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Fair Oaks and Colorado
was Pasadena's central intersection when the city
incorporated in 1886. After a long decline, this old
commercial neighborhood has been turned around to become one of
3 major shopping centers for the city and region. |
The Old Pasadena Historic District -- or as it
is locally known, Old Town Pasadena -- has been a shining example of
the revitalization of a run-down city center. Photos from the
1800s show Fair Oaks and Colorado Street as the primary crossroads for the new
city. But by two decades ago it
was home to a great antiques store (Jay's), a bar or two that opened at
6 a.m. and many seemingly vacant storefronts. After 5 p.m. not a person was
in sight. They might as well have rolled up the
sidewalks.
Today Old Town is a dynamic shopping center at the
heart of Pasadena. Jay's Antiques, alas, has moved away to be
replaced with mall-favorites such as J. Crew and Crate & Barrel,
along with other chain stores along Colorado. After dark
the sidewalk traffic really picks up as people head for the dozens
restaurants and clubs.
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What locals know -- and
visitors often do not -- is that the side streets off Colorado are where to find the more interesting shops and great
dining. These smaller businesses are stocked with unusual items, and, in the case of
restaurants, the owners have developed their own unique menus.
For example, Lula Mae, a
whimsical gift store facing Fair Oaks, is one of a handful
of small shops along Holly Street, which runs parallel
to Colorado. Two doors away is one of the best
chocolatiers in the Southern California. At the end of the block at Holly and
Raymond is Cafe Bizou, a long-time favorite local
bistro.
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You will find more unique stores along
Green St. which runs parallel to, and one block south of,
Colorado.
One notable exception to the "go
to the side streets" guideline is 21 Choices, a yogurt shop
on Colorado that is like taking a time-trip to the 1970s. Put
on your old Birkenstocks and stop by for a yummy dish of tart or
sweet stuff.
As Old Town became revitalized, developers and
builders saw an opportunity and began building apartments and condos
within two or three blocks of Colorado Blvd. But condos
and cottages are topics for
another page on this website.
In addition to Old Town, there are two other major shopping areas in
Pasadena. One is along Lake
Avenue
south of Colorado where there are
new, smaller chain stores and restaurants alongside independents.
Out east on Foothill Blvd. is where the Big Box stores reign. So
if you just have to have the latest at Best Buy, Old Navy,
or Bed Bath and
Beyond -- Go East!
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Now about
Castle Green. If you walk down Raymond from
Colorado Blvd. you will see an enormous, ornate building --
the Castle Green. Once upon a time it was the smaller west wing annex (Yes, smaller!)
of the Hotel Green, a luxury resort. The larger east wing is now gone but
half the walkway between the two buildings remains. Castle Green was designed by Frederick Roehrig and opened in
1899. It now contains about 50 apartments.
In November and April there are tours of the building. |
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Moving to
Santa Clarita or Valencia?
Take an online
tour with photos of the best neighborhoods. |
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