He might have been the preeminent intellectual of the 20th century, but like numerous newcomers to Los Angeles, Albert Einstein took pleasure in the California sunshine, mingled with Hollywood’s elite, and was a spectator at the Rose Parade. He even devoted time to assisting children with their studies.

Few scientists have received the public adulation that Einstein did during his winter stays in Pasadena in the years 1931, 1932, and 1933. As a hobbyist violinist, he engaged in one-on-one performances with the conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Local artists not only painted his image and cast him in bronze but also transformed him into a puppet figure. Frank J. Callier, a renowned violin craftsman, etched Einstein’s name into a specially carved bow and case.

Yet, the FBI was keeping a watchful eye as well. Einstein was one of four German scientists who had signed a petition against the war during World War I, and he actively participated in the Zionist movement, advocating for the Jewish people to reclaim their ancestral homeland in Palestine.

When Einstein first published his theories, he was working as a Swiss patent official. In 1919, his 1905 theory of relativity was confirmed during a solar eclipse by the English astronomer Sir Arthur Eddington. The announcement to the Royal Society made Einstein an overnight sensation, and in 1921, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics.

While teaching at the University of Berlin in 1930, Arthur H. Fleming, a lumber magnate and Caltech’s board president, successfully persuaded him to visit the university during winter. The visit was to remain a secret, but Einstein’s own travel arrangements inadvertently made it public knowledge.

After arriving in San Diego on New Year’s Eve 1930, following a month-long journey on the passenger ship Belgenland, Einstein was swarmed by reporters and photographers. He and his second wife, Elsa, were greeted with cheers and Christmas carols. Fleming then drove them to Pasadena, where they settled into a bungalow.

Einstein, an amateur violinist, played with small groups at his home, even including the conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Neighborhood children recognized his famous formula E=mc², despite not fully grasping its meaning.

During their first California stay, the Einsteins attended Charlie Chaplin’s film premiere and were guests at his Beverly Hills home. “Here in Pasadena, it is like Paradise,” Einstein wrote in a letter.

He also visited the Mt. Wilson Observatory, refining his relativity theory, and explored local landmarks. Comfortable as a tourist, he spent time in Palm Springs and made interesting observations about date trees.

Einstein’s intellectual curiosity extended far beyond his scientific endeavors, leading him to explore local cultural landmarks. He made his way to the Huntington Library in San Marino, delighting in its rich collections. At the Montecito home of fellow scientist Ludwig Kast, he found comfort in being treated more as a tourist than a celebrity, relishing a brief respite from the spotlight.

His time in California was not without leisure. In Palm Springs, Einstein relaxed at the winter estate of renowned New York attorney and human rights advocate Samuel Untermeyer. He also embarked on a unique adventure to the date ranch of King Gillette, the razor blade tycoon, where he left with a crate of dates and an intriguing observation. He noted that female date trees thrived with nurturing care, while male trees fared better in tough conditions—a whimsical insight reflecting his ceaseless fascination with the world.

“I discovered that date trees, the female, or negative, flourished under coddling and care, but in adverse conditions, the male, or positive trees, succeeded best,” he said in a 1933 interview.

During his three enchanting winters in Pasadena, Einstein’s presence was a source of intrigue and inspiration. Students at Caltech were treated to the sight of the shaggy-haired genius pedaling around campus on a bicycle, launching paper airplanes from balconies, and even engaging in a heated debate with the stern-faced Caltech president and Nobel laureate, Robert A. Millikan, on the steps of Throop Hall. The content of their impassioned argument remains a tantalizing mystery to this day, shrouded in speculation. Whether it revolved around the complexities of physics or the subtleties of Einstein’s political stance, it’s a moment that underscores the multifaceted nature of one of history’s most remarkable minds.

During his final winter in California, a near-accident led the couple to move into Caltech’s Athenaeum. His suite, No. 20, was marked with a distinctive mahogany door, a personal touch from his sponsor, Fleming.

In 1933, with the rise of the Nazis, Einstein sought a safe haven for his work. Caltech’s offer was overshadowed by Princeton University’s, and he moved there in 1933, remaining until his death in 1955.

Today, a large collection of Einstein’s papers are part of the Einstein Papers Project at Caltech. And Einstein’s suite at Caltech’s Athenaeum, marked with a distinctive mahogany door, stands as a physical reminder of his presence. But it is the stories of his kindness, wit, and idiosyncrasies that continue to humanize a man often considered the greatest mind of the 20th century. His three winters in Pasadena add a warm, colorful chapter to the rich tapestry of his extraordinary life.