Cinematographer Cassandra Giraldo’s Guide to the ‘dena & San Gabriel Valley

Neighborhood NotesAltadenaPasadena
Written By Shelby Nico Diamond

Guide Curated by Cassandra Giraldo and Edited by Shelby Nico Diamond

Download Cassie’s Map Here

After a decade in New York, cinematographer Cassandra Giraldo returned home to the foothills of Pasadena and Altadena, rediscovering her roots in the San Gabriel Valley. A born-and-bred Angeleno, Cassie has fallen back in love with the slow rhythm of her hometown including the mountain views, the chorus of parrots and peacocks, and the sense of community that runs deep in the neighborhood.

This guide is a portrait of life in the foothills: a blend of trails and small businesses, fire recovery efforts and everyday joys. Each listing reflects Cassie’s eye for both beauty and belonging — the sanctuaries that make Pasadena and Altadena feel like home.

Cassie Giraldo Photo: Shawn Killebrew

 


“I love everything about living in a foothill community, its soundtrack of parrot and peacock sounds, and the endless activities and local community events that the San Gabriel Valley has to offer. These are my neighborhood notes.”

Natural spaces 

  • Eaton Canyon: I live walking distance to Eaton Canyon. Before the fires, it was a weekly pilgrimage my dog Scout and I made. There are so many trails to discover inside, the most famous and popular being the hike up to the famous waterfall. I hate this canyon’s association with the devastating fires earlier this year because it is such a sacred and special place. Sadly the park is closed until further notice but you can follow for updates here or donate and support the ENCA which is working to restore and reopen the park. 

  • Arroyo Seco Trail x Rose Bowl Loop x Hahamonga Watershed Park: The Arroyo Seco trail walk has become a ritual every Saturday morning. The loop is just south of the Rosebowl. Our favorite way to enter is via the pathways behind the Rosebowl Aquatic Center. For a really ambitious hike you can walk a portion of the Rosebowl loop and take the back pathways behind the golf course all the way up to Hahamonga Watershed Park which has epic views of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. 

  • Mt. Wilson Trail: You can catch this historic trail from the foothills of beautiful Sierra Madre, a town just adjacent to us here in Northeast Pasadena and Altadena. Sadly many parts of the trail were affected by the fires but restoration efforts are underway. If you’d like to donate or support, check out the folks behind the annual Mt. Wilson Trail Recovery Race

  • Angeles National Forest: A fun day trip to take your dog for an epic hike on a weekend. Would check website for any closures relating to fires.

  • Millard Falls: Unfortunately closed due to the fires, but worth monitoring for future visits.

Support Altadena 

Listing some of my favorite places that were either spared by the fire and/or could use your economic support as Altadena tries to maintain its sense of community after the fires.

  • Eaton Canyon: Donate or sign up for volunteer opportunities to help clean up and restore this beloved canyon. It’s a sacred space for so many of us who call Altadena home, and supporting its recovery helps bring the foothill community back to life.

  • Betsy: I’ve been meaning to try this new restaurant, whose owner sadly lost his home in the Eaton fires. The restaurant itself survived, was renamed, and now features live-fire cooking, reclaiming fire’s positive connotations. It’s been inspiring to see how locals have been rebuilding, and Betsy is just one of many examples of resilience and creativity in our community.

  • Altadena Wine & Bev: Just a short walk from my house, this woman-owned neighborhood shop curates delicious and eclectic wines, spirits, foods, and home goods. I love stopping in on weekends for their rotating pop-ups featuring local eateries and food vendors. Their sister shop, Zinnie’s, is my go-to for gifts — beautifully curated home goods and thoughtful finds.

  • Armen Market: Across the street from Altadena Wine & Bev, Armen Market is another local grocery with an amazing selection of produce, Mediterranean spices and dips, as well as imported goods from outside the U.S. I love getting imported beers, baclava, dried fruits, and obscure snacks, candies and carbonated water from Europe.

  • Prime Pizza: Also on the same corner as Armen Market and Altadena Bev, Prime has become a wonderful community hub since the wildfires. The restaurant has hosted a lot of neighborhood potlucks and fundraisers, and flyers and resources posted outside the restaurant make it feel like a community center. Prime is a chain but the pizza is delicious (I prefer the square pizza!) and there’s a great courtyard to mingle with your fellow neighbors and catch a Dodger Game on their big screen TV. 

  • Bevel Coffee: Bevel started as a pop-up in Prime Pizza’s front courtyard and quickly became a local favorite. They’re now opening a brick-and-mortar café on the same block as Altadena Bev: another sign of how this neighborhood keeps growing and rebuilding in beautiful ways.

  • Good Neighborhood Bar & Altadena Wine and Spirits: A hip bar that opened up before the fires, this welcoming spot has gained even more popularity, becoming another community hub for neighbors affected by the fires. A map of the fire’s devastation sits in front of the bar to act as a reminder that the community remains and to allow neighbors and fire victims to feel seen. The patio is both dog-friendly and kid-friendly and hosts nightly pop ups with local food haunts. 

  • Highlight Coffee: One of my go-tos for a great cup of coffee, and a simple way to support the Altadena community while doing it.

  • Miya: Homestyle Thai food in the heart of Altadena. Support the old neighborhood while enjoying some Thai is this very cute restaurant. They just made LA Times list for best Thai restaurants in Los Angeles. 

  • Woon: One of my favorite homestyle Chinese restaurants is now walking and delivery distance from my house! Beautiful space, friendly service, fun pop-up events and a very popular weekend brunch.

  • Altadena Library: The main branch of the Altadena Library was thankfully spared from the fires. It’s not only an architectural gem but a genuine gathering place and hosts wonderful community events, readings, and programs for all ages.

  • Christmas Tree Lane Festival: Mark your calendars for what is sure to be an epic Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, the first since last year’s fire. Grab some mulled wine or hot cocoa and walk through the Christmas market and admire the beautiful 100+ year-old cedar trees lit up with Christmas lights. 







Bringing Back Altadena 

These iconic Altadena destinations were sadly lost to the fire but help us bring them back! Check out these gems and donate to their go-fund me pages if you can.







Dining & Drinking in Pasadena-Altadena 







Fav shops






Entertainment & Activities 






Misc. San Gabriel Valley Excursions 

  • Downtown Sierra Madre

  • Santa Anita Racetrack 

  • Arcadia Arboretum 

  • Arcadia Mall 

  • Chinese Food & Szechuan in San Gabriel 

This list has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.

Shelby Nico Diamond
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