Things To Do In South Pasadena

Norton Simon Museum: Housing one of the most remarkable private art collections, the Norton Simon Museum has artwork and artifacts collected by industrialist Norton Simon from the early 1900s onward. There are over 12,000 objects in the permanent collection at the museum, and visitors are privy to view over 1,000 of them on display in the galleries or the sculpture garden.

Huntington Library and Gardens: Founded in 1919 by Henry E. Huntington, The Huntington Library and Gardens is an ode to the three things Henry loved: books, art, and gardens. The art collection is scattered throughout three galleries on the Huntington grounds, and it is one of the most comprehensive collections with 18th to 19th century British, French, and American art.

The Gamble House: The Gamble House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978, and rightfully so. The house takes visitors on a journey to 1908, when architects Charles and Henry Greene furnished and designed the house for David and Mary Gamble of the Procter & Gamble Company.

Old Pasadena: If you are looking for an authentic historic downtown experience, Old Pasadena will not disappoint. The diverse city is ten miles from downtown LA and is filled with numerous activities for adults and kids; museums, galleries, movies, restaurants, and shopping are abundant in the area.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Managed by Caltech for NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is responsible for the construction of robotic spacecraft, astronomy missions, and many deep space projects. Some of these include the famed Mars Science Laboratory, the Curiosity rover, and the NuSTAR X-ray telescope.

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden: The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is the only surviving example of Japanese landscape design by the legendary Kinzuchi Fujii, who created many Japanese gardens across California in the early 20th century. Carefully positioned on 2 acres of land, the garden is the epitome of beauty and serenity. There are several ponds and a 15 foot waterfall to admire as you stroll through the garden to visit the formal Tea House. These days the gardens are mostly used as a wedding or event venue but they do host open days and are open to the public on weekends provided that you register online.

Eaton Canyon Nature Center: Located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, the Eaton Canyon Nature Center is a great place to spend the day immersed in nature; visitors of all ages can come explore the 7,600 square-foot building and the surrounding 190 acres of zoological, botanical, and geological nature preserve that it sits on.

Kidspace Children’s Museum: Launched in 1979 at Caltech, the Kidspace Children’s Museum is a place for children to be inspired and release their creativity through an informal, hands-on educational approach. With over 200,000 guests annually, the museum is filled with exhibits and hosts events and programs, allowing visitors to unleash their imagination.