Discover Pasadena
37 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Ombré Wall - ArtCenter College of Design
A striking ombre wall in the parking lot of the ArtCenter College of Design, offering a unique and colorful backdrop for street and portrait photography.
Rose Bowl Stadium
Famous for hosting the Rose Bowl, this iconic stadium offers a grand backdrop for sports and architecture photography.
Eagle Rock Hill
Nearby in Eagle Rock, this hill offers panoramic views of the Los Angeles Basin, suitable for landscape and sunset photography.
Colorado Street Bridge
A historic Beaux Arts-style bridge spanning the Arroyo Seco. This landmark offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and is perfect for capturing its architectural beauty.
The Huntington’s Japanese Garden
A serene and beautifully landscaped garden, ideal for capturing nature and cultural photography.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
A haven for architectural, nature, and cultural photography. The gardens offer a variety of landscapes from the Desert Garden to the Japanese Garden, while the library and art museum provide architectural and interior photography opportunities.
Arroyo Seco
A scenic area with hiking trails and natural beauty, offering opportunities for landscape and nature photography.
The Rose Garden at The Huntington
A picturesque garden with a variety of roses, perfect for capturing floral and landscape photography.
Old Pasadena
Old Pasadena offers a charming historic district filled with vintage architecture, quaint shops, and vibrant street life. It is ideal for street photography and capturing nostalgic scenes.
Big Bang Theory Way
A unique alley featuring geometric trellises, brick walls, and string lights. It is perfect for capturing urban and artistic photography.
Pasadena City Hall
A stunning example of civic architecture, offering a beautiful backdrop for photos. Its domed building and surrounding gardens provide ample opportunities for architectural photography.
Old Pasadena (Hugus Alley)
This historic area is adorned with rustic bricks, vintage shops, and festive decorations during holidays. It offers a charming backdrop for capturing urban life and architectural details.
Ombré Wall at ArtCenter
Located in the parking lot of ArtCenter College of Design's south campus, this ombré wall offers a unique and colorful backdrop for portraits. Best visited on weekends when the lot is less crowded.
French Garden Cafe
A charming venue with lush gardens and a French-inspired atmosphere, ideal for capturing romantic and natural scenes.
Hahamongna (Arroyo Seco) Watershed
This area features open fields, marshlands, and native oak woodlands, offering a diverse landscape for nature and wildlife photography.
Norton Simon Museum
A museum featuring an impressive collection of art housed in a beautiful building surrounded by gardens. It offers architectural and nature photography opportunities.
The Commons
Located on South Lake Avenue, this area is adorned with gorgeous hedge walls, vintage telephone booths, and bright yellow umbrellas, offering a colorful and unique setting for portraits.
Altadena's Eaton Canyon Nature Center
A nature preserve with trails and greenery, ideal for nature photography and wildlife spotting.
Idea Lab
Features a colorful mural spanning across buildings, providing a vibrant backdrop for photos. It is ideal for capturing artistic and urban moments.
The Commons on South Lake Avenue
This spot offers a charming backdrop with hedge walls, vintage telephone booths, and bright yellow umbrellas, making it ideal for portrait and street photography.
Idea Lab Mural
This colorful mural in downtown Pasadena provides a vibrant and artsy backdrop for street and portrait photography.
Plaza Las Fuentes
A public square surrounded by mosaic tile walls, shrubbery, and trees. It is perfect for capturing a variety of colors and textures in a single location.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Caltech offers a peaceful setting with beautiful historic buildings and lush green spaces, ideal for family or nature-themed photography.
Dalton Tile Wall
This vibrant tile wall features bright yellows, greens, and reds with funky patterns, offering a bold and unique backdrop for portraits.
Pasadena Public Library
A modern library with sleek architecture, offering a unique backdrop for urban and architectural photography.
Eaton Canyon
Not directly in Palmdale but nearby, it offers beautiful views of nature and opportunities for hiking and photography.
Alabaster Manor
A venue with a unique, elegant atmosphere, offering a sophisticated backdrop for portrait and wedding photography.
Dots Cafe Mural
This mural is painted in soft pastel shades of pink and green, creating a soft, romantic backdrop ideal for portrait photography.
Ombré Wall at ArtCenter College of Design
Located in a parking lot, this colorful ombre wall is a unique spot for capturing vibrant street art and portraits.
Public Library
This library offers a blend of modern architecture and natural surroundings, suitable for capturing urban and nature photography.
Dots Cupcake Mural
A soft pastel mural suitable for colorful and playful portrait photography.
The Idea Lab
This location features a colorful mural that spans across several buildings, offering a vibrant backdrop for street and portrait photography.
Pasadena City College (nearby)
Features modern and historic buildings, offering architecture and street photography opportunities, especially during college events.
Caltech Campus
Located nearby in Pasadena, offering architectural and street photography opportunities, especially around historical buildings.
Post Office
This historic building offers a classic architectural backdrop for street and historical photography.
Urth Caffe
A charming spot with a rustic, earthy atmosphere, ideal for capturing candid moments and street scenes.
Dots Cupcake Mural (Dots Cafe)
A soft pastel mural outside Dots Cafe provides a colorful backdrop for portraits and street photography.