South Pasadena features entire neighborhoods built in the Craftsman, revival or Art Deco styles of 1900-1939, still intact and are enriched with mature landscaping. A handful of homes from the Victorian era are scattered throughout the community.
In addition to attracting individuals and families seeking these heritage style homes, the city likewise prefers tradition and values. With well kept public parks, an excellent community services program for recreation, and annual events such as the Halloween Spooktacular, Santa's visit, and many holiday events. There's a beautiful golf course, Arroyo Seco, part of the parks system operated by a private company.
Surrounding Mission Street and Meridian Avenue are historic buildings --over 40 properties designated as City landmarks, among four historic districts designated by South Pasadena under an comprehensive Cultural Heritage Ordinance. Selected for historic events of local importance, a residence of a founding pioneer of the community, distinctive architectural design and other such specifications, these buildings provide one of the best reasons to take a drive and enjoy South Pasadena. Print this list and take it with you as you drive around. It is produced by the City of South Pasadena (ci.south-pasadena.ca.us)
1. Adobe Flores & Cactus Garden, 1804
Foothill Street, 1840s
2. Oaklawn Bridge & Waiting Station,
Oaklawn and Fair Oaks Avenue, 1906
3. South Pasadena War Memorial Building,
435 Fair Oaks Avenue, 1906
4. Garfield Residence, 1001 Buena Vista
Street, 1904
5. Meridian Iron Works, 913 Meridian
Avenue, 1890s
6. Wynyate, 851 Lyndon Street, 1887
7. Watering Trough-Wayside Station,
across the street from Meridian Iron
Works, 1907
8. South Pasadena Bank Building, 1019 El
Centro Street, 1904
9. Oaklawn Portals, Oaklawn & Columbia
Streets, 1905
10. South Pasadena Public Library, 1115
El Centro Street, 1907
11. Miltimore House, 1301 Chelton Way,
1911
12. Chelten Way & Ashbourne Drive,
Private streets retaining rural
atmosphere, 1907
13. The Clokey Oak Tree, 1635 Laurel
Street (rear)
14. Ashbourne-Chelten Hybrid Oak Tree,
2007 Ashbourne (removed in 1988)
15. Andrew O. Porter Residene, 215 Orang
Grove Avenue, 1875
16. Raymond Hill Waiting Station, Fair
Oaks at Raymond Hill Road, 1903
17. Howard Longley Residence, 1005 Buena
Vista Street, 1897
18. Cawston Ostrich Farm site, 100 block
of Pasadena Avenue, 1896
19. Cathedral Oak Monument, 430 Arroyo
Drive
20. Manuel Garfias Adobe Site, 424-430
Arroyo Drive, 1853
21. Leo Longley Residence, 1103 Monterey
Road, 1888
22. Fremont Aveneue Brethren Church, 920
Fremont Avenue, 1887
23. Dr. John S. Tanner Residence, 225
Grand Avenue, 1917
24. Lloyd E. Morrison Residence, 1414
Alhambra Road, 1923
25. Rialto Theater, 1019 Fair Oaks
Avenue, 1925
26. Mission Arroyo Hotel, 950-966
Mission Street, 1923
27. Barabger Studios, 729 Mission
Street, 1925
28. Grokowski House, 816 Bonita Drive,
1928-1929
29. Vivekananda House, 309 Monterey
Road, pre-1877
30. School Administration Building, 1327
Diamond Avenue, demolished 1985
31. Markey Building, 634-636 Mission
Street, 1928
32. Eddie House & Memorial Park, 2017
Edgewood Drive, 1910
33. St. James Episcopol Church, 1325
Monterey Road, 1907
34. Century House, 1000 Mission Street
(formerly at 709 Meridian Avenue), 1888
35. Adobe Eulalia Perez, 517 Garfield
Avenue, 1924
36. Bissell House, 201 Orange grove
Avenue, 1887
37. The Pettee Building, 1501 Mission
Street, 1923
38. Garfias Spring, 400 Block of Arroyo
Drive, pre-1840
39. Mabel Packard House, 2031 Berkshire
Avenue, 1914
40. Washburn House, 844 Monterey Road,
1910
41. Torrance-Childs House, 929 Buena
Vista Street, 1902