Zip code 91108, Mar 2026 to May 2026, from the Redfin Data Center. 91108 covers San Marino. Zip codes don't line up neatly with neighborhood borders, and medians hide a wide range of homes, so treat these as a rough feel for the area.
Railroad and real estate developer Henry E. Huntington bought the San Marino Ranch in 1903, and in 1919 he and Arabella Huntington turned the estate into a library, art museum and botanical gardens. The city itself was incorporated in 1913 around the ranch, and today The Huntington's gardens, Myron Hunt-designed buildings and collections are still the center of the town.
The homes
San Marino is almost entirely single-family homes, most of them built between the 1920s and the 1940s on big, level lots with deep front lawns and mature trees. You'll see Spanish Colonial Revival, Mediterranean and Italian Revival homes with tile roofs and courtyards, along with Colonial Revival, Georgian and Tudor houses that give some streets an East Coast look. Many lots run a half acre or more, with pools, guest houses and long driveways.
Notable Southern California architects worked here. Wallace Neff, known for his Spanish and Mediterranean homes, designed houses across San Marino and built his own home in the city in 1928, and Paul R. Williams designed residences here in the 1920s. Later decades added ranch and traditional homes, but the overall look of the town is strongly 1920s and 30s, and the city works to keep it that way.
The feel
- The Huntington has more than 100 acres of gardens, including the Japanese Garden, the Chinese Garden, the Desert Garden and the rose garden, plus the art museum and library.
- Lacy Park is the city's main park, a broad lawn ringed by a loop path and old trees.
- Huntington Drive is the main boulevard, wide and landscaped, with the city's small cluster of shops and offices along it and on Mission Street.
- El Molino Viejo, a grist mill built in 1816 for Mission San Gabriel, is considered the oldest commercial building in Southern California and is open as a small museum.
Eat, drink, shop
San Marino has very few restaurants, so most dining happens a short drive away in Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley.
- Union (Pasadena, Union St). A small Old Pasadena restaurant for house-made pasta. Michelin Guide
- Loli Farms (Pasadena, E California Blvd). A Peruvian counter for wood-roasted chicken and sides like fried plantains, just over the city line. The Infatuation
- Sea Harbour (Rosemead, Rosemead Blvd). A big Cantonese dining room best known for its dim sum. Michelin Guide
- Lunasia Dim Sum House (Alhambra, Main St). Polished dim sum served all day. Michelin Guide
- Sichuan Impression (Alhambra, Valley Blvd). Fiery, numbing Sichuan cooking from a San Gabriel Valley standby. Michelin Guide
Getting around
San Marino sits between Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Gabriel and Alhambra. The 210 and the 110 Arroyo Seco Parkway are a few minutes north and west, and the 10 is a short drive south. The nearest Metro A Line stations are in South Pasadena and Pasadena. Off-peak, Downtown is often 20 to 25 minutes, and Old Pasadena about 10.
What's new
- The Huntington's Library renovation. The Huntington announced a major modernization of its 1919 Library building beginning in spring 2026. The Library's exhibition halls close during construction, with book and manuscript shows moving into the Art Museum in the meantime. (The Huntington)
- Olympic soccer next door. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena is set to host the semifinal and gold-medal soccer matches at the 2028 Olympics. (NBC Sports)
Good to know
- Its own city. San Marino has run its own government since 1913, with its own permits, zoning and police and fire departments. Verify current rules with the City of San Marino.
- Strict design review. New homes, additions and many exterior changes go through the city's design review process. Plan for extra time on any remodel or rebuild.
- Older homes, bigger systems. For 1920s to 1940s houses, look closely at foundations, sewer lines, electrical, roofs and any past additions.
- Insurance. Insurance has tightened across the Pasadena area since the January 2025 Eaton Fire a few miles north. Get quotes early in escrow. I'll gather the permit history and documents for any home you like, and if you want my opinion, just ask.