Basics
- Location:
- Between Los Angeles and Pasadena
- Surface:
- Paved
- Length:
- 9.45 miles (15 km)
- Time:
- Twenty minutes to drive or one hour to see the entire Byway.
- Season:
- Drivable year round, avoid during rush hour times
Description
Connect Los Angeles and Pasadena on the Arroyo Seco Historic Parkway. Conceived in the parkway tradition, with its gentle curves, lush landscaping and scenic vistas, this drive incorporates the best of modern art and architecture with the area's classic natural beauty and charm.
The Arroyo Seco Historic Parkway begins at the Four Level, the intersection of HWY 101 and HWY 110 (The Pasadena Freeway) in downtown Los Angeles. From the Four Level, the drive continues northbound on HWY 110. Take the Fair Oaks off-ramp to connect into downtown South Pasadena.
The unique drive incorporates happening and artistic urban areas with quiet parks and gardens. The first part of the parkway goes through Chinatown and by Dodger Stadium, both good places for food and sightseeing. Close by is the Audubon Nature Center at Debs Park, popular for birding and hiking. The Parkway soon opens to the north with wide views of the San Gabriel Mountains. At the other end of the drive in downtown South Pasadena, there is more food, cheer, and culture to greet the wanting traveler.
Tourism Resources
Helpful Links
Tourism Resources
Points of Interest
Points of Interest Along The Way
Angeles National Forest (CA)
The Angeles National Forest was established by Executive Order in December, 1892. It covers over 650,000 acres and is the backyard playground to the huge metropolitan area of Los Angeles.
Directions
Head north from Pasadena to Forest.
Arroyo Seco Golf Course (CA)
Located in South Pasadena, Arroyo Seco Golf Course provides great outdoor recreation for the whole family. Open to the public, the golf course features a club house, driving range and 18 hole course. Located in a beautiful wooded area, the course's seclusion is one of it's greatest qualities to avid golfers and travelers wishing to unwind.
Tennis courts are also located in the vicinity, along with baseball diamonds, picnic facilities, hiking and bicycling. An equestrian facility is located north of the parkway, accessed by a park road that dead ends in a dirt fire trail for equestrian and pedestrian use.
Directions
State Route 110
Arroyo Seco Park (CA)
In the hustle and bustle of South Pasadena's highways, traffic,shopping centers, and tourist attractions is a small park that will provide much-needed outdoor recreation and relaxation. Bring some sports equipment, or maybe just a picnic and a frisbee. This small city park features picnic tables and restrooms. A privately operated equestrian stable located beneath York Boulevard is accessed from this park. The park is linked to regional equestrian and hiking and bicycling trails.
Directions
State Route 110
Audubon Center at Debs Park (CA)
A Los Angeles City Park, Debs Regional Park is noted for its native habitat, fine birding opportunities, hiking, and other outdoor recreational activities.
The Debs Park Audubon Center is a great way for families- or just adults- to learn more about birds, nature, and the environment. Located conveniently in Debs Park, the center has activities for kids and families, a plethora of information, and other fun ways to spend a day in LA.
Directions
State Route 110
Casa de Adobe (CA)
The historical and fascinating Casa de Adobe was built in the early 1800s and today stands as a museum and location for interpretive events.
Visitors can see the interior of the building when special events are being held there. The interior is home to furniture, paintings, decorative arts, tin work, and religious folk art from California history.
Directions
State Route 110
Chinatown (CA)
Offering exciting and unique shops and cuisine, Chinatown is one of the famous hot spots in LA. With art galleries, fantastic diners and bars, colorful markets, book and gift shops, beautiful temples,and unique hotels, Chinatown, LA is an experience you won't want to pass up!
Directions
State Route 110
Dodger Stadium (CA)
There may be no better way to absorb the culture of the Arroyo in one evening than at a Dodger's game. The team may be one of the most successful in baseball history, but that is not what makes their current home, Dodger Stadium, so significant. Built in 1962, Dodger Stadium was the vision of one baseball fan's dream, and fans from all over still consider this stadium to be one of the most important stadiums in the country.
The second ever privately-financed stadium in baseball history (the first was Yankee Stadium), this famous landmark in American culture has also provided the venue for bands like the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Elton John, and Michael Jackson.
Directions
Take the Dodger Stadium exit near the beginning of the Byway.
Downtown South Pasadena (CA)
Incorporated in 1886, South Pasadena is noted for its small town, turn of the century atmosphere. The quaint downtown features shady, tree-lined streets, old fashioned emporiums, antique stores and boutiques. Today's business district is immediately south of the parkway along Fair Oaks, while the historic center of town is located at Meridian and Centro, where the 1890 Meridian Iron Worksand the 1905 watering trough and wayside station speak to an earlier era.
Directions
State Route 110
El Pueblo de Los Angeles (CA)
El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Park commemorates the historic foundation of Los Angeles. A popular visitor attraction, it features historic adobes, restaurants, shops and outdoor entertainment on a year-round basis.
Of the Monument’s twenty-seven historic buildings, four are restored as museums. Take a walk through time and see a greater range of architectural styles than can be found anywhere else in Los Angeles from an Adobe dwelling of 1818 to a Spanish style church of 1926.
Directions
From downtown Los Angeles take highway 101 heading southeast.
Elysian Park (CA)
Elysian Park is the oldest public park in the city of Los Angeles. The park provides scenic vistas, numerous hiking trails,and picnic grounds. Elysian Park is also the home of Dodger Stadium, where the Los Angeles baseball team plays.
Directions
State Route 110
