Communities of Los Angeles

Pasadena     Located 10 miles northeast of Los Angeles, Pasadena is approximately a 20 minute drive from downtown L.A. Considered the first suburb of Los Angeles things began just the opposite for these two cities. It was the pueblo called "The Town of Our Lady of the Angels" that was first a satellite of the great Mission San Gabriel Archangel which is located just outside of Pasadena. Initially, Pasadena, Altadena and South Pasadena were all part of the Spanish land grant Rancho San Pasqual. Following the U.S. annexation of California in 1848 and statehood in 1850, Manuel Garfias sold several parcels of his land to the first Anglo owners. The names of these men are commemorated by Eaton Canyon and Mt. Wilson. In 1873, Benjamin Wilson was visited by Dr. Daniel Berry, from Indiana. Impressed by the climate, the doctor purchased several acres to create a haven for his patients suffering from repertory ailments. To finance his project he created the Southern California Orange and Citrus Growers Association for which he sold stock. Individuals coming from the mid-west bought property along the Arroyo Seco and the Indiana Colony was incorporated in 1873. It was the U.S. postmaster general who felt a more suitable name was needed to establish a Post Office. After several discarded suggestions the Chippewa Indian phrase Pasadena or "of the valley" was chosen. In 1886 Pasadena became the second city to incorporate in Southern California after L.A. Pasadena has long been associated with fine living. The growth experienced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was largely due to the luxurious resort hotels that brought wealthy easterners and mid-westerners to the more temperate southern California climate. Many enjoyed their stays at the Green, Raymond, Maryland and Arroyo Vista hotels so much so that they built winter homes or retired to Pasadena and surrounding Altadena, San Marino, South Pasadena and Flintridge. The building boom of this period gave the area some of the finest residences of all styles and sizes available in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Most of these homes still exist and make up the core of the "character" housing stock for which the Pasadena area is known. Craftsman, Spanish Colonial Revival, Italian, Mediterranean, English Tudor, Norman, Regency, Country French and American Colonial residences flourish throughout the district. Most of these character homes are located on generous, well landscaped lots along tree shaded streets. Those seeking gracious old world living in the L.A. area inevitably find themselves drawn to these neighborhoods. As with most cities, the Great Depression and WWII changed the dynamics of the area but many lovely homes from the 1930´s and 1940´s also exist. There is also an abundance of mid-century modern and traditional homes that were built during the 1950´s and 1960´s post war building boom. Pasadena also offers a great deal of urban living opportunities in the many fine condominium developments throughout the city, many of which are located conveniently near shops and restaurants. The Pasadena public school system is focused on improving their overall scores and to creating new standards of education with the addition of several magnate and charter schools. There are also many fine co-ed and single gender private schools in the area. The city is also known for its many cultural offerings such as the Norton Simon Museum, the Pacific Asia Museum, the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens,  the Gamble House, the Pasadena Symphony and Pops Orchestras, and the Pasadena Playhouse, the official State Theatre of California. Pasadena is probably best known for the Rose Bowl which hosts the New Years Day Rose Bowl Game and by the nationally televised Tournament of Roses Parade.