There are also several colleges , including the California Institute of Technology . Pasadena has an arts scene , with many famous people acting at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium or Pasadena Playhouse or putting paintings in the Norton Simon Museum . Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade , Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions , including the California Institute of Technology ( Caltech ) , the Jet Propulsion Laboratory , Pasadena City College ( PCC ) , Fuller Theological Seminary , Art Center College of Design , the Pasadena Playhouse , California School of Culinary Arts Pasadena , the Norton Simon Museum of Art and the Pacific Asia Museum .