A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
Situated strategically between Houston and the North Barrier Coast, Pasadena (Texas) is in proximity to significant bay-side attractions such as the Johnson Space Center and San Jacinto Battleground, while also being conveniently accessible to downtown Houston and its museums.
Pasadena is a city of over 140,000 inhabitants located approximately ten miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Pasadena is a cultural gem of a city northeast of Downtown LA. It is best known as the home of the Tournament of Roses, which includes the Rose Bowl Game, the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day and other related events. However, there’s plenty to see and do in Pasadena all year long.
Pasadena is the queen of the San Gabriel Valley, sitting at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains next to a dry riverbed known as the Arroyo Seco. Some Angelenos perceive the city merely as another LA suburb; however, it is closer to Downtown Los Angeles than many actual suburbs. Pasadena stands as a vibrant city in its own right, having become the second incorporated city in Southern California after Los Angeles in 1886. Consequently, it is now the 6th largest city in Los Angeles County, with an estimated population of around 145,000 in 2005. Its valley location provides a climate approximately 20 degrees warmer than beach communities during summer months.
TheNorton Simon Museumin Pasadena stands out as one of the most concentrated art experiences in Southern California. It’s renowned for offering an impressive array of significant artworks in a compact space. While establishments such as the Getty Center and LA County Museum of Art delight visitors with numerous masterpieces, the Norton Simon excels in art value per step. Initially based on the private art collection of industrialist Norton Simon, the museum took over the Pasadena Art Museum in 1974 and has since expanded its vast collection.
A million or more people turn out every New Year’s Day along Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard. Some of them camp out on the sidewalks overnight. Others get up in the wee hours to get there. They all crowd along the street to watch dozens of flower-filled floats, bands, and equestrian groups in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade.