Spend the day shopping at novelty boutiques on Colorado Boulevard, tour turn-of-the-century mansions in the historic districts, or hike Echo Mountain.

Experience local and foreign delicacies during the Old Pasadena Melting Pot Food Tours, or try southern cuisine during Claud Beltran's Annual Gumbo Fest Pasadena.

Science-loving families should visit the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at NASA for a pre-booked tour. The JPL constructs robotic spacecrafts, conducts astronomy missions, and designs the materials for many deep space projects like Mars Curiosity rover.

Pasadena has a variety of eclectic restaurants. Local favorites include Roy's Restaurant, Il Fornaio, Alexander's Steakhouse, and the President Thai Restaurant.

The best Pasadena museums include the Norton Simon Museum, The Huntington Library and Gardens, USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena Museum of California Art, and the  Pasadena Museum of History.

Hike through 190 acres of zoological, botanical, and geological wonders at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center.