Exploring Pasadena, California, emerges as a top recommendation from AnneLise Sorensen of The New York Times for 2024. This artsy, walkable city boasts historic architecture, lush gardens, and cultural landmarks. Easily accessible via the Regional Connector, Pasadena provides a tranquil retreat from the bustling streets of Los Angeles, offering outdoor adventures amidst California’s urban sprawl.

The San Gabriel Mountains preside over Pasadena like a sylvan crown, and hiking and biking trails framed by forested valleys and tumbling waterfalls abound in places like the Angeles National Forest. The leafy city center is eminently stroll-able, with a vibrant main street and the nearby Norton Simon Museum, which features a sculpture garden inspired by Monet’s grounds at Giverny. The Pasadena Playhouse offers serious drama as well as youth-focused programming. And PST Art, a Getty museum project, will include exhibitions at Pasadena museums and art centers this year.