The City of Pasadena

Pasadena is one of the best spots to live. Just outside LA by 110fwy in 15min. Pretty streets, trees and homes.
Everyone here just complaining about getting a parking ticket. I have to laugh, when I travel to the west side they have so many different parking signs on the pole that I need my Dick Tracy Decoder Ring to figure out if I can park there or not.
Get over it people and pay attention or pay money.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!
They scam vistors with random tickets DONT visit if you can avoid. Say they post signs at entrance to the city about random laws so be very weary youll get fined for things you didnt even know you did.
Its a very large city scam to collect large sums of money from vistors and use the law to enforce it. AGAIN BE WEARY!
Ill never visit again.

One of my many stomping grounds, Pasadena has a nice and relaxed environment. I sometimes come to the Urth Café located here, then go for a walk for an hour or so with friends. There is a plethora of shops, bars, restaurants, and cafes along Colorado Blvd.
My approach to get here is the 110N, since I drive from the city of Torrance. Taken to its entirety, Colorado Blvd is a few blocks north from the end of the 110.
Notable places here not yet mentioned are: Houston’s, Dr. Thomas Taylor, Equinox, Cheesecake Factory, and my job here (which I’m not telling where it is specifically, but it’s in medical research).
I’ve never had a bad experience in this town, so I don’t know what people are talking about when they talk about gangsters and drug dealers. Maybe that’s another part of Pasadena?
I’ll make it a point to come out here once for a Rose Parade sometime in the near future, to add some pizzazz to my Unilocal reviews.

The city of Pasadena permit center and anything to do with business administration is AWFUL. They don’t take phone calls. They take weeks to respond to messages. when they do call you back after leaving 5 messages for a permit that we paid $ 950 for they don’t have any information in front of them so they can’t really help you. Their inspectors are just as lazy. The first roof inspector tried to sign off on our roof without actually getting on the roof. They want permits for everything as a way to get more money but they just continue to rip you off and every office I have had to deal with is trouble. Lazy workers who don’t want to work. Pasadena is a great place to live but if you want to do anything to your home or need a permit good luck. they nickel and dime you and make it super difficult. We had issues with our neighbors rats because their backyard is a garbage dump and reported it to city of Pasadena and they never followed up. we live in historic highlands and they require even more hoops to jump through for new work but don’t enforce anything that is pre-​existing. Unilocal reviews won’t hurt them because you are stuck if you love here dealing with them.

NO OVERNIGHT PARKING WITHOUT PERMIT!!!
Spread the word so the City of Pasadena Parking stops SCAMMING! I appealed my parking ticket. There aren’t any parking restriction signs posted. Not a one. My appeal was rejected on the basis that parking restriction signs are posted on freeway ramps in Pasadena. What!?! Who looks for PARKING signs as they are exiting or entering freeway ramps!?! What if you do not access freeways !?!
Citing officer was CHAVEZ — tsk, tsk, tsk.

Terrible service at the permit center. 2 hours to pull an over the counter roof permit. You can do this online at City of LA in 5 minutes from your office. Fail.

I spent 4 years living in Pasadena. It was a wonderful place to land when moving to LA but I can’t recommend staying there if you’re young.
The only saving grace is Old Town. Old Town is truly beautiful BUT it’s not very lively. If you want to frequent Old Town, you’d better love to shop or eat. You’d also better love to pay for parking if you plan to stay for longer than 90 minutes. There are a couple cool hangouts in Old Town like BirdPick Tea and Herb and Intelligentsia but most other establishments offer mediocre food with a couple exceptions. Even on the weekends Old Town is a bit dull and when a neat restaurant or bar opens, enjoy it while you can because it will likely close within 6 – 12 months due to the chokehold commercial property owners have on the historic district or the people who won’t patronize cool places. I had a few friends visit from Long Beach and we had run out of things to do by 11 PM in Old Town and were forced to retire to my apartment. It’s not a bad thing but it speaks to the area. Be prepared on weekends to drive around Old Town aimlessly while the «security force» shuts down the parking garages due to capacity. Don’t be fooled, if you’re a hot young girl — they’ll move the cones and let you in. You’ll notice 10 — 20 cars coming out of the «full garage» while they keep the cones and signs in place and text on their phones, leaving you to waste gas and likely swear off Old Town and leave. Outside Old Town and away from the affluent streets of palatial homes, it’s your average grid pattern streets with run down, classless store fronts. East of Pasadena it’s basically a grid version of Suburbia with shopping centers, small «towns» and chain restaurants which, for someone moving to LA for the excitement and adventure, will crush your soul and leave you wondering why you left the comfort of wherever it is you came from. There’s also a strange nightlife scene — mostly retail workers who are blowing off steam after a long day of hocking crap at malls and shops. I really enjoy the nightlife across parts of LA because you can have meaningful, productive conversations (I know, seems strange) with entrepreneurs, artists, businessmen and women and feel like you’re not just going out, but networking and growing. In Pasadena, it’s «we sold $ 3,000 today worth of shoes» «this holiday season is stressing me out because we have so many customers» or «I had a client today at the salon that didn’t tip me well.»
There really isn’t a great place to get a haircut and even going to the movies can be an expensive chore (with parking fees and long treks because theaters are inside malls). I found that I was going to the San Fernando Valley or LA proper for most things that didn’t involve groceries (plenty of Whole Foods and Trader Joes). Essentially, it’s a cheaper place to live with beautiful homes and manicured lawns BUT if you’re under 45, you won’t spend much time there. I was spending so much on gas that I finally said screw it, I’m moving.
I once got a $ 58 parking ticket because there wasn’t anything on the meters along that street designating that weekend hours are extended well into the night. Paying the ticket was an extreme pain that took well over an hour because there were so many other people there doing the same thing. I always try to be courteous but the employees there had no interest in reciprocating common human decency.
There is a proportionally large population of homeless people, many who have cell phones and get into cars at the end of the day, and such a large number in the really nice Central Park that it makes it difficult to enjoy it without being solicited for money. Several of the homeless look like hardcore drug users and some are visibly intoxicated. At night, it’s best to avoid the park altogether. If the homeless have no resources for help — that’s something the city should address. It’s near impossible to walk around Old Town without being hit up for cash several times in the expanse of a few minutes. They aren’t as bothersome as the incessant Scientology goofballs that walk up to you with free stress test coupons and say «here you go.»
One thing that became apparent was the lack of diversity. Not ethnic diversity — but geographical or cultural. In Pasadena I was surrounded by native residents whereas LA is a melting pot of people from all over. I got a sense that most were going through the motions of everyday life, which didn’t inspire me much. With a lack of social things to do and the hassle of doing what there is to do, it doesn’t seem to attract many people from LA. I think it’s viewed more as a novelty place among Angelenos as a glorified getaway spot to not feel like they’re in LA.
In and of itself, Pasadena was a good home but I outgrew it quickly. I would return, but I’d have to be much older.

The Pasadena permit center… Not a very helpful place. Poor attitudes and employees who treat you like a number… Because you are. This city needs to hire some smiling faces that can help you rather than stress you out. And you may or may not have a parking ticket on your car after waiting forever to be helped:(
Well played Pasadena.

WARNING!
I just got a parking ticket in Old Town that still had TIME LEFT in the meter!
Off. LE LA CRUZ issued the bogus ticket!
what a sham!

They are so slow!!! An hour wait just to pay the sidewalk fee at the cashier and they don’t take payments over the phone. In the meantime, you need to keep feeding their meters!!!

Parking department sucks
Permits and inspections sucks
Its unbelievable how disrespectful they are to us residents and whoever comes to visit

The costs of parking in this area far outweigh any authentic experience unique to it. Anything I can find in Pasadena I can find somewhere else in Los Angeles.
Not another cent from me Pasadena :)

READ THIS BEFORE YOU MOVE HERE
The city itself is filled with beautiful houses. Pasadena, like all other cities, has its good parts and its rough parts. The areas where the homes are not huge consist of properties that are old with many problems ranging from old plumbing to bad (and old) electrical wiring.
South Pasadena is its own thing and seems much nicer and supposedly a really great high school (The one on the news where the one kid threatened to shoot up the school)
You will likely live near renters because few people who live in the smaller ones own them. Also, expect your neighbors to be less than friendly.
If you are looking for a place to raise your children then THIS IS NOT IT.
Pasadena has some of the worst schools. There is ONE blue ribbon elementary school –Longfellow — and some sad little charter schools if you can get into them.
Most children here attend private school.
Pasadena High School is good enough. But way below the academic levels of schools in say Orange County for example.
From what I hear, it used to be filled with gangs. It’s all cleaned up now but lacks serious funds. Parent participation is actually not terribly low. No sign of affluence by the looks of the activities they turn out.
The parking here is horrendous. There is no overnight parking In the entire city (and no signs either). A permit can be obtained online for $ 5. Just print and place inside the car windshield.
Beware: There are VERY, VERY FEW good services of any kind here. Find your hair stylist, barber, nail salon, eye brow threading, and repair people somewhere else. Or stick with me, I”m doing the leg work.
Running simple errands is a huge undetaking that usually requires a parking permit and enduring bad customer «service» in a run down place.
This area has shown to have some of the worst most selfish drivers ever… drive carefully here. Someone will likely cut you off so be on the lookout.
Someone is always filming something, but that’s L.A. in general, so you will likely have to find another way around the one way streets to get to your destination.
There is a lot of wannabe cool restaurants with mediocre food, no good nightlife, and a homeless person in every corner, even more in «Old Town Pasadena».
I can’t understand how such an expensive city can be so bad.
Oh and plastic shopping bags are banned here so either look like a looter or remember to take a shopping bag with you wherever you go.
TIPS:
1. Find your grocery store. I like King Market more than Vons because it is not freezing and has more variety of food.
2. There is no WalMart near by… but a nicer (but smaller) Target with pretty good parking is the one on Colorado and Sierra Madre. It’s cleaner and has better parking than the other one.
3. There are wild parrots flying around. They sound horrible but are very pretty.
4. Give yourself plenty of time to find parking when you go anywhere (in Pasadena)
5. Drive carefully, there are a lot of entitled drivers here.
6. Making friends may be difficult, have an open mind and invite family and friends you already have over often to keep you from feeling isolated.
7. Follow me on Unilocal… I am still looking for a nail salon and a post office.

This is a fun city to go hang out in. It is definitely a unique place. I mean is it part of the SGV or not? Some say yes, some say no. I dont care either way.
It has some bad areas, some posh areas, and some WHOA areas. Literally it is home to some super dubious things like the Colorado Street Bridge sometimes better known as the Suicide Bridge. However it is also home to one of the 2 best known Parades in the US if not the world with the Rose Parade. Add to that the Rose Bowl an old town district that has gone through a recent revival.
There are all kinds of other fun things to do in this city. But the two most popular that I am aware of are to eat and spend time at a bar. I definitely have done a lot in this town and it is well worth coming to hang out.
The only things that I dont like are having to pay for parking, parking ticket nazi’s, and ohhhh you cant park between 2 and 5 am on the street without a special parking pass =\ BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo!!!
None the less the city as a whole is still rather awesome IMHO. Who knows I may see you running around there one of these days…

The «No Overnight Parking» law is a racketeering scam. There are no warning signs along the streets where you can be cited. There is, however, a sign that’s supposedly located right off the freeway off-​ramp, which they argue is an «obvious» warning on display for everyone to see that you can’t park overnight between 2−6am …
… Especially when you’re driving 50mph and too busy looking out for traffic lights and other cars to avoid getting into an accident.
And it’s not even enforced by the police — Pasadena has outsourced the enforcement to a third party company called Inter-​Con (a fitting name; no better way to make a profit than leeching off government).
Pasadena prides itself on creating jobs. I’m sure there’s no shortage of parking enforcement jobs when residents can get cited for parking on the street in front of their own houses.

We went to eat at fine dining restaurant and the only parking was a 1 hour parking on the street. I paid for the one hour parking and went to eat and there is no way you can spend one hour to eat. We came outside after little over an hour and what do you know there was a parking ticket on my car for $ 46. That is ridiculous, that someone can’t even have a nice lunch without being harassed by the city.

I don’t even want to give this city a star. Reason: SHADY LAWS. As a resident of the westside, I went to Pasadena for a birthday event and found street parking that didn’t limit overnight parking (I checked the ENTIRE block before leaving my car). The next day, I get a ticket for $ 47 because it turns out there is no overnight parking ANYWHERE in the city without a pass (i didn’t even see a single kiosk while I was getting to my destination). It turns out the city thinks its okay to trick people into thinking they can park in a spot when they really can’t.
Shady, shady, shady.

Permits, inherently, are a pain. I visit this office frequently for work.
Overall, if you’re nice to the workers they will be nice to you. They are people too who I’ve seen them yelled at by people who don’t want to follow the process. Don’t be that jerk.
If you’re confused or don’t know what to do just ask! They want to help you get a permit. Then the city gets money.
Expect to wait. There is free wifi so bring you laptop or stay on Facebook the whole time to pass time.
If you’re paying with your bosses’ card you will need ID, business cards, and singed/​dated paperwork stating you’re authorized to use it and sign your name.

For my purposes of visiting Pasadena, it’s a nice city.
Pasadena has many decent restaurants for dining and theaters for movie watching. Paseo Colorado and Old Town are nice places to stroll and indulge. 90 minute free parking in the Old Town garages is a nice perk. It’s easy to maneuver about the city compared to places like DTLA, WeHo, or Beverly Hills.

With salsa dancing classes, taco trucks, Rose Bowl, food of various cultures, old American restaurants, Museums, Colorado blvd, Lucky Boyz, Juice shops, shopping district and lots and lots and lots of trees.
Pasadena gives you a nice feeling.
Song parody
All you gotta do is salsa away in the night, what a time
Run the rosebowl track while I try to compliment you, yeah
And all you gotta do at a place I recall
Get some good, tasty food
Burgers, tacos, pizza, fries, maybe ramen or some kind of rice
I just wanna cruise with you
I just wanna Unilocal and bliss
And I wish that I could come down here tonight
You give me buttered rice, and fries and pies and ice
All I gotta say is I am foodie dreaming, keep it real
You are not south SGV, still I can feel you near me
I confess boo, hear a concert, feel the trees and listen
Juice shops feed me everything, to make nutrition true
Pasadena gives me butterflies
I just wanna Unilocal and bliss
And I wish that I could come down here tonight
You give me buttered rice, and fries and pies and ice
I just wanna Unilocal and bliss
And I wish that I could come down here tonight
You give me buttered rice, and fries and pies and ice
If you can understand, just how much I know you
Steppin to the night babe
With Pasadena love, I will show you, show you
Till the end of time
I just wanna Unilocal and bliss
And I wish that I could come down here tonight
You give me buttered rice, and fries and pies and ice
I just wanna Unilocal and bliss
And I wish that I could come down here tonight
You give me buttered rice, and fries and pies and ice
I just wanna Unilocal and bliss
And I wish that I could come down here tonight
You give me buttered rice, and fries and pies and ice