Walking L.A. #38: South Pasadena—a Hipper Mayberry, 1.6 miles

Two and a half miles south of Pasadena's Colorado Blvd. at Fair Oaks is the little city of South Pasadena, L.A.'s first suburb thanks to the Pacific Electric Railway. Incorporated in 1888, SoPas is one of the oldest and most historic sites in the San Gabriel Valley. I've been there hundreds of times for Sisters in Crime Los Angeles meetings but never really got to know the little 3.42 square mile "City of Trees" until Barbara and I tackled its historic Mission West district on foot today. With the look and feel of an "anywhere in America" small town, SoPas is a Hollywood regular in films like Gone With the Wind, American Pie, Back to the Future, and Halloween; and on TV in shows like Parenthood, Desperate Housewives, Bones, and Modern Family. The "Walking Man" sculpture at Metro station is steps from the Trough and Wayside station gifted to the city by the Women's Improvement Association in 1906. Historic Landmark buildings like the 1923 Mission Arroyo Hotel and the 1904 South Pasadena Bank Building now house restaurants, coffee houses, and small businesses with a comfy hometown atmosphere. Across from the 1907 SoPas Public Library on El Centro is the 1889 bell from the first SoPas school. But the most fun, old-timey- spot has to be the 1915 Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain, still in operation at the corner of Fair Oaks and Mission. What made SoPas a tourist draw in 1888? Ostrich rides at the first ostrich farm in the U.S.! But if you're in the mood for a little shopping topped by an ice-cream soda, cuppa coffee, or glass of wine, this little town will make you feel at right at home. Sweet.

Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain 1915

Bell from SoPas's first school, 1889

1906 Watering Trough and Wayside Station

1904 South Pasadena Bank Building

South Pasadena Public Library

Sugarmynt Gallery (check out the dummy in the tree!)