Pasadena is a family-friendly city with various neighborhoods that offer large homes, excellent amenities, schools, and community activities for families. Choosing one of Pasadena’s neighborhoods for your family can be overwhelming, but with the right information, you can find the best home that meets your needs.
This ultimate guide to Pasadena’s best neighborhoods for families provides an overview of the best neighborhoods, including their location, housing options, schools, and community features. Whether you’re looking for a quiet suburban community or a bustling urban area, this guide can help you find the perfect neighborhood for your family in Pasadena. Not sure which neighborhood is best for you? Check out our questions to ask yourself to find the best neighborhood.
Best Family-Friendly Neighborhoods in Pasadena
Pasadena has various neighborhoods ideal for families, each with its unique features and amenities.
Some of the top family-friendly neighborhoods in Pasadena include Madison Heights, which offers excellent schools and a variety of family-friendly activities, and San Rafael Hills, known for its hillside, beautiful homes, and tree-lined streets.
Other popular Pasadena neighborhoods for families include the Playhouse District, which offers easy access to entertainment and cultural activities, and Chapman Woods, which has a suburban feel and a variety of parks and outdoor spaces. Whether you’re looking for a quiet suburban community or a bustling urban area, Pasadena has a neighborhood that can meet your family’s needs.
1. Bungalow Heaven neighborhood in Pasadena
Bungalow Heaven is one of Pasadena’s most sought-after neighborhoods, known for its concentration of historic Craftsman and Bungalow-style homes. Developed in the early 20th century, Bungalow Heaven features over 800 homes, many of which have been beautifully restored to their original condition.
Bungalow Heaven is a designated Historic Landmark District recognized as one of the “10 Great Places in America” by the American Planning Association. With its tree-lined streets, well-preserved homes, and sense of community, Bungalow Heaven is a popular destination for families and professionals looking for a charming and historic place to call home. Bungalow Heaven is about a 10-minute from Old Town Pasadena and the Rose Bowl.
Price: Homes in this neighborhood typically range from $900,000 to $1.5 million.
Crime: Low crime rate.
Schools: Families benefit from proximity to top schools like Field Elementary and Washington Middle School.
Historical Facts: As Pasadena’s first Landmark District, Bungalow Heaven has over 800 historic homes, predominantly from the Craftsman era.
2. Linda Vista neighborhood in Pasadena
Linda Vista is one of the most expensive and sought-after neighborhoods in Pasadena. The Linda Vista neighborhood was built in the mid-1940s to early 1950s to answer Pasadena’s housing shortage. This Pasadena neighborhood has about 1,400 homes. The highly sought-after Pegfair Estates tract is located in Linda Vista.
Linda Vista is a short drive from the Rose Bowl and Old Town Pasadena.
Price: Homes here vary, with prices generally between $1 million and $3 million.
Crime: Low crime rates.
Schools: Prestigious institutions like Westridge School for Girls and Polytechnic School are accessible to residents.
Historical Facts: Linda Vista’s has one of the oldest neighborhood associations. Its first battle of the neighborhood association was to preserve the name of Linda Vista Blvd.
3. Madison Heights neighborhood in Pasadena
Madison Heights is a neighborhood located in the western part of Pasadena. Madison Heights is known for its mix of historic and modern homes.
Many of the older homes in Madison Heights Pasadena were built in the early 20th century and feature Craftsman and Spanish Colonial Revival homes. The neighborhood also has several parks and outdoor spaces, including the nearby Arroyo Seco Park, home of the Rose Bowl.
Price: Homes here span from $900,000 to $2 million.
Crime: Low crime rates.
Schools: McKinley School and Blair High School, both part of the Pasadena Unified School District, serve the community.
Historical Facts: Madison Heights is one of Pasadena’s oldest neighborhoods. The oldest house still standing dates from 1890.
4. San Rafael Hills neighborhood in Pasadena
San Rafael is a hillside neighborhood in western Pasadena, known for its beautiful homes and tree-lined streets.
San Rafael Hills in Pasadena is an expensive, highly sought-after hillside neighborhood in Southwest Pasadena. Homes in this neighborhood sit at a higher elevation than other areas of Pasadena and have views of Pasadena’s cityscape and the San Gabriel Mountains. Many of the homes in San Rafael were built in the early 20th century and have a Spanish Colonial Revival and Craftsman design.
The San Rafael Hills area of Pasadena is also home to several parks and outdoor spaces, including the Arroyo Seco Park, which offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and a golf course. This neighborhood is known for its quiet, suburban feel and is popular with families and professionals who value hillside living.
Price: Homes range between $900,000 and $2.5 million.
Crime: A community-focused area known for its low crime rates.
Schools: San Rafael Elementary and Chandler Middle School are schools for kids who live in San Rafael.
Historical Facts: The San Rafael neighborhood was originally built for Pasadena’s wealthy residents.
5. Playhouse District neighborhood in Pasadena
The Pasadena Playhouse neighborhood is in Pasadena, just east of Old Town. The neighborhood is named after the Pasadena Playhouse, founded in 1917 and quickly became one of the most prestigious theaters in the country. Today, the Pasadena Playhouse continues to produce world-class theater productions and is a cultural landmark in the city.
The Pasadena Playhouse District neighborhood has a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops, as well as several historic buildings and landmarks. The Pasadena Playhouse neighborhood has a mix of historic and modern buildings and is popular with locals and visitors.
Price: Homes in Pasadena’s Playhouse District range from $950,000 to $2 million.
Crime: A lively yet secure area with a profound sense of community.
Schools: Hamilton Elementary, McKinley School, and Blair International Baccalaureate School are in the Playhouse district area.
Historical Facts: Named for the iconic Pasadena Playhouse. The Pasadena Playhouse was founded in 1917 and is one of the most prestigious theaters in the country, attracting top actors and directors.
6. South Lake neighborhood in Pasadena
South Lake is a central Pasadena neighborhood known for its mix of historic and modern homes, including Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco styles. The neighborhood offers a range of housing options, including apartments and condominiums, and is popular with families and outdoor enthusiasts due to its proximity to nearby parks and gardens. South Lake Pasadena is also home to shopping and dining along South Lake Avenue. It is a popular destination for locals.
Price: Homes here typically vary between $950,000 to $1.8 million.
Crime: The neighborhood has a low crime rate.
Schools: Hamilton Elementary and McKinley School are the educational highlights.
Historical Facts: South Lake Avenue was originally a dirt road that connected Pasadena to the San Gabriel Mountains.
South Lake Ave during Christmas time
During December, South Lake Ave hosts the South Lake Avenue Holidayfest. The Holidayfest is a family-friendly event with Christmas carollers, a horse-drawn carriage, live music, photos with Santa, and creative stations for cookie and ornament decorating. Families can also enjoy a scavenger hunt, holiday airbrushing, and in-store promotions.
7. Chapman Woods neighborhood in Pasadena
Chapman Woods is a quiet residential neighborhood located in the eastern part of Pasadena. This neighborhood has a mix of historic and newer homes. Chapman Woods Pasadena homes are built on large lots in tree-lined streets. Many of the older homes in Chapman Woods were built in the 1920s and 1930s, featuring Spanish Colonial Revival and English Tudor architecture.
Price: Starting at $1 million, prices can soar to $3 million for larger homes.
Crime: Chapman Woods has a low crime rate
Schools: Willard Elementary, Norma Coombs Elementary, Pasadena High, and Don Benito Fundamental are the local schools.
Historical Facts: Chapman Woods was originally part of a large ranch owned by Alfred Chapman, a wealthy businessman
Pasadena neighborhood price comparison
Overall, the price of a home in Pasadena can vary greatly depending on the neighborhood. Working with a real estate agent familiar with Pasadena homes who can help you find a neighborhood that meets your needs and budget is important.
| Pasadena Neighborhood | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Bungalow Heaven | $900,000 – $1.5 million |
| Linda Vista | $1 million – $3 million |
| Madison Heights | $900,000 – $2 million |
| San Rafael Hills | $900,000 – $2.5 million |
| Playhouse District | $950,000 – $2 million |
| South Lake | $950,000 – $1.8 million |
| Chapman Woods | $1 million – $3 million |
Pasadena’s neighborhoods offer families a variety of experiences, from the architectural gems of Bungalow Heaven to the vibrant arts scene in the Playhouse District. Linda Vista’s proximity to the iconic Rose Bowl adds to its allure, promising an interesting home and a unique lifestyle. Regardless of your preference, be it historical charm, artistic culture, or the excitement of being near renowned venues, a slice of Pasadena awaits you. As you stroll its streets, you may find the perfect backdrop for your family’s next chapter.
