Pasadena: Stop the Bomb image 1

Pasadena: Stop the Bomb

🔒 Instant Access: Book now and start immediately. No need to wait for a guide.

⏱️ Total Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume whenever you want.

🧩 Gamified Discovery: Solve 10 location-based puzzles to unlock hidden stories and secret spots.

📍 Starting Point: Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA

🛡️ Free Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours before your planned start for a full refund.

🌐 Available In: 🇬🇧 English

Places you will visit

10

It will take you

71-101 mins

You will walk

5650 steps

Total distance

4.3 km

Route you will explore

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Starting point Vroman’s Bookstore
695 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
Finish point Pasadena Senior Center Public Art Einstein & Beyond
85 E Holly St, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA

About this quest

It’s up to you to prevent a nuclear apocalypse! Explore the streets of Pasadena through the eyes of the greatest minds of the 1930s to stop the biggest disaster of all. 

Discover a secret 1912 typewriter company that’s still in operation, learn the real story behind the first-ever cheeseburger, visit your favorite film locations and uncover well-kept secrets of the Crown City.

Highlights

  • Uncover the crumbling remains of an influential building that put Pasadena on the map.

  • Discover why one of the most influential Asian-inspired buildings stands in Southern California.

  • Visit the oldest bookstore in Pasadena and learn why Pasadena locals can’t stay away.

  • Find Pasadena’s well-hidden restaurants and bars in an unlikely historic spot.

The mission: Your story in Pasadena

It’s your first day as a janitor at Caltech and you find yourself in an abandoned lab. 

A large red button sits on a desk. Always curious, you press it. You look at the desk and see a note. 

“Tolman, this isn’t something I’m proud of but it’s the only way to defeat the Germans at their own game. This button releases a nuclear bomb. I’ve hidden eight devices around town to disarm it.” 

With the note still in your hand, you race out of the room. You must find clues to stop this before it’s too late. 
  • Best during the day
  • Kid friendly
  • Best for couples

Ratings and Reviews

4.18

83 ratings

5 Stars
41%
4 Stars
39%
3 Stars
18%
2 Stars
2%
1 Star
0%
Reviews
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micahthemagician

12 Jan 2026
That was a tough one. Many of the puzzles didn’t make sense, and a lot has changed since the photos were taken. But I’m still glad I did it. Thank you

JeanSk

25 Jul 2025

Martha Hall

03 Jan 2025
This was a lot of fun to do with friends. We started around 3 pm and it was a beautiful day in Pasadena. We enjoyed learning about this town's history. Can't wait to do another challenge like this. Note: There is a minor error for directions to the "library" and also an error with the challenge at City Hall with regards to the number of "rows".

Crina Bojonca

06 Oct 2024

Sac14

12 Nov 2023

Beat the best: Top Pasadena explorers

Nona Randois
Nona RandoisSeeker
3100 XP
Phoebe Randois
Phoebe RandoisSeeker
3100 XP
Nick Johnson
Nick JohnsonRookie
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Compare Questo vs. Guided Walking Tours

FeatureRegular Guided ToursQuesto
Flexibility
Fixed schedules & no pausing
Start, pause, and resume anytime
Privacy
Crowds of up to 30 strangers
Private experience for your group only
Pricing
$30-$40 per person
Affordable per-group pricing
Availability
Requires advance booking
Instant access 24/7/365
Experience
Passive listening to a guide
Active gamification; you solve the mystery

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