A Caltech student’s life can often feel consumed by an overwhelming amount of problem sets, exams, projects, and other assignments. I’ve always been a strong advocate for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, even though it can be challenging to achieve. Over my first year at Caltech, I’ve learned it’s important to take a break sometimes and explore places off-campus to destress. All Caltech students can also get a free bus and metro pass, which is perfect to visit places. Here are some of my favorite places in Pasadena and LA to visit and their distance from campus!

Food

I love food, and exploring different restaurants around Pasadena and LA is one of my favorite weekend activities. A lot of these places are near campus, perfect for when you’re busy and want a quick getaway.

Old Towne Cafe (Pasadena, 0.8 miles from Caltech)

I cannot even begin to describe how delicious the food here is. Old Towne Cafe, only a 10 minute walk from campus, serves breakfast all day! Eggs, waffles, crepes, French toast, smoothies, and a wide variety of tea and coffee is only part of their expansive menu. My friends and I love coming here on the weekends for brunch!

Daisy Mint (Pasadena, 0.7 miles)

Also less than a 10-minute walk from campus, Daisy Mint has amazing Thai food. Whenever I’m craving something spicy, I love visiting this restaurant for their delicious Pad Thai and spring rolls. 

Afters (Pasadena, 0.5 miles)

Afters is a student favorite ice cream shop just two blocks off campus. They have a variety of flavors, and they’re open till midnight to satisfy any late-night cravings! My personal favorite flavor is cookie butter.

Namaste Spiceland (Pasadena, 1 mile)

A grocery store and restaurant combined in one, Namaste Spiceland is the perfect place to go if you want to eat Indian food or buy groceries and Indian snacks. Their meals are really affordable, and the restaurant offers different items on the menu every day. 

Roots Indian Bistro (LA, 18 miles)

Roots Indian Bistro, located in LA, is an authentic and fusion Indian restaurant with a unique menu. My friend celebrated her birthday here, and the food was incredible. Some of their best fusion menu items include the chaat nachos, the chana chalupa, and the dosa quesadilla. 

Beaches 

What’s Southern California without its famous beaches? Some of these beaches near and around Caltech in the LA area are perfect to visit on a weekend. As a native Floridian, I always need my beach time :))

Santa Monica Pier (26 miles from Caltech)

Santa Monica Pier is the famous beach with the giant Ferris wheel. The boardwalk features a bunch of small stores, food, ice cream stores, and photo booths; it’s a great place to walk and enjoy the scenery! Catching the sunset here, especially on the Ferris wheel, is a beautiful sight. 

Long Beach (29 miles)

Long Beach is a city near LA, and they have so many exciting things to participate in. Be sure to catch the swan boat ride, where you get to paddle a swan boat around a lake! The beach is also large and expansive, but from my past experience, it’s always too cold to swim in the water. There are also a lot of cool food spots around the area. 

Manhattan Beach (31 miles)

One of my favorite beaches for a day trip, Manhattan Beach is typically a less crowded beach that has beautiful views. You can walk down the pier and visit the aquarium there, which features all kinds of sea creatures! It’s also an amazing place to watch the sunset (can you tell I love sunsets already?). 

Other fun places in Pasadena

If you don’t feel like commuting far to LA, here are some fun places in Pasadena that you can walk or take the bus to!

Lake Avenue (about 1 mile)

About a 10 minute walk from campus, Lake Avenue is filled with restaurants and shopping centers. Trader Joe’s, Chipotle, Dunkin’ Donuts, Jamba Juice, Einstein’s Bros Bagels, and other fine dining restaurants and smaller eateries are scattered across the avenue. There are also stores such as Ross and Walgreens to buy essentials. One of my favorite places to visit on Lake is Twinkle Tea, a boba store, which also has a student discount!

PCC Flea Market (0.3 miles)

Open on the first Sunday of every month from 8 am to 3 pm, the PCC Flea Market takes place in the parking lots of Pasadena City College, about a 5 minute walk from Caltech. They have so many cute items, from jewelry to plants to clothes to other trinkets. 

Huntington Gardens (1.4 miles)

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in Pasadena is a famous tourist attraction. With Caltech students being able to get a big discount for yearly admission, a lot of students love to visit on weekends to see the gardens and study in the library. It’s especially beautiful to see the flowers and greenery in spring term. Every year, the Huntington Gardens also has a lottery for free student admission, where 500 students all over LA County can get a year’s membership for free.

Those are some of my favorite spots to visit around Caltech. It’s always relaxing to get off campus, even if only for a couple of hours. I hope to explore the area more in the upcoming years!