South Lake - Pasadena, CA Area Guide

The land where Pasadena now stands was first occupied by the Hahamogna Native Americans before the Spanish in 1771. After rule passed from Spain to Mexico, the region underwent a secular change in 1833, which later led to California becoming an American state in 1852. From the late 1800s until the 1940s, Pasadena was primarily a resort town for wealthy tourists, but with the advent of World War II, it quickly became a major staging area. This led to a proliferation of science and technology companies, and the area began to be built up as a result.

Home to the eminent California Institute of Technology (Caltech), notable scientists such as Albert Einstein and Robert A. Milikan have been South Lake residents. In 1968, the Caltech Archives were established to record the history of the California Institute of Technology. Caltech's unique historical collections in science and technology span from the time of Copernicus to the present. The school's Beckman Museum is a small but notable museum devoted to Arnold O. Beckman's work in science, chemistry, and philanthropy.

Pasadena has some of the best weather in California, and many South Lake restaurants take advantage of it with patio and outdoor seating. No matter the weather, customers can satisfy every palate imaginable on South Lake.

Real Italian-style coffee proves the big draw at Massetti Caffe. The cold-brewed coffee elicits raves from Massetti's fans, who also love the Italian sodas, the Italian cornetto pastries and the tasty sandwiches. If you want to expand your horizons away from the usual espresso, go for a Nutella latte.

Another hidden treasure lies tucked away from South Lake, nestled on Shopper's Lane. Grab an outdoor seat at Float and get ready to experience something great. Known for having the best sandwiches around along with "pop" and floats from the good ole days, Float remains a neighborhood favorite. Combine a Good Fella Italian sub or chicken pesto sandwich with one of the famous root beer floats. Regulars frequently stop in before crossing Lake Avenue to do their shopping.

When night falls in Pasadena, Bistro 45 always draws a crowd. Found on Mentor Avenue in the South Lake district, locals descend on the bistro for the beautiful ambiance and cool drinks. The unsurpassed food doesn't hurt, either. Whether celebrating an anniversary or rounding up the girls for a party night, Bistro 45 ranks among the best Pasadena bars.

With a more relaxed demographic on South Lake, young people looking for bumpin' nightclubs usually travel a half-mile northwest to Colorado Boulevard in Old Town. Here, Live Mixx Lounge satisfies the dancing bug. The peaceful atmosphere that defines South Lake draws many couples and individuals to simply stroll along the tree-lined street, taking in the lovely nights.

A drawing point to South Lake is the convenience of walking. Many residents walk to nearby jobs at investment banks, clothing shops, spas, and more. Pasadena even has its own low-cost bus system - the ARTS, where the fare is only 75 cents. Metro buses and Foothill Transit also run nearby, along with taxi and Uber services.

Drivers can find transport a challenge, as street parking carries a fee and the private lots are reserved for business patrons. Fortunately, making your way to the freeway is easy. Interstates 210 and 134 may be reached only a mile away, by Lake Avenue and California Boulevard, respectively.

With well-maintained bike lanes and sidewalks, South Lake is an inviting place for cyclists and pedestrians alike. Just use caution when biking on Lake Street during rush hours when streets grow more congested.

The South Lake area is a small jewel in the gleaming Pasadena setting. While the Greater Pasadena region provides a number of parks, locals around South Lake enjoy Grant Park on Michigan Avenue for its cozy charm. Noted as a great park for children, families come out for the horse shoe pits, and athletic courts hosting basketball, volleyball, and tennis games. You can play baseball, have a picnic, and let kids and well-managed pets play leisurely. Easy parking and available restrooms make the outing even better.

In keeping with the South Lake historical tradition, Caltech's Tournament Park welcomes the public to enjoy this peaceful locale. Located on the south side of the campus, Tournament Park has a place to barbecue, a playground for children and picnic area. Noted for being a quiet park for little ones, with a path where they can ride bikes or scooters, this place is highly popular. Be patient while trying to find it and be sure to weave your way past the permit section to the public parking area.

South Lake parks stay a bit more informal than outlying parks where annual events seem more common. Tournament Park hosts community barbecues and an annual Children's Bike Day, but in this serene neighborhood, just a relaxing day on the grounds is enough of an event.

South Lake Avenue's popular location affects its cost of living. With the median cost for rent running around $1800, most younger residents have roommates. Homeowners enjoy the benefit of owning property that increases tremendously in value over the years. The sheer location alone in this southern Pasadena region raises the housing price tag. By comparison, a one-bedroom rental in the South Lake district runs fairly close with nearby downtown Los Angeles. Most young professionals look for housing in both locales and can expect to pay similar amounts for comparable amenities, although South Lake offers the benefits of living in a small town.

Public transportation is extremely reasonable. A ride on a Metro bus or nearby Gold Line train runs only $1.75 for the base fare. You can hop on a bus on Colorado Boulevard, for instance, and ride to Hollywood for only $1.75. Drivers can expect to pay roughly 10 percent above the national average for gas.

Grocery shopping is reasonable in the South Lake area, but when you're ready for a beer, look to pay around $7 unless you take advantage of happy hour.

On either side of south Lake Avenue you can find nearly a dozen clothing shops. Nationally-known chains such as Ann Taylor and Macy's dot the street, but the true gems lie in two unique Pasadena boutiques. Kokila's Boutique showcases its distinct fare through stately windows. Both men and women can find treasures inside, along with jewelry and an array of unique accessories. Stumble upon another great find at B.Luu, named after owner Bachmai Luu. For true shop-till-you-droppers, get lost in B.Luu's expansive upscale boutique. Touting an enviable designers' list, you can find Dolce Vita, Hudson, and Vanessa Mooney in this trove. But if your wallet is a little bit lighter, don't fret. South Lake welcomes bargain shoppers to TJ Maxx and Ross to pump up your closets. For groceries, most residents shop at Pavilions, located on California and Lake, or visit Trader Joe's. Further up Lake Avenue you find California bastion Ralphs. Shopping the farmer's markets at the Villa Parke Center or Victory Park will make your day worthwhile as you leave with farm-fresh goodies and one-of-a-kind crafts from vendors.