Pasadena: The City That Never Stops Talking

i never expected to fall for a city that looks like it’s permanently dressed for a garden party. pasadena, though? it’s got secrets. like, the kind you overhear at a coffee shop while pretending to type on your laptop. i just checked and it’s 11°c there right now, feels like 9.77°c, so bring a jacket if you’re planning to wander. the humidity is 62%, which means your hair will have Opinions.

first thing i noticed? the houses. they’re not just houses-they’re Architectural Statements. someone told me that the greene & greene houses here are basically the reason people move to pasadena. i didn’t fact-check that, but i’m rolling with it.

if you get bored, los angeles and glendale are just a short drive away. but honestly, why would you leave? pasadena’s got enough going on to keep you busy for days.

i spent an afternoon at the huntington library, and let me tell you, it’s not just books. it’s gardens, art, and enough history to make your brain hurt. i heard that the japanese garden there is the most Instagrammed spot in the city. not sure if that’s true, but it sounds right.

food-wise, i stumbled into a place called lucky boy. someone drunk at the bar said it’s the best breakfast burrito in california. i’m not arguing. the lines are long, but the burritos are worth it.

and then there’s old town pasadena. it’s like a mall and a historic district had a baby. i bought a vintage record there that i didn’t need but absolutely had to have. the clerk said it was “the last copy in existence.” i’m choosing to believe her.

if you’re into nature, the arroyo seco is a must. it’s basically a giant ditch that somehow became a hiking trail. don’t ask me how, but it works. i overheard someone saying it’s haunted, but i didn’t stick around to find out.

and okay, the rose bowl. it’s iconic, sure, but the flea market there is the real gem. i found a lamp shaped like a pineapple. it’s ridiculous, and i love it.

pasadena is the kind of city that makes you feel like you’re in a movie. the kind where the protagonist has a quirky hobby and a dog named something ironic. i didn’t get a dog, but i did leave with a pineapple lamp and a newfound appreciation for california architecture.

if you’re planning a trip, check out visit pasadena for more tips. and maybe bring a sweater. it’s colder than it looks.