Mid Central

Mid-Central occupies roughly the same swath of territory that West-Central does but removed about a mile to the east. Mid-Central however is in many ways a very different neighborhood than its western neighbor. Both Mid-Central and West-Central are largely residential neighborhoods to the north of the freeway. Whereas West-Central is largely made up of moderately priced apartments, Mid-Central has a very different make up.

Mid-Central is largely characterized by older houses. Although many of these homes are California Bungalows (for which Pasadena is renown and can be seen in the section of North Central dubbed “Bungalow Heaven”), there are various other kinds of architectural styles to the homes here as well—from Mission Revival to occasional Chateau style homes.

One of the distinctive qualities that draws people to this neighborhood beyond the classic architecture is the clean, palm-lined look of the streets in this northern section of the neighborhood. Even on streets where other types of trees are in equal abundance you will still find the carefully spaced palms—and the classic cement lamp posts that mark many of the historic neighborhoods in So Cal.

On the north eastern end of the neighborhood, the palms give way a bit as lanes widen and homes expand, Bungalows giving way to Ranch homes and longer squatter Mission Revival styles. Rents rise accordingly.

South of the 210 Freeway, the neighborhood shifts distinctly. As with its western neighbor, Mid-Central becomes significantly more commercial south of the freeway. Unlike its western neighbor, however, in the place of museums, boutiques and corporate offices, Mid Central is home to far less attractive offerings. For example, instead of swanky restaurants, you find Carls Jr., El Pollo Loco and Jack-in-Box. This is not to say that this part of Colorado does not have its culinary draws. You can find, Masa for example—a good sushi joint—and Heidar Baba—a solid Persian food place.

By far, however, the two main types of businesses that dominate Colorado and Walnut (the main east-west consumer lanes in this part of Pasadena) are auto repair shops and motor inns. A countless number of such shops and inns crowd these lanes, ugly eyesores that push pedestrians away and give a very different feel to this area of Pasadena.

One thing that this part of Pasadena definitely does not lack is schools. Just across from Pasadena City College (in south Pasadena) is the French school, Lycee International de Pasadena. Also in the neighborhood is Jefferson Elementary, a solid school by all accounts.

Overall, you might think of Mid-Central as West-Central’s little brother. Mid-Central would be a pretty great neighborhood in most other areas of Southern California, but because it happens to be adjacent to West-Central, it gets more than a little bit overshadowed.