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Community Corner

City Walk: Wild and Sporty South Pasadena (Video)

This roughly two-mile walk through the Arroyo and a nearby neighborhood provides both scenic views and a little bit of wilderness.

This month’s walk takes you back to nature, but first, there are two warnings:

  1. Be careful. We’ll be nearing wilderness, and one way you can tell is that sidewalks are scarce—but SUVs are not. Use caution.
  2. Be self-confident. You will be surrounded by sporty people and their sporty offspring. If that’s likely to bring back unpleasant memories involving dodge balls careening at your head, you might prefer hiking up and down bucolic Fair Oaks.

If you still want to proceed, forewarned, get yourself over to where Arroyo Drive meets Pasadena Avenue. Start walking northeast on Arroyo Drive. On your left will be the outskirts of the Arroyo Seco golf course. Now to put you in the mood for nature, stay on the left hand side where there is no sidewalk—just dirt. You’ll feel like a pioneer. 

At Stoney Drive, turn left (north-west). Go down the sidewalk-less hill that, interestingly, has cracks in the asphalt to dissuade skateboarders from skating on it (and I just thought the city was cheap). When walking on streets, pedestrians are supposed to travel opposite the flow of traffic so be sure to stay to the left.

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Your first brush with uber-sporty people will be at the bottom of the hill: It’s a hiking trail that leads to the Rose Bowl where people run with their dogs. There are actual hikers in real hiking boots, too. I even saw a guy with a hiking stick. I'm pretty sure he whittled it himself. Past the hiking trail, on your left, is the golf course. Pastoral? Yes. There are signs warning you to beware of errant balls. So, walk fast.

In a little bit on your right, you’ll come across (mostly) boys defying gravity at the skateboard park. You might see a ripper catching air most egregiously on the half pipe, but since you’re likely a poser don’t ogle or you’ll get suspicious looks. If not from the skateboarders, then from the dads at the batting cages next doors. Move right along until you reach the racquetball court. Here you might feel tempted to drop your head a little lower, because you’ll be passing adults who compete with one another in games requiring practiced athletic skill. But you just keep your head held high! You are just as fit as these people proved by your stylish velour sweat suit. ...You did wear it, right?

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Stoney Drive winds west and then north under the freeway. Follow it and check out the spectacular murals on both sides of the tunnel. This fine art is courtesy of South Pasadena Girl Scouts. Which I must add, are the best Girl Scouts in the world. I know, because I personally co-lead a troop of seventh grade Cadettes, and they are all exemplary humans. You should see them pitch tents.

Once you are past the tunnel, you’ll find yourself in baseball/soccer land, which is officially known as San Pasqual Park. I've been told that this is where the wild SUVs are most likely to congregate so, shush. You don’t want to scare them away. Actually if you’re lucky, you’ll see some cute tee-ballers learning to compete before they even learn to read. Although let’s face it, they've probably been reading for years. Don’t feel bad; it’s not your fault your first grader is still stuck on Hop on Pop. It’s your spouse’s. 

Follow Stoney Drive until you reach San Pascual Avenue. (Normally, this is when I contemplate why San Pasqual Park is spelled with a “q” and San Pascual Avenue is spelled with a “c.”) Turn right (northeast) on San Pascual Avenue.  Pass the few residences here, and check out San Pascual Stables where you can observe (mostly) girls catching air of their own as they tackle jumps and kick up dust on some gnarly horses. 

The stables are near the basis of a hill. Go to the top of the hill.  Ahead of you, you’ll see where San Pascual meets San Rafael. Don’t go that way! Instead, turn almost 360 degrees onto Arroyo Drive and head south. Most likely, your encounter with the super fit will now end. (Although truth be told, at this point I did run into a very cheery and large team of bicyclists.) Also, blessedly, you will now have rejoined the land of sidewalks. On your left, you will see some lovely homes. On your right, you’ll have some breathtaking views. (I could see Griffith Observatory!) You’ll also come upon a modest historical monument marking the site where the very first Easter services were held in California in 1770. (Who knew?)

At the Intersection of Arroyo and Mission, jog left (east) then right (south) so that you’re on Pasadena Avenue. Pasadena Avenue will take you back to where you started. In the process, you’ll cross , an almost 50-year-old institution. Stop in and have a sandwich. When you’re done, go next door and order up a wedding cake from Fantasy Frostings. Not getting married? It’s cake. I don’t see your dilemma. Looking for something lighter?  Well, you could cross over to . It’s on the southeast corner of Pasadena and Monterey.  You’ll be able to see if from Fantasy Frostings. It’s kind of complicated getting there though. Because of the , you’ll have to cross three crosswalks all right next to each other. Don't worry, I have total faith in you. Plus, it’s worth it. At the front entrance, they have these little baby footprints embedded in the cement. Adorable—only in South Pasadena.

Walking Directions

  1. Start where Pasadena Avenue meets Arroyo Drive.
  2. Head northeast on Arroyo Drive.
  3. Turn left (west) on Stoney Drive and go down the hill. 
  4. Follow Stoney Drive as it curves north, then west, and then mostly north again.
  5. Turn right (northeast) at San Pascual and go up the hill.
  6. At the top of the hill turn onto Arroyo Drive.
  7. When Arroyo Drive meets Mission, jog left (east) and then right (south), so that you’re on Pasadena Avenue. 
  8. Continue until you’re back where you started. 

Be sure to check out Margaret’s slide show of wild and sporty South Pasadena. Enjoy the Harry Raderman Orchestra’s 1921 rendition of “Cock-a-doodle Doo.”

Download the movie

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