Pasadena Named ‘Best Arts Town’ in America by Sunset Magazine

Facing tough competition, Pasadena beat out three other cities well known for their arts scenes to be named the “Best Arts Town” in Sunset Magazine’s first ever Travel Awards.

Several well-known Pasadena locations – Norton Simon Museum, Student Art Gallery at Art Center College of Design and the Gamble House – were highlighted in the competition. Pasadena won over three competing cities: Aspen, Colo., Las Vegas, Nev., and Taos, New Mexico.

In choosing Pasadena, one judge said “From museums to performing arts, architecture to events, including the Rose Bowl, nothing is lacking.”

The inaugural competition judged nominated cities in seven separate broad categories, no with several smaller categories: cities and towns; guided trips and cruises; lodging; food and drink; spas and wellness; attractions and activities; and editor’s picks.
Pasadena was judged in the larger category of “cities and towns,” which was composed of six categories, including the one that Pasadena won in, “Best Arts Town.”

In selecting the winners of this first ever competition, the Sunset Magazine Advisory Board met for two days to consider each of the contest entries and to determine a winner.