Zip code 91030, Mar 2026 to May 2026, from the Redfin Data Center. 91030 covers South Pasadena. 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.
South Pasadena incorporated in 1888, and its old commercial heart grew up along Mission Street, part of the original Route 66. The Fair Oaks Pharmacy opened at Mission and Fair Oaks in 1915, added a soda fountain in the 1920s or 30s that drew Route 66 travelers, and still pours phosphates and ice cream sodas today, a few blocks from the Metro station that put the street back on the rail map.
The homes
South Pasadena is a city of older single-family homes on tree-lined streets. You'll find Craftsman bungalows with deep porches and exposed rafters, Victorian and Colonial Revival houses from the city's early decades, and 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival and Tudor homes, many on modest lots with detached garages and mature landscaping. Much of the housing stock predates World War II, and original details like built-ins, wood windows and clinker brick are common. If you love the look, our guide to Spanish homes in LA is a good companion.
On the southwest hills, Altos de Monterey is a different chapter: hillside homes built mostly in the 1960s and 70s, with ranch and contemporary designs and views across the valley. Closer to Mission Street and Fair Oaks Avenue there are condos, townhomes and older courtyard apartment buildings, plus a handful of newer mixed-use buildings near the Metro station.
The feel
- Mission West, the historic district along Mission Street, has the Fair Oaks Pharmacy, small shops, cafes and the South Pasadena station on the Metro A Line.
- The South Pasadena Farmers Market sets up beside the Metro station on Meridian Avenue, with produce, flowers, baked goods and prepared food.
- The Rialto Theatre, built in 1925 with a mix of Spanish Baroque and Egyptian details, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The Arroyo Seco runs along the city's western edge, with parkland and trails that continue north toward the Rose Bowl, and the San Gabriel Mountains fill the view on clear days.
Eat, drink, shop
- Cannonball (Mission St). A relaxed bar and restaurant from the Everson Royce Bar team, known for its burger, buttermilk biscuits and a wine list of more than 100 bottles. The Infatuation
- Dumpling Tops (Fair Oaks Ave). A Shanghainese dining room with an Old Shanghai mural, best for soup dumplings and a braised beef roll. The Infatuation
- Fair Oaks Pharmacy & Soda Fountain (Mission St). A working pharmacy since 1915 with a restored soda fountain for phosphates, rickeys and hand-dipped shakes. LA Magazine
- Neighbors & Friends Kitchen (El Centro St). A new dinner spot with hush puppies and a pickle-brined roast chicken, plus a smashburger counter up front. The Infatuation
- Sid's Bar (El Centro St). A new neighborhood tavern next to the Sid The Cat Auditorium, with a short cocktail list and rotating taps. The Infatuation
- South Pasadena Farmers Market (Meridian Ave). A farmers market by the Metro station with produce, flowers, shellfish and prepared food. The Infatuation
Getting around
South Pasadena sits right on the 110 Arroyo Seco Parkway, so Downtown LA is often 15 to 20 minutes off-peak. Old Pasadena is about 10 minutes north, and the 210 and 134 are a short drive away. The Metro A Line stops at South Pasadena station on Mission Street, with a one-seat ride to Union Station in one direction and Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley in the other. Neighboring Pasadena and San Marino are each a few minutes away.
What's new
- A longer A Line. Metro's A Line extension from Glendora to Pomona opened in September 2025, adding four stations, so the train from South Pasadena now runs all the way east to Pomona. (Metro)
- New spots on El Centro. Neighbors & Friends Kitchen and Sid's Bar both opened near the Metro station, covered by The Infatuation in June 2026. (The Infatuation)
- Olympic soccer up the Arroyo. The Rose Bowl, a short drive north, is set to host the men's and women's soccer semifinals and finals at the 2028 Olympics. (NBC Sports)
Good to know
- Its own city. South Pasadena has its own permits, zoning, design review and historic preservation rules, and City of LA rules don't apply. Exterior changes to older homes often need review, so check with the City of South Pasadena before planning a remodel.
- The 710 is off the map. The long-planned 710 Freeway extension through the area was formally removed from the state highway system effective January 1, 2024. (Background)
- Fire zones and insurance. Some hillside streets, including parts of Altos de Monterey, may fall in a mapped fire hazard severity zone. Check any address on CAL FIRE's fire hazard severity zone map and get insurance quotes early in escrow.
- Century-old houses. For Craftsman and Victorian homes, plan on a sewer line scope and a close look at foundations, wiring and original windows. I'll pull permit records and line up the right inspectors for you, and if you want my opinion on anything, just ask.
Questions people ask
Is South Pasadena part of Los Angeles?
No. South Pasadena has been its own city since 1888, with its own permits, zoning and design review. It is not part of the City of Pasadena either. It sits between Pasadena, San Marino, Alhambra and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Highland Park and El Sereno.
What kind of homes are in South Pasadena?
Mostly older single-family homes: Craftsman bungalows, Victorian and Colonial Revival houses, and 1920s Spanish and Tudor homes on tree-lined streets. Altos de Monterey, on the southwest hills, adds 1960s and 70s homes with views, and there are condos and apartments near Mission Street and Fair Oaks Avenue.
How far is South Pasadena from Downtown LA?
Downtown LA is often 15 to 20 minutes from South Pasadena off-peak via the 110 Arroyo Seco Parkway. The Metro A Line also stops at South Pasadena station on Mission Street, with a one-seat ride to Union Station and east through Pasadena to the San Gabriel Valley.
What is South Pasadena known for?
South Pasadena is known for its Craftsman and Victorian homes, its canopy of street trees, and Mission Street, a stretch of historic Route 66 with the 1915 Fair Oaks Pharmacy, the 1925 Rialto Theatre and a farmers market next to the Metro station.
