Emergency AC Repair in South Pasadena for Historic Homes and Modern Comfort

Emergency AC Repair in South Pasadena for Historic Homes and Modern Comfort

South Pasadena is one of the most tree-lined, historically preserved small cities in the region, and its housing stock reflects that. Craftsman homes, older bungalows, and character properties along Fair Oaks and near Garfield Park were built long before central air, and cooling them takes a repair approach that respects both the comfort and the architecture. Emergency AC repair in South Pasadena means getting cold air moving again quickly during a San Gabriel Valley heat wave while working carefully within older construction and the city's preservation-minded rules.

The failures are the usual suspects, shaped by the older homes. A capacitor, the heat-sensitive part that starts the compressor and fan motors, is the leading cause of no-cooling calls on hot days. A seized condenser fan motor, gradual refrigerant leaks, and a frozen evaporator coil all leave a house warm. In older South Pasadena homes, restricted airflow through aging or undersized ductwork is a frequent reason a coil keeps icing over, so a technician doing emergency AC repair in South Pasadena checks the airflow and duct story rather than assuming low refrigerant is the whole answer.

Major repairs trigger HERS testing

Replacing a coil or condenser in South Pasadena typically requires a city permit and HERS testing by an independent rater to verify airflow and refrigerant charge before finalizing.

Old ducts cause frozen coils

In historic South Pasadena homes, aging or undersized ductwork restricts airflow, a leading cause of the frozen evaporator coils that shut a system down in the heat.

Preservation shapes installations

In the Mission Street and Fair Oaks corridors, historic preservation considerations can affect where an outdoor unit is placed and how a system is routed.

Cooling a City That Was Built Before Air Conditioning

South Pasadena is one of the most tree-lined, historically preserved small cities in the region, and its housing tells that story on every block. Craftsman homes, older bungalows, and character properties along Fair Oaks and near Garfield Park were built long before central air was ever a consideration, and it shows in how they take to it.

That heritage makes cooling here a different problem than it is in newer tracts. Air conditioning has to be worked into homes that were never designed for it, through construction and around preservation-minded rules that a subdivision never has to think about. Getting cold air moving again during a San Gabriel Valley heat wave is only part of the job; doing it without fighting the architecture is the rest.

So an emergency call in South Pasadena carries a second layer most cities' calls do not. The technician is working within an older home and a city that cares how that home is treated, not just against the clock and the heat.

Social Media & Citations

When the Duct Is the Real Culprit

It is easy to assume a warm house on a hot day means the air conditioner is low on refrigerant. In South Pasadena's older homes, that assumption often misses the real story, which is hiding in the ductwork rather than the condenser.

Aging or undersized ducts common in these houses restrict airflow, and starved airflow is a frequent reason an evaporator coil keeps icing over and shutting the system down. A technician who tops off refrigerant without reading that duct story is treating a symptom and will be back within days. The airflow question is often the difference between a fix that lasts and one that fails again by the weekend.

That is why a competent emergency diagnosis here looks past the obvious part to how air actually moves through the home. In a house built before central air, the ducts are as much a suspect as the equipment bolted to them.

The Repair That Comes With Paperwork

In many cities, an emergency AC repair is strictly between the homeowner and the technician. South Pasadena adds a step that catches people off guard: major repairs like replacing a coil or a condenser typically require a city mechanical permit, and California code calls for independent HERS testing to verify airflow and refrigerant charge before that permit can close.

That is not red tape for its own sake; it is what confirms the repair was done to standard. But it does mean the right contractor handles the permit and coordinates the HERS rater, so the process does not land on the homeowner in the middle of a heat wave.

Knowing that this paperwork exists, and factoring it into the repair-or-replace decision, is part of what separates a local crew from an out-of-town one here. What follows covers the failures, the 2026 rules, and the incentives that all feed into that decision.

Repairs That Follow the 2026 Rules and the Permit Process

A repair in 2026 works to newer standards. New residential systems use low-GWP A2L refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32 under the federal Technology Transition Rule, and because these are mildly flammable, a technician handling them uses proper leak detection and careful charging. The 2025 California Energy Code, effective January 1, 2026, also raised efficiency and electric-ready expectations. There is a local wrinkle worth knowing: major emergency repairs, such as replacing a coil or a condenser, typically require a City of South Pasadena mechanical permit and, under California code, HERS testing by an independent rater to verify airflow and refrigerant charge before the permit can be finalized. A contractor who handles the permit and the HERS coordination keeps that process from falling on the homeowner.

Efficiency figures into the repair-or-replace decision. Air conditioners are rated in SEER2, with a Southwest regional minimum of 14.3 for new split systems, and for a South Pasadena homeowner nursing an old unit through repeated breakdowns, that standard is part of the math once repair costs climb. The immediate goal on an emergency call is always cold air, but once comfort is restored, the honest question of whether to keep repairing a tired system or replace it deserves a straight answer, especially in a home where a replacement also triggers permit and testing steps.

Southern California Edison and Historic-Home Care

South Pasadena is served by Southern California Edison, and SCE's Smart Energy Program offers incentives tied to smart thermostat enrollment, plus event credits, that can fold naturally into an emergency repair involving a thermostat or control board. When a repair points toward a larger upgrade, other SCE and state efficiency incentives may apply. Because statewide rebate funds can be waitlisted, the SCE programs are often the most reliable financial tool for a South Pasadena homeowner. Current details should be verified, but a contractor who knows the programs can flag what fits.

Historic preservation is part of the job here. In the Mission Street and Fair Oaks corridors and the older residential wards, preservation considerations can affect where an outdoor unit is placed and how a system is routed, and a repair should protect the character of the home rather than compromise it. A crew that knows the 91030 and 91031 zip codes and the city's preservation and permit expectations works with more care and fewer surprises. For homeowners who want that combination of technical skill and local knowledge, emergency AC repair in South Pasadena should account for the home and the rules, not just the broken part.

Check our other pages :

Fixing It Now and Preventing the Next One

Many emergencies end with a small, same-day fix. A blown capacitor or a stuck contactor is quick and inexpensive, while a failed compressor or a badly restricted duct system opens the wider conversation about airflow, efficiency, permits, and rebates. The right call depends on the age and condition of the equipment, the cost of the repair, and how the system has performed, and a straight-talking technician lays those factors out plainly rather than pushing the largest project.

Prevention pays off in these older homes, where airflow problems develop slowly. A seasonal tune-up that checks refrigerant charge, tests the capacitor and motors, inspects the ductwork and airflow, and clears the condensate line heads off the coil freezes and shutdowns that dominate emergency calls. Systems that get that attention break down far less, and when they do, it is usually a minor part. Emergency AC repair in South Pasadena will always be there for genuine surprises, but maintenance keeps many potential emergencies off the calendar entirely.

When the heat sets in and a system has quit, the priority is a licensed local team that respects both the equipment and the home. Green Planet Heating and Air is a licensed, eco-conscious HVAC contractor (CSLB #894993) with more than 20 years of Southern California experience, based in nearby Burbank and serving South Pasadena and the wider San Gabriel Valley. The company installs and services major brands including American Standard, Bosch, Daikin, Goodman, Gree, Mitsubishi, and Rheem, with honest diagnosis and upfront pricing on every visit. South Pasadena homeowners who have lost cooling can reach the emergency line at (818) 450-5667.

"South Pas" redirects here. For the school, see South Pasadena High School.
For other uses, see South Pass (disambiguation).

 

 

South Pasadena, California
City
Clockwise: South Pasadena Middle School; South Pasadena Public Library; Adobe Flores
Flag of South Pasadena, California
Flag
Official seal of South Pasadena, California
Seal
Nickname: 
City of Trees
Map
Interactive map of South Pasadena, California
South Pasadena, California is located in the United States
South Pasadena, California
South Pasadena, California
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 34°6′58″N 118°9′1″W / 34.11611°N 118.15028°W / 34.11611; -118.15028[1]
Country United States
State California
County Los Angeles
Incorporated (city) March 2, 1888[6]
Government
 
 • Type City Council/City Manager[2]
 • City council[3] Sheila Rossi (mayor)
Omari Ferguson (mayor pro tem)
Michael A. Cacciotti
Jon Primuth
Janet Braun
 • City Treasurer Zhen Tao [4]
 • City Attorney Rozanne M. Diaz [5]
Area
[7]
 • Total
 3.42 sq mi (8.85 km2)
 • Land 3.41 sq mi (8.83 km2)
 • Water 0.012 sq mi (0.03 km2)  0.29%
Elevation
[1]
 659 ft (201 m)
Population
 (2020)[8]
 • Total
 26,943
 • Density 7,904/sq mi (3,051.7/km2)
Time zone UTC-8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
91030/91031 (PO box)[9]
Area code 323/626[10]
FIPS code 06-73220
GNIS feature IDs 1661479, 2411940
Website www.southpasadenaca.gov

South Pasadena is a city in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 26,943, up from 25,619 at the 2010 census.[11][12][13]

History

[edit]
Adobe Flores (1936) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The original inhabitants of the area were members of the Native American Hahamog-na tribe, a branch of the Tongva Nation (part of the Shoshone language group) that occupied the Los Angeles Basin.[14]

In February 1888, members of the southern portion of Pasadena attempted to gain more control over their own property and a vote for incorporation was made. South Pasadena's first mayor was Donald McIntyre Graham.[15] On March 2, 1888, the city of South Pasadena was incorporated with a population slightly over 500 residents, becoming the sixth municipality in Los Angeles County. It was chartered with roughly the same area as the current South Pasadena, about 3.42 square miles (8.9 square kilometers). With the completion of the Pacific Electric Short Line, putting the entire city within easy walking distance of the red car stations, South Pasadena also became one of the first suburbs of Los Angeles.[16] Before the 1950s, South Pasadena was one of the sundown towns in United States that excluded non-White residents and workers in some form or another.[17] The South Pasadena Americanism Center was founded in 1961 by housewives for politically conservative Republicans to find mutual support. It provided reading materials such as anti-communist books. The center was shut down in the 1970s.[18] In the mid-1970s, the city built a 2-foot-high wall to block off Via del Rey, a road that connected to Los Angeles. The measure was intended to control traffic and noise but was also perceived by some neighbors as an attempt to exclude working class Latinos from the wealthier, more white suburb.[19]

Interstate 710 extension

[edit]
See also: Interstate 710 (California): The South Pasadena Gap

South Pasadena and other groups opposed the 710 Freeway Long Beach Freeway (I-710) extension from Alhambra's Valley Blvd. to the Foothill Freeway (I-210) in Pasadena at California Blvd. The proposed route would have run through the center of the city, as well as through neighborhoods in El Sereno and Pasadena. However, this incompletion cuts off a north–south route from the San Gabriel Mountains in the north to Long Beach in the south, as well as connecting the 710 to the 110, 134, and 210 freeways.

On July 19, 1999, United States District Court Judge Dean Pregerson issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting Caltrans from proceeding with the 710 Freeway Project.[20] The financial support for the fight against a major highway project through the city has come mostly from the residents themselves, who pay legal bills incurred by the city in the freeway fight from their general fund (no special taxes are used), making the fight an ongoing local election issue. South Pasadena has been cited five times on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of "Most Endangered Places".[21]

Litigation over the 710 extension has run for over 50 years. The City of South Pasadena has filed a federal lawsuit citing failure to protect clean air, the environment and historic properties, and until the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) completes a comprehensive new environmental study, this will bring additional delays to the 40-year-old project.[22] Caltrans (the California Department of Transportation) proposed a compromise route of boring a tunnel beneath the city. Having purchased hundreds of properties along the proposed right-of-way in the 1960s, Caltrans proposed selling these in order to partially finance the tunnel. The Southern California real estate boom of the early 2000s caused those properties in South Pasadena alone to appreciate to a combined value of over $300 million.[citation needed] State Senator Carol Liu sponsored a bill to compel Caltrans to sell the properties no longer needed for the project. SB-416 also prohibits funds from the sale of surplus properties in the SR 10 corridor from being used to advance or construct any proposed North State Route 710 tunnel. State Assemblyman Chris Holden co-sponsored the bill and remarked after it was signed into law, "…the surface route of the 710 Freeway is not going to happen and everyone knows that and so these properties should then be put back into the community".[23] Caltrans, however, maintains that the freeway extension/connections are needed for the overall benefit of the Southern California public and continues to fight for its completion.

In May 2017, the MTA board voted unanimously to withdraw its support for the 710 tunnel proposal, and to reallocate all funding previously earmarked for it to surface street and other improvements, effectively killing the project for the foreseeable future. Subsequently, Assemblyman Chris Holden, along with State Senator Anthony Portantino, proposed similar bills effectively deleting the uncompleted portion from the Highway grid. Both bills were passed and signed by governor Gavin Newsom and the deletion took effect on January 1, 2024.[24]

Geography

[edit]

South Pasadena is located at the western end of the San Gabriel Valley, north of El Sereno, east of the Arroyo Seco, a tributary of the Los Angeles River, and south of the separate city of Pasadena, California. Adjacent cities are Los Angeles to the west and south, Pasadena to the north, San Marino to the east, and Alhambra to the southeast. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city's total area of 3.42 square miles (8.9 km2), is virtually all land. South Pasadena is home to a small natural spring, known as Garfias spring, which has been channelized into the Arroyo Seco.[citation needed]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
Census Pop. Note %±
1890 623   —
1900 1,001   60.7%
1910 4,649   364.4%
1920 7,652   64.6%
1930 13,730   79.4%
1940 14,356   4.6%
1950 16,935   18.0%
1960 19,706   16.4%
1970 22,979   16.6%
1980 22,681   −1.3%
1990 23,936   5.5%
2000 24,292   1.5%
2010 25,619   5.5%
2020 26,943   5.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[25]
1860–1870[26][27] 1880-1890[28]
1900[29] 1910[30] 1920[31]
1930[32] 1940[33] 1950[34]
1960[35][36] 1970[37] 1980[38]
1990[39] 2000[40] 2010[41]
2020[42]

South Pasadena first appeared as a city in the 1890 U.S. Census[28] which was coextensive South Pasadena Township.[28]

Racial and ethnic composition

[edit]
South Pasadena city, California – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[43] Pop 1990[44] Pop 2000[45] Pop 2010[46] Pop 2020[42] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 17,274 14,909 12,344 11,179 9,692 76.16% 62.29% 50.82% 43.64% 35.97%
Black or African American alone (NH) 464 705 708 736 638 2.05% 2.95% 2.91% 2.87% 2.37%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 37 73 31 26 28 0.16% 0.30% 0.13% 0.10% 0.10%
Asian alone (NH) 2,560 5,002 6,424 7,904 9,135 11.29% 20.90% 26.44% 30.85% 33.90%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) 17 6 9 0.07% 0.02% 0.03%
Other race alone (NH) 13 34 86 81 172 0.08% 0.14% 0.35% 0.32% 0.64%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x x 779 920 1,685 x x 3.21% 3.59% 6.25%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2,333 3,213 3,903 4,767 5,584 10.29% 13.42% 16.07% 18.61% 20.73%
Total 22,681 23,936 24,292 25,619 26,943 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, South Pasadena had a population of 26,943 and a population density of 7,903.5 inhabitants per square mile (3,051.6/km2).[47][48] 100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.[49]

The age distribution was 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.5% aged 18 to 24, 26.7% aged 25 to 44, 28.1% aged 45 to 64, and 15.6% aged 65 or older. The median age was 41.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.[47]

The census reported that 99.5% of the population lived in households, 0.1% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.5% were institutionalized.[47]

There were 10,613 households, of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.7% were married-couple households, 6.3% were cohabiting couple households, 28.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present, and 15.2% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52, and there were 7,079 families (66.7% of all households).[47][49]

There were 11,146 housing units at an average density of 3,269.6 units per square mile (1,262.4 units/km2), of which 10,613 (95.2%) were occupied. Of occupied units, 44.3% were owner-occupied and 55.7% were renter-occupied. Of all housing units, 4.8% were vacant; the homeowner vacancy rate was 0.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.2%.[47][48]

2023 estimate

[edit]

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $128,105, and the per capita income was $76,583. About 4.1% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line.[50]

2010 census

[edit]

The 2010 United States census[51] reported that South Pasadena had a population of 25,619. The population density was 7,496.4 inhabitants per square mile (2,894.4/km2). The racial makeup of South Pasadena was 13,922 (54.3%) White (43.6% Non-Hispanic White),[52] 771 (3.0%) African American, 107 (0.4%) Native American, 7,973 (31.1%) Asian, 9 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 1,422 (5.6%) from other races, and 1,415 (5.5%) from two or more races. There were 4,767 residents of Hispanic or Latino ancestry, of any race (18.6%).

The Census reported that 25,456 people (99.4% of the population) lived in households, 8 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 155 (0.6%) were institutionalized.

There were 10,467 households, out of which 3,621 (34.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 4,904 (46.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,264 (12.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 451 (4.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 501 (4.8%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 107 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 3,073 households (29.4%) were made up of individuals, and 802 (7.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43. There were 6,619 families (63.2% of all households); the average family size was 3.06.

There were 5,998 residents (23.4%) under the age of 18, 1,576 (6.2%) aged 18 to 24, 7,431 (29.0%) aged 25 to 44, 7,510 (29.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,104 (12.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

There were 11,118 housing units at an average density of 3,253.2 units per square mile (1,256.1 units/km2), of which 4,787 (45.7%) were owner-occupied, and 5,680 (54.3%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%. 13,185 people (51.5% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 12,271 people (47.9%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States census, South Pasadena had a median household income of $85,058, with 6.7% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[52]

History of racial discrimination

[edit]

Before Shelley v. Kraemer was settled in 1948, real estate deeds in South Pasadena forbade selling to Black, Asian, and Mexican buyers in order to preserve the racial character of the population and community values. Non-White individuals must leave the city before dusk unless working as servants or caretakers. The diversity of the city's residents increased in the 1960s after the construction of federally subsidized housing developments. In 2022 the city passed a resolution condemning its history as a sundown town. Racism has become a shadow of its former self, reduced to the occasional stickers, leaflets, and nails placed on driveways.[17][53]

Economy

[edit]

Top employers

[edit]

According to the city's 2021–2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:[54]

# Employer # of employees
1 South Pasadena Care Center 151
2 Trader Joe's No. 18 93
3 Ralphs Grocery Co. #21 92
4 The Vons Companies Inc. Pavilions #2228 92
5 Bristol Farms 88
6 VCA TLC Pasadena Veterinary Specialty and Emergency 73
7 City of Hope South Pasadena 62
8 The Vons Companies Inc. #3075 [55][56] 61
9 Whittier Trust Company 54
10 McDonald's South Pasadena 49

Filming

[edit]

Due to its small-town feel and proximity to major film studios, South Pasadena has frequent filming. Scenes from La La Land, Robert Altman's The Player, and Lady Bird have been shot here.[57] The town hosts around 200 shoots per year.[58] South Pasadena is also the location of the house of the character Michael Myers from the film Halloween.[59] Other notable films include Old School, Liar, Liar, Beethoven, Back to the Future, and Teen Wolf.[60]

Arts and culture

[edit]

South Pasadena calls itself the "City of Trees".[61][62][63]

"Mom and Pop" merchants populate the business district, and the Mission West area is a part of the original U.S. Route 66. Of historical relevance is The Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain; also the Rialto Theater in downtown South Pasadena is a unique blend of Spanish Baroque and Egyptian stylings and was built in 1925. It is one of the last remaining single screen cinemas in the country. The Rialto was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, having narrowly missed being torn down that year. It went out of business on August 19, 2007, because of low profits.

The Farmer's Market has become a tradition in the historic Mission-West District of South Pasadena.[64] On the first Saturday of December every year, South Pasadena Booster Club hosts an annual 5K/10K run around South Pasadena known as the "Tiger Run", after the SPHS mascot. Racers from kindergarten to age 80 are invited to participate, including a wheelchair event. The 5K is run on flat sidewalks and roads around town, but the 10K (6.2 miles) includes some difficult hills. There is also a 300-meter children's run for kids 10 and under.[65]

Parks and recreation

[edit]

There are a few unchannelized portions of the Arroyo Seco south of Devil’s Gate Dam. These areas are just north and south of the Rose Bowl, and host some small populations of duck, fish, and frogs.[citation needed]

There are 5 parks located within the City of South Pasadena that offer the community family recreation and activities. These are Garfield Park, Eddie Park, Library Park, Orange Grove Park and War Memorial Park.[66]

Government

[edit]

Local government

[edit]

South Pasadena's City Council previously was elected at-large, composed of five members, the mayor chosen from among the City Council members.

Effective November 2018, City Council members are elected by geographical district. Districts 4 and 5 (east of Fair Oaks Avenue) held elections in November 2018. Districts 1, 2 and 3 (west of Fair Oaks Avenue) held elections in November 2020.[67]

The city switched its City Council elections from November of odd-numbered years to November of even-numbered years effective November 2018. Also, the South Pasadena Unified School District holds its Board of Education elections in November of even-numbered years effective November 2018.[68]

The fiscal year 2019-2020[needs update] general fund budget for the town was $28.3 million.[69]

List of mayors

[edit]

This is a list of South Pasadena mayors by year.

State and federal

[edit]

In the California State Legislature, South Pasadena is in the 25th senatorial district, represented by Democrat Sasha Renée Pérez, and in the 49th Assembly district, represented by Democrat Mike Fong.[110]

In the United States House of Representatives, South Pasadena is in California's 28th congressional district, represented by Democrat Judy Chu.[111]

Voting history

[edit]
South Pasadena vote by party in presidential elections
Year Democrat Republican Other Total
  % # % # % # #
2024[112] 75.00% 10,887 18.48% 2,683 6.52% 945 14,515
2020[113] 78.98% 12,246 18.79% 2,915 2.22% 345 15,506
2016[114] 75.19% 9,739 18.87% 2,442 5.94% 770 12,951
2012[115] 70.40% 8,578 26.64% 3,546 2.96% 360 12,484
2008 68.75% 8,939 28.42% 3,744 2.45% 319 13,002
2004 64.37% 5,780 34.25% 3,076 1.37% 123 8,979

Education

[edit]
South Pasadena Middle School before the 2009 renovations

The South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) includes five schools: three elementary schools (Monterey Hills, Marengo and Arroyo Vista), South Pasadena Middle School, and South Pasadena High School. Former elementary schools now closed or renamed are Lincoln (now Arroyo Vista), El Centro (more recently known as the former school district headquarters), Las Flores (limited grades, near Flores Adobe, historic landmark), and Oneonta (later a private Montessori school).

South Pasadena and the neighboring city of San Marino have had a long-standing rivalry. Until 1955, the two cities shared the same high school, which was adjacent to the South Pasadena Public Library. Every year, the schools' football teams compete for a victor's plaque. As of 2025, South Pasadena team had won 31 and San Marino 37. There have been three ties. Many SPHS team have won CIF titles over the years.

SPEF (South Pasadena Educational Foundation[116]) is a 501(c)(3) charity designated by the SPUSD as the official private fund-raising organization for the support of the district's educational programs.

Infrastructure

[edit]

Transportation

[edit]
The Los Angeles Metro L Line passing through South Pasadena

Fair Oaks Avenue, Huntington Drive, Fremont Avenue, and Mission Street are the main thoroughfares through South Pasadena.

The Arroyo Seco Parkway, formerly the Pasadena Freeway, has two exits in South Pasadena--Orange Grove Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue.

LA Metro operates two bus lines (258 & 260) through South Pasadena. The South Pasadena station for the Metro A Line, formerly the Gold Line, is in the heart of South Pasadena, located at the corner of Mission and Meridian.[117]

South Pasadena operates its own public transportation system. Since 2003, South Pasadena has been operating the City of South Pasadena Community Transit to connect with the Mission A Line Station, whose schedule is linked to the A Line schedule. The system was originally called "South Pasadena Gold Link".[118] Additionally South Pasadena has a transit shuttle that operates around the city.

Health care

[edit]

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Monrovia Health Center in Monrovia, serving South Pasadena.[119] In addition to public health services, South Pasadena is served by a range of private medical and dental practices that provide routine and specialized care to residents.[120]

Fire

[edit]

The South Pasadena Fire Department provides fire protection services for the city of South Pasadena.[121][122]

Police

[edit]

The South Pasadena Police Department provides law enforcement services.[123][124]

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]
[edit]
  • Columbia Avenue
    Columbia Avenue
  • The Gold Line crossing Fremont Avenue
    The Gold Line crossing Fremont Avenue
  • North side of Mission Street
    North side of Mission Street

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "South Pasadena". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  2. ^ "City Manager's Office". South Pasadena Gov. South Pasadena. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  3. ^ "City Council". South Pasadena Gov. South Pasadena. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  4. ^ "City Treasurer". South Pasadena Gov. South Pasadena. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  5. ^ "City Attorney". South Pasadena Gov. South Pasadena. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  6. ^ "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on October 17, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
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