$1,536,498Average Value$894Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Architecture worthy of the movies in Historic Highlands
Historic Highlands overflows with swoon-worthy visuals as a film site for romantic comedies, including “The Wedding Singer,” “Must Love Dogs” and “In Her Shoes.” This picturesque neighborhood is known for its leafy trees and treasure trove of early 1900s architecture. “Buyers in Pasadena really appreciate character-rich styles,” says Realtor Lucy Mao, who works with Compass and has about two decades of experience in the area. “The Historic Highlands is one of the many historically designated neighborhoods within Pasadena, so the buyers love the look and feel.” Since 1995, the community has even held Home Tours, where visitors can go inside the area’s houses to learn about architectural details and renovations.
Mediterranean homes, Colonial Revivals and Craftsman homes
Northeast of Old Town Pasadena, Historic Highlands is a lush residential community — where the streets are lined with single-family homes, tall palm trees and live oaks that form tree tunnels over multiple avenues. “The generous lot sizes and mature trees all provide a high level of curb appeal that is unique to the neighborhood,” Mao says. Front yards typically have garden beds, landscaped with agave plants and boxwood hedges. Developed from the late 1800s through the 1920s, Historic Highlands’s defining feature is an eclectic collection of architecture. The styles include Craftsman homes, Colonial Revivals and Mediterranean homes. Sales prices range from $1 million to $3 million. In the area, houses stay on the market for 26 days on average, compared to the national average of 46 days. “Our markets are generally always a seller's market because inventory is always lower than the demand, and when we have a listing in such a desirable neighborhood like the Historic Highlands, it adds another layer of competitiveness because of the vintage architecture and great walkability that appeals to so many,” Mao says.
Local shops and restaurants on Hill Avenue
The southeast corner of the neighborhood features a retail district brimming with locally owned businesses. “It’s a really small but vibrant community of stores, restaurants and cafes,” Mao says. “It's a one-stop-shop, everything a family or neighbor could want in this little village.” The restaurants range from Millie’s Cafe, a popular vegan brunch spot, to Bacchus Kitchen + Wine Bar, a fine dining experience that serves global fusion dinners. Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar offers specialty lattes and pastries in a relaxed atmosphere with a patio.
The local shops include Octavia’s Bookshelf, a Black woman-owned bookstore that hosts story times. Next door is Lark Cake Shop, which bakes custom cupcakes and cakes. “Their cakes are delicious and creative. I love the cake shop,” Mao says. On the west side of Historic Highlands, Green & Bisque Clayhouse has ceramics lessons, while K Music Academy Pasadena teaches instruments from piano to guitar. “So many families with little ones love attending the music and art classes,” Mao says. For groceries, there’s a Food 4 Less.
Pasadena Unified Schools, including Pasadena High
On Niche, Longfellow Elementary School has a B rating. Charles W. Eliot Arts Magnet Academy earns a C, and Pasadena High School has an A. In 2024, the high school won AP Honor Roll Silver for excellent college readiness, plus the AP Access Award for making AP courses accessible to minority and low-income students. Higher education options include Pasadena City College and the California Institute of Technology, both located in Pasadena.
Charles W. Eliot Arts Magnet Academy
Pasadena High School
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McDonald Park and Washington Park
On Mountain Street, McDonald Park has scenery of the San Gabriel Mountains, a backdrop for its tree-shaded picnic tables and playground. “It’s a really great park because it sits in the center of Bungalow Heaven, which is another very desirable neighborhood just south of the Historic Highlands,” Mao says. It features soccer fields and pickleball courts. Less than a mile west of the community, Washington Park offers tennis courts and dog-friendly walking paths.
A pergola gives shade in Washington Park park in Pasadena, California.
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Only 10 miles to Glendale and downtown LA
The residential neighborhood of Historic Highlands is home to many commuters, who travel throughout Greater Los Angeles. Via state Route 134, Glendale is about 10 miles away. Downtown Los Angeles is also about 10 miles away using state Route 110. For public transportation, there’s the Lake Metro Station for light rail services and the Pasadena Transit bus system. The closest major airport is the Hollywood Burbank Airport, located about 20 miles away.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Historic Highlands, Pasadena sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Historic Highlands, Pasadena over the last 12 months is $1,685,000, up 23% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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