Communities of Los Angeles

Sierra Madre   Historically linked to the old mountain resorts of the area, Sierra Madre sits just below the San Gabriel Mountains. The Sierra Madre Villa Hotel, established in the 1880´s, was the pioneer of resorts that populated the San Gabriel Valley at that time. Steeped in history, this delightful community exudes "Small Town Charm". It has the distinction of being the location of Adams´ Pack Station at Chantry Flat, the last remaining pack station in Southern California. It also maintains Lizzie´s Trail at the head of the Old Mt. Wilson Trail.   Probably best known for the annual Wisteria Festival which celebrates the 114 year old, 1 + acre wisteria vine listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest blooming plant and one of the seven horticultural wonders of the world., Sierra Madre offers a welcomed respite from the busier, more metropolitan Los Angeles to the southeast. The town is centered on a main street and "Town Triangle" at Sierra Madre Blvd and Baldwin Avenue dotted with small restaurants and shops. There is a neat grid of tree-lined streets to the north and south offering an eclectic mix of Victorian, Craftsman, 20´s and 30´s Character and Mid-Century homes.   The Sierra Madre Canyon Village to the north in the foothills is a unique community of narrow, winding roads through lush vegetation on which small bungalows and cabins can be found. Many of these homes were originally built as hunting cabins and are now a huge draw to the artists and naturists who populate this area.   At the present, Sierra Madre is also distinctive for having the last remaining Volunteer Fire Co. as well as the first female Chief of Police in Los Angeles County. Chief Marilyn Diaz presides over the 17 sworn members of the Sierra Madre Police force.   Sierra Madre is part of the Pasadena Unified School District. The only public school actually located in the city limits is Sierra Madre Elementary School which scores exceptionally high at 8 out of a possible 10. Also located in town are Alverno High School, a private Catholic Girl´s school, The Gooden School, a private Episcopal elementary school, St. Rita´s Parish and Elementary School, The Bethany Christian School and the Sierra Madre Community Nursery school.   Sierra Madre has appeared in several motion pictures including the original" Invasion of the Body Snatchers." and "Family Jewels"   For those longing for the feel of a small town in the mid-West or on the East coast Sierra Madre is ideal.