Live like a local - Altadena guidebook
Altadena food recommendations
These places are located in Altadena and almost entirely frequented by locals.
Great pizza and sides. Delivery might be a little slow, but worth it. (You can pick it up if you're pressed for time) Even if you're not concerned about gluten, their gluten free pizza is worth it - it's like eating scalloped potato pizza casserole.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pizza Of Venice
2545 N Fair Oaks AveGreat pizza and sides. Delivery might be a little slow, but worth it. (You can pick it up if you're pressed for time) Even if you're not concerned about gluten, their gluten free pizza is worth it - it's like eating scalloped potato pizza casserole.
Fox's Restaurant has been an Altadena favorite since the 60's. The original owners retired pre-pandemic, but the new owners have kept the charm and updated the menu. Mostly inhabited by locals. It's in a tiny house, so sometimes there is a long line. Draw up a chair and chat with your neighbor.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fox's Restaurant
2352 Lake AveFox's Restaurant has been an Altadena favorite since the 60's. The original owners retired pre-pandemic, but the new owners have kept the charm and updated the menu. Mostly inhabited by locals. It's in a tiny house, so sometimes there is a long line. Draw up a chair and chat with your neighbor.
Serious gourmand food. You can order "roasties" ahead. Has just reopened for indoor dining.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
ALTAeats
1860 Allen AveSerious gourmand food. You can order "roasties" ahead. Has just reopened for indoor dining.
Shocking that gelato this good can be found in an ugly strip mall setting, but there it is. Also has Friday night movies and dinner during the summer. Pricey, but worth it.
(And if you decide it's too expensive, you can get ice cream at RiteAid in the same strip mall)
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bulgarini Gelato Artigianale
749 E Altadena DrShocking that gelato this good can be found in an ugly strip mall setting, but there it is. Also has Friday night movies and dinner during the summer. Pricey, but worth it.
(And if you decide it's too expensive, you can get ice cream at RiteAid in the same strip mall)
Great place for food, cafe drinks and smoothies. Has indoor and outdoor eating. Can get super busy, so be patient. Also hosts pop-ups for local bakers on weekends. You can call in orders and pick them up.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Coffee Gallery
2029 Lake AveGreat place for food, cafe drinks and smoothies. Has indoor and outdoor eating. Can get super busy, so be patient. Also hosts pop-ups for local bakers on weekends. You can call in orders and pick them up.
Spicy chicken to die for. Very similar to El Pollo Loco, but better. There is also a taqueria in the same little square if you want a taco instead (same owners).
Pollos Puebla
2057 N Los Robles AveSpicy chicken to die for. Very similar to El Pollo Loco, but better. There is also a taqueria in the same little square if you want a taco instead (same owners).
This is a food truck in a parking lot (which is a quintessential LA experience). Great tacos. You will only find locals here.
Tacos 210
North Fair Oaks AvenueThis is a food truck in a parking lot (which is a quintessential LA experience). Great tacos. You will only find locals here.
Great place to find breakfast pastries, cakes and cafe drinks. Some things sell out fast.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Patticakes
1900 Allen AveGreat place to find breakfast pastries, cakes and cafe drinks. Some things sell out fast.
Just plain pizza if that's your bag. Sometimes it's ours. This place has been around for decades, so somebody's keeping it in business...
Pizza Joe's
2287 Lake AveJust plain pizza if that's your bag. Sometimes it's ours. This place has been around for decades, so somebody's keeping it in business...
Local Coffee shops
Fairly new coffee shop, but there's usually a line outside. Also hosts pop ups for local bakers and other food providers in their side alley.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Café de Leche
2477 Lake AveFairly new coffee shop, but there's usually a line outside. Also hosts pop ups for local bakers and other food providers in their side alley.
Some people travel across the width of Altadena for this coffee.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Unincorporated Coffee Roasters
3045 Lincoln AveSome people travel across the width of Altadena for this coffee.
My Place Cafe
2057 N Los Robles AveCute little place for coffee and treats.
Altadena adjacent, has interesting coffee combos.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lavender & Honey® Espresso Bar
1383 E Washington BlvdAltadena adjacent, has interesting coffee combos.
Cafe drinks, food and awesome smoothies available. Can get very busy, please be patient. You can call ahead if you are in a hurry.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Coffee Gallery
2029 Lake AveCafe drinks, food and awesome smoothies available. Can get very busy, please be patient. You can call ahead if you are in a hurry.
Local Nightlife
Who are we kidding? Altadena doesn't have nightlife other than owls and raccoons, but if you're looking for a place to have a drink...
Very mellow dive bar. Definitely only locals. Outside patio for safe covid drinking.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rancho Bar
2485 Lake AveVery mellow dive bar. Definitely only locals. Outside patio for safe covid drinking.
Slightly more upscale than the Rancho. Slightly. Frequented by groups
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Altadena Ale & Wine House
2329 N Fair Oaks AveSlightly more upscale than the Rancho. Slightly. Frequented by groups
1881
1881 East Washington BoulevardThe other dive bar. Take your pick... :) This one has live Jazz on Fridays ($10 cover).
Shops and groceries
Owned by two Altadena lifers - this shop is full of locally produced items and artwork.
Hoopla! An Emporium Of Good Things
2591 N Fair Oaks AveOwned by two Altadena lifers - this shop is full of locally produced items and artwork.
Amazingly cheap and wonderful produce, full butcher, sushi bar and deli counter. If you shop late at night you will find chefs picking food for the next day. Parking lot can be a little intense. On a typical day you may hear up to seven different languages being spoken which is a testament to Altadena's diversity.
37 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Super King Markets
2260 Lincoln AveAmazingly cheap and wonderful produce, full butcher, sushi bar and deli counter. If you shop late at night you will find chefs picking food for the next day. Parking lot can be a little intense. On a typical day you may hear up to seven different languages being spoken which is a testament to Altadena's diversity.
Only open on Wednesdays from 4-7. Locally produced food and other items.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Altadena Farmer's Market
587 W Palm StOnly open on Wednesdays from 4-7. Locally produced food and other items.
At one point this store was the heart of Altadena as it contained a liquor store, a pharmacy, and a stationer and gift shop - truly one stop shopping. Sadly, only the pharmacy remains, but it has a lovely gift shop with a lot of local themed items. Great for souvenirs.
Webster's Community Pharmacy & Post Office
2450 Lake AveAt one point this store was the heart of Altadena as it contained a liquor store, a pharmacy, and a stationer and gift shop - truly one stop shopping. Sadly, only the pharmacy remains, but it has a lovely gift shop with a lot of local themed items. Great for souvenirs.
ALDI
2246 Lake AveClosest full service grocery store.
Play/Visit
Pickleball, tennis, basketball courts and baseball fields, plus a beautiful wisteria covered picnic area. Altadena's most historic park. In the summer there is music on Saturday nights.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Charles S. Farnsworth Park
568 Mount Curve Ave EPickleball, tennis, basketball courts and baseball fields, plus a beautiful wisteria covered picnic area. Altadena's most historic park. In the summer there is music on Saturday nights.
Relatively easy hike up a canyon to a seasonal waterfall. The walk to the canyon entrance from the Ranchito, is probably shorter than the walk from the parking lot, but keep in mind you will have to walk uphill all the way home. There are no bathrooms or trashcans. Bring plenty of water.
51 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Eaton Canyon Falls Trail
Eaton Canyon Falls TrailRelatively easy hike up a canyon to a seasonal waterfall. The walk to the canyon entrance from the Ranchito, is probably shorter than the walk from the parking lot, but keep in mind you will have to walk uphill all the way home. There are no bathrooms or trashcans. Bring plenty of water.
Using the Sam Merrill trail hike up to Echo Mountain and view the ruins of a hotel that once stood there.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Echo Mountain Trail
Mount Lowe RoadUsing the Sam Merrill trail hike up to Echo Mountain and view the ruins of a hotel that once stood there.
A deep shady canyon that almost always has running water, even in the height of summer. There are falls and even mine entrances.
Millard Trail Camp
4041 Chaney TrailA deep shady canyon that almost always has running water, even in the height of summer. There are falls and even mine entrances.
This trail can be accessed from our street. Fairly easy hike for spectacular views of the LA basin including down town LA (DTLA), Catalina Island, Port of LA/Long Beach, etc. This trail connects to several other trails leading up canyons or up to a few summits. Aromatic chaparral plants line this trail and wildflowers bloom in almost every season.
Altadena Crest Trail (section)
Altadena Crest Trail (section)This trail can be accessed from our street. Fairly easy hike for spectacular views of the LA basin including down town LA (DTLA), Catalina Island, Port of LA/Long Beach, etc. This trail connects to several other trails leading up canyons or up to a few summits. Aromatic chaparral plants line this trail and wildflowers bloom in almost every season.
Everything bunny. This is not a kid's museum and it is a little bizarre!
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Bunny Museum
2605 Lake AveEverything bunny. This is not a kid's museum and it is a little bizarre!
Right around the corner, if you're lucky enough to be here in the summer you might catch an avant garde act at the Folly Bowl, but the real treat is the garden setting. (Like the Hollywood Bowl but smaller and way more amazing)
Folly Bowl
Right around the corner, if you're lucky enough to be here in the summer you might catch an avant garde act at the Folly Bowl, but the real treat is the garden setting. (Like the Hollywood Bowl but smaller and way more amazing)
If you'd like to ride a bike in our neighborhood, but you're not up to the hills, this is the place for you.
Open Trails E-Bikes
467 North Lake AvenueIf you'd like to ride a bike in our neighborhood, but you're not up to the hills, this is the place for you.
Not currently offering public tours due to Covid, but it is an awesome place to visit. Many JPLers live in Altadena, so if you take a walk, you never know you could be waving at a Mars Rover driver or a rocket scientist!
74 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4800 Oak Grove DrNot currently offering public tours due to Covid, but it is an awesome place to visit. Many JPLers live in Altadena, so if you take a walk, you never know you could be waving at a Mars Rover driver or a rocket scientist!
Besides the amazing views of the entire city, you can check out the telescope that Edwin Hubble used to prove the Big Bang Theory. The apple pie at the Cosmic Cafe is pretty good too!
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Observatorio del Monte Wilson
Besides the amazing views of the entire city, you can check out the telescope that Edwin Hubble used to prove the Big Bang Theory. The apple pie at the Cosmic Cafe is pretty good too!
This museum has one of the most comprehensive collections of art throughout the ages. Small enough to easily digest. Has a lovely sculpture garden as well. (If you've ever watched the Rose Parade, this building is the backdrop to TV view)
485 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo Norton Simon
411 W Colorado BlvdThis museum has one of the most comprehensive collections of art throughout the ages. Small enough to easily digest. Has a lovely sculpture garden as well. (If you've ever watched the Rose Parade, this building is the backdrop to TV view)
Amazing gardens used to film many, many things. You will definitely recognize parts of the gardens. Closes earlier than you'd think in summer. This place is large, so have a plan if you want to see specific things. Has a few nice cafes in the gardens.
999 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Huntington Library Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford RdAmazing gardens used to film many, many things. You will definitely recognize parts of the gardens. Closes earlier than you'd think in summer. This place is large, so have a plan if you want to see specific things. Has a few nice cafes in the gardens.
Neighborhoods
Lots of shopping, world class restaurants and beautiful buildings. 90 minute free parking at two of the parking garages (Schoolhouse and Delacey).
480 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Antiguo Pasadena
23 E Colorado BlvdLots of shopping, world class restaurants and beautiful buildings. 90 minute free parking at two of the parking garages (Schoolhouse and Delacey).
This street is the heart of Pasadena's Armenian community and has many amazing restaurants and stores. In addition to the stores on Washington Blvd, there are several Armenian standouts on Allen Avenue as well - Old Sasoon Bakery, Vrej's Pastry and Garo's Market
East Washington Boulevard
East Washington BoulevardThis street is the heart of Pasadena's Armenian community and has many amazing restaurants and stores. In addition to the stores on Washington Blvd, there are several Armenian standouts on Allen Avenue as well - Old Sasoon Bakery, Vrej's Pastry and Garo's Market
Hastings Ranch
A commercial area in East Pasadena with lots of chain restaurants and shopping.
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Most shops and restaurants are not within walking distance
You will need a car or a ride share service. You can also use MetroMicro which is a low cost, public van service for local destinations.
The Gold Line is a great option to get to Downtown LA (DTLA), Little Tokyo, Chinatown and Olvera Street. From DTLA/Union Station, you can transfer to other lines (like - Red Line to reach Hollywood).
Costumbres y cultura
Indoor establishments may require vax proof and/or masks
Los Angeles County has just lifted the indoor mask order for vaccinated people. If you are not vaccinated masks are required. You may be asked to show proof of vaccination. Some stores may still require masks.
Costumbres y cultura
Single use plastic bags not available
LA County has outlawed single use plastic bags in grocery stores. Please feel free to use any of the reusable bags we've provided in the lower, middle pantry cabinet in the kitchen.