Pasadena, the Craftsman Capital of the U.S.

Pasadena may be the best city to visit for arts & crafts lovers.

My wife and I made the trip to Pasadena in April 2026, and it’s simply tough to beat.

The Gamble House, Arroyo Avenue, Bungalow Heaven, and more…elite destination.

Let’s jump into the top spots for your itenirary.

1. The Gamble House

The Gamble House alone makes Pasadena worth flying to.

Built by Greene & Greene in 1908, it is probably the best-known Craftsman home in America.

The woodwork, joinery, built-ins, stained glass, and small details are even better in person.

Take the tour. There’s exterior tours, interior tours, joinery focused tours….

2. Bungalow Heaven

The name does the selling.

Block after block is filled with early-1900s bungalows, and they aren’t all museum pieces.

These are real homes in a real neighborhood, which makes it especially useful if you’re looking for ideas for your own Craftsman.

The Annual Bungalow Heaven Home Tour is the time to go if you want to actually get inside some of them.

My wife and I went in 2026, and was an amazing experience.

Got a mug to cap the experience.

3. Walking Arroyo Avenue

After the Gamble House, spend some time walking the surrounding streets.

Arroyo Terrace and the streets around the Arroyo Seco have some great old homes, including more work connected to Greene & Greene and Pasadena’s early Arts and Crafts movement.

This is one of those places where the walk itself is part of the trip.

Slow down and look at the doors, porches, lighting, rafter tails, windows, and landscaping.

4. The Gamble House Bookstore

Don’t skip the bookstore after the tour.

Has a great selection of books on Greene & Greene, Craftsman architecture, furniture, and the Arts and Crafts movement.

There are also prints and smaller items worth looking through.

We got a print of the Gamble House (for cheap) that is framed and in our living room.

And a puzzle…and a tile…and a few books…ha..fan of gift shops.

And this one is a beauty…admire it ahead of your next outbuilding project..!

05. Breakfast at Marston’s

Marston’s is a great breakfast stop while you’re in Pasadena.

It’s set inside an old Craftsman-style house.

Wife and I enjoyed this little stop before visiting the Gamble House.

Short Trips Away

1. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel — Anaheim

The Grand Californian is worth seeing even if you’re not staying there.

My wife and I enjoyed walking around, stopping by the Disney gift shop inside, and having dinner.

Disney leaned heavily into California Arts and Crafts architecture, and the main lobby is the highlight.

Massive timbers, stone, Craftsman lighting, furniture, and stained glass make the whole place feel more like a huge Craftsman lodge than a normal Disney hotel.

If you’re already making a Southern California Craftsman trip, it’s an easy one to add.

2. Old California Lighting — Orange

We didn’t make it to Old California Lighting on this trip, but it’s on our list for the next time.

They make traditional Arts and Crafts lighting in Orange, California, and their fixtures are some of the best examples of period-style Craftsman lighting still being made today.

If you’re already driving between Pasadena and Orange County, it could be a great stop to add.