The city of South Pasadena and the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce have launched two new seasonally themed, self-guided walking tours as part of the “Experience South Pasadena” program. Both tours will run through Oct. 23, and are designed to excite residents and nearby consumers to engage with local businesses and landmarks in new ways and be reminded of the many diverse offerings that make up the landscape of South Pasadena.
The Crafted in South Pas tour celebrates local businesses that specialize in handmade products. Featured tour stops include Fiore Market Café, Moss & Meadow, Retreat Lifestyle, Cos & Pi and Artisans’ Alley at the Oct. 21 Arts Crawl.
The “Architecture and Building Tour,” produced by the South Pasadena Public Library, provides a captivating historic journey of notable buildings in the city’s Mission District.
The summer 2023 tours — “Around the World in South Pasadena” and “Library Art” — brought 50 visitors to the city and inspired residents to visit businesses for the first time as well as visit ones they had not been to recently.
“The Experience South Pasadena program is a really cool idea. Love that I get to explore the city and try new places with the program while also supporting local business,” said one participant.
Participation in the tours is free; there are two easy options to start: 1. Check in to each tour stop digitally by scanning the QR code at a participating business; or 2. Pick up a printed brochure at City Hall, the Library, or the South Pasadena Senior Center to track your visits by pen and paper. Completed brochures may be submitted to the city manager’s office in City Hall, located on the second floor of 1414 Mission St., South Pasadena. City Hall is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Upon the conclusion of the tours on Oct. 23, the city and Chamber of Commerce will randomly select a participant who has completed the Crafted in South Pas tour to win a $50 gift card to a participating business of their choice.
The Experience South Pasadena program is designed to showcase the unique charm and diverse offerings of South Pasadena. By encouraging residents and visitors to shop locally, the program aims to stimulate economic growth within the community and illuminate the vibrant experiences that can be found here. For more information, visit southpasadenaca.gov or southpasadena.net.
First published in the September 29 print issue of the South Pasadena Review.
