Old Pasadena, Pasadena

Old Pasadena stands as a premier destination on the West Coast for shopping, dining, and entertainment, offering a genuine downtown ambiance enhanced by modern amenities. Located at the core of a city renowned for its mountain vistas, sunlit rose gardens, top-tier cultural establishments, and beautifully preserved early 20th-century architecture, Old Pasadena truly encapsulates the essence of urban charm and historical richness.

In its early years, Old Pasadena was pivotal as a research hub, contributing to its nickname "Athens of the West." Prestigious institutions and companies, including Caltech, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Beckman Instruments, and Aerojet, were foundational to its development. The area's economic landscape shifted dramatically over the decades, experiencing periods of decline marked by urban decay, and subsequently rejuvenating into a bustling business and cultural district.

Today, Old Pasadena boasts a diverse retail environment along Colorado Boulevard and Green Street, featuring both national chains and unique local boutiques such as Design Within Reach, Warby Parker, Gold Bug, and Jenette Bras. It's also a cultural hotspot, once hosting significant artistic milestones like Andy Warhol's West Coast museum debut and the first Marcel Duchamp retrospective at the Pasadena Art Museum, now known as the Norton Simon Museum.

The district has transitioned from a past marked by flophouses and dive bars to become a lively center for nightlife and entertainment. Old Pasadena now hosts numerous up-market restaurants, nightclubs, and a variety of shops. It's also home to the Pasadena Playhouse and benefits from the annual draw of the Tournament of Roses Parade, which captivates approximately 1.5 million spectators each New Year's Day.