South Pasadena is a beautiful upper income incorporated city in Los Angeles County and the western San Gabriel Valley with a population exceeding 26,500. South Pasadena was once a part of Pasadena which is a larger incorporated city located directly to the north. The City of Los Angeles, including the community of Monterey Hills, is to the west and south, Alhambra is to the southeast, and the highly affluent city of San Marino is to the east. Downtown Los Angeles is about ten miles to the southwest and Highland Park is to the west. The Arroyo Seco stream is to the west and the San Rafael Hills are to the south.

The Tongva Indians inhabited South Pasadena and nearby Alhambra, along with the areas adjacent to the Arroyo Seco, for thousands of years before Southern California was claimed by Spain and later by Mexico.

 

South Pasadena Historical Archives

The City of South Pasadena has a collection of diaries, journals, personal papers, institutional publications, maps, official records, photos, and other significant documents dating back to 1849. These historical treasures are available for research purposes when the research desk is staffed.

 

Adobe Flores

Adobe Flores, built in 1846, in present day South Pasadena, is a historic home listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The magnificent home was restored in 1919.

 

Garfield Park

Garfield Park is a seven acre community park in South Pasadena. The park features two lighted tennis courts, a children's play area, picnic areas, a beautiful rose garden, and lots of green open space and shade trees.

 

South Pasadena Public Library

The South Pasadena Public Library is a 24,500 square foot full-service library established in 1895. The beautiful library is governed by a Library Board of Trustees whose members are appointed by the South Pasadena City Council. Services include computers, research materials, a large meeting room, a children's area, a teen area, and an adult area.

 

South Pasadena Chinese-American Club

The South Pasadena Chinese-American Club is a non-profit membership organization established in 1989. The club is active in providing scholarships, sponsoring cultural events such as a Moon Festival and Chinese New Year celebration, and supporting community events sponsored by other civic groups. Memberships are welcome.

 

San Rafael Hills

The San Rafael Hills are a mountain range, partially within the San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, that runs parallel to and below the San Gabriel Mountains. The San Rafael Hills contain all or parts of Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Monterey Hills, La-Canada-Flintridge, City Terrace, EI Sereno, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, and Eagle Rock. The San Rafael Hills contain a large aquifer on the north side.

 

Monterey Hills

Monterey Hills is a large residential community located adjacent to Pasadena and South Pasadena. It consists of twenty-one condominiums and rental complexes totaling 1,781 units. The following complexes are located within the community: Austrian Terrace, Bradley Court, Cabrillo Villas, Catalina Terrace, Chadwick Terrace, Chapmen Townhouses, Huntington Townhouses, Linden Heights, Drake Terrace, Eaton Crest, Fremont Villas, Harte Terrace, Hudson Terrace, Stanford Terrace, Temple Terrace, Vallejo Villas, and Wilson Summit.