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Pasadena has an urban-suburban mixed vibe and there is plenty of pet-friendly things to do in this city. It’s definitely not your typical Los Angeles County as it’s a calm and relatively quiet area. If you are visiting LA and have some extra time to explore outside of Downtown LA or Hollywood, we think you’ll enjoy this area.

1. Pasadena City Hall

100 Garfield Ave., Pasadena, CA

We were initially drawn to Pasadena City Hall when we found out that it had ties to one of our favorite shows, Park and Recreation. This gorgeous city hall was built in 1927 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The building has a mix of Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial-style architecture with an exquisite cast stone fountain in the courtyard. It’s open to the public and we were pleasantly surprised that it was pet-friendly. Every corner is picturesque so it’s no wonder this city hall is a photoshoot hot spot.

We visited both at sunset and sunrise and it’s definitely a lot quieter in the mornings. During sunset, you’ll witness a ton of wedding and engagement photoshoots. Also, don’t be surprised if you happen to show up on a day where there is filming in progress. That’s exactly what happened to us, so we had to shift our plans and visit after filming wrapped.

2. Coffee and Plants

62 W Union St. Unit 2

This adorable cafe recently opened its doors and is already a huge hit. Their grand mission is to help the planet one cup at a time and we just adore the flowery decor here.

They are the first 100% plant-based cafe in Los Angeles and are super pet-friendly. Not only have they partnered with the National Forest Foundation, but they also donate a portion of their proceeds to abused and neglected animals in need.

Your fur baby can order a puppacinno off the menu, which consists of coconut whipped cream topped with a vegan biscuit. We love that the pups are treated to healthy alternatives.

3. Colorado Blvd.

1 E Colorado Blvd. 

Colorado Boulevard is a major street that is filled with shops, restaurants, cafes and is often referred to as Old Pasadena or Old Town Pasadena.

There is a mix of boutiques and retail stores like Athleta, Sephora, and West Elm. Most of the shops welcome dogs except for establishments that serve food indoors.

One of our favorite shops in the area is the Dog Bakery. You’ll find the cutest all-natural baked treats here as well as an array of dog goods. You can even order a freshly baked dog cake and have it shipped right to your door.

4. Sage Plant-Based Bistro & Brewery

41 Hugus Alley

We noticed Sage when we saw their large pet-friendly outdoor deck. The huge open space lured us in and that’s when we discovered that they were a plant-based bistro and brewery. 

We looked over the menu thoroughly and decided on the Mac ‘N’ Cheese and Farm Veggie Pizza. Their crust is made with local Sonora wheat flour (Sonora wheat is high in protein and has very low gluten-forming proteins) and has a fantastic texture. 

We both enjoyed the pizza and were pleasantly surprised with the bold flavors of the vegan mozzarella and dill cashew ‘cheese’. There wasn’t a dog menu, but Captain did get a big bowl of iced water and lots of attention.

5. True Food Kitchen

168 W Colorado Blvd.

If you want to relax in an eco-chic atmosphere that serves health-conscious cuisine, including vegan options (plus cocktails!) you’ll definitely want to dine here with your pup.

The service is outstanding and everything we ordered was seasoned and presented beautifully. Zooey enjoyed the space and everyone was super dog friendly. Several of the servers would stop by to pet Zooey and she was loving all the attention she was getting.

6. Hahamongna Watershed Park 

4550 Oak Grove Dr.

This park is beautifully maintained with plenty of facilities which include a Frisbee golf course, numerous picnic areas, barbecue pits, an athletic field, hiking trails, and restrooms.

Our pups love running around here and we enjoy it as well. Don’t be surprised if you see a horse or two as there is an equestrian trail and a horse stable in the park. There is so much to explore here that you have to make more than one visit to fully appreciate it.

7. Republik Coffee

854 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101

When Republik Coffee first opened its doors, we wanted to try their signature Black Vanilla Latte but we hesitated to visit since the location is in the South Lake Business District of Pasadena. Parking can be tricky during the week, but when we visited on a Sunday, parking was a breeze.

We were blown away by the service, food, and drinks as everything was delicious and presented so beautifully. The outdoor space was on a gorgeous tree-lined street and Zooey really liked the cushioned seating. We ordered an avocado toast, a variety of pastries, and the signature black vanilla latte.

The latte and avocado toast were fantastic, but what we really enjoyed was their pastries. So much so that we put in another order to take some of their pastries home with us.

8. Little Flower Cafe & Bakery

1422 W Colorado Blvd.

Crystal loves dessert shops, so whenever she is visiting California, we always try to find a spot where we can grab some sweet treats. We’ve been here several times already and everything is absolutely divine. 

Our favorite is their mochi dessert. Their flavors rotate and our favorite is the Matcha Mochi. We can’t stop thinking about the matcha mochi and can’t wait for it to come back in season. If you’re a fan of baguettes, you have to have one here. Everything is made from scratch and this is THE best baguette I’ve ever had.

There is limited seating outdoors, but it can get a little cramped so we suggest ordering for carryout and walking across the street to San Rafael Park. It’s a nice neighborhood park where you can enjoy a picnic with the pups.

9. Healthy Spot

614 E Colorado Blvd.

Healthy Spot is a pet store; however, they hold social events throughout the year that are fun for both humans and pets. The store itself provides an array of services like grooming and pet products, but our favorite has been their holiday-themed social events.

The pups get VIP treatment and typically receive gift bags, puppatinis, photo-ops, and tons of treats to try. Definitely sign-up for their emails for their upcoming events since they put a limit on the attendees.

Where to Stay

There are eight dog-friendly hotels in Pasadena with a variety of budget options. We prefer accommodations that don’t charge an extra fee for pets, so we recommend The Westin Pasadena. It’s a great option for two-dog families and they provide dog beds and bowls.