Pasadena

Pasadena offers LA's most refined suburban experience, combining excellent safety with cultural attractions like the Huntington Gardens and Norton Simon Museum. This historic city provides a peaceful break from LA's intensity while maintaining good access to the broader metro area.

Pasadena feels like a completely different world from the rest of LA - it's this beautiful, safe city with one of California's lowest crime rates. Old Town Pasadena has all these restored Victorian and Art Deco buildings filled with shops and restaurants, and you can actually walk around here at night without worrying. The Huntington Gardens is amazing but pricey at $25-29 depending on the day - totally worth it though if you're into gardens and art. The Norton Simon Museum has incredible impressionist pieces for just $12. If you're here on a second Sunday, the Rose Bowl Flea Market is huge with thousands of vendors. The police presence is really good, and everything feels well-maintained and family-friendly. You can take the Metro Gold Line to get there, and parking is only $5/day. It's like a lovely suburban escape that's still connected to everything.