Pasadena was a center of the early twentieth century Arts & Crafts movement, and it celebrates its Arts & Crafts heritage with an annual weekend of tours. The Gamble House, a landmark Arts & Crafts home designed by architects Greene & Greene is open to the public year round.

The Pasadena Playhouse presents several productions annually; including world premieres which have sometimes gone on to Broadway. The Norton Simon Museum features an extensive collection of Western art, while the Pacific Asia Museum focuses on art from Asia.