South Pasadena

South Pasadena

Small Town Charm, Big City Access

Population

~26,000

Median Price

$1.7M

Price Range

$1.1M-$1.6M

South Pasadena exemplifies small-town charm with its walkable downtown, tree-lined streets, and preserved Craftsman and Victorian architecture. Consistently ranked among California's top school districts, South Pasadena attracts families who prioritize education and community. Mission Street's charming boutiques, the Thursday evening Farmers Market, and no chain stores create a unique, authentic atmosphere. The city maintains a strong sense of community through active neighborhood associations and cultural events. With high homeownership rates, low crime, and proximity to Arroyo Seco trails, South Pasadena offers families a safe, engaging environment where neighbors know each other and small-town values thrive alongside big-city amenities.

Key Highlights

Ranked #2 Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in California with overall A+ grade on Niche.com
Small-town charm with walkable downtown, no chain stores, and weekly Thursday Farmers Market fostering authentic community spirit
Historic "City of Trees" with over 21,000 trees, preserved Craftsman and Victorian architecture, and South Pasadena Historic District on National Register
Top-rated South Pasadena Unified School District - both high school and middle school are California Gold Ribbon award recipients
Oldest self-builder of floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade with multiple recent awards including 2025 Fantasy Award

Housing Market

Median Home Price

$1.7M

Stable • Updated 2025-10-01

Average Prices by Type

Single-Family Home

$1.8M

Condo

$800K

Townhouse

$950K

Accolades & Recognition

National Register Historic District

South Pasadena Historic District officially registered for its exceptional architectural and cultural heritage

Source: National Register of Historic PlacesDate: 1982

Top 5% of Schools Nationwide - South Pasadena High School

Ranked #87 in California and #622 out of 17,000 public high schools in the United States

Source: U.S. News & World ReportDate: 2024

California Preservation Design Award

Awarded for exceptional ADU Design Guidelines on Historic Properties that preserve architectural character

Source: California Preservation FoundationDate: 2022

Tournament of Roses Parade Float Awards

Multiple awards including Fantasy Award (2025), Founder Award (2024, 2022), Bob Hope Humor Award (2023), and Mayor's Award (2019, 2020)

Source: Tournament of Roses AssociationDate: 2019-2025

Contacts

Government

South Pasadena City Hall

City Hall

(626) 403-72001414 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030Visit Website

South Pasadena Unified School District

School District

(626) 441-58101100 El Centro Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030Visit Website

Emergency Services

South Pasadena Police Department

Police Department

(626) 403-72701422 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030Visit Website

South Pasadena Fire Department

Fire Department

(626) 403-7300817 Mound Avenue, South Pasadena, CA 91030Visit Website

Utilities

South Pasadena Water Division

Water

(855) 518-4012825 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030Visit Website

Athens Services

Trash & Recycling

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