South Pasadena is a city located in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, California. It is part of the Greater Los Angeles area and is bordered by the cities of Alhambra, San Marino, and Pasadena. South Pasadena has a population of approximately 25,000 people and covers an area of approximately 5.4 square miles.
The city is known for its quaint downtown area which includes unique shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes. South Pasadena also features tree-lined streets and historic buildings which give it a small town feel despite its proximity to Los Angeles. The city also has an abundance of parks including Garfield Park, Arroyo Park, and Oneonta Park which offer plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking trails and picnic areas.
The climate in South Pasadena is typical for Southern California with hot summers and mild winters. Daytime temperatures often reach into the 90s during the summer months while winter temperatures rarely dip below freezing. The city gets an average amount of rain during the winter months but generally experiences little precipitation throughout the year.
South Pasadena has a diverse population with many different ethnicities represented in the area including Asian Americans (29%), Latino Americans (25%), African Americans (7%) White Americans (37%), Native American (1%), Pacific Islanders (0%). The median household income in South Pasadena is $90,844 per year with most households earning between $50K-$150K annually.
Overall, South Pasadena is a great place to live with its close proximity to Los Angeles as well as its charming downtown area and abundance of parks and outdoor activities available within city limits. It offers residents a unique mix of urban amenities while still maintaining that small town feeling that many people enjoy so much about living in Southern California.
History of South Pasadena, California
South Pasadena, California has a long and storied history that dates back to the late 19th century. The city was founded in 1874 by John Sparks and George Stoneman, two Civil War veterans who saw potential in the area. The city was originally called East Pasadena and was part of Los Angeles County until it incorporated as its own municipality in 1888.
During the early years of South Pasadena’s existence, it was largely an agricultural community with many farms and ranches dotting the landscape. As the 20th century began, however, more people began to move into the area as industry began to boom in nearby Los Angeles. South Pasadena soon became a popular residential area for those looking for a more suburban lifestyle while still having easy access to all of LA’s amenities.
In the early 1900s, South Pasadena experienced a population boom which led to the construction of many iconic buildings such as City Hall, The Raymond Theater, and The Rialto Theater which are still standing today. This period also saw an influx of immigrants from countries such as Mexico, Japan, and Europe who settled in South Pasadena and helped shape its culture.
The 1920s saw the development of some well-known attractions such as The Arroyo Seco Parkway (now known as The 110 Freeway) which connected South Pasadna with Downtown Los Angeles; Mission Street Park; and Garfield Park which is one of the oldest parks in Los Angeles County.
The 1930s brought economic hardship with many businesses closing due to The Great Depression but this period also saw an expansion of cultural activities with new theaters opening up around town including The Rialto Theater which is still open today.
The 1940s saw a resurgence in industry with many aircraft manufacturers setting up shop near South Pasadna during World War II; this period also saw an increase in tourism due to its proximity to Hollywood Studios like Paramount Pictures who often used locations around town for filming their movies.
Today, South Pasadena is known for its historic downtown area which includes unique shops restaurants bars cafes as well as its abundance of parks which offer plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking trails and picnic areas; it is also home to one of California’s oldest high schools (South Pasadena High School) which opened up back in 1892; overall it is a great place to live with its close proximity to Los Angeles while still maintaining that small town feeling that so many people enjoy about living here in Southern California.
Economy of South Pasadena, California
South Pasadena, California is an affluent city located just 8 miles from downtown Los Angeles. It is a charming and historic community known for its quaint downtown area with unique shops, restaurants, bars and cafes; as well as its abundance of parks and outdoor activities.
The economy of South Pasadena is primarily driven by the service industry with businesses such as retail stores, restaurants, hotels and other hospitality services making up the majority of the local economy. This is in part due to South Pasadena’s close proximity to Los Angeles which attracts visitors from around the world who are looking for a more suburban lifestyle while still having easy access to all of LA’s amenities.
In addition to the service industry, South Pasadena also has a thriving business sector which includes many small businesses such as professional services firms, art galleries and tech startups. These small businesses are often supported by larger companies such as aerospace manufacturers who have set up shop near South Pasadena due to its close proximity to Hollywood Studios like Paramount Pictures.
The local real estate market in South Pasadena is also very strong with median home prices currently hovering around $1 million dollars. This makes it one of the most expensive cities in California but it also means that there are plenty of opportunities for real estate investors looking to capitalize on this booming market.
Finally, South Pasadena has long been known for its cultural attractions which include The Rialto Theater (which opened in 1925) and The Raymond Theater (which opened in 1927). These theaters have become staples in the community and offer locals a variety of entertainment options ranging from live performances to classic movies.
Overall, South Pasadena has a strong economy driven by both its service industry and business sector; it is also home to some of California’s most expensive real estate prices; finally it offers plenty of cultural attractions that make living here an enjoyable experience for both locals and visitors alike.
Politics in South Pasadena, California
South Pasadena, California is a city of about 25,000 people located in Los Angeles County. The city is part of the San Gabriel Valley and is known for its vibrant downtown area with unique shops, restaurants, bars and cafes; as well as its abundance of parks and outdoor activities. Politically, South Pasadena is a Democratic stronghold which has been solidly blue since the late 1970s.
The City Council in South Pasadena is composed of five elected members who serve four-year terms. The Mayor is also elected at-large every two years. The current Mayor of South Pasadena is Marina Khubesrian, who was first elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2017.
In recent years, the City Council has been dominated by progressive Democrats who have pushed for policies such as affordable housing initiatives, an increase in minimum wage and other social justice issues. In addition to these progressive policies there has also been a focus on environmental concerns such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and increasing public transportation options.
The current City Council also supports the South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) which serves over 4,200 students from preschool to 12th grade. SPUSD is known for its high academic standards and its commitment to providing an equitable education to all students regardless of their background or financial situation.
The City Council works closely with local organizations such as the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation which works to preserve historic buildings throughout the city; this includes restoring landmarks like The Rialto Theater (which opened in 1925) and The Raymond Theater (which opened in 1927).
Overall, South Pasadena’s politics are firmly established within a progressive Democratic framework that focuses on social justice issues while still maintaining fiscal responsibility. This political environment has enabled the city to thrive economically while still providing quality services for its citizens both now and into the future.
