The three Pasadena
neighborhoods west of the Arroyo Seco-- Linda Vista, San Rafael
and Annandale-- became part of the city about 30 years after
Pasadena was founded. And to this day, they have a very rural
atmosphere. Large and small homes along winding streets in these
hilly areas are almost hidden from view among the trees. So rural,
in fact, it is difficult to believe these neighborhoods are in the Los
Angeles megalopolis!
Indian Flats was the name of Linda Vista initially because a small
population of Native Americans who had escaped from the San Gabriel
Mission found refuge there. By the time American and European
immigrants moved into area in the late 1800s, the natives had moved
on. Within a couple of years the newcomers founded their own
homeowners group in order to fend of annexation efforts by the city of
Pasadena. This independent spirit survives today.
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Because
Linda Vista remains somewhat isolated from the main part of
Pasadena, there is more open space. In the last three
decades homeowners have built contemporary homes up the
hillsides with spectacular views of the Arroyo and San Gabriel
Valley.
The most dramatic views are at the top of Lida Street in the northern
end of Linda Vista. |
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Linda
Vista Ave., the old road into the area, is lined with a mix of
ranch houses, many built in the 1960s. The larger homes in
the neighborhood are of more recent vintage.
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Annandale is a small
neighborhood of upscale homes surrounding the Annandale Golf Club just
off the 134 Freeway and is south of Linda Vista and north of San
Rafael.
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The San
Rafael neighborhood has many estate-size homes on estate-size
grounds. Many are completely hidden from the street --
either obscured by trees and gardens or sited behind high walls
and gates. San Rafael also has the only lake in
Pasadena surrounded by homes. |
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Smaller-than-estate-size
homes are also found in San Rafael, especially in
the northern part of the neighborhood. This ranch house is
also typical of the style of homes found along Linda Vista Ave. |
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