Because a heat pump provides both heating and cooling, it operates far more of the year than a cooling-only system, so its components wear faster and benefit from regular maintenance to prevent failures.
A heat pump switches between heating and cooling using a reversing valve, and if that valve sticks or fails, the system can end up stuck in one mode, blowing the wrong temperature for the season.
Since a heat pump moves heat in both directions, low refrigerant reduces both heating and cooling performance, so a system that struggles in both modes often points toward a refrigerant problem.
Heat pumps share many components with conventional AC systems and add a few of their own, giving them their own common failure points. A failed capacitor or contactor can stop the system entirely. Refrigerant problems, which affect both heating and cooling because a heat pump moves heat in both directions, are a frequent culprit. The reversing valve that switches the system between heating and cooling can stick or fail, leaving the system stuck in a single mode when the season calls for the other.
Because a heat pump runs so much of the year, its components accumulate wear faster than a cooling-only system. That sustained operation often pushes a marginal part over the edge, which is why heat pumps sometimes fail seemingly out of nowhere. Emergency heat pump repair in South Pasadena frequently traces back to one of these points, and identifying which requires proper diagnosis rather than a guess, since the correct fix depends entirely on the actual cause of the failure.

Not every heat pump issue is an emergency, and knowing the difference helps a homeowner respond sensibly. A system that has stopped working entirely when the weather makes that dangerous, a burning smell, a unit that trips the breaker repeatedly, or one icing over heavily all warrant an urgent response. A heat pump stuck in the wrong mode, blowing warm air when it should cool or cold air when it should heat, is also worth addressing quickly before the household loses comfort in a demanding stretch.
Other issues are less urgent. A system that still works but seems less efficient, a minor noise, or a thermostat quirk can often wait for a scheduled visit. The value of emergency heat pump repair in South Pasadena lies in the situations that genuinely cannot wait, and an honest company tells a homeowner which category a problem falls into rather than treating everything as a crisis. Knowing the difference saves both money and unnecessary stress.
A well-run emergency call follows a clear pattern. The homeowner describes the symptoms on the phone, and a technician is dispatched with the parts most commonly needed for that kind of failure, so the problem can often be resolved in a single trip. On arrival, the technician diagnoses the actual cause rather than guessing, explains the finding in plain language, and presents the repair options with clear pricing before starting any work.
That transparency matters most when a homeowner is stressed and vulnerable to being oversold. A company that walks through every finding and confirms the cost upfront earns real trust. Green Planet approaches emergency heat pump repair in South Pasadena this way, diagnosing honestly and pricing transparently, because the goal is a fixed system and a customer who calls again, not a single inflated invoice pulled from a difficult moment. That honest approach is what separates a dependable response from a costly one.
Homeowners often try to wait out a struggling heat pump, hoping it holds until a more convenient time. With HVAC equipment, that delay usually costs more. A system running on a failing part strains the components around it, so a worn capacitor left alone can lead to a burned-out motor, and a refrigerant leak left unaddressed can damage the compressor. A modest repair becomes a major one, and the weather does not pause to wait for a better moment.
There is a human cost too. A South Pasadena home without working heating on a cold night or cooling on a hot afternoon is uncomfortable and, for older residents and young children, potentially unsafe. Weighing a same-day repair against a night in an uncomfortable house usually tips toward acting quickly. Emergency heat pump repair in South Pasadena carries a premium over a scheduled visit, but that premium is often smaller than the cost of the added damage and discomfort that waiting invites.
The quality of an emergency response depends partly on the information the homeowner provides. A clear description helps the technician arrive with the right parts and a working theory of the failure. Note whether the system runs at all, whether it is blowing air and whether that air is the wrong temperature for the mode, any unusual sounds or smells, whether the breaker has tripped, and whether you see ice on the unit. These details narrow the diagnosis before anyone arrives.
With a heat pump specifically, mentioning whether the problem is in heating, cooling, or both is especially useful, since that points toward different causes. A system that fails in both modes suggests something like a refrigerant or electrical issue, while one stuck in a single mode points toward the reversing valve. When you call for emergency heat pump repair in South Pasadena, describing these specifics often means the difference between a single-trip fix and a return visit for the right part.


The best emergency call is the one that never happens, and most heat pump failures give warning signs first. A system that has been making a new noise, that struggles in one mode, that trips the breaker occasionally, or that has not been serviced in years is telling you something. Because a heat pump runs so much of the year, regular maintenance matters even more than it does for a cooling-only system, catching wear before it becomes a failure.
Annual maintenance checks the electrical components, refrigerant charge, reversing valve operation, and airflow that tend to fail under heavy use. It is far cheaper than an emergency repair and usually extends the life of the system. Investing in that upkeep reduces the odds of needing emergency heat pump repair in South Pasadena at the worst possible moment, whether that is a summer heat wave or a cold winter night, which is exactly when a failure is most disruptive and hardest to schedule.
When a heat pump fails, the homeowner sometimes faces a choice between repairing and replacing it. A newer system with a minor failure is usually worth repairing. An older system that has failed expensively, especially one already inefficient and struggling, may be a better candidate for replacement, since continued repairs on aging equipment can add up to more than a new, efficient system would cost over time.
This is a judgment call that a trustworthy technician helps the homeowner make honestly, laying out the repair cost against the age and condition of the system. There is no single right answer, and the honest approach gives the homeowner the information rather than pushing the more expensive option. Emergency heat pump repair in South Pasadena sometimes surfaces this decision at an inconvenient moment, which is another reason to work with a company that prioritizes honest guidance over the biggest possible sale.
Knowing the flow of an emergency visit takes some of the uncertainty out of it. The technician confirms the symptoms, inspects the indoor and outdoor units, and runs the checks needed to isolate the cause, whether that is an electrical component, a refrigerant problem, the reversing valve, or something in the airflow. This diagnosis stage matters, because treating a symptom without finding the cause leads to a repeat failure within days, often during the same demanding stretch of weather.
Once the cause is clear, the technician explains the finding and the repair options in plain language, with the price confirmed before any work begins. If the needed part is on the truck, the repair often happens on the spot; if not, the technician arranges the fastest path to it. A good emergency visit also includes a look at the rest of the system, so a second failure is not waiting the moment the first is fixed. That thoroughness spares the homeowner another disruptive call within the same week.
South Pasadena's older housing stock adds a wrinkle to heat pump service. A heat pump installed in an older home may work through aging ductwork that undercuts its performance, or serve a house with lower insulation that makes the system work harder. These factors can make a heat pump seem to struggle when the equipment itself is sound, so a good technician looks at the whole picture rather than assuming the unit is at fault.
Addressing the surrounding factors, from duct leaks to insulation gaps, often improves comfort as much as repairing the equipment. This whole-system view is part of what separates thorough service from a quick patch. When emergency heat pump repair in South Pasadena is needed in an older home, a technician who understands both the system and the house delivers a more complete fix, one that restores comfort and keeps the home comfortable rather than leaving an underlying problem to cause the next failure.

The stress of a failed heat pump eases considerably when a homeowner knows what to do. Recognizing whether the problem is a true emergency, describing the symptoms clearly, and calling a licensed local company that prices honestly turns a scramble into a manageable process. The home may be uncomfortable for a few hours, but a clear path to a fix makes that stretch far more bearable, and it protects the homeowner from a rushed, overpriced decision made under pressure.
That is ultimately what dependable service provides: not just a repaired system, but a steady, honest response at a moment when a homeowner feels anything but steady. Green Planet built its reputation on being that response across South Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, so when a heat pump quits at the worst possible time, help is a phone call away from a licensed team that treats the situation, and the customer, with straightforward respect rather than pressure.
The real goal of any repair is a home that stays comfortable through the season, not just a system that runs for a few more days. A proper repair, paired with the maintenance that keeps a heat pump healthy, delivers reliable heating and cooling from the single system a South Pasadena home depends on year round. That reliability is worth far more than the lowest possible price on a quick, incomplete fix that fails again in the next stretch of demanding weather.
For homeowners in the area, the path to that lasting comfort runs through honest diagnosis, quality repair, and regular upkeep from a company that knows the local conditions, the older homes, and the systems themselves. Prompt, well-done service turns a failed heat pump back into a dependable one, ready for whatever the season brings, while the maintenance that follows keeps it from failing again at the next inconvenient moment on a hot afternoon or a cold night.
When a heat pump fails and the home drifts beyond comfort, the fastest path to relief is a licensed local company that can respond the same day. A clear description of the symptoms helps the technician arrive prepared, and upfront pricing means no surprises on top of a stressful situation. Financing and current promotions, worth confirming, can ease the cost of a larger repair over time.
Green Planet Heating and Air serves South Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley from its Burbank shop, licensed (CSLB #894993) and built on two decades of eco-conscious local experience. Any homeowner facing a failed system can arrange emergency heat pump repair in South Pasadena by calling (818) 450-5667 to get a technician dispatched and the home back to a comfortable temperature.
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South Pasadena, California
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Clockwise: South Pasadena Middle School; South Pasadena Public Library; Adobe Flores
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| Nickname:
City of Trees
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Interactive map of South Pasadena, California
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| Coordinates: 34°6′58″N 118°9′1″W / 34.11611°N 118.15028°W[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Los Angeles |
| Incorporated (city) | March 2, 1888[6] |
| Government
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| • 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 | |
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• Total
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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 | 659 ft (201 m) |
| Population | |
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• Total
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26,943 |
| • Density | 7,904/sq mi (3,051.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code | |
| Area code | 323/626[10] |
| FIPS code | 06-73220 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1661479, 2411940 |
| Website | www |
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]
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]
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]
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]
| 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] |
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South Pasadena first appeared as a city in the 1890 U.S. Census[28] which was coextensive South Pasadena Township.[28]
| 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% |
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]
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]
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]
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]
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 |
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]
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]
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]
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]
This is a list of South Pasadena mayors by year.
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]
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Other | Total | |||
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| % | # | % | # | % | # | # | |
| 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 |
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.
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.
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]
The South Pasadena Fire Department provides fire protection services for the city of South Pasadena.[121][122]
The South Pasadena Police Department provides law enforcement services.[123][124]
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