Hotels in Pasadena, CA

Just a touch northeast of downtown Los Angeles is the beautiful, well-maintained city of Pasadena, California. Planning a trip to this historic Southern California city will offer endless attractions, excursions, and great outdoor access right outside top Pasadena hotels. In the center of the city, you’ll find Old Pasadena—a shopping and dining district known for its beautiful Victorian and art deco buildings, a wealth of restaurants, cute cafes, and boutique shops to discover. For an afternoon of art, head to the Norton Simon Museum, an ultra-modern art museum home to notable European and Asian art, plus a beautiful sculpture garden. See a sporting event from the iconic Rose Bowl stadium known for hosting the annual Rose Bowl, and other live shows and cultural events. Only 45 minutes to the best beaches in Los Angeles, and a short drive to all the theme parks of Anaheim, Pasadena is an incredible jumping-off point to tour the greater-LA area and take advantage of endless entertainment across town.

While staying in Pasadena hotels, one spot you can’t skip is the beloved Old Pasadena, otherwise known as Old Town. This area of the city is the original commercial center of Pasadena and had a latter-day revitalization after a period of decay. Old Pasadena began as the center of a research hub and a thriving artistic center, including the proud home to the Pasadena Art Museum, which held both Andy Warhol's West Coast museum debut plus the first Marcel Duchamp retrospective. It’s a gorgeous place to stroll the historic streets, shop, and dine from the many elevated eateries available.

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, known as The Huntington, is a collections-based educational and research institution established by Henry E. Huntington and Arabella Huntington in San Marino. With approximately 120 acres of botanical landscaped gardens, including the "Japanese Garden," the "Desert Garden," and the "Chinese Garden," you’ll have a lovely time strolling the grounds before popping into the library for a look around. Plus, the institution displays an extensive art collection with a focus on 18th- and 19th-century European art and 17th- to mid-20th-century American art. Plan to spend an entire afternoon at this special spot before heading back to the best Pasadena hotels for the evening.

Any art lovers visiting Pasadena can’t miss the opportunity to tour the Norton Simon Museum just outside hotels in Pasadena. This building was previously known as the Pasadena Art Institute and the Pasadena Art Museum and now is home to many world-famous masterpieces, including a wealth of European paintings and sculptures, South and Southeast Asian art, plus an extensive collection of impressionist paintings. With works from world-renowned artists like Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cezanne, and Claude Monet, this museum will not disappoint. The grounds and setting are outstanding and even include a stunning sculpture garden and a lake. There’s also a nice cafe right beside the lake where you can grab a bite to eat while enjoying the tranquil surroundings and unparalleled California weather.

Have a wonderful time touring sunny Pasadena, and don’t forget to check out our other hotels nearby in Fresno, Burbank, and Bakersfield.