Pasadena is famous for its colorful history and the hosting of the Tournament of Roses Parade since 1890 and the annual Rose Bowl football game since 1902. The city of Pasadena was founded in 1874 and in 1886 became the first city in the greater Los Angeles area to be incorporated as part of Los Angeles County. It is also one of the primary scientific and cultural centers of Southern California, home to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institue of Technology (Caltech), Art Center College of Design, the Pasadena Playhouse, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pacific Asia Museum.

Pasadena offers a quality of life that is second to none - natural scenic beauty, a vibrant cultural and academic environment, and lively nightlife in an architecturally rich setting. Situated along the beautiful foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, Pasadena is a dynamic city that offers a surprising combination of sohisticated charm, culture, history, and fun.