Boundaries

Located between the north and central part of Pasadena.  Bungalow Heaven is bordered by E. Washington Blvd. to the north, E. Orange Grove Blvd. to the south, N. Lake Ave. to the west, and N. Hill Ave. to the east.  

Allure of Area

People want to live in Bungalow Heaven for one main reason, the beautiful Craftsman bungalows.  There is an effort here by local residents to preserve the homes original charm and beautiful architecture.  The seriousness of this effort was evidenced in 1989 when Bungalow Heaven became a Landmark District.  Bungalow Heaven is predominantly a single family residence, suburban community.  Most houses here were built at the turn of the century up until the early 1930’s.   

Although there are deep roots in this community, this area is mostly sought after by young professionals starting their families.  The charm of this small community and the unique attributes of the houses offer a place of inspiration in the daily lives of its residents.    

The fact that Bungalow Heaven is surrounded by four major streets, allows for traffic to avoid the central part of Bungalow Heaven.  The minimal traffic that goes through the neighborhood is made up of local residents and nearby neighbors.

The 210 Freeway is just to the south and can be accessed within a few minutes.  The Metro Gold Line can also be accessed on Allen Ave and the 210 Freeway, which travels into Downtown Los Angeles to Union Station.   

As one can imagine, the residents of Bungalow Heaven take pride in their homes.  Their yards are well manicured and the general curb appeal of the homes is fantastic.  In particular, the color swatches used on some of the homes highlight the features of the homes and serve to prove the creativity of the owners.  There are partial views of the San Gabriel Mountains to the north. 

Shopping and dining is not far away in places such as the South Lake District, Old Town and The Paseo on Colorado.

For entertainment, McDonald Park, right in the center of Bungalow Heaven, offers a great place for the kids to play or to take a leisurely stroll through the park.  Bungalow Heaven is not far from great entertainment venues such as Old Town Pasadena, the Rose Bowl, or great golf courses.       

Neighborhood Association

The Bungalow Heaven Neighborhood Association is actively involved in the preservation efforts of the neighborhood.  As an association, it “is involved in many projects to improve the neighborhood’s architectural legacy and to make life safer and more enjoyable for our community.”   The association has a newsletter and website that details their involvement in Bungalow Heaven. 

Public Schools

Elementary School:   Longfellow, Webster or Jefferson

Middle School: Eliot  

High School: Pasadena

Significant Facts

Bungalow Heaven became a Landmark District in 1989.  The Landmark status along with the Bungalow Heaven Neighborhood Association ensure that the neighborhood will be well preserved and that the integrity of the homes will not be compromised.  

"Bungalow Heaven" was coined for the neighborhood by John Merritt, then a City Historic Preservation staff person, now Executive Director of the California Preservation Foundation. John lived on Michigan Ave. and liked the large concentration of bungalows around him. (BHNA)

Bungalow Heaven was named the "Best Neighborhood" in the West in 2002 in Sunset magazine and continues to be a neighborhood often highlighted in local newspapers and magazines.

Some interesting facts about the houses in Bungalow Heaven are that the price range for bungalows when they were originally built, cost anywhere from $800-$8,500.  These bungalows were sold in “kits” and were often built by the owners themselves.    

History

Most of what is now Pasadena started as agricultural communities, that is to say farmhouses with expansive orchards.   However, at the turn of the 20th century, the area that now contains Bungalow Heaven was annexed by Pasadena.  What followed was the creation of “planned” communities using street grids and Trolleys as the basis of those communities.       

The allure of Pasadena included its warm climate and its relief to urban living.  Those whom wished to escape the “hustle and bustle” of the city and the tiring sophistication of urban living, were instantly attracted to what would be called the “Arts & Crafts” movement.  The philosophy of this movement was based on simplicity, honesty, and integrity.  Another important aspect of this philosophy was the appreciation of nature which gave way to a particular style of building – the “Craftsman.”  The movement called for simpler elements and the integration of natural materials into their living spaces.  The building of Craftsman homes continued steadily from the early 1900s to the 1930s as did the population, with the influx of new arrivals.  As communities began to form, it gave way to one of Pasadena’s most beloved neighborhoods – “Bungalow Heaven.”