Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Pasadena with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Pasadena on the map
📍 Where Pasadena is
Pasadena sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Hollywood Burbank (~13 mi / 20 km). It's roughly 9 mi (14 km) from Downtown LA and 114 mi (184 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Pasadena
Kidspace Children's Museum
A hands-on museum on a 3.5-acre campus next to the Rose Bowl, with more than 40 exhibits spanning climbing towers, the science-themed Galvin Physics Forest, and outdoor nature areas. The big summertime draw is Arroyo Adventure, a multi-level running-water feature where kids splash and build dams — pack a swimsuit.
~$15.50/personOld Pasadena
Walkable historic shopping district built up between the 1880s and 1920s around Colorado Boulevard, once the wealthy winter-resort heart of Pasadena and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After decades of decline, the century-old storefronts were revitalized in the 1980s-90s and are now full of shops, ice cream, and family dining.
Free to strollStorrier Stearns Japanese Garden
Tranquil historic Japanese garden with koi ponds and a teahouse for a calm outing. Japanese landscape designer Kinzuchi Fujii built the hill-and-pond garden between 1935 and 1940, transforming what had been a pair of tennis courts into ponds, bridges, and paths. The original teahouse, Niko-an, burned down in 1981 and was later rebuilt to Fujii's exact original plans; the garden earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
~$12.50 adultHahamongna Watershed Park
Open-space park at the foot of the mountains with flat trails and a kids' nature stream. The 1,300-acre park was previously known as Oak Grove Park until the city renamed and reimagined it as Hahamongna in the early 1990s — a word meaning "flowing waters, fruitful valley," fitting for where the Arroyo Seco watershed meets the flatlands. Beyond the streamside trails, it also holds a 24-hole disc golf course and wide-open fields for picnics.
FreeRose Bowl Aquatics Center
This nonprofit aquatics center opened in 1990 in Brookside Park just south of the Rose Bowl, with two Olympic-size pools (up to 17 feet deep) and two diving boards drawing more than 400,000 visitors a year. Family Recreation Swim sessions make it an easy, reliable hot-day outing for all ages.
~$8-10 day passNorton Simon Museum
World-class art plus a sculpture garden and pond — a manageable size for kids.
~$20 adult, under 18 free; free first-Fri eveningsUSC Pacific Asia Museum
A Chinese imperial-palace-style building — the courtyard alone is worth a peek. Compact, good for a short family visit.
~$10 adult, under 11 free; free 2nd SunThe Gamble House
The Arts & Crafts landmark (and the 'Doc Brown' house from Back to the Future). Tours sell out — book ahead.
~$17 adult, under 12 free; tours onlyRose Bowl Stadium & loop
The iconic stadium with a great family walk/bike loop around the Arroyo Seco — and the legendary monthly flea market.
Free to loop
Pasadena Museum of History
Local history galleries plus the 1906 Fenyes Mansion on Millionaire's Row, shown with its original furnishings. Under-18s are free, which makes it a cheap family hour.
$9 adults, $7 seniors, free under 18
Pasadena Ice Skating Center
A year-round indoor rink beneath the Paseo in central Pasadena, with daily public sessions, rental skates and learn-to-skate classes. It closes occasionally for competitions.
$17 admission, $5 skate rental; $2 off for Pasadena residents
Armory Center for the Arts
Contemporary art galleries in Old Pasadena, always free, attached to a long-running community art school that runs toddler and family studio classes.
Free
Vroman's Bookstore
Southern California's oldest independent bookstore, founded in 1894, with a large children's department and over 400 free community events a year including storytimes.
Free
Hastings Branch Library
An East Pasadena branch with a children's area and the longest weekend hours in the city system — which matters when the central library is shut for retrofit.
Free
Jefferson Branch Library
Pasadena's branch given over entirely to children and teens, with a play area, kids' magazines and a small bookstore. Unusual and worth knowing about.
Free
Pasadena Playhouse
The official State Theatre of California, founded 1917, staging plays and musicals in a Spanish Colonial courtyard just off Colorado Boulevard. Not every production suits young children.
Priced per productionLucky Strike Pasadena
A thirty-one-lane bowling centre on East Foothill with blacklight lanes, an arcade and pool tables. The weekend Family Unlimited window is the value option.
Family Unlimited bowling $18.99, weekends 11am–3pm
Ambassador Auditorium
A 1,200-seat hall known as the Carnegie Hall of the West, home to the Pasadena Symphony and the LA Chamber Orchestra. Each promoter sells its own tickets.
Priced per performance
Williamson Gallery, ArtCenter
A free gallery on ArtCenter's hillside campus above the Rose Bowl, showing student and professional work in transportation, product and graphic design. Check the exhibitions page before driving up Lida Street.
Free; free parkingTournament House & Wrigley Gardens
The 1914 Wrigley mansion that serves as Tournament of Roses headquarters, opened for free guided tours of its panelled rooms and parade memorabilia. The gardens outside are free and open every day.
Free; advance reservation required
Pasadena Humane
A regional animal shelter with weekend public visiting hours where families can meet adoptable dogs, cats and small animals. Two afternoons a week only, and adoptions are by appointment.
Free to visit
Arlington Garden
Pasadena's only free public garden — three acres of drought-tolerant Mediterranean planting, an olive allée and pollinator habitat. Open every day, no ticket, no gate.
Free
Brookside Park
Pasadena's largest park at 61 acres, just below the Rose Bowl, with a big playground, barbecue picnic areas and ball fields.
Free
Rose Bowl Flea Market
A monthly market of around 2,500 vendors circling the Rose Bowl, running over fifty years. Under-12s are free and so is parking. One Sunday a month only.
$15.83 general, free under 12 with an adult
Lower Arroyo Archery Range
A volunteer club runs free Saturday-morning beginner archery lessons in the Lower Arroyo with all equipment supplied. Under-18s must have a parent with them.
First lesson free, small donation afterCaltech Campus Walk
A 124-acre campus of olive walks and Spanish courtyards you can wander any day, with a free downloadable self-guided tour of 21 landmarks. The guided tour runs monthly, not on demand.
FreeFree days in Pasadena
Free or free-on-certain-days admission. Rules change and some are residents-only — confirm with the venue before you go.
USC Pacific Asia Museum
Free second Sunday of each month
Asian and Pacific art in a landmark Chinese-courtyard building; free admission on the second Sunday of each month, with free on-site parking. Confirm the schedule.
Farmers markets in Pasadena
Villa Parke Certified Farmers' Market
Smaller, neighborhood-feel Pasadena market with affordable seasonal produce; EBT accepted.
Pasadena Victory Park Farmers' Market
A big Saturday-morning market with seasonal produce and prepared foods next to a grassy park for the kids.
Festivals & annual events in Pasadena
What Pasadena is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Halloween Party at Kidspace
A daytime Halloween party for little ones who would rather be in pajamas by nightfall, with costume parades at 11am, 1pm and 3pm and treats and activities from 10:30am to 2pm. Included with admission. Tip: parades run at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, so aim for the 10:30am start and let kids come in costume.
Included with museum admission (free for members)
Halloween at Kidspace
Kidspace's month-plus Halloween Bash has daily costume parades, a trike ride through a spooky house, a Witch's Kitchen potion station and a monster-making workshop. It is included with regular museum admission. Tip: parades run at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, so plan your visit around one and let kids come in costume.
Included with museum admission
Pasadena Doo Dah Parade
A delightfully absurd, family-friendly 'anti-Rose-Parade' of eccentric floats and costumed marchers through Old Pasadena.
Free
Holidayfest on South Lake Avenue
A free afternoon in the South Lake Avenue District with Santa's Village at Macy's, a holiday artisan market at The Commons, an ornament-making workshop at Pasarroyo and live music. Tip: the Winter Workshop and Santa photos are the kid draws, so do those first before the 3-6pm crowds.
Free
Rose Parade Decorating Places (Float Viewing)
Walk through the Rosemont Pavilion while volunteers glue flowers, seeds and leaves onto the Rose Parade floats. Hours are 11am-4pm Mon, 9am-4pm Tue and 10am-5pm Wed, and last entry is an hour before closing. Free parking is first-come and the Metro A Line is close, so take the train to skip the lot.
Ticketed (children 5 and under free)
Rose Parade Bandfest
The marching bands, dancers and auxiliary units chosen for the Rose Parade each perform a full field show at Robinson Stadium (Pasadena City College). It runs 10am-4pm and is much easier with kids than the parade curb. Free parking is in Structure 4 off Del Mar Ave.
Ticketed (see site)
Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase
After the parade, the flower-covered floats are parked along about two miles of Sierra Madre Blvd and Washington Blvd (Pasadena High School area) so you can see them up close and talk to the builders. Jan 1 is 1:30-5pm, Jan 2 is 9am-5pm (7-9am is reserved for seniors and disabled visitors) and Jan 3 is 9am-4pm. The Jan 2 opening hours are the calmest time to go with kids.
Ticketed (see site)
Pasadena Chalk Festival
More than 500 artists draw large chalk murals on the pavement at Brookside Park next to Kidspace over two days, and you can watch and talk with them as they work. In 2026 it moved from its longtime Paseo Colorado location.
ArtNight Pasadena (Fall 2026)
More than 25 museums, galleries, theaters and cultural centers open free from 6 to 10pm, with crafts, puppet shows, screen-printing demos and sing-alongs for kids. Free shuttles run on four routes (North, East, Central, Northwest). Pick one shuttle route and 3-4 venues rather than trying to see everything. The pin is at City Hall because the event is citywide.
Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade & Festival
The 28th annual parade starts at 4pm at Los Robles Ave and Buckeye St. The festival opens at 5pm in front of City Hall with music, food and family activities. Watch the parade near City Hall so you can walk straight into the festival. Metro A Line and Old Pasadena garages are close.
LEGO Monster Build at Kidspace
Kidspace teams with LEGOLAND California for two days of Halloween brick-building, with a LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat Street model on display and monsters and goblins for kids to build. Families who attend are entered to win four tickets to Halloween Season at LEGOLAND California. Tip: it follows Free First Friday (Oct 2), so go Sunday morning for shorter build-table waits.
Local restaurants in Pasadena
Pie 'n Burger
A classic 1963 diner with hand-built burgers and fresh-baked pies in a cozy counter-and-booth setting.
Lucky Boy
Old-school charbroiled-burger and legendary breakfast-burrito stand since 1961.
Connal's
Family-owned counter-serve throwback since 1958 with burgers and grinders.
Russell's
Fair Oaks breakfast-and-brunch landmark famous for Belgian waffles and omelets.
Green Street Restaurant
Pasadena tradition since 1979 with a salad-forward menu and the famous Dianne salad.
El Metate Cafe
Family spot blending coastal and inland Mexican cooking, from fish tacos to quesadillas.
Howlin' Ray's Pasadena
Pasadena outpost of the family-founded Nashville hot chicken favorite with adjustable heat levels.
Sabrina's
Family-owned spot for Neapolitan pizza and rustic Italian pastas with a welcoming patio.
Bone Kettle
Tjahyadi family kitchen built on a 36-hour beef bone broth, with short rib and Southeast Asian shared plates. Family-founded and communal.
HomeState
House flour tortillas, breakfast tacos, queso, and brisket, Texas-style. Counter service that is extremely kid-friendly.
Celestino Ristorante
Drago-family Italian serving osso buco with risotto, baked pastas, and mushroom-truffle balls. A 25-plus-year family institution and classic sit-down.
Colette
An unassuming mini-mall location hiding some of the city's most inventive Cantonese cooking.
Local shops in Pasadena
Gold Bug
Family-owned Old Town gallery-shop with 100+ designers' art, fine jewelry, and curiosities.
Homage
Independently owned gift, jewelry, and stationery shop in Old Town's Shops on Holly.
Union Street Toys
Independent neighborhood toy store near Old Town.
NEO Pasadena
Old Pasadena boutique of thoughtfully curated gifts, stylish accessories, and finds from local makers.
Retreat
Artisan gift shop heavy on handcrafted jewelry, plus pottery, candles, hand-drawn cards, and leather goods.
Pasadena Antique Center
One of the largest, most eclectic antique co-ops in the U.S., packed with vintage furniture and small treasures.
Indiana Colony Market
Community marketplace gathering local makers for handcrafted goods, unique gifts, and small-batch treats.
Vroman's Bookstore
Founded in 1894, Southern California's oldest and largest independent bookstore, with robust kids' storytimes, summer reading, and author events.
Little Junebugs
Curated toy shop focused on imaginative, playful, and unusual gifts for little ones.
Seasonal & outdoors near Pasadena
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Pasadena.
Pasadena is part of the San Gabriel Valley family guide — see the region's best things to do, local eats and events.
More Los Angeles family guides
Pasadena family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Pasadena with kids?
Family favorites in and around Pasadena include Kidspace Children's Museum, Old Pasadena, Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden and Hahamongna Watershed Park, and more. Our guide lists 26 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Pasadena?
Yes — free family spots near Pasadena include Old Pasadena, Hahamongna Watershed Park, Rose Bowl Stadium & loop and Armory Center for the Arts. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
Where can families eat in Pasadena?
Local, family-friendly spots in Pasadena include Pie 'n Burger, Lunasia Dim Sum House, Lucky Boy and Connal's, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Pasadena guide cover?
Our Pasadena family guide includes 26 things to do, 13 local eats, 9 local shops and 2 farmers markets — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Pasadena
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Pasadena on one map — then book on your favorite site.