California Institute of Technology - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Though Caltech’s atmosphere is quiet and serene, it’s central location allows students to visit most of LA, San Diego, Las Vegas, and more. Caltech is in the more affluent section of Pasadena, neighboring mostly large estates and expensive houses. Pasadena also has numerous coffee shops available to Caltechers to help them stay awake. The Rose Bowl, a tourist site for many, has been an American sports landmark for over a century, and one would be hard-pressed to find a wilder celebration on New Year’s Day than the Tournament of Roses Parade. PCC (Pasadena City College) is located across the street from Caltech. PCC and Caltech students do not interact on a regular basis, but students from these schools have been known to hook up and/or date on occasion.

Pasadena is also a mere 30-minute drive from the California coastline. Malibu, Puma, and Ventura beaches are all easily accessible if you have a car or the money (and patience) for public transportation. Malibu is also the home of Pepperdine University. For sports fans, the Staples Center is a must-see. Downtown LA also has the La Brea Tar Pits for all you pre-historic buffs. Downtown is the home of USC (University of Southern California) and Occidental University. USC and Caltech collaborate on research projects, and every now and then, we have mixed a cappella concerts. For more distant ventures, Pasadena is also about two hours away from Tijuana and San Diego (home of the world’s greatest zoo, Sea World, and Lego-Land). Also, Vegas is only a four-hour drive away. Caltech students have the privilege of doing something different every weekend—that is, if they have the time!

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

If you want to visit other... If you want to visit other universities, it will require some form of transportation (such as a car). UCLA is about a half-hour drive away; USC is slightly closer. Then there are the Claremont Colleges which are 30 to 40 minutes away in the other direction. In Pasadena, there’s also the Art Center College of Design (an art school) where I think you can take some classes if you want, and Occidental College is about a 10-minute drive away (it’s a small liberal arts college located in Glendale). 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The atmosphere in Pasadena is... The atmosphere in Pasadena is friendly but posh. Nothing particular to stay away from, but do visit Old Pasadena and the various bookstores on Colorado. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Pasadena is a really cool city.... Pasadena is a really cool city. The new developments on Lake have a lot of shops and restaurants. The Old Pasadena part is also a lot of fun to check out. You should definitely visit Paseo Colorado, a large outdoors mall. It’s lots of fun. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Trader Joe’s is awesome! Everyone... Trader Joe’s is awesome! Everyone should also visit the Orean Health Express and partake in yoga at Bikram’s Yoga College of Pasadena. Furthermore, I strongly encourage patronizing the Equator Café in Old Pasadena. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The actual city of Pasadena is... The actual city of Pasadena is pretty varied. We have trendy spots (such as Old Town), run down parts (such as Northern Pasadena), and yuppie parts (like the homes around South Lake, near the Rose Bowl, and near the Huntington Gardens). 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Pasadena:
• The Rose Bowl and New Year’s Day Rose Bowl Parade both happen right here in Pasadena.
• NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) is situated in Pasadena.
• Pasadena has one of the nation’s top 20 steakhouses (Arroyo Chop House).
• The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens are located in Pasadena.
• Pasadena is home to several flocks of wild Amazon yellowhead parrots, especially on and near the Caltech campus.

Famous People from Pasadena:
Octavia Butler – African American feminist science fiction author
Julia Child – Television chef
Sally Fields – Award-winning actress

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