
Pasadena Spy Quest: Stop the Bomb (Einstein & Caltech)
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Pasadena Spy Quest: Stop the Bomb (Einstein & Caltech) worth booking?
Pasadena Spy Quest: Stop the Bomb (Einstein & Caltech) is a 1.2-hour experience in Los Angeles, United States, from $8 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (4)
- Duration
- 1.2 hours
- From
- $8 per person
It's your first day as a janitor at Caltech when you stumble into an abandoned lab and press a large red button. A handwritten note appears: a nuclear bomb has been armed and eight devices are hidden across Pasadena to d
What you get
About this experience
It's your first day as a janitor at Caltech when you stumble into an abandoned lab and press a large red button. A handwritten note appears: a nuclear bomb has been armed and eight devices are hidden across Pasadena to disarm it. You have no choice but to run. This self-guided spy mission takes you on an 86-minute adventure through Old Town Pasadena. Using the Questo app on your smartphone, you decode secret messages, crack clues at historic landmarks, and follow a conspiracy connecting Caltech physicists, the Manhattan Project, and Albert Einstein. Chase the trail from Vroman's Bookstore to the Pasadena Playhouse, through hidden cobblestone alleys and past City Hall, all the way to a famous mural of Einstein on his bicycle. Start whenever you like and play entirely at your own pace across 3 kilometres of Pasadena's most storied streets. Perfect for curious explorers, couples, and families. No prior knowledge of history needed, just a sharp mind and a sense of urgency.
What's included
Included
- Self-guided nuclear thriller puzzle adventure through Old Town Pasadena
- Interactive puzzles: code-breaking, observation, logic, wordplay at real landmarks
- Fascinating facts about Pasadena history, food, film locations, and hidden gems
- Team play or solo on one booking
- Flexible scheduling, available all day, every day of the week
- Story-driven clues connected to Caltech, the Manhattan Project, and 1930s Pasadena
Not included
- Live tour guide (self-guided via the Questo app)
What you'll see and do
Vroman's Bookstore
You will begin at Vroman’s Bookstore. Here you will be given your first clue to solve the challenge that awaits you, which will unlock the next part of the story and give you the directions to the next stop.
5 minutes here
You will be given a new clue to solve the challenge that awaits you at Pasadena Star-News Building. You can stop for as long as you like and continue exploring at your own pace.
5 minutes here
USC Pacific Asia Museum
You will be given a new clue to solve the challenge that awaits you at Pacific Asia Museum. You can stop for as long as you like and continue exploring at your own pace.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
City of Pasadena City Hall
You will be given a new clue to solve the challenge that awaits you at Pasadena City Hall. You can stop for as long as you like and continue exploring at your own pace.
5 minutes here
You will be given a new clue to solve the challenge that awaits you at Legge Alley. You can stop for as long as you like and continue exploring at your own pace.
5 minutes here
You will be given a new clue to solve the challenge that awaits you at Russell’s. You can stop for as long as you like and continue exploring at your own pace.
5 minutes here
Pasadena Memorial Park
You will finish at Pasadena Memorial Park. Here is where both the story and the city exploration games end.
5 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Los Angeles
• Go to East Colorado Boulevard & North Oak Knoll Avenue (game starting point). • Bring a charged phone. • Open the Questo app and follow the instructions. • You must have downloaded the app and created an account first, using the same email you made the purchase with.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
You will finish at Pasadena Senior Center Public Art Einstein & Beyond.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Questo
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
1 mentionTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Pasadena Spy Quest: Stop the Bomb (Einstein & Caltech). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Bravo Again, Questo!
This was a tough one! You'll need hints. But it's worth it. I learned a TON about Pasadena history, and the puzzles were clever and led to some of the most interesting stops in the city. In the end, I was very glad I did it. Bravo again, Questo!
Response from the operator: Glad to hear you enjoyed the challenge! It sounds like the hard work paid off with some great history lessons about Pasadena. Thanks for playing with us again—hope to see you on the next one!
via Tripadvisor
Ok, but flawed
The game was mostly fun. Once we figured out the level of the puzzles/clues (easier than we had been making it), they were quick solves. (Seriously, we're talking on the level of "look and spot the answer," made to look slightly more challenging by having a couple words in the clue upside-down or scrambled.) I enjoyed a clock one, because it actually involved a tiny bit of thought. The good news: I've played other scavenger hunts where things are not there anymore. This is not the case; this hunt depends on historic things that aren't going to move. The bad news: Two maps are wrong. Like, objectively wrong. One directs you to an address on the wrong street (a couple blocks from your actual destination); another sends to the current site for a particular structure when the quest wants you to go to the historic site blocks away. (Also, one puzzle is wrong, asking for the number of "rows" of a certain thing, when the answer is the number of things.) I sent both of these complaints to the company (in response to their request for a review). Several days went by, but no response. I had expected a "thanks for your input; we'll look into that" - none of these things would've been a difficult fix. But I guess they'd rather have future players running in the wrong direction and getting angry when their correct answer is rejected than actually fix the game.
Response from the operator: Thanks for your detailed feedback! 😊🧩 We're glad you enjoyed parts of the game but are really sorry about the incorrect maps and puzzle errors—that’s definitely not the experience we want for our players. We take reports like this seriously and will review these issues ASAP. 🚀 If you didn’t get a response, that’s on us—we truly appreciate players like you who help us improve!
via Tripadvisor
Fun informative exercise
We found ourselves with extra time in a city we didnt know anything about. The game showed us places we never would have seen and added a lot of historical information.
Response from the operator: I’m so glad to hear that you had such a great time exploring a new city with us! It’s wonderful to know our game led you to hidden treasures and enriched your experience with historical insights. Your adventure sounds like a memorable one, and we’d love to be a part of your next exploration!
via Viator
Buggy App
The app was buggy. It was fun but frustrating at times. The point on the map was not the actual location. This frustrated my family and took away from the fun.
Response from the operator: We appreciate your feedback and apologize for any frustrations caused by the app's inaccuracies. We're constantly working to improve to ensure a smoother experience for all users. Please send us an email at care@questoapp.com so that we can better understand what has happened.Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $8 to $9
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Pasadena Spy Quest: Stop the Bomb (Einstein & Caltech): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Los Angeles.
How much does Pasadena Spy Quest: Stop the Bomb (Einstein & Caltech) cost?
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Prices start at $8 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Los Angeles usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Pasadena Spy Quest: Stop the Bomb (Einstein & Caltech) take?
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Plan for about 1.2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Los Angeles is not rushed.
Is Pasadena Spy Quest: Stop the Bomb (Einstein & Caltech) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Los Angeles, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Pasadena Spy Quest: Stop the Bomb (Einstein & Caltech)?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Pasadena Spy Quest: Stop the Bomb (Einstein & Caltech) suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Pasadena Spy Quest: Stop the Bomb (Einstein & Caltech)?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Los Angeles can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Los Angeles and add a light layer if any part of the 1.2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Pasadena Spy Quest: Stop the Bomb (Einstein & Caltech) start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Los Angeles within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Los Angeles?
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Los Angeles rewards travellers who cluster their bookings by geography rather than by theme. Studio tours and Hollywood walks sit inland, the Malibu and Santa Monica coast runs west, and Griffith Observatory and the canyon hikes work best at dawn or dusk. We weight transport clarity in the ranking here: whether pickup is included changes an LA day more than the tour itself. On Outty we rank every Los Angeles experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hollywood Sign 2.5-Hour Tour with Comedians and Their Dogs, Los Angeles Hollywood Sign Hike: Front, Behind, and Expert Guide, Los Angeles Original 90-Minute Walking Tour to The Hollywood Sign. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
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March to May and September to November, for clear air and open canyon roads. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Los Angeles?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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