South Pasadena

Not to be confused with nearby Pasadena, the small, affluent city of South Pasadena has a unique identity. Located in the West San Gabriel Valley, just a few miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, South Pasadena was founded in the late 1800s and retains its simple charms.

Peaceful streets lined with beautiful mature trees can be found throughout the town, as well as a real sense of community spirit. With its thriving arts and music scene, well-regarded school system, and historic downtown, South Pasadena is one of the most sought-after places to live in the region.

 

Located just 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles, South Pasadena is the ideal home base for those who enjoy a small-town atmosphere while working in the big city. Many residents make a daily commute, either by car or by taking the Metro from the city's Mission Gold Line Station.

South Pasadena has a small commercial core, the Mission District that runs along Mission Street, with shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The strip is home to independent boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Locals can find everything here, from curated vintage clothing emporiums to one of the last indie video stores in Los Angeles. There's a pharmacy and soda fountain dating back to 1915 and historic bars that are always packed with fun-loving locals. Dining options range from neighborhood joints serving delicious comfort food to more upscale restaurants offering innovative, chef-driven cuisine.

Held on Thursday afternoons, the beloved South Pasadena Farmers Market is a highlight of the week. The downtown streets draw in residents and folks from nearby neighborhoods, all of whom come to sample fresh, locally sourced produce, browse a range of artisanal goods, and socialize over coffee and baked goods.

South Pasadena is a charming city, thanks not only to the well-preserved architecture but also to the many parks and green spaces throughout the community. Running along Park Avenue, Garfield Park is one of the most popular places to spend time outdoors. There's a nice path here, as well as a playground and tennis courts. Arroyo Seco Park is another local favorite, featuring sports facilities, a nature park, and a popular dog park to the west. Local golf lovers flock to Arroyo Seco Golf Course, an 18-hole course with a driving range, putting green, and miniature golf course, as well as a restaurant and bar.

South Pasadena locals love coming together as a community, and there are events and festivals throughout the year. Arts Crawls are held throughout the year to celebrate music, food, and art. Throughout the summer months, concerts are held in Garfield Park, and locals can be found enjoying wine and picnics on blankets while listening to music under the stars.

 

Due to its small-town feel and proximity to major film studios, South Pasadena has frequent filming. Scenes from La La Land and Ladybird have been shot here. The town hosts around 200 shoots per year. South Pasadena is also the location of the house of the character Michael Myers from the film Halloween. Other notable films include Old School, Liar, Liar, Beethoven, Back to the Future, and Teen Wolf.

 

The Arroyo Seco (canyon, stream, and cultural landscape) offers a diverse range of experiences for walkers and more experienced hikers.

The Arroyo Seco stream begins at Red Box near Mount Wilson in the San Gabriel Mountains and proceeds through steep mountain canyons for eleven miles (18 km) until it enters the urban plain of Southern California at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The stream, largely channelized south of Devil's Gate Dam, proceeds in the Arroyo Seco canyon for eleven miles (18 km) more: through Pasadena, South Pasadena and Northeast Los Angeles to the confluence with the Los Angeles River near Elysian Park, Chinatown and downtown Los Angeles.

There are 5 parks located within the City of South Pasadena that offer the community family recreation and activities. These are Garfield Park, Eddie Park, Library Park, Orange Grove Park and War Memorial Park.

 

The South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) includes five schools: three elementary schools (Monterey Hills, Marengo and Arroyo Vista), South Pasadena Middle School, and South Pasadena High School. Former elementary schools now closed or renamed are Lincoln (now Arroyo Vista), El Centro (now the school district headquarters), Las Flores (limited grades, near Flores Adobe, historic landmark), and Oneonta (later a private Montessori school).

South Pasadena and the neighboring city of San Marino have had a long-standing rivalry. Until 1955, the two cities shared the same high school, which was adjacent to the South Pasadena Public Library. Every year, the schools' football teams compete for a victor's plaque. As of 2014, South Pasadena team had won 28 and San Marino 29. There have been three ties. Many SPHS team have won CIF titles over the years.

SPEF (South Pasadena Educational Foundation is a 501) charity designated by the SPUSD as the official private fund-raising organization for the support of the district's educational programs.