At the base of the San Gabriel Mountains 15 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles is the city of Pasadena, California. Pasadena has an estimated population of 142,647 and is the scientific and cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. The city is in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, which is the second largest metro area in the country with a population of over 13.1 million people.
A Native American tribe that was part of the Tongva Nation lived in the area that is now Pasadena for thousands of years. They lived along the 25-mile long seasonal river known as the Arroyo Seco, which runs through Pasadena. Many descendants of the Tongva Nation still live in the area.
The Spanish occupied the Los Angeles basin in the late 1700s, and the land that Pasadena is on became a Mexican land grant known as Rancho del Rincón de San Pascual. After California became a state in 1850, the last Mexican owners of Rancho del Rincon de San Pascual sold portions of the ranch to the first white settlers in the area.
By the mid-1870, Pasadena gained a reputation as a resort town for people who were suffering from health ailments and wanted to escape the bitter cold of the Northeast and Northern Midwest states. Many of these people decided to stay permanently, so they bought property, set up schools, and started businesses. By the time Pasadena was incorporated on June 19, 1886, it was already a small thriving town with an active tourist industry.
In celebration of Pasadena's mild winters, these East Coast transplants organized the Tournament of Roses in 1890. The day started off with the Rose Parade and was followed by a day of competitive games such as chariot racing, ostrich racing, and polo. In 1902, football was added to the list of games. Football became a permanent event at the Tournament of Roses in 1916, and in 1922, the Rose Bowl was erected. Today, visitors from around the country and the world come to Pasadena to watch the Rose Parade on New Year's Day. The Rose Bowl is home to the UCLA Bruins college football team and hosts the longest running post-season college football game.
Pasadena has plenty to offer if you would rather go shopping. On the second Sunday of every month, the Rose Bowl has hosted a large flea market since 1967. You will find hundreds of dealers who sell everything from vintage clothing, antique furniture, and artwork. If you are looking for something modern and upscale, then you can head over to Old Town Pasadena. This 21-block downtown section of Pasadena is full of renovated historic buildings that have restaurants, nightclubs, and cafes. It also features an open-air mall with a variety of clothing stores.
Pasadena is a popular destination for those who have a scientific mind. It is home to the California Institute of Technology. This school has 37 Nobel Laureates who have won 38 Nobel Prizes. Caltech also manages the nearby Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is owned by NASA. Caltech also houses the regional office of the United States Geological Survey, which monitors the numerous earthquakes that happen in California and around the world.
Pasadena is also an excellent place if you like architecture. The city is full of renovated historic commercial buildings that have been in place since the turn of the last century and are still in use. The city is especially noted for having hundreds of Craftsman-style bungalows. One neighborhood, known as Bungalow Heaven, has 800 bungalows that were built between 1900 and 1930. Every year, the community holds a walking tour where you can get an up-close view of these homes.
The climate in Pasadena is a classic Mediterranean climate, which makes it perfect to go shopping at the Rose Bowl Flea Market or to go on a historic bungalow walking tour. From mid-March to mid-October, temperatures are warm with very little rainfall. 100-degree temperatures are not uncommon in August and September. Winters are mild with highs in the low to mid-60s. Most of the rainfall occurs from December to March.
There is so much to do in Pasadena. You probably don't want to be stuck taking care of your yard when you could be out enjoying all the activities Pasadena has to offer. Let Lawn Love take care of your yard for you. They will customize their services to meet your needs at a price you can afford. Contact Lawn Love today so you can go out and enjoy Pasadena.
