Welcome To

Altadena

Peaceful suburban community close to L.A. with unique homes.

 

WELCOME TO ALTADENA

Esteemed homes in a charming downtown neighborhood.

The City of Pasadena, located North of downtown Los Angeles, remains one of the most active real estate markets in Southern California. Pasadena is spectacular for its sheer numbers of neighborhoods lined with historic character homes. These homes originated from the so-called “Arts and Crafts” period of which Pasadena, CA was one of three American cities that embraced it at the turn of the century.

Altadena is a peaceful suburban community nestled against the sprawling 700,000-acre Angeles National Forest. Altadena is just 14 miles northeast of Downtown Los Angeles, but this quiet community feels entirely separate from L.A.’s urban sprawl. Altadena’s first ranches were built in the 1800s and several waves of development have given the community a unique architectural mix. In the early 1900s, wealthy publishers built grand mansions along Mariposa Street, earning it the nickname Millionaires’ Row. Many of these historic properties are still standing, including the Craftsman-style Scripps Hall and Mediterranean Revival-style Zane Grey Estate. In the 1920s, charming English-style cottages were built in Janes Village. Christmas Tree Lane also dates back to the 1920s, with tourists visiting each holiday season to see the decorated deodars of Santa Rosa Avenue.

Real estate in Altadena represents an eclectic mix of styles and periods. The community is roughly divided into east and west sections, with the largest contemporary properties rising into the western foothills.

What to Love

  • Unique historic architecture
  • Unusual attractions
  • Calm and quiet but close to Downtown L.A.
  • Outdoor recreation.

People & Lifestyle

Altadena is a community that prides itself on being unlike anywhere else. From the architecture to the numerous off-beat attractions, this captivating community is a true original. The surrounding mountains provide abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Residents are a mix of young families and those who have lived here for generations.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Altadena’s old-fashioned charm extends to its businesses, many of which have been cornerstones of the community for generations. Altadena Hardware opened in 1934 and remains a reliable local store for all manner of plumbing, gardening, and electrical equipment. Altadena Hardware’s friendly staff are always on hand to give you useful DIY advice. More modern businesses include ALTAeats, a contemporary bistro with a creative menu featuring wagyu beef burgers, prime ribeye and New York strip steaks, seared duck breast, daily fish specials, and a range of vegetarian and vegan options. Altadena Ale & Wine House is a welcoming community watering hole with a great selection of craft beers, French wine, and champagne. Bulgarini Gelato Artigianale offers delicious Italian iced treats and multi-course feasts of sublime Northern Italian cooking. All of Bulgarini’s gelatos are made using fresh local fruit. Their classic Tuscan dishes are served Wednesday through Sunday. Bulgarini offers several tasting courses, including a lavish seven-course option which can take as long as four hours to complete.

Things to Do

135 deodar trees were planted on Santa Rosa Avenue in 1885, and in 1920 they were decorated for the first time with Christmas lights. The spectacle of Altadena’s Christmas Tree Lane is thought to be the world’s oldest large-scale festive display, bringing in droves of tourists who snap pictures and enjoy hot chocolate from the Avenue’s numerous food trucks. 15-acre Farnsworth Park and its attractive stone Craftsman-style community center date back to the 1930s. Farnsworth Park is perched high in the mountain foothills and offers captivating views over Los Angeles and out to the Pacific Ocean. Its tree-covered park amenities include sports fields and courts, children’s play areas, concession stands, and an outdoor amphitheater. There are after-school programs for kids and special camps in the summer and winter. Farnsworth Park also has weekly yoga and dance classes for adults and a concert series in the summer. The surrounding San Gabriel mountainsides are full of hiking trails with dramatic scenery.

The 6-mile Dawn Mine Trail takes in the beautiful Millard Falls, where water cascades into a 50-foot canyon. The trail eventually reaches the shaft of an abandoned gold mine. Altadena Library District operates several library branches in the community. The Library District’s signature building on Mariposa Street features striking International Style architecture with Asian and mid-century modern influences. Highlights of the library’s design include a fern garden with sculptures and old-growth trees and an indoor sunken reading area with a palm tree and skylight. Programs at the library include adult book clubs and summer reading programs for kids. Other unique attractions in Altadena include the Bunny Museum, a quirky spot that holds the world record for the largest collection of rabbit-related items. Hidden in the foothills, the Zorthian Ranch is a 48-acre art junkyard with repurposed torn-down homes serving as studios for dozens of working artists. The Z-Ranch was created by bohemian artist Jirayr Zorthian. Zorthian’s legendary Z-Ranch parties once attracted diverse crowds of hippies, musicians, hedonists, and physicists, including another notable former Altadena resident, Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman.

School

Public schools in Altadena are operated by the Pasadena Unified School District. Highlights include:

  • Odyssey Charter School, Public (Charter), PK-8
  • Marshall Fundamental Secondary School, Public, 6-12
  • Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, Public (Magnet), 6-8



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