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In an act of self-defense South Pasadena
incorporated in 1888 to fend off expansionism by the larger city of
Pasadena to the north. In those days Pasadena was a
"dry" city -- but not South Pasadena. So people looking
for fun and an alcoholic beverage or two headed for "South Pas", as
it is known locally. Over a century later, South Pas is still a
fun place to shop, eat or buy a very good bottle of
wine.
To take a walking/shopping jaunt in South Pas,
drive down Fair Oaks from Pasadena and when you reach Mission Street, turn west and park your
car. You will find five blocks of interesting shops, as well as
the block long South Pasadena City Hall, along the way.
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Your first stop should be
the famous Fair Oaks Pharmacy which has been open and pretty
much unchanged since the early 1900s. It has an old fashioned
ice cream fountain, with young people serving burgers and
sundaes. Eat outdoors
if you want, but the interior is fascinating. It is
located at Fair Oaks and Mission Street. |
Walking west on Mission you will pass by the Dinosaur
Farm and, no doubt, pause to look at the amazing skateboards in the
board shop.
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A couple of blocks farther along,
you will see colorful furniture and decorative items from Asia.
These items are new, but in several other stores on Mission you
will find antiques -- grand and gaudy as well as tattered
and torn. West Mission has long been known for its antique stores, which now
seem to be vanishing -- and being replaced by a more diverse
group of shops. Several new fashion boutiques have opened along
Mission. |
A few doors away, you can stock up on the
newest "who-done-its" at the locally famous Book 'Em mystery
book store. Then peek through the iron bars in the fence
surrounding Lakeside Capital, to see a whimsical sheep sculpture on a
wooden deck. If you are in a serious mood, visit the Christian
Science Reading Room across the street, then for a change of pace, pop into the scrapbook
and craft store next door.
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Got children? You
will find stores for babies, a gymnastic studio and the Red Shoes
shop for young ballerinas' tutus and theatrical
make-up. |
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As you approach the Metro
Gold Line, you may be
thinking of taking a break. So stop in at Busters. If it is Sunday, you can enjoy
jazz at Busters to go with your latte and pastry. |
If it is late Thursday afternoon when you reach
the Gold Line Station, you will find
the weekly Farmers' Market a half a block away on Meridian Street.
It has truck loads of farm fresh vegetables as well a several stands selling
hot food. Nearby are French restaurants, another coffee house and the tiny South
Pasadena Historic Museum.
If you are visiting South Pasadena on a Sunday evening in June through August,
take in a free Concert in the Park at the Garfield Park at
Mission St. and Marengo, a few blocks east of Fair Oaks. Bring your own picnic.
The concerts start at 5 p.m. Very family friendly.
In late April and again in September, the
Mission West Association sponsors a street fair and arts festival with
juried selection of arts and crafts, food court, children's amusement
area and free music performances onstage.
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And, of course, South
Pasadena has lots of big and small bungalows -- they are everywhere in
this part of the L.A. megalopolis. |
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South
Pasadena also has a good
number of Victorian cottages, some whimsically painted, as well as
contemporary condos and townhomes. |
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Where can you find the
most luxurious hand-made soaps in Pasadena?
At Pasadena Soaps, naturally. |
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Ready to move
to the beach?
Take an online
tour of ocean view condos, craftsman bungalows, and
beachside neighborhoods
in Long Beach. |
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