Pasadena Rose Bowl

Pasadena Rose Bowl

Pasadena Rose Bowl

Mind-Blowing Views and Wonderful Memories at Pasadena’s Historic Colorado Street Bridge

The capital of reinvention and the epicentre of the world’s celluloid dreams, Los Angeles is a nation in itself. Made up of dreamers from across the world, the diverse and multi-cultural population of this cine city makes it one of the world’s premier metropolises. The birthplace of Hollywood and the preferred residence of the globe’s biggest movie stars, it is a land of endless possibility and a sunny personality that is not confined to the shores of Malibu beach.

Home to some of the planet’s trendiest zip codes, the City of Angels also houses a myriad of tourist attractions which include Dodger Stadium, Universal Studios, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Venice Beach Boardwalk. But one of California’s most famous landmarks is undoubtedly the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena. Listed on the U.S National Register of Historic Places, this iconic bridge was built in 1913 by famed Missouri architects Waddell and Herrington and features some of the most breathtaking backdrops with the San Gabriel Mountain in the foreground.

Visible from the Arroyo Seco and sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Arroyo Seco Bridge, the Colorado Street Bridge is a concrete arch bridge that connects the city of Pasadena with Glendale and Eagle Rock. Hoisting up Colorado Boulevard formerly known as Colorado Street, the bridge stretches across a whopping 453 meters (1486 feet) and is renowned for its’ light standards, Beaux Arts arches and distinct railings. With a height of 150 feet, the bridge is located at the entrance to the city on the 134 freeway of Pasadena. The view from the north overlooks the Pasadena Rose Bowl and sprawling Brookside Park while the idyllic hiking paths along Arroyo Seco are also seen from the overpass.

Renovated at the cost of 27.4 million dollars, in 1994 the bridge is a preferred spot for many amateur and professional photographers who are eager to capture the panoramic views the bridge affords. A veritable treasure trove for architecture enthusiasts, history buffs and budding shutter bugs, the captivating scenes that surround the Colorado Street Bridge are unrivalled by any measure. Declared a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the bridge has stood firm through tumultuous times in the history of Pasadena, it is also the site of the “Celebration on the Colorado Street Bridge" summer festival hosted by the Pasadena Heritage society which ensures its preservation for posterity.

Featured in many television and motion pictures over the years, the bridge is one of the most recognizable in the world. Some of the most memorable scenes in movies such as The Kid (1921) starring Charlie Chaplin and productions such as Being John Malkovich (1999), Seabiscuit (2003) starring Toby Maguire and Yes Man (2008) with Jim Carrey feature the Colorado Street Bridge. Garnering cameo appearances in Incubus’s first music video “Wish You Were Here” the overpass also earned screen time in Full House, NCIS and Alias.

The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena, one of the finest luxury Los Angeles hotels in the city offers guests modern amenities and comforts. A first class Pasadena hotel by all accounts, guests will not be disappointed by the host of services available at this splendid rest.

About the Author

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.