Non-wedding-related things to do while you're here
Note: The Caltech Bookstore, open 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, has discount tickets to a number of different places (especially theme parks).
Pasadena attractions
| Distance from Caltech: | 1.5 miles |
| Comments: | The art is enjoyable, the desert garden is amazing, and the library includes books and manuscripts you read about but don't expect to ever see in person. Their all-you-can-eat tea is expensive ($25/person), but extremely tasty. |
photos from our visits |
| Distance from Caltech: | 2.5 miles |
| Comments: | Small but impressive museum with a lovely garden area, located on the other side of Old Town. A great bargain, too: free for minors and students, $4 for seniors, $8 for everyone else. |
photos from our visits |
| Distance from Caltech: | 2 miles |
| Comments: | The "social" center of Pasadena, Old Town has tons of shops, restaurants, bars, etc. |
| Distance from Caltech: | as close as 5 miles |
| Comments: | To get to the Sam Merril Trail, just drive up Lake Avenue (the major north-south street three blocks east of Caltech) until it ends at the trail head. (At the top are ruins of the cable car and hotel that used to be there.) |
| Distance from Caltech: | 4 miles |
| Comments: | There aren't any events going on at the end of March, but a lot of people like to run there, and there's a nice driving range and golf course. |
Greater Los Angeles area attractions
| Distance from Caltech: | 27 miles, 30 miles |
| Comments: | Beautiful architecture, beautiful art. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day at either. |
photos from our visits |
| Distance from Caltech: | 17 miles |
| Comments: | It's extra cool when the pits themselves are open (the hours for which don't seem to be on the website), but the museum is a fun time regardless. |
photos from our visits |
Long Beach
| Distance from Caltech: | 30 miles |
| Comments: | The aquarium is very well done, and even has tanks where you can pet rays and sharks. I'm not sure what type of whales, if any, will be around at the end of March, but our autumn whale-watching trip was amazing. |
photos from our visits |
Hollywood (Hollywood Blvd & N Highland Ave)
| Distance from Caltech: | 16 miles (preferably not in a car) |
| Comments: | This is where to go to see the Walk of Fame and the hand prints in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Try to avoid driving there, if possible, since Sunset, Hollywood, and the 101 are have notoriously horrible traffic. |
Santa Monica & Venice Beach
| Distance from Caltech: | 27-36 miles |
| Comments: | A fabulous bike/skate path connects Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach (where Muscle Beach is located).
Warning: The Pacific is cold. |
photos from our visits |
Theme parks
| Distance from Caltech: | 16 miles |
| Comments: | Close and fun. |
| Distance from Caltech: | 36 miles |
| Comments: | We've never been there, but would like to go sometime. |
| Distance from Caltech: | 37 miles |
| Comments: | Though it's no Cedar Point, there are plenty of good roller coasters. |
| Distance from Caltech: | 41 miles |
| Comments: | Where parents can enjoy endless trips through the Small World Ride. |
| Distance from Caltech: | 99 miles |
| Comments: | Most of the rides are designed for kids, but the complex Lego sculptures (including scale models of many famous real-life buildings) will amaze adults, too. |
photos from our visits |
Las Vegas, NV
| Distance from Caltech: | 268 miles (4 to 4.5 hours) |
| Comments: | Disneyland for grown-ups, though a lesser place since the closure of Star Trek: The Experience this past September. |
photos from our visits |
Straying southward
| Distance from Caltech: | 134 miles (2 to 2.5 hours) |
| Comments: | Lots of attractions (including some involving pandas). |
photos from our visits |
Baja, Mexico
| Distance from Caltech: | 148 miles (2.5 hours) to the border |
| Comments: | Though there won't be a 50-mile bike ride (our usual reason for going), the churros and tacos are a pretty good reason to go, in and of themselves. There are also many scenic towns and beaches. (If you do go, make sure to get Mexican auto insurance (can be purchased online) and be prepared to wait a couple hours to get back into the U.S.A.) |
photos from our visits |