Known as the “Crown City”, Pasadena is in the top 10 largest cities in Los Angeles County. It is also host to California’s largest annual event, the Tournament of Roses. No doubt the city’s population climbs each year after so many folks back East shivering in the New Year’s Day cold turn on their television sets to watch the parade and football game yet end up paying more attention to the beautiful sunshine and palm trees against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
Located in the San Gabriel Valley east of Los Angeles, Pasadena became a charter city with an elected mayor in 1901. Its size increased through annexations, first of sections to the north and east, then in 1914 San Rafael Heights and Linda Vista, which had been physically linked to the city by the Colorado Street Bridge in 1913. Some of the nation’s best architects settled in Pasadena and left their mark in the many Craftsman-style structures. The residents have from the beginning been a diverse group, including Asians and Latinos, who came to build the railroads; and African-Americans, who worked in the luxury hotels or started small businesses. From these humble origins came today’s promise of equal opportunity for all.
The city escaped 1994’s Northridge Earthquake relatively unscathed. The finial atop City Hall's dome was knocked askew and several residential chimneys were damaged. But as usual more people paid attention to the experts from the Pasadena-based California Institute of Technology (CalTech), the world leader in earthquake research, as she helped them understand the basics of seismology.
As Pasadena looks toward the future it seeks to balance growth and economic diversity with historic character and the need for safe neighborhoods. Symbolizing this dual commitment, the Colorado Street Bridge, constructed as a "work of art," was carefully renovated in the early 1990’s to conform to modern seismic safety standards without compromising its design. When the freeway connection to downtown L.A. became ever more clogged, the Gold Line light-rail linking the two cities was established. Condominium complexes are going up next to several of the stations.
The Crown City--one of rich history, museums, playhouses, technology, sports and business—is a rare find in that it combines lucrative employment opportunities with affordable living and convenient transportation. Perfect for the condo dweller who wants or needs to live outside of Downtown L.A. but also be within arm’s reach—just in case.
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