Vintage Stores, Chocolatiers, Self-Care Experiences and More: A Curated Guide to Shopping and Unwinding in Old Pasadena, California

The One Colorado Parking Structure has abundant and inexpensive parking available daily. [Photo by Kamala Kirk]

As a South Pasadena resident, I live 10 minutes away from Old Pasadena, which is the lively business district of Pasadena, California.

Pasadena is located approximately 10 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles and is home to the annual Rose Parade, many historic Craftsman homes including the Gamble House; The Langham Huntington, Pasadena hotel; The Huntington Library and Gardens, and much more.

The Best Spas in Pasadena

Pasadena is also a popular filming location and has been featured in countless movies and TV shows including “Father of the Bride,” “Back to the Future,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “Halloween,” among others.

Spanning approximately 22 blocks, Old Pasadena is home to more than 200 independent shops and restaurants, ranging from historic and family-owned businesses to big-name retailers and brands.

Old Pasadena spans 22 blocks and is home to more than 200 independent shops and restaurants. [Photo by Kamala Kirk]

During the holidays, I spent a day exploring Old Pasadena and visited several of the local businesses, some of which I’d been to before and others I was checking out for the first time.

It was fun being a tourist in my own town and I was amazed by how many hidden gems there are in Old Pasadena. I wasn’t able to go into every business, which means that I’ll just have to go back again to explore more!

Check out our top picks for places to shop, dine and unwind in Old Pasadena:

Burke Williams

Popular day spa Burke Williams offers guests the ideal setting for relaxation and self-care in the heart of Old Pasadena. With 16 treatment rooms and amenities including a sauna, cool mist room, whirlpools, and a cold deluge for men, it has everything one could need for unwinding after a busy day.

Self-Massage Tips from Burke Williams

Its expansive treatment menu includes massages, facials, body treatments, spa baths, and chiropractic services. A monthly membership program with additional perks is also available.

Cheeks + Co

Founded by esthetician Christina Uzzardi, Cheeks + Co is a facial spa in Old Pasadena that offers advanced skincare treatments featuring clean products in a high-end setting. They specialize in facials that are customized for each client and their individual skincare needs, and they also offering waxing services and a facial membership with discounts and other perks.

Beauty Boss: Christina Uzzardi, Founder of Cheeks + Co

Uzzardi has also developed her own Cheeks + Co product line that includes a face mist, moisturizer, cleanser and more — all designed to nourish and heal skin with gentle yet effective ingredients.

Fishwives

Craving a lobster roll? Fish and chips on your mind? In the mood for a raw oyster platter? Fishwives in Old Pasadena is known for serving New England-style seafood with a West Coast twist. During my day out exploring Old Pasadena, I had the chance to stop in for lunch and it was one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time.

The fried pickles and cold seafood platter were incredible, followed by the Portland Maine lobster roll for lunch with a side of French Fries. They also serve a cod fish and chips that I want to try next time, and serve other seafood-based dishes ranging from clam chowder and assorted sashimi to branzino, and more.

Gold Bug

When I first moved out to the Pasadena area years ago, Gold Bug was one of the first stores I ever went into. It came highly recommended and I’d also been gifted several of their unique items by friends, including a glass encased butterfly, so it was nice to come back and see their new space in Old Pasadena.

The family-owned retail and art gallery space has the most impressive selection of curiosities and oddities one could ever imagine. Whether you’re looking for a memorable gift for someone, a special item for your home or office, or you just want to browse an entertaining selection of artwork and rarities, Gold Bug takes you on a modern-day Indiana Jones treasure hunt.

Their new space also has a private event room in the back where from time to time they host events including magic shows, seances and more. To learn more, check out their website and follow them on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest news.

Head Spa EN

Head spas are all the rage right now and Head Spa EN offers visitors an intimate sanctuary where they can relax and unwind while enjoying a serene head-spa experience rooted in traditional Ayurvedic and Japanese techniques.

Sessions begin with a microscopic scalp analysis performed by an experienced therapist who will tailor the treatment and massage according to each person’s individual needs. Offerings include Japanese head-spa rituals, deep scalp cleansing, hot stone and healing therapies, and head, neck and shoulder massage with an optional blow-dry and hairstyling at the end.

Additional Head Spa EN locations can be found in Beverly and Orange County as well.

HöMAGE

Homage retails a wide variety of creative and beautiful gift items. [Photo by Kamala Kirk]

I could’t resist taking home an original artwork by Carissa Potter depicting Pasadena. [Photo by Kamala Kirk]

There’s nothing I love more than a good gift shop, and at HöMAGE in Old Pasadena, owner Jill Pearson has taken the time to pull together an incredible selection of gift items — many of which are personal to Pasadena. From jewelry and artwork by local artists to candles, decorative items, cards and more, you’ll find everything you’re looking for in here, and then some.

I ended up purchasing several items from HöMAGE, including an original artwork by Carissa Potter depicting popular locations and iconic spots around Pasadena. Her prints can also be be found on tote bags and greeting cards, and a few other fun finds include Stars Make a Wish Match Card, Cowboy Boot Match Holders, Balloon Dog Key Chains, and Flower Tea Stick Gift Sets, among others.

If you can’t make it in person, the best part is you can also shop via the website — but you’re definitely missing out on a fun experience if you don’t come in.

LATHER

Founded by Emilie Hoyt in 1999, LATHER is a clean skincare brand that opened its first store in Pasadena. Their products all feature clean ingredients and are free of synthetic fragrances, offering a selection of refreshing cleansers, foaming scrubs, nourishing creams, rich olive oil soaps, hair care, and more.

They also have a Blending Bar where guests can craft their own aromatherapy mixture, various gift sets for holidays and other special occasions, and they have a skincare station where you can host a pamper party with friends and sample their products while enjoying mini spa treatments.

Mignon Chocolate

From hand made Dubai Chocolate to unique flavors and even vegan treats, Mignon Chocolate is a family-owned business that has been crafting quality chocolate since 1935. During my day of shopping, I stopped in to try out some of their chocolates, all of which feature fun flavors and colorful designs.

Some of their more unique offerings include rose water, lavender, green tea, Cuban mojito and ginger seasalt, to name a few. I was especially taken with their Spicy Caramel chocolate, and also took home a bar of Dubai chocolate.

In addition to individual chocolates and custom boxes, Mignon Chocolate also does corporate gifts, party favors, chocolate fountains for events, and more.

Playlab Beauty

If you’re interested in exploring the K-Beauty and J-Beauty trends but don’t know where to start, Playlab Beauty is a curated beauty boutique that offers personalized recommendations from founders and beauty industry veterans Vanessa Nabhani and Jeanha Joo.

Every year they travel back to Asia to discover and source the best products and innovations and bring back their findings to their store in Old Pasadena, where they’ve organized everything in an easy-to-approach format that makes browsing more fun and exciting. Their team of Asian skincare specialists is also on hand to help shoppers find exactly what they’re looking for.

Other Old Pasadena Spots to Check Out

Aesop (Beauty & bath)
Clothes Heaven (Vintage + designer consignment shop)
Commune Records (Vinyl record store)
Maude Woods: Artful Living (Gifts & home decor)
Rebecca Crews (Fashion & accessories)
Retreat (Gifts, jewelry & watches)
Skin Laundry (Beauty & self-care)
The Dog Bakery (Dog treats)
We Olive (Artisan olive oil shop)

[Photos by Kamala Kirk/courtesy of Old Pasadena]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk