Situated eleven miles northeast of Los Angeles' downtown, Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The San Gabriel Mountains, the San Rafael Hills, and the Raymond Fault line encircle the larger Pasadena area. Located in the San Gabriel Mountains, the towering Angeles National Forest greenbelt in Pasadena is the source of the Arroyo Seco, a major geographic feature that is home to the Rose Bowl. The city has a total area of 23.1 square miles, with over 99% land and 0.68% water, according to the US Census Bureau.

Due to its location near the San Gabriel mountains, Pasadena enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with warmer summers and slightly colder winters than other coastal communities. Every year, additional rainfall is added by the orographic lift. Warm to moderate highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s Fahrenheit are typical of the early months; April brings rising temperatures and less precipitation. June and May see a lot of marine layers and little rain, referred to as the "June Gloom." July through October can see intense heat waves and few summer and fall showers. In late October, heatwaves, power outages, and heightened wildfire dangers are brought on by the Santa Ana winds. Lower temperatures, Pacific storms, and sporadic rain are all common throughout winter. The highest recorded annual temperature in Pasadena is 106°F on average. Rainfall in the city is approximately 20.08 inches annually, which is 6 inches more than that of neighboring Los Angeles because to orographic influences. Conditions of El Niño and La Niña are linked to wet and dry years, respectively.

Pasadena has a wide range of recreational activities, with the famed Tournament of Roses Parade (which has been held annually since 1890) and the historic Rose Bowl, home of the Rose Bowl Game, serving as its centerpieces. Together with renowned museums like the Norton Simon Museum and Pacific Asia Museum, the city is home to a thriving arts community that includes organizations like the Pasadena Playhouse and Pasadena Symphony. Artists are showcased at cultural events including Pasadena ART Weekend and ArtNight Pasadena. A hint of heritage is added by historic areas like Millionaire's Row and Bungalow Heaven. Athletes can enjoy Rose Bowl Stadium events as well as first-rate facilities including the Rose Bowl Tennis Center and Aquatics Center. Adding to its lively offers is Pasadena's professional futsal team, the Pasadena Purple Cows.

Pasadena is home to esteemed establishments such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Caltech has received 47 Nobel Prizes in total, with 46 Nobel Laureates. The highly competitive Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine accepted its first class in 2020. Another significant multidenominational seminary in Pasadena is Fuller Theological Seminary. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Pacific Oaks College, Providence Christian College, Art Center College of Design, Los Angeles Music Academy College of Music, and Pasadena City College are just a few of the many educational institutions located in the city. Mayfield Junior School and Polytechnic School are two private elementary and high schools that add to Pasadena's diverse educational environment.

With the Los Angeles Metro A Line light rail (previously Gold Line) linking it to other locations, Pasadena has an extensive transit network. Local mobility is improved by Pasadena Transit buses and regional services including Metro Local, Metro Express, LADOT, and Foothill Transit. In the past, Pasadena was a major hub for rail transportation because to the famous Santa Fe Depot and later Amtrak operations that lasted until 1994. Road connectivity is facilitated by freeways such as Arroyo Seco Parkway (SR 110), Ventura Freeway (SR 134), and Foothill Freeway (I-210). While larger airports like LAX and Ontario International handle more general travel, Hollywood Burbank Airport serves the surrounding area. Pasadena's accessibility is further enhanced by state routes such as Rosemead Boulevard and Angeles Crest Highway.