Pasadena California Relocation City Guide | Pasadena California Real Estate Market Resource

Pasadena City Guide

Pasadena is a city in the Los Angeles County of California probably best known for hosting the Rose Bowl football game and the annual Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day. It is located 10 miles NorthEast of downtown LA and is bordered by San Marino, South Pasadena, Highland Park, Altadena, Arcadia, San Gabriel, Eagle Rock, Sierra Madre, La Canada Flintridge and Temple City.

It is estimated that over 500,000 roses are used in each Rose Parade!

Per Wikipedia, despite its location well within the Greater Los Angeles metropolis, Pasadena is considered to be the premier city in the San Gabriel Valley. Pasadena has gained a high-profile image throughout Southern California due to its broad economic base, noted cultural, scientific, and educational institutions, and shopping and dining establishments that attract customers from the region. This along with Pasadena’s many fine examples of architecture, and wealthy neighborhoods, provide Pasadena with a prominence enjoyed by few cities in the Los Angeles area.

Pasadena covers approximately 22.5 square miles, with an average of ten residents per acre. Pasadena has 320 miles (515 kilometers) of streets.

HISTORY OF PASADENA

The land now famous for the Tournament of Roses, the Rose Bowl, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and California Institute of Technology, was once occupied by the Hahamogna Tribe of Native Americans. Subsisting on local game and vegetation, the Hahamognas lived in villages scattered along the Arroyo Seco and the canyons from the mountains down to the South Pasadena area. With the arrival of the Spaniards and the establishment of the San Gabriel Mission on September 8, 1771, most of the Native Americans were converted and provided labor for the mission.

The San Gabriel Mission, the fourth in California, grew to be prosperous, with abundant orchards, vineyards and herds. The vast lands which it administered for the Spanish Crown were divided into ranchos. After the rule of California passed from Spain to Mexico, the Mexican government in 1833 secularized the mission lands and awarded them to individuals. The northeast corner of San Gabriel Mission, consisting of the 14,000 acres known as Rancho el Rincon de San Pascual, had previously been gifted in 1826 by the padres to Doña Eulalia Pérez de Guillen, noted for her advanced age as well as her devoted service to the mission. On February 18, 1835, it was formally granted by the Mexican government to her husband, Don Juan Mariné. He and his sons subsequently lost the land which changed ownership a few more times before being granted on November 28, 1843, by Governor Manuel Micheltorena to his good friend, Colonel Manuel Garfias, son of a distinguished Mexican family.

In 1852, two years after California was admitted as a state to the Union, Garfias built an adobe hacienda on the east bank of the Arroyo, where he and his family proceeded to live in grand style, until he could not meet the interest payment due on a loan. Title to the land was then transferred in 1859 to his lenders, Dr. John S. Griffin and Benjamin “Don Benito” Wilson. Portions of the Rancho San Pasqual were thereafter sold, leaving Griffin and Wilson with 5,328 acres in 1873.

History abstract above is courtesy of the City of Pasadena.

PASADENA HOUSING

There were 51,844 occupied housing units in Pasadena in 2000 according to the U.S. Census, consisting of 45.76% homeowners and 54.2% renters. The median year that homes were built is 1954, although 29.6% were constructed before 1939.

Pasadena has many historical neighborhoods and housing for first time home buyers to affluent luxury estate buyers. The most expensive home on the market in Pasadena this year was listed for $52,000,000.

Additional Information:

Pasadena Real Estate Market Reports and Statistics

Pasadena Real Estate Market Report – October 2008

Pasadena Real Estate Market Report – September 2008

Here’s an overview of Pasadena’s Median home pricing:

PASADENA HOMES AND CONDOS FOR SALE

(Direct feeds from the IMRMLS)

Search over 100,000 homes – including the entire Pasadena California Multiple Listing Service

PASADENA CONDOS and TOWNHOMES:

PASADENA LAND FOR SALE:

Pasadena California Land for Sale

PASADENA CALIFORNIA INCOME PROPERTY FOR SALE

Pasadena California Income Property For Sale

100 Years of History and a Fun Fact:

In November 1907, forty-one of Pasadena’s real estate men met at the Shakespeare Club House to discuss the formation of a realty board in Pasadena to “promote good fellowship and fair dealing” in the industry.

Shakespeare Club House - Pasadena California

Within two months, the Pasadena Realty Board was established with J.C. Brainard named the first President.

100 years later, the Pasadena Realty Board is now the Pasadena- Foothills Association of REALTORS® (PFAR) with an industry-wide reputation of being one of the strongest real estate boards in the nation. Still promoting “good fellowship and fair dealing,” PFAR has expanded its mission to help improve the quality of life within the communities we serve.

LICENSES

Business Licenses – on-line service available (626) 744-4166
Drivers License - (626) 796-1228
Marriage License - (626) 575-5491
Animal Licensing – on-line service (626) 744-4166
Animal Rescue/Control – Pasadena Humane Society (626) 792-7151

TOP PASADENA HOTELS

Sheraton Pasadena Hotel (626)449-4000
Pasadena Hilton (626) 577-1000
The Westin Pasadena (866) 716-8132
Courtyard-La Old Pasadena (626) 403-7600
Quality Inn (626) 796-9211

TOP PASADENA RESTAURANTS

Porto Alegre – if you haven’t tried a Brazilian churrascaria (steak house), this is a place to take your first taste. It’s an all you can eat fiesta of meets and other goodies. Come hungry! 260 East Colorado Blvd, Pasadean in Paseo Colorado on the 2nd floor. (626)744-0555.
P.F.Chang’s – also in Paseo Colorado across the way from Porto Alegre. A great place for family style, high end Chinese food. Try the walnut shrimp with melon and the wonton soup – yummy! (626) 356-9760
Yard House Restaurant – located in Paseo Colorado next to PF Chang’s. They claim to have the largest selection of draft beer in the world! Great food, easy atmosphere, a large bar and TV screens to follow your favorite LA team.330 E Colorado Blvd,Pasadena: (626) 577-9273
Island’s – We’re all kids at heart, right? My kids favorite, anyways. Great tortilla soup and hamburgers can’t be beat! Paseo Colorado 330 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena - (626) 304-9050
Central Park Restaurant – just a few blocks away from Old Town Pasadena, Central Park is a popular hang out for locals especially for breakfast. 219 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena: (626)449-4499
Vertical Wine Bistro – located in Old Town Pasadena at 70 N. Raymond Avenue. Open for lunch and dinner and offers Wine Tasting Thrusdays on the first Thursday of the month. For reservations, call (626)795-3999 .
Villa Sorriso - located in Old Town Pasadena, this restaurant is known for its Italian cuisine focusing on Seafood and Steaks. 168 W. Colorado Blvd, Old Pasadena – (626)793-2233
Bar Celona – sister restaurant of Villa Sorriso is known for its Tapas Bar. Also located in Old Town Pasadena at 46 E Colorado Blvd. (626)405-1000

Pasadena Antique Dealers

Pasadena and South Pasadena are known for their wonderful antique shops. South Pasadena’s Mission District is full of shops and is a must visit for any antique hunter and lover. In the meantime, this list will get you started:

Antique Barn
1000 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, Ca.
626-799-2019
Antiques & Objects
446 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, Ca.
626-796-8224
Antiques on Fair Oaks
330 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, Ca.
626-449-9590
Blackwelder’s Antiques & Fine Art
25 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, Ca.
626-584-0723
Bruce Graney Antiques
1 W. California Blvd., #615, Pasadena, Ca.
626-449-9547
Specializing in 18th and 19th century European antiques. View our inventory here or visit our 5,000 square foot showroom in Pasadena, California.
Cable International Fine Art & Antiques
456 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, Ca.
626-584-0967
Dovetail Antiques
1 W. California Blvd., Ste. 412, Pasadena, Ca.
626-792-9410
Dragon Arts Gallery
28 N. Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, Ca.
626-396-9798
Early California Antiques
480 S. Fair Oaks, Old Pasadena Antique Center, Pasadena, Ca.
Telephone: (310) 989-1877
Large assortment of Monterey classic period to transitional pieces and period accessories that will complete and compliment the Early California look.
Essence of France
27 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, Ca.
626-449-4019
Georgene’s Antiques
448 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, Ca.
626-440-9926

PASADENA GOLF COURSES

Brookside Men’s Golf Club – Pasadena, California
Arroyo Seco Golf Course – by South Pasadena
Altadena Golf Course – just a bit North of Pasadena
San Gabriel Golf Course – San Gabriel, CA (where Bob Hope is rumoured to have played)
Whittier Narrows Golf Course – Rosemead (close enough to Pasadena to check out)

TRANSPORTATION IN AND AROUND PASADENA CA

Dial-A-Ride
Pasadena ARTS Bus routes
Gold Line
LA Dot – Dash Line and Commuter Express information and schedule

THINGS TO DO AROUND PASADENA

Pasadena Museums:

Kidspace Children’s Museum - (626) 449-9144
The Pasadena Museum of California Art (626) 568-3655
Pacific Asia Museum - (626) 449-2742
Norton Simon Museum - (626) 449-6840
Pasadena Museum of History (626) 577-1660
The Bunny Museum - (626) 798-8848

Area Museums and Botanical Gardens:

Huntington Library - San Marino
Descanso Gardens – La Canada

Other Activities:

Gamble House - (626) 793-3334 Offers a great example of American Arts & Crafts style architecture.
Rose Bowl - Great place for walking and meeting other Pasadenians.The stadium is the proud home of the Tournament of Roses Football Game, UCLA Bruin Football, Fourth of July celebrations, concerts, religious services, filmings and the World’s Largest Flea Market (R.G. Canning).A National Historic Landmark built in 1922 and known mainly for the New Year’s Tournament of Roses Football Game, the Rose Bowl Stadium has also earned its World-Class Reputation by hosting five NFL Super Bowl Games, the 1984 Olympic Soccer Matches, the 1994 Men’s World Cup, the 1999 Women’s World Cup, the 2002 and 2006 BCS National College Football Championship Games and numerous other memorable events over the past eighty plus years.
Pasadena Convention Center – currently undergoing a $150 million expansion to be completed by Spring of 2009. There will be 85,000 square feet of exhibit space with 28 break out rooms and a 25,000 sq. ft. new ball room. The Pasadena Convention Center has on-site covered parking to accommodate 850 cars with an additional 2,500 spaces within a one-block radius. Pasadena civic auditorium hosts a variety of civic events on a regular basis and is home to many musical and the Pasadena Symphony.

PASADENA SCHOOLS

Here’s a comprehensive list of all PUSD (Pasadena Unified School District) schools and their contact information. PUSD also encompasses Altadena.

Pasadena school boundary maps are available at www.pusd.us/oe with a convenient neighborhood school locator available which allows you to key in your Pasadena, Sierra Madre or Altadena address to find your elementary, middle or high school.

The schools below have all participated in the California Standard Tests which are designed to assess student achievement in grades 2 through 11 in a variety of different subject matters including English Language Arts and Math.

When selecting a Pasadena school, many parents look at the Academic Performance Indesx or API. It is the cornerstone of the California state accountability system which measures each individual school’s improvement.

The top API rated Pasadena Elementary Schools for 2007-2008 are:

	API08	API07	GROWTH
Sierra Madre Elementary	870	840	30
Hamilton Elementary	842	829	13
Willard Elementary	842	836	6

The top API rated Pasadena Elementary Schools for 2006-2007 are:

	API Score	Change in API
Don Benito Elementary School	841	+5
Willard Elementary School	841	-9
Sierra Madre Elementary School	834	+48

Pasadena Unified School District

351 S. Hudson Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91109

626-795-6981

Pasadena Unified School District Elementary Schools

Altadena Elementary School

743 E. Calaveras Street

Altadena, CA 91001

626-798-7878

Principal: Gregory White

Number of Students: 375

Burbank Elementary School

2046 N. Allen Avenue

Altadena, CA 91001

626-798-6769

Principal: Kelly Lawson

Number of Students: 385

Cleveland Elementary School

524 Palisade Street

Pasadena, CA 91003

626-794-7169

Principal: Dr. Francine Williams

Number of Students: 388

Don Benito Fundamental School

3700 Denair Street

Pasadena, CA 91107

Principal:Victoria E. Rueda

Number of Students: 812

Field Elementary School

3600 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.

Pasadena, CA 91107

626-351-8812

Principal: Ana Maria Apodaca

Number of Students: 356

Franklin Elementary School

527 W. Ventura Street

Altadena, CA 91001

626-798-9116

Principal: Caroline E. Bermudez

Number of Students: 408

Hamilton Elementary School

2089 Rose Villa Street

Pasadena, CA 91007

626-793-0678

Principal: Sarah Rudchenko

Number of Students: 514

Jackson Elementary School

593 W. Woodbury Road

Altadena, CA 91001

626-798-6773

Principal: Rose Ingber

Number of Students: 441

Jefferson Elementary School

1500 E. Villa Street

Pasadena, CA 91106

626-793-0656

Principal: Jill L. Girod

Number of Students: 639

Loma Alta Elementary School

3544 N. Canon Blvd.

Altadena, CA 91001

626-797-1173

Number of Students: 317

Longfellow Elementary School

1065 E. Washington Blvd.

Pasadena, CA 91104

626-794-1134

Number of Students: 587

Madison Elementary School

515 Ashtabula Street

Pasadena, CA 91104

626-793-1181

Principal: Sandra M. Macis

Number of Students: 592

McKinley K-8 School

325 South Oak Knoll Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91101

626-844-7880

Principal: Marisa Sarian

Number of Students: 1077

Norma Coombs alternative K-8 School

2600 Paloma Street

Pasadena, CA 91107

626-798-0759

Principal: Vanessa Watkins

Total Students: 576

Roosevelt School

315 North Pasadena Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91103

626-795-9501

Principal: Dr. Kathee Hennigan Bautista

Total Students: 310

San Rafael Elementary School

1090 Nithsdale Road

Pasdena, CA 91103

626-793-4189

Principal: Alyson Beecher

Number of Students: 355

Sierra Madre K-8 School

Lower Grade Campus (PreK – 5)

141 West Highland Avenue

Sierra Madra, CA 91024

626-355-1428

Upper Grade Campus (6,7,8)

160 N. Canon

Sierra Madre, CA 91024

Principal: Gayle Bluemel

Number of Students: 943

Washington Accelerated Elementary School

1520 North Raymond Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91103

626-791-4573

Principal: Karrone M. Meeks-Clark

Number of Students: 778

626-836-2947

Principal: Gayle Bluemel

Number of Students: 943

Webster K-8 School

2101 E. Washington Blvd.

Pasadena, CA 91104

626-798-7866

Principal: Sharon J. Lefler

Number of Students: 575

Willard Elementary School

301 S. Madre Street

Pasadena, CA 91107

626-793-6163

Principal: Dr. Kathy J. Onoye

Number of Students: 625

Pasadena Unified School District Middle Schools

Eliot Middle School

2184 N. Lake Avenue

Altadena, CA 91001

626-794-7121

Principal: Peter Pannell

Number of Students: 651

Washington Middle School

1505 N. Marengo Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91103

626-798-6708

Principal: Alejandor Ruvalcaba

Number of Students: 550

Wilson International Baccalaureate Middle School

300 South Madre Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91106

626-449-7390

Principal: Ruth Esseln

Number of Students: 713

Other Middle School Programs:

Blair International Baccalaureate Magnet School (7 – 12)

Marshall Fundamental Secondary School (6 – 12)

McKinley K-8 School (K – 8 )

Norma Coombs Alternative School (K – 8 )

Sierra Madre School Upper Campus (6 – 8 )

Webster K – 8 School

Pasadena Unified School District High Schools

Blair International Baccalaureate Magnet School

www.blairibmagnet.org

1201 S Marengo Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91106

626-441-2201

Principal: Rich Boccia

Number of Students: 1205

John Marshall Fundamental Secondary School

www.marshallfundamental.org

990 N. Allen Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91104

626-798-0713

Principal: Steven R. Miller

Number of Students: 1759

John Muir High School

www.johnmuirhs.org

1905 N. Lincoln Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91103

626-798-7881

Principal: Sheryl Orange

Number of Students: 1306

Pasadena High School

www.pasadenahigh.org

2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.

Pasadena, CA 91107

626-798-8901

Principal: Dr. Derick Evans

Number of Students: 2307

* Information gathered from PUSD School Guide Open Enrollment Brochure and Application for 2008-2009 school year.

2008 API Scores and Growth from 2007 for Pasadena Schools:

	api08	api07	GROWTH
Sierra Madre Elementary	870	840	30
Hamilton Elementary	842	829	13
Willard Elementary	842	836	6
Don Benito Fundamental	840	846	-6
Norma Coombs Alternative	812	820	-8
Franklin Elementary	806	760	46
Aveson Global Leadership Academy	788	B	B
McKinley	783	788	-5
Field (Eugene) Elementary	782	776	6
Longfellow (Henry W.) Elementary	780	775	5
Washington Accelerated Elementary	779	741	38
Roosevelt Elementary	763	747	16
Cleveland Elementary	758	756	2
Daniel Webster	749	777	-28
Burbank Elementary	739	783	-44
Loma Alta Elementary	736	724	12
Marshall Fundamental	731	723	8
Jefferson Elementary	725	709	16
Jackson Elementary	718	719	-1
Altadena Elementary	717	668	49
Pasadena High	713	704	9
Madison Elementary	709	726	-17
San Rafael Elementary	702	706	-4
Woodrow Wilson Middle	683	673	10
Blair High	650	640	10
Charles W. Eliot Middle	614	630	-16
John Muir High	600	569	31
Washington Middle	599	630	-31
Nia Educational Charter	586	556	30
Rose City High (Continuation)	485	421	64

PASADENA AREA NEIGHBORHOODS

BUNGALOW HEAVEN

Bungalow Heaven is Pasadena’s first Landmark District. It has many different architectural styles, but locals mainly know it due to its abundance of California Bungalows that were built between 1900 to 1930s.

Many of the bungalows here were built from kits – often at a cost of $1,000 – and delivered to Californians eager to build the low-slung, often single-story homes with the deep verandas and overhanging eaves that protect them form California’s powerful sunshine.

There are so many beautiful bungalows here that it’s impossible to point out just one or two. Take a walk through the neighborhood and explore it yourself.

Bungalow Heaven is located between Washington Blvd (north) and Orange Grove (South) , Lake Avenue (West) and Hill (East)

GARFIELD HEIGHTS

Garfield Heights is Pasadena’s second official Landmark District. It’s an eclectic area of Craftsman bungalows to historic two and four unit apartments. Most of these homes were built from the late 19^th century to the 1920s. Note the distinctive architectural features like pillars, retaining walls, foundations – made of river rock.

Bates House (1920)

1290 North Marengo Avenue

This U-shaped house was designed by Glen Elwood Smith, one of Pasadena’s highly regarded residential architects of his era.

The Gerlach House (1913)

985 North Los Robles Avenue

A beautifully sited Sylvanus Marston design. Note the deep shade provided by the graciously proportioned veranda.

The Gilmore House (1891)

1247 North Garfield Avenue

A Neoclassical house by Roehrig and Locke. Frederick Roehrig was also the architect of Castle Green.

HISTORIC HIGHLANDS

In late 2007, city of Pasadena has unanimously approved Historic Highlands as a Landmark Distirct. It’s about time since this area has some of the most beautiful craftsman homes in Pasadena.

Historic Highlands Neighborhood website has this to share about the Historic Highlands history:

What is known today as the Historic Highlands encompasses the estates and land
holdings of two prominent Pasadena pioneers: David MacPherson, former Santa Fe
Railroad design engineer of the famed Mt. Lowe railroad; Ezra Dane, an orchardist
who settled here in 1883.

Ezra Dane crossed the plains from Massachusetts sometime between 1849 and 1852
and settled in Sonora County in Northern California where he became a prosperous
farmer. Driven from the area by an out break of malaria in the early 1880’s, he
moved his family to Pasadena in 1883 where he purchased 160 acres in the San
Pasqual Rancho area, known as “the place where every tree is pleasant to the sight
and good for food” and began planting orchards.

In 1885, Dane and his wife Lois built their substantial ranch home from the first
lumber brought to Pasadena by steam locomotive. From the house known for many
years as “Sunnyridge on the Highlands”, Dane oversaw orchard and livestock
operations on his land, which stretched north from Washington to Woodbury Road
and east from Holliston to a point midway between modern day Mar Vista and
Catalina. He grew peaches, apricots, prunes and citrus, and raised some livestock -
including about a hundred hogs – on Elizabeth Street. A driveway from Washington
to his home was lined with a double row of palm trees still visible in the backyards of
homes between Michigan and Chester.

As Pasadena grew north and east, homes were being built all around the ranch so the
Danes began selling their land a parcel at a time. In 1912, they subdivided the land
immediately adjacent to the ranch house, creating building lots on Holliston, Chester,
Michigan, Mar Vista, Denver (now Howard) and Rio Grande. The lots were sold to
members of Pasadena’s prosperous business and professional class who had substantial
homes custom built on the large lots during the ensuing decades. Ezra and Lois Dane
lived in the home until their deaths in the early 1920’s. Their daughter Alice and later
her grandson and his family lived in the home.

MacPherson owned much of the land bordered by New York Drive on the north and
Washington Blvd. on the south, in what is now the western part of the neighborhood.
The east/west streets were given names of the railroads: Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe
(now Elizabeth), Denver (now Howard), and Rio Grand. The names Catalina and
MarVista acknowledge the great view of the ocean at that time. MacPherson built a
home at 1075 Topeka in 1906 and was living at 1120 Atchison at the time of his death.

MacPherson teamed with famous entrepreneur Thaddeus Lowe to design and build
the Echo Mountain Incline Railway which made its first official trip on July 4th, 1893.
Four million visitors enjoyed the breathtaking views and fresh mountain air for more
than 40 years until the railway stopped operating in 1937.

ARCHITECTURAL STYLES:

The earliest architectural style represented in Pasadena is Victorian, but Pasadena is mostly associated with the Craftsman style. Many significant local architects introduced Period and Revival style homes which were well received by cosmopolitan residents. The Prairie style might be attributed to emigrants from the
Midwest. Indeed, the Prairie style home is quite at home next to the California Bungalow. Both share honest craftsmanship and find inspiration in the simplicity and beauty of nature. True to the craftsman ethic of using locally found materials, locally grown oak and Douglas fir are used throughout the homes in Historic Highlands, as well as art tile from Southern California’s artisan community. River rock has
commonly been used for foundations and chimneys, and likely came from the Arroyo
Seco. Craftsman and Prairie homes were reactions to the industrialization and heavy,
non-functional ornamentation of Victorians. The architectural details in the homes of Historic Highlands find inspiration from all over the world.

Influential local architects Greene & Greene were inspired by the Japonaiserie movement when they visited the World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago in 1893. In the 1920’s, American architecture was influenced by both European and early American architecture. Not necessarily faithful reproductions, Period revival homes liberally borrowed attractive or romanticized elements. The European flair of Period revival homes suggested the culture and prestige of its residents. Furthermore, in Southern California, Period revival movements represent a reaction against the dark organic interiors of the Craftsman style in favor of brightly lit and open rooms.

Colonial revival reflects national pride and became popular following the country’s 1876 Centennial. Similarly, the Mission revival style recognizes early California’s cultural heritage and was popularized following the Panama-California Exposition in San Diego in 1915. Today Historic Highlands is a combination of many different architectural styles and cultures.

The Historic Highlands Neighborhood straddles the borders of Pasadena and Altadena, situated
between New York Blvd. on the North, Washington Blvd. on the South, Lake Ave. on the West, and Hill Ave. on the East.

SAN RAFAEL

In 1940s, the housing shortage in Pasadena led to the development of the San Rafael area and new residences were built that reflected the upper middle class and very wealthy families.

Colorado Street Bridge (1912-1913)

This is one of the most graceful and beautiful bridges in the area. This curving bridge is made out of reinforced concrete. It was restored in the 1990s and spans nearly 1,500 feet. It connects Old Pasadena to the San Rafael Hills and Eagle Rock.

Vista del Arroyo Hotel (1920)

125 S. Grand Avenue.

The federal government acquired this Sylvanus Marston designed resort hotel to use as a military hospital. It is now used as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

La Casita del Arroyo (1933)

177 S Arroyo Blvd.

Designed by Myron Hunt at no charge, this structure was built using Arroyo stone and lumber from bicycle tracks built at the Rose Bowl for the 1932 Olympics.

Batchelder House (1909)

626 S Arroyo Blvd.

Ernest Batchelder is a famed artisan known around Pasadena for his beautiful decorative tiles around the fireplaces. These tiles became emblematic of the Arts & Crafts movement. Batchelder’s kiln remains in the backyard of this lovely home, and the discerning viewer can see examples of his tile work from the street.

Wrigley Mansion (1911)

391 S Orange Grove Avenue

This ornate mansion built for the chewing-gum mogul William Wringley, who controlled the development of Catalina island. It is now home to Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses.

MADISON HEIGHTS

A great neighborhood right next to the South Lake Avenue District. It has a strong neighborhood association and has an annual 4th of July parade and other family oriented activities.

The neighborhood was laid out in the 19th century, and the oldest house still standing dates from 1890. Some of the origins of our street names go back to this era. The most prominent is El Molino Avenue, named for Col. E. J. C. Kewen’s El Molino Ranch with its “old mill of the padres.”

Euclid Avenue was opened in 1885 by C. M. Skellen who took the name from Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. Glenarm Street was named by Thomas Banbury after his wife’s hometown in Canada. Los Robles Avenue was named after Governor George Stoneman’s ranch which was at the southern extremity of the road. Oakland Avenue originally did not extend south of California. It was named after the City of Oakland and the street was also lined with oak trees. The section of the street in Madison Heights was originally called Eastern Avenue.

The original “Madison Avenue Heights” subdivision consisting of 63 lots was opened in July, 1906. Lots were priced from $1,500 and carried a stipulation that homes to be built should cost at least $3,000.

The Madison Heights neighborhood was largely developed between 1910 and 1917. It consisted of family homes of professional people. A number of architects and contractors who worked in the neighborhood also lived here. Many early residents subdivided their lots to build homes for their grown children. To this day, it’s common for multiple generations of a family to own separate homes in the neighborhood.

Allendale Branch Library (1920s)

1130 S. Marengo Aven.

At the southern border of Madison Heights, this adobe structure is currently a Pasadena Public Library branch as well as a school library for Allendale Elementary School. Built as an isolation hospital for patients with infectious diseases, it became a library in 1951.

Heineman-designed House (1911)

885 S El Molino Ave.

This Craftsman home was designed by Arthur S. Heineman.

E.J. Blacker House (1912)

675 S. Madison Ave.

This Craftsman home was built a few years later than the Blacker House, it’s grander Oak Knoll neighbor to the South.

OAK KNOLL

Once the site of a sheep ranch owned by Henry Huntington, this neighborhood began its life before the turn of the 20^th century featuring many grand estates. These estates were built to showcase the lovely native oaks growing in the area. The most famous estate in the area would be the former Ritz Carlton, now Langham Hotel & Spa.

Oak Knoll boasts the architecture of the famous Greene & Greene brothers, Sylvanus Marston and Wallace Neff.

If you have an opportunity to visit Oak Knoll make sure to drive by these estates:

Langham Hotel, formerly known as Ritz-Carlton (built in 1906 and rebuilt in 1991)

1401 S. Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena

Originally opened as the Hotel Wentworth in 1907 and repurchased by San Marino tycoon Henry Huntington, who had it redesigned by Myron Hunt. It reopened as a resort destination in 1914 and came to represent Pasadena’s elite good life.

Blacker House (1907)

1177 Hillcrest Avenue, Pasadena

One of the crowning achievements of Greene & Greene architecture along with the Gamble House. It is privately held and was meticulously restored to its previous glory.

Freeman House

1330 Hillcrest Avenue, Pasadena

A craftsman designed by Arthur S. Heineman. Heineman was the designer of the first motor hotel, and is said to have coined a term “motel” for motor hotel.

Dome House (1946)

1097 S Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena

A Wallace Neff design. Neff experimented with concrete structures as part of his on-going interest in building affordable housing. Dome House represents an example of his “bubble” construction.

OLD PASADENA HISTORIC DISTRICT (OLD TOWN PASADENA)

Old Town is Pasadena’s original business district that began at the intersection of Fair Oaks Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Newly revitalized, Old Town is one of Southern California’s leading destinations. It has pedestrian-friendly streets, designer boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants.

Norton Simon Museum (1969)

411 W. Colorado Blvd.

The Norton Simon Museum is on the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado Blvd at the beginning of Old Town as you exit the Colorado Street Bridge. It was designed by the architectural firm of Ladd & Kelsey. The art museum’s interior was renovated by Frank Gehry from 1996 to 1999.

Hotel Green (1898)

Currently known as Castle Green, this was the second building of a lavish 19^th-century resort built in the Moorish style for wealthy Easterners who came to California during winter months to enjoy our moderate climate. The enclosed bridge that now ends at a small tower once crossed Raymond to connect with the first building in the hotel’s complex. Architect for Hotel Green was Frederick Roehrig.

Pasadena City Hall (1927)

100 N. Garfield Avenue

Pasadena City Hall just underwent an extensive seismic retrofitting. It’s a great example of the Mediterranean style and was translated to fit its California setting by the San Francisco architectural firm of Bakewell and Brown. The impressive circular tower rises six stories and is topped by a dome which is in turn topped by a cupola that is finally topped by an urn and ball.

Former Santa Fe Railway Station, 1935

222 South Raymond Avenue

Architect: H. C. Gilman

Chamber of Commerce Building, 1906

117 East Colorado Boulevard

Architects: Parkinson & Bergstrom

Kinney-Kendall Building, 1897

65 East Colorado Boulevard

Architects:

Charles & Henry Greene

Friend Paper Co., 1965

100 West Green Street

Architects: Smith & Williams

ORANGE HEIGHTS

Once known as “Pill Hill”, because of the large number of physicians and care givers who lived in the neighborhood, Orange Heights has always been at the heart of Pasadena’s civic life. Some of the city’s most prominent citizens have lived here, attracted by the beautiful architecture, terraced yards, tree lined streets, and mountain views.

Orange Heights has been added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. It is bounded to the West by Los Robles Avenue, to the East by El Molino Avenue, to the North by Jackson Street, and to the South by Mountain Boulevard.

Although Pasadena has grown and changed during the last century, Orange Heights still appears today much as it did over eighty years ago.

Information on Orange Heights can be found at it its neighborhood website – www.orangeheights.org

PROSPECT PARK

Prospect Park is a tiny neighborhood just North of the 134 Freeway and West of 210 – where the two freeways meet and is off of Orange Grove and Prospect Blvd. This area was designated as a housing development in 1906 and had Sylvanus Marston clinker-brick portals on Orange Grove at Prospect Boulevard. Beautiful and mature camphor trees create a shady arch over the wide boulevard as you enter from Orange Grove. This neighborhood showcases a collection of Greene & Greene houses, the Gamble House and Frank Lloyd Wright’s La Miniatura.

Gamble House (1908)

4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena

Called a Gamble House because it was built for David and Mary Gamble of, yes… you guessed it, Proctor & Gamble fame.

Alice Millard House (La Miniatura) (1923)

645 Prospect Crescent, Pasadena

This home was built by Frank Lloyd Wright for Alice Millard after the death of her husband, rare book dealer George Millard. This home is an example of concrete-block construction. La Miniatura’s Mayan-influenced design is acclaimed by many as Wright’s most interesting work.

Hindry House (1909)

781 Prospect Avenue, Pasadena

Arthur and Alfred Heineman designed this elaborate home without the benefit of formal architectural training.

Charles Sumner Greene House (1901)

368 Arroyo Terrace

This is Charles Greene’s own Craftsman home. He made several additions to this home over the years.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS in Pasadena California:

Major Pasadena Employers:

AlliedSignal
Ameron International
AT&T
Art College Center of Design
Avery Dennison
Avon Products
Bank of America
Bolton Insurance
Cal Fed
California Institute of Technology

California School of Culinary Arts

Catholic Healthcare West
Chicago Title
Christie Parker Hale
City of Pasadena
Community Bank
Fuller Theological Seminary
HCM Claims
Huntington Memorial Hospital
idealab!
IndyMac
Jacobs Engineering
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Kaiser Permanente

LACERA
Las Encinas Hospital
Macy’s West
Montgomery Watson
Parsons Corporation
Pasadena City College
Pasadena Hilton
Pasadena Unified School District
The Langham, Huntington Hotel
Sears
Sheraton, Pasadena
Target
Tetra Tech, Inc
Tokio Bank
United Commercial
Bank Villla Gardens
Vons Companies
Wausau Insurance
Wescom Credit Union
Western Asset Management
Westin

PASADENA RELOCATION SPECIALIST

Irina Netchaev – Real Estate Broker