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All the United States California Pasadena

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Pasadena

44 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Pasadena, California

Updated March 2, 2026
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Unusual Attractions in Pasadena

Pasadena, California

Fork in the Road

A bigger-than-life pun that has become a beacon of altruism.
Succulents for sale.

Pasadena, California

California Cactus Center

A nursery specializing in strange and beautiful succulents and cacti.
From their website: view of the store as you walk in.

Pasadena, California

Gold Bug

Contemporary art inspired by natural history and science drawing on ancient techniques in a modern world.
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View of the 100-inch from the 150-Foot Solar Tower Current Towercam

Pasadena, California

Mount Wilson Observatory

This former stomping grounds of the most eminent astronomers of the early 20th century.
Tea-house view.

Pasadena, California

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

A rare surviving example of a pre-WWII Japanese garden, restored after years of neglect.

Pasadena, California

Kendall Alley

A cobblestone alley with an interesting past.
October 2021

Pasadena, California

The Bubble House

An airy would-be solution to a housing shortage.
See All 44 Things To Do in Pasadena

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Pasadena

Pasadena, California

Blind Donkey

Whiskey lovers, this is your happy place.

Pasadena, California

Pasadena Cheeseburger Plaque

A California city claims to be the home of a fast-food classic.
Lucky Baldwin himself

Pasadena, California

Lucky Baldwin's

A British pub embodies the spirit of a California legend.

Discover your next hidden gem with the Gastro Obscura
Newsletter—your guide to extraordinary food and drink.

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See all 4 Places to Eat in Pasadena
In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Pasadena, California

Architecture 7
Shops 6
Homes 5
Eccentric Homes 5
Wondrous Performances 5
Architectural Oddities 4
Route 66 3
Repositories Of Knowledge 3
Nature 3
Sacred Spaces 3
Natural Wonders 3
Observatories 2
Ecosystems 2
Hotels 2
Monuments 2
Instruments Of Science 2
Intriguing Environs 2
Purveyors Of Curiosities 2
Unique Restaurants & Bars 2
Outsider Architecture 2
Places To Stay 2

Pasadena Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. M Mordy profile photo
    Mordy
    32
  2. R Rachel Mansur profile photo
    Rachel Mansur
    1
  3. Trevor profile photo
    Trevor
    1
  4. Rachel profile photo
    Rachel
    1
  5. B bambam6 profile photo
    bambam6
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Pasadena.

Places Edited

  1. M Mordy profile photo
    Mordy
    24
  2. Avoiding Regret profile photo
    Avoiding Regret
    19
  3. M Martin profile photo
    Martin
    15
  4. ccesare profile photo
    ccesare
    7
  5. D dapaul2017 profile photo
    dapaul2017
    4

Places Visited

  1. D DBlock1001 profile photo
    DBlock1001
    38
  2. C Schwartz profile photo
    C Schwartz
    37
  3. Norkey profile photo
    Norkey
    37
  4. A ashleypinnick profile photo
    ashleypinnick
    36
  5. J jsmalls profile photo
    jsmalls
    36
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Pasadena.

Recent Pasadena Activity

  • E embeekrais profile photo

    embeekrais

    wants to go to Vroman's Bookstore

  • E embeekrais profile photo

    embeekrais

    wants to go to Pasadena Civic Auditorium

  • D DaveMcB profile photo

    DaveMcB

    wants to go to Gold Bug

  • D DaveMcB profile photo

    DaveMcB

    wants to go to Mount Wilson Observatory

  • A anguisette90 profile photo

    anguisette90

    wants to go to Fork in the Road

Lists Featuring Pasadena

Lobby of the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, formerly known as the Ahwahnee.
The ivy covered hotel.
Staircase at Hotel Vertigo
Mid Eastern-themed billiards room

19 Unusual Hotels in California

Remarkable places to stay—or at least visit—in the Golden State.

19

Including The Ahwahnee Hotel, Venice Beach House, and Hotel Vertigo

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
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