Vroman's is one of the genuinely great independent bookshops remaining in Southern California: large enough to have a serious selection across all categories, small enough to feel like a place where the staff have actually read the books they're recommending. It occupies a substantial corner space on Colorado Boulevard and has a calendar of author events that reflects Pasadena's literary and intellectual culture.
The children's department is excellent. The stationery and gift section is larger than you'd expect. The café serves decent coffee and is a reliable spot for working or reading on a weekday morning.