Directions
Caltech is easily accessible from both the 110 (Harbor) Freeway (southwest of campus) and the 210 (Foothill) Freeway (north of campus).
If you're taking the 110 freeway, follow the freeway north until it ends (where it becomes the Arroyo Parkway). Take Arroyo Parkway straight ahead (north); turn right (east) on California Blvd. Proceed approximately one and a quarter miles. Parking is available in the underground parking structure just south-east of the Keith Spalding building - see the Caltech parking map. Buy a parking permit from the kiosks or request one ahead of time from IPAC.
If you're taking the 210 freeway, exit at Hill Avenue; turn south on Hill. Take Hill south to California Blvd and make a right (west). Parking is available in the underground parking structure just south-east of the Keith Spalding building - see the Caltech parking map. Buy a parking permit from the kiosks or request one ahead of time from IPAC.
By Shuttle
From LAX, Bob Hope (Burbank) airport, or Ontario airport, shuttle door-to-door service is available from a multitude of companies. To get a shuttle, exit the baggage claim area and look for the ORANGE overhead "SHARED RIDE VANS" sign. Tell the driver you are going to Caltech; if you are asked for an address or intersection, Keith Spalding is on California Blvd. and Wilson Ave. FYI, the campus SuperShuttle stops (for when you order your ride back to the airport) are:
- S1, located at the south end of the Parking structure (building 66) on 370 S. Holliston Avenue.
- S2, located just north of Moore Laboratory at the end of Chester Avenue.
- S3, located in the parking lot near the south-east corner of 450 South Catalina.
- S4, located in the traffic turnaround off of California Boulevard and south of Arms Laboratory.
Please visit SuperShuttle website for more details.
From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Driving Directions: Take Sepulveda Blvd. south to the Glenn Anderson Fwy (105) east to the Harbor Fwy (110) north to the Pasadena Fwy, which becomes the Arroyo Parkway.
OR
Take the San Diego Fwy (405) north to the Santa Monica Fwy (10) east to the Harbor Fwy (110) north to the Pasadena Fwy, which becomes the Arroyo Parkway.
THEN
Take Arroyo Parkway straight ahead (north); turn right (east) on California Blvd. Proceed approximately one and a quarter miles. Parking is available in the underground parking structure just south-east of the Keith Spalding building - see the Caltech parking map. Buy a parking permit from the kiosks and display on the dash.
Shuttle service: To get a shuttle, exit the baggage claim area and look for the ORANGE overhead "SHARED RIDE VANS" sign. Tell the driver you are going to Caltech; if you are asked for an address or intersection, California Blvd. and Wilson Avenue. Please visit SuperShuttle Los Angeles (LAX) Airport Shuttle Servicefor more details.
Public Transportation from LAX to Pasadena:
- FlyAway buses pick up at every LAX terminal on the Arrival/Lower level under the green signs indicating "FlyAway, Buses and Long-Distance Vans." Get on a FlyAway bus going to Union Station.
- Once arriving at Union Station, disembark the bus and walk to the Gold Line, located at Tracks 1 and 2.
- Board the Gold Line with direction to Pasadena.
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Exit at Lake St. station, which is a 10-15 minute walk from campus. (The Del Mar station is closest to the Sheraton and Hilton, the Lake station is closest to Vagabond Inn, and the Allen station station is closest to Saga Motor Hotel and Athenaeum). Once in Pasadena, there are LA Metro buses that run within Pasadena, or you could walk. There is also a separate bus system just for Pasadena called ARTS that you can use once in Pasadena, but it only stops every 25 minutes, and it closes before 8:00 pm.
(Read more about public transportation in Pasadena >>)
For more information on detailed bus and rail itineraries for the entire Los Angeles area, please visit the Bus and Rail Trip Planner.
From Bob Hope Airport in Burbank (BUR)
Driving Directions: Take the Golden State Fwy (Interstate 5) south to the Ventura Fwy (134) east to the Foothill Fwy (210) east. Exit at Hill Avenue. Turn right (south) onto Hill. Take Hill south to California Blvd and make a right (west). Parking is available in the underground parking structure just south-east of the Keith Spalding building - see the Caltech parking map. Buy a parking permit from the kiosks or request one ahead of time from IPAC.
Shuttle service: To get a shuttle, exit the baggage claim area and look for the ORANGE overhead "SHARED RIDE VANS" sign. Tell the driver you are going to Caltech; if you are asked for an address or intersection, California Blvd. and Wilson Avenue. Please visit SuperShuttle Burbank (BUR) Airport Shuttle Service for more details.
Public Transportation:
(Please note that the trip will take between 1.5 and 2 hours)
The Metro 794 bus (toward Downtown LA - Hill - Venice) can be boarded at Hollywood Way and Thorton. Take that to the Los Feliz/San Fernando stop and board the Metro 780 bus (toward Pasadena City College). Get off at the Colorado/Lake stop. Here you have an option to walk to IPAC at Caltech or board the Pasadena ARTS 20cw bus (toward Lake and Fair Oaks). Exit at the California Blvd. and Lake Ave. stop and walk to Caltech.
For more information on detailed bus and rail itineraries for the entire Los Angeles area, please visit the Bus and Rail Trip Planner.
From Ontario Airport (ONT)
Driving Directions: If you are driving, take the San Bernardino Fwy (10) west to Orange Freeway (57) north to the Foothill Fwy (210); take the 210 west to Pasadena. Exit at Hill Ave; turn left (south) on Hill. Take Hill south to California Blvd and make a right (west). Parking is available in the underground parking structure just south-east of the Keith Spalding building - see the Caltech parking map. Buy a parking permit from the kiosks or request one ahead of time from IPAC.
Shuttle service: To get a shuttle, exit the baggage claim area and look for the ORANGE overhead "SHARED RIDE VANS" sign. Tell the driver you are going to Caltech; if you are asked for an address or intersection, California Blvd. and Wilson Avenue. Please visit SuperShuttle Ontario (ONT) Airport Shuttle Service for more details.
Public Transportation: It is not advised to take public transportation from Ontario to Pasadena.
Parking
Purchase a parking pass from the kiosk in the open air lot directly north of the Institute location. Make sure you park in one of the open spots (without a name in it) or in one of the COMMUTER spots and have your hang tag/permit visible. The purchased permits are not Carpool passes - so do not park in a Carpool space, even if there are more than two of you in a car.
JPLers: The JPL hang tag used by employees with on-Lab parking privileges is the only permit required for campus parking. Employees without on-Lab parking privileges can obtain a free pass created for this purpose from JPL parking coordinator Robert Kennedy (818-354-4586, Building 310-125, 9/80 schedule).
