Do we need to rent a car?

Question

Hello,

My family is visiting Pasadena for a long weekend in June, flying into Burbank, and staying at the Westin.

We have events Saturday eve and Sunday morning (which we can Uber to), so we have Thursday afternoon, all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon to sight see in Pasadena.

On our list of things to do are (ticket availability willing) visit JPL, go to Eaton Canyon, the Huntington Library/museum, and the Norton Simon museum, maybe rent some bikes.

If needed, we could rent a car, and would probably pick it up on Thursday at the airport, or Friday morning and drop it off Sunday eve or Monday at the airport. Our family is very active and we don’t mind walking or riding bikes to nearby locations. Ride shares also an option.

Do you think a rental car is necessary for the things we want to see/do?

Thank you for any advice.

Answer

For a long weekend in Pasadena with your listed activities, whether to rent a car depends on convenience, timing, and your comfort with ride shares. Pasadena has a mix of walkable areas and attractions that are more spread out, so here’s a breakdown:

Walkable/central options:

The Westin is centrally located, making it easy to walk to Old Pasadena for restaurants, shops, and some local attractions.
Some bike rental options exist downtown, which could be fun for short trips around central Pasadena.

Attractions farther away (car or ride-share needed):

JPL: About 5–10 minutes drive from central Pasadena. It is not easily walkable from downtown, so a rental car or Uber/Lyft is necessary.
Eaton Canyon: Also 10–15 minutes by car from the hotel. Public transit is limited, and it’s not practical to walk or bike.
The Huntington Library and gardens: About 10–15 minutes by car. You could Uber, but having a rental gives flexibility for timing, especially if you want to linger.
Norton Simon Museum: Very close to downtown and walkable from the Westin.

Other considerations:

Ride-share services (Uber/Lyft) are reliable in Pasadena and can replace a rental if you prefer not to drive, though costs may add up with multiple trips to JPL, Eaton Canyon, and The Huntington.
If you pick up a car at Burbank, it may be easier for flexibility and carrying items (like picnic supplies or gear for hiking) and allows earlier access to attractions without waiting for ride shares.
Parking at these sites is generally available and not difficult, though the Huntington and Eaton Canyon may have small fees.

Recommendation:

If you prefer convenience and flexibility, especially for your morning and afternoon sightseeing, renting a car Thursday afternoon or Friday morning is ideal. If you want to avoid driving and are okay with scheduling ride shares, you could manage without a rental but should plan rides in advance, particularly for JPL and Eaton Canyon.

Do we need to rent a car?

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