The Big Bang Theory is loved by fans worldwide. Fans see the living rooms, hallways, and comic store so often that the sitcom's actual location almost feels like a character on its own.And yes, the show does take place in real-life Pasadena in Los Angeles County. That’s the place where everything in The Big Bang Theory goes down. The sitcom never hides it, and once you know it, you’ll spot Pasadena clues everywhere.How Pasadena became the world of The Big Bang TheoryIf you’ve watched The Big Bang Theory for years, you already know Pasadena feels like the gang’s natural habitat. The show has Leonard, Sheldon, Raj, and Howard living right in the middle of a city that’s full of science, engineering, and academic energy. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThat’s because Pasadena is home to Caltech, where the guys work across the seasons. Howard later joins NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is also based there. This setting makes their whole world make sense as the puzzle pieces fit without trying.We even see Penny’s Hollywood dream fit well into the setting, as she’s right next to the entertainment world in LA. Her early seasons at the Cheesecake Factory also tie back to that because there’s actually a Cheesecake Factory in Pasadena, even though the show filmed the interior on a soundstage.A lot of the spots we know from The Big Bang Theory also pop up again and again, like The Comic Center of Pasadena. It isn’t a real shop, but fans figured it was placed near Caltech and Pasadena City College, which puts it close to a real comic store, Comics Factory, that’s been around since 1994.The writers clearly wanted the comic shop to feel like a real hangout that would fit in the neighborhood. They even name-drop actual Pasadena places on the show, such as Lucky Baldwin’s in the Season 4 episode “The Irish Pub Formation.” If you go to Pasadena today, you’ll also see “Big Bang Theory Way,” a sign in Old Town that the city put up as a fun tribute to the series.Why Pasadena fits the show's settingWhat really makes Pasadena such a perfect match for The Big Bang Theory is how it merges the characters and their lives with real-world locations. The apartments we see all the time are set in Pasadena, and Howard’s childhood home is in Altadena, just north of the city. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostFans who pay extremely close attention might even remember that Wil Wheaton, who plays a version of himself on the show, actually lives in Pasadena in real life.Even though several scenes were filmed on soundstages, the spirit of Pasadena stays strong throughout the entire series. Anyone doing a Warner Bros Studio Tour can visit Stage 25, where the show was shot, and then drive out to Pasadena on the same day to feel the connection between both spaces.Pasadena itself is bigger than people think because it’s known for hosting the Rose Bowl, the Tournament of Roses Parade, and for being a major cultural hub. The tower of Pasadena City Hall can even be spotted from Leonard and Sheldon’s apartment window if you look closely, which is pretty exciting!When it comes to Pasadena, the place is the anchor of the entire story. The city gives the characters a world that suits their jobs, dreams, and friendships in a way that feels real and also very well grounded.Everything from Caltech to the comic shop energy sure does build up in a setting that fans instantly connect with. Once you know the sitcom is set in Pasadena, every episode suddenly feels like a tiny tour of the place the characters call home.Stay tuned to Soap Central for more such interesting facts on The Big Bang Theory.