Pasadena is one of the most well known cities in Southern California, whether for the annual Rose Bowl Parade and Rose Bowl, as the home of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, it's many cultural attractions or even the Beach Boys hit of the 1960's. There is a lot of history and a wealth of things to see and do in this city, located just outside of Los Angeles. Even if you've never visited the city, you probably know at least a little about Pasadena.

What makes Pasadena so special? While there are a lot of southern California cities which can boast of having a fascinating history, none of them can compete with Pasadena. Like many other cities in California, Pasadena was once peopled by Native Americans. An early settler of the area was Benjamin Wilson who lived on the Lake Vineyard property. An Indiana doctor visited Wilson in 1873 in his search for a place for patients with respiratory ailments to stay. People quickly followed the doctor out to Pasadena and there was soon an Indiana Colony. The inhabitants named the settlement Pasadena, from the Indian phrase "of the valley"

Within a decade, the town's fame spread among Easterners. In fact, in the years leading up to the Great Depression, Pasadena became a winter resort for wealthy Easterners. With the influx of settlers from the East came new cultural attractions. Artists, actors, and scientists were among those who helped bring fame to Pasadena. The Pasadena Playhouse, which presents seven shows a season, got its start here in 1917. The Norton Simon Museum, containing art that spans more than 2,000 years from all over the world, was founded in 1922. Pasadena's Art Center of College and Design, a leader in art and design education that trains students to make an impact on the world through their talents, was established in 1930. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) got its start in 1936, with a group of men who refused to believe that rockets only belonged in science fiction. JPL is now a highly respected center for NASA in robotics and spacecraft design and manufacturing.

Before the influx of new settlers, Pasadena was an agrarian community. In 1886, a construction boom began, with what is now known as the Old Pasadena Historic District becoming the center of industry and business for the San Gabriel Valley. Today, some of this history can be gleaned from the facades of the buildings which line Colorado Boulevard. What Pasadena may be best known for, however is the Tournament of Roses, a parade which has been a New Year's Day tradition in Pasadena since it was started by the Pasadena Valley Hunt Club in 1890. The residents of Pasadena used the parade as a showcase of the beauty and mild winter weather of their city for the benefit of east coast and Midwestern populations.

And of course, there is the Rose Bowl, "The Grandaddy of Them All" when it comes to college football games The Rose Bowl has sold out every year since 1947. While you can of course watch the Rose Bowl on television, there's nothing like being there in person. If you're thinking about going, look into Pasadena hotels and lodges online.