Sierra Madre

 

 

 

Welcome to Sierra Madre

Set in the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley at the edge of the Angeles National Forest, Sierra Madre lies between Arcadia and Pasadena-Altadena. The Old Mt. Wilson Trail, built to access Harvard’s original Mt. Wilson Observatory, begins here. Known as Wistaria City, Sierra Madre is home to the world's largest (500-foot) Wistaria vine, planted in 1894. The city was developed early in Los Angeles history. Pacific Electric Railway Red Car passenger service came to the area in 1888, and the first electric lights were installed later that year. In 1906, the first telephones were installed, and in 1907, citizens voted to incorporate. Sierra Madre was the first city in Southern California to own a wilderness preserve. Downtown Sierra Madre is a charming village of small restaurants and shops, and the surrounding neighborhoods boast a huge collection of original Craftsman homes.