Situated just over 10 miles northeast of Los Angeles and 4 miles west of Pasadena, San Marino is a distinguished example of refined suburban living and is brimming with cultural and recreational pursuits. “In many ways, it’s one of the nicest places to live in all of Greater LA,” says Coldwell Banker Realtor Laurie Turner, who has over 25 years of experience. “The houses are beautiful, and the schools are strong.” Kevin Kwan, founder and CEO of Realiv, with almost two decades of experience, says the community is old school and very traditional, with many long-term residents.
Architectural significant homes
San Marino has no condos or townhomes, just a wide range of single-family offerings built largely before 1960. “There are a lot of classic homes that were built in the 1920s and ‘30s. You’ve got heavily Italian, Mediterranean and Spanish-influenced homes; Tudors; ranches; bungalows; Cape Cods,” Kwan says. Buyers pay a premium for the charm and character of the city’s housing inventory. Pricing starts around $1.5 million for a smaller home that might need some updates to over $4 million for a well-appointed updated home with around 5,000 square feet. “Then you’ve got the estate properties that are 6,000 to 10,000 square feet,” Kwan says. Larger estate homes can be priced between $8 million and $20 million, depending on how elaborate the construction.
City monitors construction
San Marino has kept true to its history throughout the years. The city was established in the early 1900s by American railroad magnate Henry Huntington in partnership with George Smith Patton. The two founded the city to prevent the local government from gaining jurisdiction over their land holdings and using them for anything other than building single-family luxury homes. “San Marino is very protective of their community. There is an architectural review board that reviews every bit of construction,” Kwan says. The board means a buyer can't tear down a classic Victorian home and build something boxy and glassy.
Some of the best schools in the state
Families with children are served by San Marino Unified, a top-rated public school district graded A-plus by Niche, the same grade as all three schools in the pipeline. “A lot of buyers are coming here for the schools. The district is one of the best in California,” Kwan says. Ranked as the 22nd-best elementary school in the state by Niche, kids can start their education at Carver Elementary before moving on to Huntington Middle, the 19th-best middle school in the state. Students then advance to San Marino High School, which has a robust World Languages department that includes four years of Chinese language instruction.
Botanical gardens and a park with a fee
At the center of town, the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens make up one of California's top historical and cultural institutions. This sprawling 207-acre estate offers an unparalleled cultural experience with its world-class art collections — its holdings include Thomas Gainsborough’s iconic Blue Boy — rare manuscripts and meticulously curated botanical gardens that span various ecosystems, from a desert landscape to a serene Japanese garden. “These gardens are massive and stunning. You could literally spend all day here,” Kwan says.
In addition to the Huntington, San Marino's devotion to preserving green spaces is evident in Lacy Park. “That park is only for residents. Nonresidents have to pay on the weekend,” Kwan says. The 30-acre space has hiking trails, picnic areas, tennis courts and tons of open space. Every weekend, families lay down picnic blankets, joggers chart their courses, and children navigate the playgrounds, making it a buzzing hub of community activity.
Fourth of July spectacular
San Marino maintains an active calendar of community events, the highlight of which is the Fourth of July Independence Day Parade-Palooza. The patriotic extravaganza takes place at Lacy Park, and on the day of the event, it costs $20 for both residents and nonresidents. The park also hosts a summer sunset concert series.
Huntington Drive is the main business district
San Marino’s dining and retail centers around its main road, Huntington Drive. There residents will find restaurants like the Colonial Kitchen, which is a throwback diner, or New Moon Restaurant, which is a favorite spot for Asian cuisine. Nearby on Mission Street sits Julienne Fine Foods, a popular local spot for gourmet groceries and gifts that also features a French restaurant.
Quick drift to Pasadena, LA
San Marino is set just south of I-210, which runs west to Pasadena, and east of Route 110, which runs south to Los Angeles. “With no traffic, you can get down to LA in 15 minutes; with traffic, it’s closer to 30 to 45 minutes,” Kwans says. “Local traffic is reasonable and flows pretty well. Huntington Drive is a big thoroughfare with three lanes on each side, which keeps things moving.” The closest airport to the city is Hollywood Burbank Airport, which is about 20 miles west. Bus routes also run through town, though most residents drive.
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