Our picks of places to go and things to do to make the most of your month in and around Pasadena.
CELEBRATE THE FOURTH HERE – Now in its 93rd year, the AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl is a Fourth of July celebration perfect for the whole family. It kicks off at 2pm with access to a Family Fun Zone play area. Later in the evening, live performances are featured on the stage inside the Bowl. Throughout the event, a bevy of food vendors will be offering all kinds of awesome summer eats. Be sure to stay after sunset for the grand finale—an epic firework display ignites at 9pm.
HUNT FOR TREASURES HERE – Every Sunday from 9am to 3pm the Rose Bowl Flea Market hosts more than 2,500 vendors and attracts 20,000 buyers every month. A Pasadena tradition for 50 years, the outdoor market is a treasure trove of antiques, home decor, apparel and artwork. Bring along a sun-shielding hat and some canvas bags for your purchases—and try to stick around until closing, when vendors might be more open to negotiating their prices.
INDULGE YOUR INNER CINEPHILE HERE – Enjoy a guided tour through the gorgeous grounds of a landmark Pasadena hotel for The Film Tour and Tea at Langham Huntington. Led by local film expert Jared Cowan, this three-hour tour (available on Sunday, July 7, Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14) will highlight rooms and spaces used for various films and television shows, such as Saving Mr. Banks and American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace. The tour concludes in the hotel’s Lobby Lounge with a cup of tea and freshly baked scones—which are best when topped with Devonshire Clotted Cream and lemon curd (trust us).
PAIR HOPS WITH HERITAGE HERE – Get to know Pasadena a little better…say, over drinks? The Pasadena Heritage Pub Crawl on July 27th enlivens the usual bar crawl with some fascinating local history, stopping at several famous (and infamous) haunts around the original downtown. This guided walking tour starts at 2pm and will stop by pubs with a unique history, unusual architecture, and (naturally) exceptional spirits.
