Pasadena Architectural Legacy Walking Tours

On December 30th, 2018, Pasadena Heritage invites you and your holiday guests to take a walking tour featuring many of Pasadena’s architectural treasures! Attendees have the opportunity to participate in two different walking tours, each with a 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. start time! Purchase tickets here.

Pasadena Hillcrest Neighborhood Walking Tour

The Pasadena Hillcrest Neighborhood tour allows tour goers to discover an established neighborhood of Pasadena. One of Pasadena’s most beautiful neighborhoods, the tour explores various architectural styles. The Oak Knoll subdivision, of which Hillcrest is part, was intended to rival the wealthy neighborhoods of Orange Grove and the “West Side” (San Rafael and Linda Vista), so many of the estate size lots were intended for custom home development. Showcased on the tour are numerous grand estate mansions along with Craftsman homes such as the Freeman Housedesigned by architects Arthur and Alfred Heineman and the Culbertson Houseand Blacker Houseboth designed by Charles and Henry Greene.

The Civic Center District and Fountains Tour

The Pasadena Civic Center tour provides local residents and visitors with a unique look at the area’s intriguing architectural history. Pasadena’s Civic Center is a product of the “City Beautiful” Movement led by renowned planner Daniel Burnham, which began at the 1893 World Columbia Exposition in Chicago. Edward H. Bennett, protégé of Burnham, created Pasadena’s 1925 plan and in May 2012, the American Planning Association awarded the National Planning Landmark Award to the Bennett Plan, recognizing the City’s dedication to its implementation over the years. There will be anecdotes of individuals such as architect Julia Morgan, who designed the former YWCA building, George Ellery Hale, who was the driving force behind Civic Center’s construction, and others, who helped to create and maintain the Mediterranean style of architecture within this beautiful civic core. Also seen on this tour are several fountains some of which are designed by great Pasadena artists and Landscape designers such as Ernest Batchelder, Myron Hunt and Ruth Shellhorn.