The corner of Mission and Meridian, near the start of the walk
BOUNDARIES: Fair Oaks Ave., CA 110, Orange Grove Ave., El Centro St.
DISTANCE: About 1.25 mile
DIFFICULTY: Easy
PARKING: Free street parking is available on Meridian Ave., and there is a public parking structure on the corner of Meridian and Mission St.
NEAREST METRO STATION: Mission St. and Meridian Ave. (Gold Line)
A local store proprietor refers to South Pasadena as a “hipper Mayberry,” and the description is apt. This city has a lovely, small-town sense of community, but at the same time it’s fast becoming a happening shopping and dining destination.
This walk begins at the hub of “South Pas”: Mission Meridian Village, an urban village centered around the Metro Gold Line station to reduce traffic and develop a community center by building housing within close proximity to public transportation and commercial attractions. Development around public-transit hubs has become a popular trend in Los Angeles within the decade, and the execution here is a successful example.
Begin at the corner of Hope Street and Meridian Avenue. The Mission Meridian complex’s immaculate Craftsman duplexes line the west side of Meridian. Head south on Meridian, passing a boutique, a florist, and a public parking structure. 
Heirloom Bakery & Cafe, at 807 Meridian Ave., will no doubt tempt you with its scrumptious selection of goodies.
On the east side of Meridian, just before the railroad tracks, is a building sure to be of interest to movie buffs: a two-story Victorian cottage painted a pretty pale blue. Today it’s an office building, but in 1978 it served as the home of the murderous Michael Myers in the original Halloween.
The Moo on Mission, the second location of the popular Mother Moo Creamery out of Sierra Madre, sits in perfect view of the tracks, on the northeast corner of Mission and Meridian. Their small-batch, handcrafted sweets are definitely worth a try. Across the street, on the northwest corner, is a modern Indian restaurant housed in the former Mission Arroyo Hotel building, a South Pasadena cultural landmark.
When you reach Mission Street, turn right to find the crosswalk.
Cross to the south side of Mission Street at the crosswalk, and turn around to head east on Mission, toward the Metro station.
Turn right back onto Meridian. Pass a large woven-metal sculpture depicting, appropriately enough, a man walking. The 
South Pasadena Historical Museum, inside the Meridian Iron Works building at 913 Meridian, features exhibits depicting South Pasadena’s history, beginning with the original American Indian residents, along with photos of the city during its early years of development. It’s free to the public, so why not pop in and check it out? It’s also worthwhile to cross to the island in the middle of the street to check out another cultural landmark, the 
Watering Trough and Wayside Station, which was erected in 1906 as a rest stop for horses and their riders. On the corner of Meridian Avenue and El Centro Street is 
Bistro de la Gare, a charming French-Italian restaurant and wine bar.
Turn right on El Centro to pass Nicole’s Market & Café, a plant nursery, and the South Pasadena Gold Line station’s south entrance.
Turn around to retrace your steps back to Meridian, and then continue east on El Centro. At 1009 El Centro is 
Communal Food & Drink, a modern take on a beer garden. It’s obvious that South Pasadena diners very much enjoy a tasty meal alfresco accompanied by a carefully matched drink. But then, who doesn’t?
At 1019 El Centro, you pass the South Pasadena Bank Building, another cultural landmark; the two-story brick building now houses a hair salon and a coffee shop (South Pas dwellers appear to love their java, as well).
After crossing Diamond Avenue, you come to the South Pasadena Library Community Room, a distinguished brick-and-stone building set in a small, shady park. The city’s Unified School District Administration building is on the opposite side of the street. (South Pasadena is known to lure young families away from the city of Los Angeles with its excellent school system.)
Continue on El Centro all the way to Fair Oaks Avenue, passing apartment buildings, the Fremont Centre Theatre, and a culinary arts school.
Turn left on Fair Oaks Avenue.
At the light, cross to the north side of Mission Street and turn left.
At 1526 Mission, 
Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain, originally opened in 1915, offers a heavy dose of nostalgia with its tin ceilings, honeycomb-tile floors, and old-fashioned soda fountain. Stop in for a hand-dipped malt, egg cream, or lime rickey, and imagine what it was like when this served as a popular Route 66 pit stop.
At 1510 Mission, you reach 
Dinosaur Farm, a toy store with a delightfully back-to-basics vibe that sells a terrific assortment of craft kits, musical instruments, games, and more. The store also offers story time and kids’ classes in the back room.
As you continue west on Mission, you pass more clothing and home-interiors boutiques, antiques shops and other independent businesses; major chains are refreshingly few and far between in this part of town. Noteworthy stores include 
Marz, a unique gift boutique at 1512, and 
Mission Wines, at 1114.
At 1040 Mission, 
Mike & Anne’s offers delicious seasonal dishes with a gourmet flair on a welcoming patio. Across the street is Mission Street Yoga.
When you reach Meridian Avenue, turn right to return to your starting point at the corner of Hope Street.
South Pasadena
Points of Interest
Heirloom Bakery & Cafe 807 Meridian Ave., South Pasadena, CA 91030; 626-441-0042
The Moo on Mission 1006 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030; 626-441-0744, mothermoo.com
South Pasadena Historical Museum 913 Meridian Ave., South Pasadena, CA 91030; 626-799-9089
Watering Trough and Wayside Station Meridian Avenue just south of Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Bistro de la Gare 921 Meridian Ave., South Pasadena, CA 91030; 626-799-8828, bistrodelagare.com
Communal Food & Drink 1009 El Centro St., South Pasadena, CA 91030; 626-345-5128, communalfoodanddrink.com
Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain 1526 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030; 626-799-1414, fairoakspharmacy.net
Dinosaur Farm 1510 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030; 626-441-2767, dinosaurfarm.com
Marz 1512 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030; 626-799-4032, marzbazaar.com
Mission Wines 1114 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030; 626-403-9463, missionwines.com
Mike & Anne’s 1040 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030; 626-799-7199, mikeandannes.com
