you're in, you can enjoy specialty cocktails and spirits and admire the '20s decor. Despite the theme, this bar is young and energetic, often with a DJ spinning modern tracks, making it an excellent place for a fun evening out.
• Edwin Mills by Equator: For a classic contemporary bar vibe in a historic building, Edwin Mills delivers. The brick wall interior is lined with traditional paintings and accentuated by antiqued wood rafters, tables and bar design as well as warm, exposed lighting and pops of green. They also provide patio seating, sheltered under awnings. Sit and sip one of their specialty cocktails, whiskey or rye selections, wines or beers and take in the atmosphere — maybe even snack on an order of something. Edwin Mills is perfect for anything from a casual visit to a celebration.
• White Horse Lounge: Bringing their best Southern hospitality and Bourbon Street spirit to Old Town Pasadena, White Horse Lounge will indulge you. Bartenders here take their art seriously, serving from a carefully crafted cocktail program and an extensive collection of whiskeys from around the world. Let them impress you with their skill as you enjoy their beautiful lounge area, surrounded by red finished wood, antique chandeliers and a backlit display of their spirits.
• The Cellar: Classy wine bars are growing in popularity, and The Cellar is no exception. Their dress code denies baseball caps, shorts, sports clothing and slippers to keep the luxurious atmosphere, which includes a piano, classic art prints, hardwood walls, candles, skylights, couches and a wine library to peruse. They offer elegant charcuterie boards to pair with your wine selection, as well as chess and light reading. The Cellar is an excellent space for a party of one or a group looking to have a relaxed evening.
• We Olive & Wine Bar: Not all wine bars are exclusive or swanky — case in point, We Olive. With a bright, airy indoor space and charming back patio, you can enjoy an artisan wine and a snack, complete with their homemade olive oils and vinegar infusions. If you love something you try, the front area also serves as a store where you can buy oils, tapenade, dressings and other independently produced items. The wine bar serves more than 25 selections and holds different events, like happy hours and free movie viewings on Thursday nights. We Olive is the perfect place for a casual rendezvous or lunch.
• The Blind Donkey: Love whiskey? So does The Blind Donkey. If you want one of the most extensive whiskey lists you've ever seen, including rare bottles and single barrels, visit this bar. You can sip selections from America, Ireland, Scotland and Japan, as well as a single variety from Canada and Taiwan. Want to find a new favorite? You can try out a few one-ounce pours. They also have beer, wine and cocktail options for those who aren't as excited by whiskey. The Blind Donkey is a great place to enjoy a laid-back night out.

Where to Find the Best Hotels in Pasadena, California

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