Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley
The Tournament of Roses Parade debuted in 1890 in Pasadena. Now called the Rose Parade, elaborate flower-covered floats travel over 5 miles on New Year's Day every year. In 1902, a college football game was added to the festivities, at the world famous Rose Bowl, a National Historic landmark.East Coasters have long wintered in Pasadena, and they brought with them a certain colonial flair visible in the homes they built. There is a thriving downtown, and the surrounding communities now house movie studios and a bustling Asian community. Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens feature impressive exhibits of art, books, and manuscripts and unique fauna like the Zen Garden and Chinese Scholar's Garden.
Old Town Pasadena boasts a slew of restaurants and stores to satisfy any shopper and foodie. Check out Haven Gastropub for dinner and happy hour and get your sweet tooth on at Dots Cupcakes. Not to be missed is the Rose Bowl Flea Market, a swap meet held every second Sunday of each month.
Nightlife
Attractions
Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center
Restaurants
