Walk Colorado Boulevard on a Saturday night and it is hard to imagine the same blocks sitting mostly empty. Restaurants spill onto the sidewalks, the brick facades glow, and the crowd looks like it has always been here. It has not. Old Town Pasadena is one of the better comeback stories in Southern California, and the story is worth knowing if you live nearby or are thinking about it.
Where It Began
Pasadena was founded in 1874 and incorporated in 1886, and Old Pasadena grew up as its original commercial center through the late 1800s and early 1900s. Colorado Boulevard was flanked by citrus groves stretching east toward Michillinda Avenue, and the downtown that formed around it reflected the confidence of a city that had quickly become one of Southern California's most prestigious. The buildings from that era, Mission and Spanish Revival among them, are the ones standing today. That is part of the same architectural story that shaped the rest of the city.
The Long Decline
The trouble started when retail followed the people. Through the 1950s and 1960s, shopping drifted east toward Lake Avenue, and the blocks in between began to fade. By the 1960s the original downtown was in serious decline. By some accounts, vacancy climbed above 70 percent, with boarded storefronts and a reputation to match. A 1970s redevelopment push, Plaza Pasadena, tried to solve the problem with a regional mall, but a mall was not what the district needed.
Ordinance Passed
Listing
Historic District
The Turnaround
The real shift began in 1975, when the City of Pasadena passed a Historic Preservation Ordinance protecting the area's architecture. Rather than clear the old buildings, the strategy became restoring them. The Old Pasadena Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 15, 1983, covering roughly 22 blocks of late nineteenth and early twentieth century commercial buildings. Through the late 1980s and 1990s, restoration, urban renewal, and a new wave of restaurants and shops brought the district back to life.
The buildings that were nearly torn down became the reason people come.
What It Means Today
For homeowners and buyers, the lesson is that preservation is not just sentimental. A walkable, historic downtown with restaurants, shops, and transit nearby is a lasting draw, and it has held its appeal through multiple market cycles. Old Town is more urban and dense than South Pasadena's village feel, so the right fit depends on whether you want to walk to a lively dinner or prefer something quieter. Both are within minutes of each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Locals Ask Most
When was Old Pasadena listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
The Old Pasadena Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 15, 1983. It covers roughly 22 blocks of late 19th and early 20th century commercial architecture.
Why did Old Town Pasadena decline in the mid-20th century?
As retail shifted east along Colorado Boulevard during the 1950s and 1960s, the original downtown lost businesses and foot traffic. By some accounts, storefront vacancy climbed above 70 percent before revitalization efforts began.
What turned Old Pasadena around?
A major turning point was the City of Pasadena's 1975 Historic Preservation Ordinance, which protected the area's architecture. Through the 1980s and 1990s, restoration and urban renewal brought the district back as a dining, shopping, and cultural destination.
Is it a good place to live near Old Town Pasadena?
Many buyers value walkable access to restaurants, shops, and transit, along with the area's historic character. Old Town is generally more urban and higher in density than South Pasadena, so the right fit depends on the lifestyle you want.