Parking is available in any of the Caltech garages (see the maps). The closest parking is in the underground garage (bldg. 126 on the Caltech maps), under the athletic field behind the Cahill building.
Caltech has a variety of special deals with the local hotels, transportation, etc., based on availability.
There are a number of hotels (3 pages pdf, 148KB) that are close to the campus where Caltech has a negotiated rate. You can simply ask for the Caltech rate when calling to make a reservation - there is no special code, and no reserved blocks of rooms. (Please note that this negotiated rate does not guarantee you the lowest rate as there may be internet specials or AAA rates that may be better.)
For the Super Shuttle discount, use Caltech Discount code: 5MVKV
Caltech is easily accessible from both the 110 (Harbor) Freeway (southwest of campus) and the 210 (Foothill) Freeway (north of campus).
If you are taking the 110 freeway to Pasadena, follow the freeway north until it ends (where it becomes the Arroyo Parkway). From the Arroyo Parkway, turn right (east) on Del Mar Avenue. Proceed approximately one and a quarter miles. The Caltech campus will be on your right. Turn right (south) onto Wilson Avenue. Turn right into the North Wilson Structure and park in an unmarked spot. Buy a parking permit from the kiosk located inside the North Wilson Structure.
If you are taking the 210 freeway, use exit 27 at Hill Avenue. Turn south onto Hill (this is a right from Burbank) and drive south to Del Mar Blvd. Turn right onto E. Del Mar Blvd. and proceed approximately 0.3 miles. The Caltech campus will be on your left. Turn left onto Wilson Avenue. Turn right into the North Wilson Structure and park in an unmarked spot. Buy a parking permit from the kiosk located inside the North Wilson Structure.
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, Holliston Ave. and Del Mar Blvd. is near the southeast corner of campus (see the campus map for other streets). FYI, the campus SuperShuttle stops (for when you order your ride back to the airport) are:
Please visit SuperShuttle website for more details.
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 Del Mar Avenue. The Caltech campus will be on your left. Turn left onto Wilson Avenue. Turn right into the North Wilson Structure and park in an unmarked spot. Buy a parking permit from the kiosk located inside the North Wilson Structure.
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, Del Mar Blvd. and Michigan Avenue. Please visit SuperShuttle Los Angeles (LAX) Airport Shuttle Service for more details.
Public Transportation from LAX to Pasadena:
For more information on detailed bus and rail itineraries for the entire Los Angeles area, please visit the Bus and Rail Trip Planner.
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 Del Mar Blvd and make a right (west). Turn left (south) onto Wilson Avenue. Turn right into the North Wilson Structure and park in an unmarked spot. Buy a parking permit from the kiosk located inside the North Wilson Structure.
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, Del Mar 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 the Keck Center 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.
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 Del Mar Blvd and make a right (west). Turn left (south) onto Wilson Avenue. Turn right into the North Wilson Structure and park in an unmarked spot. Buy a parking permit from the kiosk located inside the North Wilson Structure.
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, Del Mar 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.