San Gabriel Valley Guide cover

San Gabriel Valley Guide

Curated byJanine Marie Sells Homes4 stacksUpdated Sep 2026
Top attractions, restaurants, coffee shops, and schools across Pasadena, Arcadia, San Gabriel, Alhambra, and beyond

A guide to notable colleges and universities across the Greater San Gabriel Valley, from Caltech in Pasadena to Cal Poly Pomona, covering research universities, community colleges, and a private Christian university.

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
caltech.edu
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) homepage showcases recent news, research highlights, and upcoming events spanning topics from fast radio bursts and Mars exploration to smart bandages and AI.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Pasadena City College
pasadena.edu
Pasadena City College

Pasadena City College (PCC) is a California community college offering 125+ career education programs, transfer pathways, and a wide range of student services.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC)
mtsac.edu
Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC)

Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) is a California community college offering over 400 academic programs, certificates, and associate degrees across diverse career clusters.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Citrus College
citruscollege.edu
Citrus College

Citrus College is a community college offering student support services, STEM programs, financial aid, and pathways to transfer and career success.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Azusa Pacific University (APU)
apu.edu
Azusa Pacific University (APU)

Azusa Pacific University (APU) is a Christ-centered institution founded in 1899, offering undergraduate, graduate, and online programs across multiple Southern California campuses.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Cal Poly Pomona
cpp.edu
Cal Poly Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona is a polytechnic university in Southern California ranked #1 for diversity and economic mobility, offering hands-on learning across programs in engineering, business, agriculture, design, and more.

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Janine Marie Gregory

A guide to the best independent coffee shops and roasters across the San Gabriel Valley, from Old Pasadena roasteries to San Gabriel's boba-coffee fusion cafes.

Jones Coffee Roasters (South Pasadena/Pasadena)
jonescoffeeroasters.com
Jones Coffee Roasters (South Pasadena/Pasadena)

Jones Coffee Roasters is a coffee business based in South Pasadena and Pasadena offering online ordering with promotions.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar (Pasadena)
lavenderandhoneyespresso.com
Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar (Pasadena)

Lavender and Honey Espresso Bar is a boutique coffee bar and deli with locations including Pasadena and a newly opened Redondo Beach branch.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters (Pasadena)
jamesonbrown.com
Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters (Pasadena)

Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee roaster and cafe located in Pasadena, California.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Bopomofo Cafe (San Gabriel)
bopomofocafe.com
Bopomofo Cafe (San Gabriel)

Bopomofo Cafe is an Asian-American cafe chain with locations across Southern California, offering a seasonal menu of specialty teas, boba drinks, and fusion food items.

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Janine Marie Gregory
7 Leaves Cafe (Alhambra)
7leavescafe.com
7 Leaves Cafe (Alhambra)

7 Leaves Cafe in Alhambra offers a Ham and Brie croissant, a warm, golden-baked pastry filled with soft brie cheese and savory sliced ham.

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Janine Marie Gregory

Must-try restaurants across the Greater San Gabriel Valley, spanning Arcadia and Pasadena classics. Covers everything from dim sum and Chinese-American staples to legendary diners and historic dining rooms.

Din Tai Fung (Arcadia)
dtf.com
Din Tai Fung (Arcadia)

The Taiwanese chain's original North American location, famous for xiao long bao soup dumplings, in Arcadia.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Yang Chow Restaurant (Pasadena)
yangchow.com
Yang Chow Restaurant (Pasadena)

A Pasadena outpost of the LA institution known for its iconic Slippery Shrimp, founded by the Yun family in 1977.

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Janine Marie Gregory
The Raymond 1886
theraymond.com
The Raymond 1886

A historic Pasadena restaurant set in the former caretaker's cottage of the 1886 Raymond Hotel, serving New American cuisine.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Pie 'n Burger (Pasadena)
pienburger.com
Pie 'n Burger (Pasadena)

Pie 'n Burger is a restaurant located in Pasadena with an official web presence at pienburger.com.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Saladang (Pasadena)
saladang-pasadena.com
Saladang (Pasadena)

A longtime Thai restaurant on Fair Oaks Ave in Pasadena, known for traditional Thai staples and a devoted local following.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Panda Inn (Pasadena)
pandainn.com
Panda Inn (Pasadena)

Panda Inn is a Chinese restaurant located in Pasadena, with an online presence at pandainn.com.

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Janine Marie Gregory

A curated guide to the top attractions across the Greater San Gabriel Valley from the Huntington Library in San Marino to Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. Built for locals and visitors researching what to do in SGV cities like Pasadena, Arcadia, and San Gabriel.

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
huntington.org
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

A 120-acre research library, art museum, and botanical garden in San Marino — home to the Japanese, Desert, and Chinese Gardens.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
arboretum.org
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

A 127-acre historic botanic garden in Arcadia, home to wild peacocks, themed gardens, and the Queen Anne Cottage.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Mission San Gabriel Arcángel
sangabrielmission.org
Mission San Gabriel Arcángel

Founded in 1771, the fourth of California's 21 missions, located in the city of San Gabriel.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Kidspace Children's Museum
kidspacemuseum.org
Kidspace Children's Museum

An interactive children's museum in Pasadena's Brookside Park with 40+ hands-on exhibits for kids ages 1–10.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Santa Anita Park
santaanita.com
Santa Anita Park

Santa Anita Park is a prominent thoroughbred horse racing venue operated under the 1/ST Racing brand.

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Janine Marie Gregory
Rose Bowl Stadium
rosebowlstadium.com
Rose Bowl Stadium

Rose Bowl Stadium is a well-known sports and entertainment venue with an official web presence.

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Janine Marie Gregory