City Walk: Climbing the Snake Trail to Monterey Hills (Photos and Video)

Curses to you, oh Monterey Hills! You and your vertical ways. “Climb me,” you call! “Get that heart pumping. Stretch those calves. What? You chicken?”

Well, of course, I’m a chicken. Are you kidding me? There’s some serious elevation up there, and I’m prone to altitude sickness. But it will not do to walk South Pasadena and keep to the lowlands. Today we hit the hills.

Still, let’s not be crazy. We’ll start with some coffee. Get yourself to Kaldi at the corner of El Centro and Diamond. I’m partial to the decaf soy latte, but I’m just healthy that way. You mix as much cream and sugar as you want into your caffeine-delivery device. You’ll get no superior looks from me. Well, maybe one or two, but I’m psyching up for the hills so bear with me. 

Head south on Diamond. When you spy the library, remind yourself that you still need to return local author Victoria Patterson’s acclaimed novel This Vacant Paradise. I’m waiting for it, and you’ve had it long enough.  What? You’re not reading it? Shop local, people. She’s amazing. 

Turn right at Monterey and, shortly afterward, left at Meridian. Think for a minute: Are you on the east side of Meridian (the one closest to Fremont)?  That won’t do. Cross to the west side. It will make life easier later on. Wind your way downhill on Meridian, and enjoy the dazzling view of the back of the high school stadium. (Have you gone to the Fourth of July fireworks celebration there? Adorable!)

When you reach Rollin, turn right. Follow it until it dead ends into the intimidating sounding Snake Trail. Good news: It is not a trail filled with snakes!  It is merely a trail that looks sort of like a snake. It twists and turns Lombard-street from Rollin up to Flores De Oro. It’s very clean (thanks Kiwanis!) and lush, and definitely worth the effort. And believe me, unless you are part of the annoyingly-fit class, it is an effort. Then again, it’s not so much of an effort that you should want to avoid it. Just trust me: It’s fun. The snake trail feeds you out onto Flores De Oro, where you will see some really lovely and spacious homes. I’m guessing they were built in the 1960s; they have that George Jetson charm that I always like: Clean lines, fun angles and flying hovercraft. 

Turn right and head up hill. (You didn’t really think you were finished climbing, did you?) Keep an eye out for ! And—even more exciting if you’re a dog—squirrels! 

At Via Del Rey, turn right again. Thank the maker, it’s all downhill from here. If you had any doubts whether or not you should have braved the Snake Trail, they will all be squashed just about now because, holy moly, check out this view! To your left, you’ll see the picturesque South Pasadena water tower. Glance north just a little. See that? Yes, that is the beautiful Colorado Street Bridge, the Rose Bowl and the whole San Gabriel Valley sprawled out before you. You'll have to climb a lot higher and work a lot harder to come up with a prettier panoramic view. So smile, relax and feel really good about how you are the sort of person who climbs intimidatingly-labeled trails and enjoys the simple, wholesome pleasures of scenery. 

Via Del Rey dead-ends back into Monterey.  Now you’re returning to where you started. But mix it up! See something new. Cross Monterey here at Via Del Rey, so you're on the north side of the street. Turn right (east) on Monterey and turn left at Glendon. This is a charming old street with inviting front lawns and houses that look like they have some pretty fun stories to tell. Glendon is also shady and quiet, which is really what you want in a Southern California street. 

At El Centro, turn right. Pass the Gold Line station. Pass . Err. Wait.  Cross the street at the crosswalk and enter Nicole’s. Have you had the Nicoise salad? Delicious! Have you sampled those frozen croissants that you can bake into heavenly goodness at home? No? That’s probably for the best. They will put you on a slippery slope.  Once you start eating them, you’ll be hooked. Definitely don’t give them to the children! They’ll be wanting them all the time, and is that the battle you want to fight? 

Willpower more or less in tact, head back onto El Centro.  Keep walking east until you are back where you started. 

What do you think?  Do we need more coffee?  Hmmmm.  Maybe just one more cup.

Street Directions:

1. Start at the corner of El Centro and Diamond.  Head south on Diamond.
2. Turn right at Monterey.
3. Turn left at Meridian. 
4. Stay on Meridian as you walk downhill.  Be sure to walk on the right (west) side of the street.
5. At Rollin, turn right. 
6. Rollin dead ends into the Snake Trail. Follow the snake trail as it twists and turns up to Flores De Oro.
7. At Flores De Oro, turn right and continue going uphill.
8. At Via Del Rey, turn right and begin to wind your way down hill.
9. Cross the street at the intersection of Via Del Rey and Monterey.
10. Once you're on the north side of the street, turn right (east) on Monterey.
11. Turn left at Glendon.
12. Turn right at El Centro.
13. Walk until you reach Diamond.  That’s it!  You’re back where you started.

Download the movie