Lower Arroyo - Pasadena, CA Area Guide

Arroyo Seco, meaning "dry gulch" in Spanish, has at its heart an eight-mile canyon and stream that helped birth Pasadena. In 1887, Pasadena citizens saw the potential for the land to become a park. In 1911, President Theodore Roosevelt made an influential claim when he said, "This Arroyo would make one of the greatest parks in the world."

In 1918, the Arroyo Park Committee developed a plan that envisioned the Lower Arroyo dedicated to bridle paths, trails, and planted with only native plants. Lower Arroyo was declared a City Cultural Landmark in 1977, and it later garnered inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

The prestigious Norton Simon Museum sits close by, near the famous Wrigley Mansion, once owned by chewing-gum pioneer, William Wrigley, Jr. Home to the Tournament of Roses Association, the annual Rose Parade starts at the breathtaking mansion every New Year's Day.

To enjoy the area's best restaurants and nightlife, venture one mile south of the Arroyo to Old Town Pasadena since the Lower Arroyo neighborhood itself contains no restaurants. For the best the town has to offer, head to Colorado Boulevard, the engaging hub for tasty treats. Stop by Lucky Boy Burgers for Mexican and American dishes ranging from tacos and burritos to quarter-pound burgers with a side of fried zucchini or chili fries. Wash it all down with a nice, thick milkshake. A sure favorite of locals from the Arroyo, Sorriso on west Colorado provides a full night of tasty Italian food and dancing after a prickly pear margarita. Diners rave over the stuffed piquillo peppers and Spanish ham flatbread, for starters. The restaurant's warm ambiance seals the experience with white linen tables topped with a lone candle and bright flower bloom. While here, peruse the portraits of Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Marilyn Monroe hanging on the inner brick wall.

Mijares Mexican Restaurant, considered Pasadena's oldest and best Mexican restaurant, has made a name for itself with authentic regional and traditional cuisine along with its hand-shaken margaritas. Dine on the patio or indoors, and bring the whole family. Enjoy a Jesucita’s appetizer platter that tantalizes the taste buds with a combination of taquitos, chimichanguitas, a mini taco, chicken flautitas and a quesadilla — all served with heaps of guacamole and sour cream. The restaurant caters and takes bookings for private parties and banquets as well.

With a more refined crowd residing in the Arroyo, Sorriso provides elegant night-time entertainment in lieu of the traditional club- and bar-hopping found among younger party-goers.

A drive across the architectural Colorado Street Bridge allows a scenic view down into the Arroyo. The neighborhood sits conveniently near the conjunction of state route 134 and Interstate 210. Travel south on Orange Grove Boulevard to find access to state route 110, leading to downtown Los Angeles only 7 miles away.

Those simply enjoying the neighborhood love to walk, cycle, or run the trails. With its heritage of leisurely escapes, roads in the Arroyo neighborhood tend to be very bike- and pedestrian-safe, and bike lanes run on the major streets.

The City of Pasadena does not allow any overnight parking without a permit, and public parking in the daytime is limited in the exclusive residential neighborhood. Taxis or Uber service can be arranged by calling ahead, but are not common in the Arroyo. Fortunately, Metro buses service the area, traveling primarily on Colorado Boulevard and Orange Grove. Take advantage of the Pasadena ARTS bus, as well as Metro lines 180 and 181, which carry passengers across the stunning Colorado Street Bridge.

Lower Arroyo takes its unique sense community seriously. One visit to Memorial Grove, in the center of Lower Arroyo, displays this wonderfully. The lovely landmark hosts of native trees planted to commemorate the lives of community members who have passed away. In a time when life can be so fast-paced and fleeting, residents of the Arroyo take the time to stop and remember each other.

Just under the stately Colorado Street Bridge, you find the neighborhood's true heartbeat. At Arroyo Seco Natural Park, your choices for recreation can run wild. Families and children love the bird sanctuary and Kidspace Children's Museum, while athletes enjoy the multipurpose fields, running trails, and golf course. Want to try archery or fly fishing? Ride horseback along a peaceful trail? These options and more meet all who visit the Lower Arroyo Park. Well-maintained dogs can play with flying discs in certain areas, and those gathering for a picnic find plenty of space. With too many amenities to list, no one should visit the Arroyo without spending some dedicated time at this historical park.

Every winter, the annual Rose Bowl Half Marathon rises as a community favorite. The scenic course passes the Colorado Street Bridge, Devil's Gate Dam, Flintwash Bridge, and the Jet Propulsion Lab, to name a few attractions. Hosted around February, the crowded event draws locals and visitors with vibrant energy.

The beauty and tranquility of life in the Lower Arroyo comes at a high cost. The median rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in this wealthy neighborhood hovers around $2,650 per month, although few one-bedrooms are to be found in the neighborhood.

On the upside, low-cost public transportation abounds in this general area of Pasadena. A Metro bus ride to downtown Los Angeles, Glendale or Hollywood runs $1.75 one-way, while local Pasadena travel on the regional ARTS bus for only 75 cents.

Expect to pay roughly $7 for a beer at a pub. Gas costs are a little higher here, about 11 percent above the national average.

Lower Arroyo remains purely residential and recreational, so it has no shops of its own. However, right next to Lower Arroyo in Old Town Pasadena, you can find a complete shopper's world. From Rusnak Pasadena, the Porsche dealership, to the famed Tiffany & Co. jewelry store, high-end choices abound for specialty items.

Stepping through the ornamental glass doors in the taupe stone building, Tiffany blue swaths the place in luxury. Flawless diamond pendants, bracelets, and rings sit on regal display. Even if the prices are a bit above your budget, at least step into the riveting store just for the experience.

Prudent shoppers looking for the best second-hand haunt may be surprised to find the local Goodwill thrift store in Old Town. However, the immense selection of this store surely comes from a lot of swanky Arroyo closets. Whether you want an immaculate pair of Frye boots or a near-perfect red carpet dress, Goodwill knows how to please. Home decor items, rare musical instruments and racks stuffed with eclectic fashions fill the thrift shop.

Residents in the Arroyo visit Ralphs supermarket on Colorado Boulevard for groceries, or Vons on Fair Oaks Boulevard. Old Town also provides shopping at Target, Trader Joe's, and drugstores such as CVS and Rite Aid. The farmer's market at City Hall Centennial Square never disappoints, but the most well-known shopping extravaganza is the Rose Bowl flea market, just past the Colorado Street Bridge from Lower Arroyo. Locals flock to the famed stadium the second Sunday of every month to walk the grounds and scour goodies this enormous swap meet that has become an antiquing and collectibles destination for many.