Located 10 miles from Downtown L.A., South Pasadena is just minutes from the hustle and bustle, but retains a small town feel with its mom and pop shops and primary city pastime of float-building for the nearby Tournament of Roses Parade that happens every New Year’s day. Locals enjoy the popular Farmer’s Market in the historic Mission-West District, attending concerts at Garfield Park, dining at Crossings, shopping for eclectic finds at House of Honey, and hiking in the Arroyo Seco. Historical spots include the Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain and downtown’s Spanish Baroque and Egyptian-style Rialto Theater. Fun fact: The streets of South Pas are lined with native California trees and since there are virtually no palm trees or Spanish Colonial homes in parts of the city, the neighborhood often stands in for the Midwest or Northeast in film and TV.