South Pasadena: Historic Beauty and a Small-Town Feel, South Pasadena, California

As an L.A. Eastsider, living in Altadena, I spend a lot of time in the charming Old Pasadena area. Not far from Colorado Blvd to the South is South Pasadena which has its own appeal and historical significance.

South Pasadena is a separate city from Pasadena east of the Arroyo Seco and North of the San Rafael Hills. It runs from Columbia Street to the North, Huntington Drive to the south, San Pasqual Avenue to the west, and Wilson Ave to the east.

A good place to start a visit is at the Fork in the Road at Pasadena Ave. and Bellefontaine St. It is a public art installation originally erected to commemorate the 75th birthday of Bob Stane, founder of the Ice House comedy club in Pasadena, and is a popular spot to take selfies.

The War Memorial Building at 435 Fair Oaks was constructed in 1923 to commemorate the Great War of WWI. A tree planted by General Pershing stands beside it along with canons. It is a historical landmark.

Next to it are the Oaklawn Bridge and Waiting Station which are Route 66 attractions. The waiting station was designed in 1906 by Charles and Henry Greene and is made out of stones from the Arroyo Seco. It was built for passengers waiting for the Big Red Cars of the now defunct Pacific Electric Line. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).