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Pasadena LGBTQ City Guide

The picturesque Southern California city of Pasadena is close enough to Los Angeles to allow residents to enjoy all that it offers to see and do, but just far enough away to provide a slower, more small-town feel for those looking for that lifestyle. It’s well-known for being the home of the Rose Bowl, but what may not be as well-known is that it’s also a very LGBTQ-friendly city. In fact, The Advocate named Pasadena the second “Gayest City in America” in 2014. If you’re considering making a move to this sunny SoCal city, you’ll find plenty to love about it!

A Look at Pasadena’s History 

Prior to its modern-day history, Pasadena was inhabited by various Native American tribes. It was then part of a Mexican land grant, before the time that the United States annexed California, and the land was sold to American settlers who began developing the city. Pasadena was officially incorporated in 1886, and in 1890, the city’s name was chosen by a vote. The word “Pasadena” is a Native American word meaning, “of the valley”. Today, Pasadena is known for being a city that has a thriving arts and culture scene, world-class educational institutions, plenty of business opportunities, and many friendly neighborhoods that offer much to see and do. 

A Few Fun Facts About Pasadena

  • The world’s first cheeseburger was supposedly invented in Pasadena in 1926.
  • The California Institute of Technology calls Pasadena home, which means that the city can claim 32 Nobel Prizes.
  • The Pasadena Freeway, which was the first freeway built in the United States, connects Pasadena to Los Angeles and was constructed in 1940.

Read more fun facts about Pasadena here.

Pasadena’s LGBTQ Community

Pasadena is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:

PFLAG Pasadena

PFLAG Pasadena is Pasadena’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical and important role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.

San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ Center

The San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ center is a resource center for the LGBTQ community in the greater Pasadena area with the mission of promoting community awareness, celebrating each person, and supporting all. The group hosts a variety of events and provides resources and opportunities to become involved throughout the year. Don’t miss your chance to join in all that it has to offer.

What's the Weather Like in Pasadena? 

Like much of Southern California, Pasadena is known for its beautiful mild weather year-round. It receives an average of 21 inches of rain per year and no snow and as many as 286 sunny days which is considerably more than the national average. Temperatures year-round are fairly mild, with highs in the summer reaching around 88° and lows in the winter dropping down to the mid-40s.

The Best Events in Pasadena 

LA Pride

The annual LA Gay Pride Parade is held every June in West Hollywood, and as it’s only a short drive away from Pasadena, you won’t want to miss it! The event is organized by the Christopher Street West Association and sees over 200,000 people in attendance each year. In addition to a parade, the event has three stages, non-profit booths, and live entertainment. 

The Rose Bowl

Even for those who aren’t necessarily football fans, the Rose Bowl is an experience worth trying. First opened in 1922, this historic stadium is a national historic landmark as well as a California Historic Civil Engineering landmark. It’s also the site of the annual Rose Bowl football game and parade-a nationally known and very popular event full of fun and festivities.

San Gabriel Valley Pride

The San Gabriel Valley Pride Festival is an annual event that celebrates the LGBTQ community and all that it adds to the greater Pasadena area. Full of plenty of festivities and fun including parties and parades as well as opportunities to make new friends, network, and learn about opportunities to become more involved in the community it is definitely a can’t-miss event each year.

Where to Live in Pasadena 

Unlike some larger cities that have one particular “gayborhood,” Pasadena’s LGBTQ community tends to be spread out across the city. This simply means that those looking to move to Pasadena have many wonderful options to choose from! Condos in the city typically start around $300,000 and can reach up to the millions of dollars, while homes tend to start slightly higher in price, and can top out in the several million-dollar ranges, and there are a wide variety of home styles and options to choose from. The average sales price of homes in Pasadena over the last year was around $900,000. 

Arts and Entertainment 

The Pasadena Playhouse

The Pasadena Playhouse is a historic performing arts theater offering a variety of cultural and artistic performances and events throughout the year. It is a beautiful space where people have gathered for over 100 years to experience excellent and inspiring theater, and truly there is something for everyone’s interest and tastes here.

The Norton Simon Museum

Previously known as the Pasadena Art Museum, the Norton Simon Art Museum is a Pasadena treasure for art lovers. Its collections include a variety of art and sculptures from around the world throughout a variety of different periods, and the building itself is beautiful as well. It’s truly a wonderful place to spend the day feeling inspired, educated, and entertained.

Parks and Recreation

Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens is a 150-acre botanical garden known for its unique natural urban beauty. It is a beautiful place to enjoy all of the scenic beauty unique to the Southern California area, and its collections are internationally renowned. Even better, it has a lovely café to enjoy a break and a bite to eat while enjoying your day.

Old Pasadena

For those who want to enjoy a fun afternoon or evening of shopping, dining, and entertainment, Old Pasadena is an excellent choice. This eclectic historic area has a wide variety of unique shops, restaurants, and bars for visitors to enjoy, all in a beautiful and very walkable atmosphere.

Pasadena Nightlife

The Boulevard Bar

The Boulevard Bar is a very popular Pasadena LGBTQ nightspot. Known for its excellent karaoke, casual atmosphere, pool tables, good music, and strong drinks, it’s a great spot to stop on a night out in Pasadena.

Magnolia House

The Magnolia House is a swanky Pasadena nightspot serving an eclectic selection of small plates and craft cocktails. It's a wonderful place with a unique atmosphere that should definitely go on your list of must-try Pasadena nightlife.

Contact a Pasadena Gay Realtor Today

If you're ready to make a move to Pasadena, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Pasadena, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Pasadena gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!