Pasadena travel guide and discussion

Pasadena, a charming city located in Los Angeles, California, is a beautiful place that blends history, culture, and innovation. Here, the pleasant climate, historic buildings, and cultural activities weave together a unique landscape. Pasadena enjoys a reputation as a center of technology and culture, both in the Los Angeles area and globally. It is not only home to many well-known technology companies and research institutions but also the world-renowned California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The fusion of art and science adds a profound inner richness to this city. Strolling through Pasadena, you will discover many fascinating buildings and attractions. City Hall, with its unique Türkiye-style architecture, is a landmark of the city, while the Norton Simon Museum is a world-class art sanctuary, housing artistic treasures from various periods and regions. The annual New Year's Day parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade bring Pasadena to the world stage. These grand events attract millions of visitors who come to admire the magnificent floats, musical performances, and unique entertainment programs. Throughout the city, opportunities for dining and shopping are readily available. In Old Town, a variety of restaurants await your exploration, while art, crafts, and fashion shopping venues offer endless choices. Overall, Pasadena is a city full of vitality and cultural atmosphere. Here, you can explore the infinite possibilities of technological innovation, visit museums to experience the accumulation of history, and enjoy the pleasures of food and shopping. This city will bring you a rich and diverse experience.

Escape with me to @langhampasadena, where lush greenery and tranquil ambiance reign. This video captures the essence of serenity. 🌿💚

A very grown up art museum. Mostly paintings on the upper levels, divided by region and century. The bottom level was largely sculpture and carved bronze, stone and wood statues of Asian origin. There were 2 beautiful outdoor sculpture gardens and the grounds were clean and beautifully landscaped. 😍 The exhibition featuring June Wayne and the Tamarind Lithography Workshop was excellent, a reminder of the extraordinary art produced over the years in Los Angeles. Parking can be a little challenging but there is street parking that's a walkable distance from the museum. 👣 I definitely recommend planning a trip to visit. The amount of paintings and sculptures collected is breathtaking. The outside garden was stunning, and the staff was very welcoming. 🥰 #wheretogo

#bucketlistreboot getting there: on Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA what to expect: bakery, dessert, breakfast, and lunch Dots Cafe Pasadena is a trendy, quiet space to enjoy brunch and coffee with friends. Their beautiful floral painting walls and a whole room full of sunshine power up my days.

#bucketlistreboot The California Institute of Technology is a private research university in Pasadena, California. The university is known for its strength in science and engineering, and is among a small group of institutes of technology in the United States which is primarily devoted to the instruction of pure and applied sciences. The institution was founded as a preparatory and vocational school by Amos G. Throop in 1891 and began attracting influential scientists such as George Ellery Hale, Arthur Amos Noyes, and Robert Andrews Millikan in the early 20th century. The vocational and preparatory schools were disbanded and spun off in 1910 and the college assumed its present name in 1920. In 1934, Caltech was elected to the Association of American Universities, and the antecedents of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which Caltech continues to manage and operate, were established between 1936 and 1943 under Theodore von Kármán.

Address - Bj's Restaurants and Brewhouse 234 E Colorado Blvd, 91101 Pasadena, CA Ambiance/Facilities - Beautiful decor in an old building in downtown Pasadena. I was absolutely astonished by its originality, and a dash of an older era. Highlights - Variety of American food like deep dish pizza, tavern made pizza, burgers, chicken wings, fine deserts, and mooooore!!! Avg. Price per Person - For one person, a small girl like me, I think an average price would be $25. Rating - I would definitely give this place a 4/5, because everything was perfect, I just prefer different kind of food:) You should definitely visit! #eventcelebration#givethanks#university

🌸I didn't know when the first American drama would happen in this literary town when I went there for the first time. After the Great Women Kill fire, a story happening in this filter-filled town, both magical and reasonable . Because Pasadena is a place with a high level of history and a pleasant surprise. 🍄Traffic guide: It's very close to LA city area. We drove by ourselves. 🌼Local must punch: the attraction is the town center itself, which is the neighborhood I feel really small and exquisite, park the car in one place, you can all walk. But it takes a lot of time, because it is so beautiful, I want to shoot everywhere! 🌻Gourmet Raiders: Pasadena has a special praise and one thing that makes us go back to review is that there are so many Chinese dishes. We went to a super authentic Sichuan hotpot restaurant! highly recommended!

The New Year's Rose Parade is one of the three major celebrations of the New Year in the United States. It is associated with the Big Apple Countdown in New York's Times Square and the fireworks on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. It is known as the National New Year's Three Celebrations and is the size of the United States. One of the biggest and most attractive New Year events. This year is the 130th Rose Parade, held in Pasadena, California. Various styles of floats, well-organized bands, and mighty horses are gradually marching on Colorado Avenue, Pasadena Main Street. The theme of the float includes a Chinese-themed float, and the scene is spectacular.

Walking the streets of Pasadena, I truly understood what it meant to "live life like poetry." The entire neighborhood was spotless, as if meticulously polished inch by inch by the soft sunlight. The California sun is never stingy; it shines evenly and generously on everyone—the elderly walking their dogs, the teenagers riding bicycles, the shopkeepers arranging flowers in their windows—all bathed in a thin layer of pale gold. The wind carried a dry warmth as it rustled through the palm leaves, and the cobblestones beneath my feet were slightly warm from the sun. Every step felt like walking on amber-colored time. There was no need to rush, no need to plan which street or corner the next stop would be. A stranger walking towards me smiled, a smile as simple as the weather—without any extra meaning, yet inexplicably comforting. Suddenly, I remembered Forrest Gump's words from the bench. Yes, life is like a box of chocolates; every piece you open is a surprise or an unexpected delight, but so what? The wind is gentle, the light is warm, and the aroma wafting from the roadside coffee shop is just right. No need to worry about the distant places yet to be reached, no need to calculate the taste of the next piece of chocolate. Look down, watch your shadow stretch long and deep, overlapping with the shadows of the trees, blending into a swaying, peaceful expanse. Just walk on like this. Breathe deeply, feel every inch of your skin's warmth, and live each moment as a precious, memorable spectacle. The California sun never asks where it comes from or where it goes; it simply shines here, shining on everyone experiencing this "moment." And all we can do is open our arms and generously accept it. ✨ Walking the streets of Pasadena, I truly understood what it meant to "live life like poetry." The entire street was spotless, as if someone had meticulously polished it inch by inch with fine sunlight. California sunshine is never stingy; it falls evenly and generously on everyone's shoulders—the elderly walking their dogs, the teenagers riding bicycles, the shopkeepers arranging flowers in their windows, all are bathed in a thin layer of pale gold. The wind carries a dry warmth as it passes through the palm leaves, the cobblestones underfoot are slightly warmed by the sun, each step feels like walking on amber-colored time. There's no need to rush, no need to calculate which street or corner the next stop will be. A stranger walking towards you smiles, a smile as simple as the weather—without any extra meaning, yet inexplicably comforting. Suddenly, I recall Forrest Gump's words from the bench. Yes, life is like a box of chocolates; every piece you open is a surprise or an unexpected delight, but so what? Right now, the wind is gentle, the light is warm, and the aroma wafting from the roadside coffee shop is just right. No need to worry about the distant places yet to be reached, no need to calculate the taste of the next piece of chocolate. I looked down and saw my shadow stretched long and thin, overlapping with the shadows of the trees, blending into a swaying, peaceful expanse. Just keep walking like this. Breathe deeply, feel every inch of your skin's warmth, and cherish every moment, turning each second into a precious, memorable speck of light. The California sun never asks where it comes from or where it goes; it simply shines here, shining on everyone experiencing this "moment." And all we can do is open our arms and generously accept it. ✨

After eating my way around California, my biggest takeaway is how rich the food culture is here: burgers, BBQ, Mexican food, Korean cuisine, Italian gelato—it feels like I've traveled the world just by eating. 🍔 In-N-Out Burger A local burger chain you must try when in California. You can get a burger, fries, and unlimited drink refills for under US$10, which is especially touching given current prices in the US. The burgers are made to order, big, and packed with ingredients—a must-eat. 🔥 Wagon Wheel American BBQ They say the best American BBQ is in Texas, but this Wagon Wheel in Mountain View is pretty good too~ The pork ribs are fragrant and so satisfying to gnaw on! 🍅 Amigo's Restaurant and Cantina Mexican food is a major cuisine in the US. They usually serve free corn chips with tomato salsa before the meal, and the Chicken Tortilla soup is like a Mexican version of dumpling soup. This is a restaurant with a sense of history, but because it's not far from Caltech, I was impressed by the conversations around me about AI and embodied intelligence. It was a surreal contrast to have such cutting-edge topics discussed in an old-school restaurant. 🥑 The Cheesecake Factory The legendary Northeast Chinese food of America. 🍝 Their signature is pasta. I recommend the four cheese pasta; if you're a cheese lover, don't miss it. It satisfies multiple cheese cravings at once. 🥢 GongJung in Rowland Heights US restaurants usually only provide tap water, so it felt so comforting to get hot tea here right away ❤️ The seafood pancake (Haemul Pajeon) is like a Chaoshan oyster omelet, packed with shrimp and squid. For the buckwheat ice noodle soup, the enthusiastic owner specifically introduced that the broth is made with apple juice. The complimentary side dishes were fresh and delicious 😋 🍦 Bacio di Latte Here are a few flavors I liked— Yoghurt Bianco: Greek yogurt flavor, rich and stretchy Lampone: Raspberry sorbet Fragola: Strawberry sorbet Chocolate Pistachio Crunch: Chocolate pistachio flavor Passionfruit: Summer limited Rosa & Vaniglia: This one is Pasadena exclusive

This was my fifth time attending the cooking class, and once again, it was an absolutely wonderful experience. This visit was particularly memorable, as we had the chance to connect more deeply and share truly beautiful conversations. We enjoyed a lovely day exploring the olive grove, learning about the history and traditions of olive trees, making fresh pasta, and creating a delicious lemon cake. Everything felt authentic, relaxed, and brimming with warmth and passion. The mix of amazing food, Italian culture, stunning surroundings, and heartfelt conversation made this experience incredibly special. Each visit has been fantastic, but this one will hold a unique place in my heart. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone seeking an authentic, meaningful, and unforgettable taste of Italy!

Spent a slow afternoon at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, and OMG—this place is seriously a hidden gem! The chill vibes are immaculate. It felt sooo peaceful just wandering around, totally unbothered by crowds or crazy rush. 💆♀️✨ TBH, the museum isn’t massive, and that’s the best part—you can actually soak up all the stunning European art and sculptures at your own pace. No pressure to speed-walk through endless halls! Pro tip: don’t miss the outdoor sculpture garden, because it’s GORGEOUS. Perfect spot for a dreamy little stroll and some people-watching (or cloud-gazing if you're on that vibe). 🌿 If you need an afternoon to escape, slow down, and just reset, the Norton Simon is the place for you. Highly recommend for solo wandering or a cute, chill date idea. 🎨💕 Need-to-know basics: Location: Norton Simon Museum, 411 West Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105 Hours: Mon & Tues closed; Wed–Mon 12:00 PM–5:00 PM Plan ahead and grab tickets on trip.com! Trust me, you’ll leave feeling relaxed AF and maybe a little artsy!

If you’re in Pasadena on a Sunday, the Rose Bowl Flea Market is a total must-see! This legendary market, held at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium (1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103), is an absolute paradise for anyone obsessed with vintage finds, quirky antiques, unique art, and one-of-a-kind home décor. You’ll be living your best thrift-life with over 2,500 vendors—SO much to uncover! The vibes are immaculate. Just wandering from booth to booth is half the fun because every aisle really has its own personality. You might scoop up retro furniture, come face-to-face with jaw-dropping collectibles, or discover local artists and epic statement pieces for your place. Seriously, you never know what “hidden gem” you’ll score. 🤩 Pro tip: Go early for first dibs on the coolest stuff and smaller crowds. Gates usually open at 9am for general admission, but get the VIP early-bird ticket if you want to hunt for treasure before anyone else. And trust me, comfy shoes are a MUST—you’ll be clocking those steps. Bring cash and plenty of reusable bags for all your finds! Even if you’re not a die-hard antique hunter, this is just an iconic LA experience—such a vibe on a Sunday! Grab a coffee, snack from a local food truck, and soak up the buzz. You’ll get awesome people-watching, and honestly, you’re almost guaranteed to go home with something cool (or at least an Insta-worthy selfie by the stadium 🌴). Opening hours: Every second Sunday of the month, 9am–4:30pm (rain or shine!) Address: 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103 So, whether you’re on a serious vintage hunt or just vibing out for the day, the Rose Bowl Flea Market never disappoints. Add it to your LA bucket list and prepare to get lost in the treasure hunt!

There’s something about Pasadena that always makes me want to slow down and look around. I especially love the architecture here—the old buildings, little details, warm colors, and streets that somehow feel full of character. But my favorite time to walk around is right before sunset. As the sun starts to go down, the whole city feels different. The warm light hits the buildings, creating these beautiful shadows, while the sky slowly turns from blue to soft pink and orange. Even places that might feel ordinary during the day suddenly look a little more special. I love walking around without much of a plan, noticing the way the light falls on a wall, looking up at the buildings, or stopping for a moment just because the sky looks too pretty to keep walking. It’s one of those simple moments that makes me appreciate living in LA—the feeling of having nowhere to rush to, just wandering around Pasadena and watching the city change with the light.

The Norton Simon Museum is one of the museums with the highest density of art masterpieces per square foot in Southern California. Founded by American entrepreneur Norton Simon over more than 30 years, it houses about 12,000 artworks, each a true masterpiece. 🎨 Impressionist and post-impressionist collection This is one of the best places on the U.S. West Coast to see impressionist art, featuring classic works by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Degas, and Gauguin that showcase the charm of impressionism and post-impressionism. 🖌 European masterworks From the Renaissance to the 19th century, the museum gathers classic paintings by European masters such as Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens, Goya, and Fragonard, clearly illustrating the development of European painting. 🌏 South Asian and Southeast Asian art The museum’s collection includes Hindu sculptures, Buddhist stone carvings, bronze Buddha statues, and Khmer art from Cambodia, highlighting the cultural and artistic essence of South and Southeast Asia. 🌳 Sculpture garden Inspired by Monet’s garden in Giverny, the sculpture garden around the pond displays classic sculptures by Rodin, including The Thinker and The Walking Man. The combination of art and natural scenery makes it a place you won’t want to leave. 🚗 Transportation: Free parking is available on-site, ideal for visitors driving themselves. 💡 Travel tip: After your visit, relax at the garden café and enjoy a cup of coffee. ⏰ Hours: Open Thursday through Monday. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Come to the Norton Simon Museum and experience the perfect blend of art and nature!

We stayed in Arcadia as a base for travelling around LA. It was close to the freeway but everywhere takes around an hour to travel to because of the traffic. There is lots of restaurants and supermarkets close by and you can drive into old town Pasadena which is nice for a wander. #Pasadena #california #arcadia

Very friendly and helpful people. The atmosphere is nice and relaxed. Well-organized with excellent equipment, and everything is included: food, towels, and drinks. Sea turtles, sharks, and countless other beautiful fish and coral! Fantastic experience 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

寶貝們!想帶心儀對象去食啲唔同嘅嘢? 呢間Star Leaf東南亞菜館我真係要極力推薦💘 門面裝修一秒穿越東南亞,氣氛感即刻爆棚 放鬆又chill,約會聚餐都超適合! 🦐 泰式皇家咖喱蝦 — 鎮店之寶! 金黃色嘅咖喱一上枱我就忍唔住用手食喇 餐前麵包點嚟食,香濃到舔手指🍞 色澤飽滿,咖喱香濃但唔會膩 蝦肉Q彈有嚼勁,食得出嘅新鮮; 外層油炸嘅外皮增加咗酥脆口感; 入面嘅薯蓉同椰奶融合得超完美💛 🍜 冬蔭功湯麵 — 酸辣控狂喜! 集酸辣於一身,湯底飲到香茅、檸檬、南薑嘅香氣 一啖落去椰漿味都滲出嚟喇 入面嘅sen lek米粉軟糯有嚼勁,飽肚感超強 係我鍾意嘅軟糯口感~ 🍝 泰式炒金邊粉 — 酸甜鹹香小炸彈! 屬於酸甜鹹香型,甜味溫和帶焦香 酸味帶有果香,鹹香味嚟自魚露 花生係點睛之筆,唔小心咬一啖就爆發出堅果香 層次感非常豐富,越食越上癮! Hey besties! Want to take your crush somewhere a little different? I seriously have to push this spot on you—Star Leaf, a Southeast Asian restaurant! 💘 The storefront decor instantly transports you straight to Southeast Asia, and the vibes are off the charts. Super relaxed and chill, it’s absolute perfection for dates and group hangouts! 🦐 Thai Royal Curry Shrimp — The ultimate star of the menu! As soon as this golden, rich curry hit the table, I couldn't even resist diving right in with my hands. Dipping the complimentary bread into the sauce was so rich and savory, I was literally licking my fingers 🍞. The color is so vibrant, and the curry is super fragrant without being overly heavy. The shrimp is bouncy and chewy—you can totally tell it's fresh! The crispy fried outer coating adds the perfect crunch, while the mashed potatoes and coconut milk inside blend together flawlessly 💛. 🍜 Tom Yum Noodle Soup — Sour & spicy lovers, rejoice! A perfect combo of sour and spicy, with a broth bursting with the aromas of lemongrass, lemon, and galangal. Take a sip and that delicious coconut cream flavor just pops through. The sen lek rice noodles inside are delightfully chewy and tender, making it super satisfying. It’s that delightfully chewy texture I absolutely adore~ 🍝 Shrimp Pad Thai — A little flavor bomb of sweet, sour, and savory! This one hits all the notes—sweet, sour, and savory, with a gentle sweetness and a subtle smoky aroma. The sourness has a fruity twist, while the savory kick comes from the fish sauce. The peanuts are the real game-changer here; bite into one by accident and you get an explosion of nutty flavor. The layers of flavor are so rich—the more you eat, the more addictive it gets!

Few movies manage to make an entire city feel like a main character, and La La Land is definitely one of them. The imagery of glittering night lights, winding hillside roads, cozy jazz cafes, and sweeping views of Los Angeles makes many want to embark on a journey following Sebastian and Mia. Even years later, the magic of this film has never faded. The good news is that most of these locations are real and open to the public, and many places retain the exact same atmosphere as seen in the movie in almost every corner. If you're planning a trip to Los Angeles, or if you're a fan of the film, be sure to save this list. 🌇 ━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌄 1. Griffith Observatory A landmark that La La Land fans absolutely cannot miss. Both the scenic viewpoint and the front courtyard served as the backdrop for Sebastian and Mia's dance under the stars, right before entering the iconic planetarium scene. Beyond following the movie trail, it also offers one of the most stunning panoramic views of Los Angeles, especially from sunset into the night. ━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🚗 2. Angels Flight Railway A short, century-old funicular railway right in the heart of downtown. Although the ride only takes a few minutes, it’s a memorable scene that fans will instantly recognize. After hopping off the railway, you can easily take a leisurely stroll around Downtown Los Angeles. ━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎹 3. Lighthouse Café The jazz cafe that inspired several scenes in the film. While the interior shots were recreated on a set, the actual venue remains a favorite place for jazz enthusiasts to visit. During live performances, the atmosphere is incredibly warm and classic. ━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌇 4. Colorado Street Bridge A historic bridge in Pasadena that appears in various scenes of the movie. The view of the bridge set against the mountains in the background offers a romantic and peaceful vibe, quite different from the bustling city center. It’s the perfect spot to stop for photos and soak in the evening views. ━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎭 5. Warner Bros. Studios Another location that helped bring the cinematic world of Los Angeles to life. Though not a primary filming location in the story, visiting this studio helps you understand why this city is the center of the global film industry. ━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌴 6. Hermosa Beach Pier A beach that radiates a laid-back California vibe. Taking a stroll by the ocean, catching the cool breeze, or watching the sunset feels just as romantic as many scenes in the movie. It’s another great spot to unwind after touring the city. ━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌃 7. Cathy’s Corner on Mt. Hollywood Drive One of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Los Angeles. The winding hillside road and the twinkling city lights at night make many feel as though they've slipped right into the movie's opening scene. The "Blue Hour" just before total darkness is when the scenery is at its absolute best. ━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎶 8. Grand Central Market A historic downtown market bustling with restaurants, cafes, and people. While it may not be a main scene, the atmosphere here perfectly reflects the everyday life of Los Angeles. It’s an excellent spot to grab a quick bite before continuing your walk. ━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🏙️ 9. Downtown Los Angeles The broad streets, historic buildings, vintage theaters, and towering skyscrapers are the recognizable backdrops for many scenes in the story. Wandering through this area reveals a distinctly charming side of Los Angeles, filled with art, coffee shops, and beautiful architecture. ━━━━━━━━━━━━ ✨ 10. City Lights at Night La La Land made many fall in love with the "city lights." Whether it's the view from the hills, the long winding roads, or the skyline filled with twinkling lights, everything makes Los Angeles look more romantic than ever. Try to set aside some time for the evening view, and you'll understand why these scenes became the movie's most memorable visuals. ━━━━━━━━━━━━ 💙 Conclusion Tracing the path of La La Land is more than just visiting filming locations; it’s a journey to experience Los Angeles from an angle filled with dreams, hope, and inspiration. From the mountaintop observatory, the vintage railway, and the jazz cafe, to the night city views, every spot holds a story that keeps this movie alive in the hearts of the audience. Whether you're a movie buff, a music lover, or just looking for a unique trip, following the footsteps of La La Land is another way to see Los Angeles in a warm, romantic, and enchanting light. Sometimes... the best journey isn't just finding the scenes in a movie, but letting the City of Dreams guide you toward new inspirations, just like Mia and Sebastian once discovered. 🌃🎹✨

📚 The first LA Indie Book Crawl 13 unique independent bookstores are participating. Complete the stamp challenge for a chance to win a great book shopping gift pack. Book lovers can’t miss this! 📅 Date: 7/24 (Fri)–7/26 (Sun) 📍 Location: 13 independent bookstores in Los Angeles (West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and more) ✨ Highlights: Make a purchase to receive the official passport Collect a special stamp at each bookstore Collect all 13 stamps to redeem the grand prize 🎶 KCRW Summer Nights free outdoor concert Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy live performances under the stars in DTLA, soaking up the full summer vibe. 📅 Date: 7/25 (Sat) 6:00 PM–10:00 PM 📍 Location: Grand Performances 🎤 Lineup: Mariachi El Bronx Tijuana Panthers KCRW DJ LeRoy Downs 🏀 Free parent-child STEAM science event | Be a sports scientist! Let kids learn science while playing! Discover balls, equipment, and physics principles through fun sports experiments for an educational and entertaining experience. 📅 Date: 7/25 (Sat) 2:00 PM–3:00 PM 📍 Location: El Monte Library 👧 Suitable age: children 7–12 years old 💰 Free admission Event includes: 🔹 Ball bounce experiments 🔹 Learn about sports equipment materials and science principles 🔹 Hands-on experiments to study physics 🛍️ SoCal Etsy Guild Market | Montebello handmade market Gathering many local Southern California creators, artists, and handmade brands, plus live art and DIY experiences. Perfect for weekend browsing and treasure hunting. 📅 Date: 7/24 (Fri)–7/26 (Sun) 🕙 Hours · Fri, Sat: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM · Sun: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM 📍 Location: The Shops at Montebello On site: ✨ Handmade jewelry 🎨 Illustrations and creative products 🕯️ Home goods 🍪 Specialty food 🎭 Live art and DIY experiences Just follow this plan for the weekend! ❤️ Independent bookstores

When I passed by this museum in Pasadena before, I thought it was just a small museum and never felt a strong urge to visit. Recently, I saw some posts with many people checking in, so I decided to explore it this weekend. As soon as I got off today, I felt this place was really nice, full of greenery. After going inside, I found almost every gallery had its own surprise. It even got my husband hooked—he spent a long time studying with great interest and went home researching famous artists. The feeling of learning new things was amazing! There are no crowds like the Louvre, nor the rushed check-in vibe. One afternoon, from Raphael and Rembrandt to Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh, every gallery felt like opening a book on European art history. The biggest surprise was Degas’ The Little Dancer of Fourteen Years 🩰. From different angles, her expression and posture change. I circled her many times, completely captivated, which made the staff a bit wary of me. Then there’s my favorite Van Gogh, whose paintings have bright colors and thick layers of paint that almost feel sculptural under the lights. The air conditioning inside is strong, perfect for the current weather—both a cool escape and an artistic experience. When tired of indoor touring, you can rest in the outdoor garden, a space featuring a pond, water lilies, and sculptures inspired by Monet’s garden in Giverny. Around 4 PM, the sunlight makes the garden especially shining ☀️, ideal for relaxing your eyes and taking photos 📸. After strolling outside, head to the underground galleries. The basement houses an Asian art treasure spanning a thousand years, including Cambodian Buddha statues, Hindu deities like Shiva and Vishnu, and Tibetan thangkas. It’s a fascinating journey from Europe back to Asia in an instant.

Still haven’t planned your Independence Day weekend? This year marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, and Southern California is hosting a variety of exciting events. Save this guide now! 1️⃣ FoodieLand Food Festival 📅 Dates: July 3–July 5|Friday 3:00–10:00 PM|Saturday & Sunday 1:00–10:00 PM. Special drone show on July 4th! 📍 Location: Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena) 💰 Tickets required 🅿️ Free parking Over 250 global food vendors, handmade crafts, games, and live music! 2️⃣ Hollywood Bowl July 4th Fireworks Spectacular 📅 Time: 7:30 PM July 2 & July 3: The Beach Boys concert + fireworks show July 4: July 4th Fireworks Spectacular 📍 Location: Hollywood Bowl Enjoy music and fireworks at this iconic outdoor venue. 3️⃣ Arcadia 250th Anniversary Celebration of American Independence 📅 Time: July 4, starting at 6:00 PM|Drone fireworks show at 9:00 PM 📍 Location: Santa Anita Park 🅿️ Free parking at gates 3, 5, and 8 Live music, food, games, giveaways, and a large-scale drone show. 4️⃣ Marina del Rey July 4th Fireworks Show 📅 Time: July 4, 9:00 PM (approximately 20 minutes) 📍 Location: Burton Chace Park One of the largest fireworks shows in Los Angeles County. Enjoy the romantic atmosphere by the seaside, in the park, or aboard a cruise. 5️⃣ Other Popular Fireworks Viewing Spots ✨ 📍 Big Bear Lake 📍 Santa Monica 📍 Long Beach 📍 Los Angeles Harbor Cruise 📍 Palm Springs 📍 Dana Point 📍 Catalina Island 🎆 Where are you planning to celebrate July 4th this year? Feel free to share in the comments!

Hahaha, this is one of LA’s classic small but exquisite series. Since it’s summer vacation now, I thought maybe everyone would come to LA to play, study, or work, so I definitely have to write about it again!! If you love European classical art, I highly recommend coming here. Compared to the Getty, which can really wear you out walking around, this place feels more like a private collection carefully curated by a super-rich collector. Of course, I think the Getty is also a must-visit haha (don’t hit me). Here you can see original works by European art masters like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, Renoir, Picasso, and many of them are iconic masterpieces! Walking inside, you can’t help but marvel at the density of these treasures. For the first time, I saw that very abstract sculpture was actually one of Picasso’s early sculptures, and it’s the first Cubist sculpture—so cool! I really like the whole layout. Usually, people might think that after finishing the left part, it’s about done, but the right side is also huge. It’s the Asian culture section, with all kinds of Indian and Southeast Asian Buddhist statues, incredibly detailed~ After touring here, you’ll realize this museum isn’t small at all. And!! Don’t miss their Monet garden~ Surrounding it are sculptures by Rodin and Barbara Hepworth, making it the closest place in LA to Monet’s world haha. The pond, water lilies, weeping willows, and sculptures together create such a relaxing atmosphere. You can stroll slowly or sit down and enjoy. They also occasionally have musicians performing here or moments of sketching inside the museum or garden! This year, they even had a Year of the Horse theme during the Spring Festival. Speaking of Pasadena, since it’s connected to the Chinese community, compared to the Getty, after visiting here you can easily go enjoy various Chinese cuisines~ Norton Simon Museum 411 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105

Summer in Los Angeles begins with a series of outdoor jazz performances. The Norton Simon Museum is probably the most European-feeling museum in Los Angeles. In the summer, there are four jazz concerts called Golden Hour: Music in the Garden. The museum’s garden is truly wonderful, inspired by Monet’s garden. At its core is a winding pond filled with water lilies, flanked by eucalyptus and fig trees that complement Henry Moore’s sculptures. In the relentlessly sunny LA, you can enjoy a bit of shade and tranquility here, along with beauty and good taste. For the summer jazz events, you can pick up sketch paper and crayons at the entrance reception, spread out on the lawn, sip some sparkling ice water, listen to music, and draw—feeling like a carefree little fairy. huiwei

We had a truly wonderful day with Sally and Guido. We gained insights into olive trees and the process of making olive oil. The afternoon was spent at their beautiful home (featuring a stunning view) cooking, sipping drinks, and enjoying delicious food - what’s not to love 😁.

Hidden in Pasadena, the Huntington Library is more than just a library; it’s a healing park that combines a botanical garden, art museum, and cultural creative area. The architecture and plants complement each other beautifully, and culture and nature blend perfectly, making it an excellent choice for a relaxing stroll✨ 🌵 Botanical Garden · Desert Plant Area: The desert plants at the entrance are perfect for casual photos, no need for careful composition, naturally elegant · Japanese Garden: You can see red spider lilies (Lycoris radiata), serene and elegant, full of atmosphere · Chinese Liu Fang Garden: A replica of Suzhou gardens, with mountains, pavilions, and rippling green waters, instantly transporting you to Jiangnan 🎨 Art Museum · The entrance of the exhibition hall is a perfect photo spot, with interlacing light and shadow, a 100% chance of great shots · Inside the two-story building, paintings and antique furniture are displayed, exquisite and rich in heritage · The light and shadow around the exit are stunning, allowing you to continue capturing atmospheric photos after the exhibition 📌 Address: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino · Ticket: $29 per person · Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Recommended Visit Duration: 2 hours, take your time to fully experience its healing magic 🚗 For visiting Huntington in Los Angeles, I choose ICARLIFESTYLE car rental · ✅ Thoughtful service, worry-free communication Chinese-speaking staff available throughout, no language barriers; provides phone holders & car chargers, making self-driving easier. · ✅ Wide range of models, freedom of choice Choose from gasoline, electric, or hybrid cars, from economical commuter cars to luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi, meeting various travel needs. · ✅ Transparent and reliable, safety guaranteed Real vehicle photos, what you see is what you get

Pasadena's spring flower sea is in full bloom, with clusters of pink-purple and light pink trumpet trees filling the streets and alleys. When the breeze blows, petals fall like rain, creating a romantic pink pathway. Old Town Pasadena retains a rich classical architectural style, with the City Hall blending Italian Renaissance and Spanish styles, surrounded by gardens and fountains, making it a top spot for photos. The district gathers over 300 local boutique brands, specialty restaurants, and boutique cafes, perfect for a leisurely stroll and relaxation. The spring light, floral shadows, old buildings, and lively atmosphere intertwine to create a gentle and bright urban spring scene like a painting. Come to Pasadena and start your unique journey!

Our family had an unforgettable scuba diving adventure with Pemuteran Dive Adventures. I went on a few dives myself, while our kids joined the Discovery Dives led by Herman. He is incredibly skilled—his instructions were clear, calming, and thorough, ensuring our children felt both safe and confident throughout. We were lucky to see turtles, barracuda, two reef sharks, and what seemed like every type of tropical fish imaginable. The video that Divemaster Firman created was fantastic—a wonderful keepsake and a cherished reminder of such a special experience. We also enjoyed a snorkeling tour, which was equally impressive. The entire team was highly professional, the gear was excellent, and the communication was seamless and friendly from beginning to end. I wholeheartedly recommend Pemuteran Dive Adventures to anyone visiting Pemuteran. Whether you’re an experienced diver or a beginner, you’ll be in great hands here.