With its iconic dome and rising turrets, Pasadena City Hall is a fine example of the City Beautiful movement that took hold in the United States in the 1920s. The hall’s striking architecture has made it popular with various television producers, having appeared in Mission: Impossible, The Big Bang Theory and Charlie Chaplin’s masterpiece, The Great Dictator. See the spectacular structure at night, when lights illuminate its elegant and intricate façade.
Arrive at the rectangular building and stroll through the colonnade draping its eastern wing. Gaze up at the dome, topped by a green cupola standing at 206 feet (63 meters) above the ground. As you walk around the serene and picturesque grounds, notice the elegant red roof tiles and the baroque fountain in the green courtyard.
Relax in the rose garden at the top of the set of steps outside the front of the building. Attend one of the occasional events that are set up in these scenic gardens. The outdoor venue has a capacity for 250 people.
Take photos of your friends and families in front of the complex to get a sense of its sheer size. This lovely setting is a popular spot for wedding photos and movie showings.
Notice how the structure appears to be influenced by the aesthetic features of Spanish and 16th-century Renaissance architecture. It was designed by John Bakewell and Arthur Brown and completed in 1927. It is fitted with tremor-proof devices and has survived several large earthquakes over the decades.
Pasadena City Hall marks the central point of the city. Take the Gold Line of the metro to the Memorial Park Station and walk east for a couple of minutes to get here.
While in this historic district, make sure to visit other gems such as Pasadena Memorial Park, the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and the Pasadena Ice Skating Center.
