Community Corner
City Walk: Raymond Hill and Oaklawn Bridge (Video)
This walk takes you through historic Raymond Hill and over to Garfield Park area. It ends after crossing the Oaklawn Bridge and exploring quaint Oaklawn Avenue.
Grab your walking shoes. We’re walking history today.
Get yourself to the intersection of Oaklawn Avenue and Columbia Street. You will feel tempted to walk through those pretty stone and wrought iron gates on the south side of the street, but resist the urge for now. Instead, walk east on Columbia until you reach Fair Oaks. Cross Fair Oaks and head up Raymond Hill Road. You’ll quickly notice that there are no sidewalks on Raymond Hill road. You’ll also quickly notice that the cars barrel pretty quickly down that hill, so use caution and walk opposite the flow of traffic.
From this point on, you are basically swimming into the heart and soul of South Pasadena’s past. If you’ve lived here for even a short amount of time, you probably know that Raymond Hill—which you are climbing—was the site of the fabulously luxurious Raymond Hotel in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Actually, it was the site of two fabulously luxurious Raymond Hotels, because the first one (which opened in 1886) burned down in a spectacular fire in 1895 and was replaced with a new one in 1903. The new and improved hotel included a dining room that fit 400 people, a nine-hole golf course, and a large nursery of roses and carnations. All of this is gone now (the hotel was foreclosed upon during the 1930s), but it helps crystallize an important point: Raymond Hill is BIG! If you've never spent time here, it is bigger and much more charming than you think. You'll realize that almost instantly as you meander your way to the top of Raymond Hill Road. You will pass giant magnolia and pine trees, wide lawns and an array of attractive multi-family dwellings from the 1940s and 1950s.
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At the top of the hill, you’ll be in spitting distance of one of South Pasadena’s water towers, but don’t spit because that is actually pretty gross. Check out the view of all points north. Isn’t that the Huntington Hospital down there? My goodness, that place has become enormous! Follow Raymond Hill Road as it winds to your right, and take a long look at all these residences. Someone worked very hard to make sure there was architectural unity, so appreciate it.
Raymond Hill Road dead ends into Mockingbird Lane. Turn left on Mockingbird Lane. From here, you have a great view of all points south. Admire the view as you wind your way down the hill and into a new time warp. You’re definitely in the swinging '60s now with snappy, resort-style apartment complexes that all but beg you to pull out your hibachi, put on some pedal pushers and play some croquet on the nicely manicured lawn. Interesting fact: When these complexes were built, racial covenants reigned. My mother-in-law remembers when Asian Americans couldn't rent on Raymond Hill, which puts a damper on the whole pedal pushers-croquet fantasy.
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Turn left again onto Ellincourt Drive and then (a few minutes later) left once more on Raymondale Drive. Once you’ve reached W. State Street, home of the attractive , you will have concluded the Raymond Hill portion of your walking tour. But don’t despair! I have more history for you around the corner. Really, it’s just around the corner, so keep going. On W. State Street, turn right and walk past the OSH and its commercial neighbors. If you need a few washers to fix that leaky sink, now would be the time to get them. Alternately, spend all your cash on ice cream at , donuts at and/or Frappaccinos at . Are you happy now? Then keep walking.
Turn left onto Fair Oaks. I know, the traffic is crazy! Insane! But ha! You don’t have to deal with it, because you are walking. Feel superior as you hightail yourself away from the construction mess by turning left onto Grevalia. Admire the beautiful back wall of Bristol Farms as you make your way toward Garfield Park. Once you reach the park, you could easily stick to its eastern border and enjoy its scenic beauty as you head south toward Mission Street, but then you’d miss Stratford Avenue, whihc is home to the famous Fourth of July parade with marching Stratford Wives. Don’t hate them, because they’re beautiful. Hate them, because they’ve won the parade’s Best Neighborhood Entry Award for two years running! (Will no one challenge their dominance? The Yodeling Oak Street Lumberjacks, maybe? The Marengo-Go Boot Dancers?)
At Stratford Avenue, turn right. Look for one of the elusive apron-rocking wives, and make your way to Mission Street. At Mission turn right, and walk until you reach the top of Garfield Park. Turn right on the aptly named Park Avenue, and head north. Below you, you'll see frolicking children, but who cares about them when there are puppies—actual puppies—falling over their too big feet. (Disclosure: a puppy sighting is not guaranteed. Just because I saw them, doesn’t mean you will. Psych!)
Park dead ends into Hope so turn left at Hope Street, and walk until you’re back on Fair Oaks. Cross Fair Oaks so that you’re on the west side of the street. Turn right, and head north. I know. It’s still loud, dusty and full of annoyed drivers. Just go to your happy place for this little stretch. Cross the freeway. Go past the War Memorial Building. See that cool stone and concrete bridge? Cross it! Made in 1906, this is the only bridge designed by famed architects Greene & Greene. Now you’re on Oaklawn Avenue, a hidden little gem with big, old houses that could probably tell you stories about the days when the Raymond Hotel reigned supreme. Follow Oaklawn as it curves to the right. Walk until you reach those charming gates (also designed by Greene & Greene). Pass through your final portal back to the 21st century. See that giant SUV drive by? That proves it. You’re home.
Walking Directions
- Start at the intersection of Columbia Street and Oaklawn Avenue. Head east on Columbia toward Fair Oaks Avenue.
- Cross Fair Oaks. Walking opposite the flow of automobile traffic, head up Raymond Hill Road.
- Walk to the top of the hill, and follow the road as it turns right (south). Turn left onto Mockingbird Lane.
- Turn left onto Ellincourt Drive.
- Turn left onto Raymondale Drive.
- Turn right onto W. State Street.
- Turn left onto Fair Oaks Avenue.
- Turn left onto Grevalia Street.
- Turn right onto Stratford Avenue.
- Turn right onto Mission Street.
- Turn right onto Park Avenue.
- Turn right onto Hope Street.
- At Fair Oaks, cross the street so that you are on the west side of the street. Turn right.
- Walk until you reach the Oaklawn bridge, which is just north of the War Memorial Building. Cross the bridge.
- After the bridge, you’ll be on Oaklawn Avenue. Follow it as it turns right (north).
- Pass through the wrought iron gates at Oaklawn Avenue and Columbia Street. Voila! You’re done.