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San Rafael Hills

San Rafael Hills

$1,810,472 Average Value
$978 Average Price per Sq Ft
12 Homes For Sale

A calm and convenient neighborhood

Exemplifying Pasadena’s rolling terrain, the San Rafael Hills neighborhood features winding residential streets full of midcentury architecture. Despite a convenient location in city limits, it’s secluded from tourists and crowds due to few businesses and events. It's also relatively safe, scoring a 2 out of 10 on the CAP Index. This gives San Rafael Hills a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, where residents often choose to settle down for many years.

West San Rafael Hills doesn't fall short on beautiful architecture and modern designs.
West San Rafael Hills doesn't fall short on beautiful architecture and modern designs.
San Rafael Hills
San Rafael Hills
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Midcentury homes along hilly roads

Composed of winding roads and cul-de-sacs of single-family homes, San Rafael Hills has a suburban feel. Houses with unique structures are built into hillsides dense with vegetation. “I think the interesting part about San Rafael Hills is the homes here are a little more vertical,” says local Realtor Jeff Botsford, who has over 40 years of experience in the area and works with Compass Real Estate. There’s a mix of midcentury modern styles from ranch-style homes to split-levels, many with renovations, and sales prices in the are typically hover between $1 million and $3 million. “I think what’s attractive is the affordability compared to nearby San Rafael Flats,” Botsford says. Inventory tends to be low because residents often hold on to their properties. “I think people are staying in their houses longer, so it creates a lack of inventory,” Botsford says.

Large three story homes can be found higher in the hills of West San Rafael Hills.
Large three story homes can be found higher in the hills of West San Rafael Hills.
Luxury midcentury modern houses are prelevant inside West San Rafael Hills neighborhood.
Luxury midcentury modern houses are prelevant inside West San Rafael Hills neighborhood.
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Convenient commutes to Old Town and downtown LA

San Rafael Hills is almost exclusively residential, but one of its top assets is its proximity to downtown Pasadena. “It’s pretty centrally located,” Botsford says. “There’s accessibility to downtown LA and the freeway systems.” Residents can reach Old Pasadena, the city’s original business district, in about 10 minutes or 2 miles. They can also hop on California State Route 110 to get to downtown LA in less than half an hour or about 10 miles. Those looking for public transportation can find a few Metro bus stops by Colorado Boulevard. For further travel, residents can access the Hollywood Burbank Airport.

San Rafael Hills
San Rafael Hills
San Rafael Hills
San Rafael Hills
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Pasadena Unified Schools

Students in the area go to the Pasadena Unified School District, which earns a B rating according to Niche. San Rafael Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade. From there, students transition to Blair High, which includes both a middle school and a senior high. Rated a B-plus on Niche, San Rafael Elementary has a dual-language immersion program in Spanish and English. Blair High, given an A-minus grade, offers both the International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma programs.

Welcome to San Rafael Elementary School in San Rafael Flats.
Welcome to San Rafael Elementary School in San Rafael Flats.
Front of Blair High School, notice the schools modern design.
Front of Blair High School, notice the schools modern design.
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A couple of local eateries

Being quiet and residential, San Rafael Hills doesn’t have a bustling business district, but it does have a couple of sit-down dining spots. Little Flower is a café known for its charming sidewalk seating and renowned pastries, although patrons can also order from full breakfast and lunch menus. Stoney Point Bar & Grill is down the road from Little Flower and serves Italian food in an intimate dining room complete live piano music. To go shopping for groceries, residents can go to Vons, a nearby supermarket with sections from prepared foods to home goods.

Little Flower is a cute local cafe with outdoor seating in San Rafael Hills.
Little Flower is a cute local cafe with outdoor seating in San Rafael Hills.
Stoney Point in San Rafael Hills is a local bar & grill with an old world charm.
Stoney Point in San Rafael Hills is a local bar & grill with an old world charm.
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A parklet and walking trails

On Colorado Boulevard, parents and children gather in San Rafael Park, a neighborhood parklet that offers a playground geared towards toddlers and picnic tables shaded by trees. Lower Arroyo Park is a much larger recreation space where locals can go for scenic walks under the historic Colorado Street Bridge. They can also practice their aim at an archery range or go fly fishing at a man-made pond.

Welcome to San Rafael Park in San Rafael Flats.
Welcome to San Rafael Park in San Rafael Flats.
Brookside Park is a quick ride for San Rafael Hills residents.
Brookside Park is a quick ride for San Rafael Hills residents.
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Events in San Rafael Hills

For small community gatherings, residents can visit Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library, which has events like storytimes and poetry in the park. At The Fig House, locals can go to private events like weddings and corporate parties in a midcentury modern building with a large courtyard.

San Rafael Hills
San Rafael Hills
San Rafael Hills
San Rafael Hills
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Anna Anderson
Written By
Anna Anderson
Kalina Mondzholovska
Photography Contributed By
Kalina Mondzholovska
Mary Desmond
Video By
Mary Desmond

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Bob Hope

22 min drive

San Rafael Hills Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$1,689,000
Median Sale Price
$1,535,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,577,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
31
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-1%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$978

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
931
Number of Homes for Sale
12
Median Year Built
1951
Months of Supply
4.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,811
Below the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Sep 20
    1 - 4pm

    1705 La Loma Rd, Pasadena, CA 91105

    $1,555,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,293 Sq Ft
    • 1705 La Loma Rd
    • New 1 day ago

    Nestled in Southwest Pasadena, this single-story cottage blends privacy, character, and modern updates. The home's hidden garden offers a rare sense of seclusion while still being minutes from city conveniences—and even close to the San Rafael Hills.Inside, the classic center-hall floor plan leads to three comfortable bedrooms and two stylish baths (one shower/tub combo and the other a

    David Samuels Keller Williams Westlake Village

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  • Saturday, Sep 20
    2 - 4pm

    1642 Pleasant Way, Pasadena, CA 91105

    $1,680,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,449 Sq Ft
    • 1642 Pleasant Way
    • New 9 days ago

    The Laing House | Harwell Hamilton Harris, 1935. The architect's second built home, which came after he had spent several formative years in the office of Richard Neutra. One of the many things he learned there was the importance of the module, having witnessed Neutra's design and assembling of the Lovell Health House. Harris found that he could create harmony and rhythmic patterns working within

    Nate Cole Modern California House

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  • Saturday, Sep 20
    1 - 4pm

    480 Redwood Dr, Pasadena, CA 91105

    $1,698,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 1,801 Sq Ft
    • 480 Redwood Dr
    • New 11 days ago

    Nestled in the peaceful San Rafael Hills of beautiful Pasadena, this completely reimagined 3-bedroom, 3-bath home is a private contemporary retreat with a touch of Spanish flair. Designed for privacy, comfort, and seamless indoor-outdoor living, it offers treetop views from nearly every window—creating a tranquil, treehouse-like ambiance that feels worlds away from the city.Step into the

    Catherine Cuellar Coldwell Banker Realty

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,005
Median Age
51
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.3%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$179,004
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$192,598

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97%
College Graduates
71%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
37.9%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
20''
Average Winter Low Temperature
45°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

15 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

39 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

41 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
San Rafael Hills
Crosby Doe
Crosby Doe Associates, Inc.
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