Local Positioning: Mission West District
A walking guide to South Pasadena's Mission St.
By Sophia Kercher, Special to Metromix
April 30, 2008Puff Beauty Studio
1005-A Mission St. , South Pasadena626-799-2864
Just like it sounds, this is the spot for the girl who loves pink. Puff is a beauty dreamland. Portraits of oldschool Barbies hang, and lady lovelies can buy specialty makeup, hair and skin-care products-or get made-up by one of the specialists on staff.
Mission Street Yoga
1017 Mission St., South Pasadena626-441-1144
Yoga locas drive all the way from Long Beach to attend classes here. Inside you’ll find sunny colors setting the mood for serenity. Anyone who tumbles in the door workout-ready can take a free first class. Om.
Organic Rush
960-962 Mission St., South Pasadena626-799-8099
If you’re depressed about global warming and your organic yerba mate isn’t cheering you up, this place will. The softly lit boutique offers everything for the eco-friendly fanatic, from organic cotton towels, locally made soy candles and bamboo kitchenware to the shop’s own line of tea.
Buster's Ice Cream & Coffee Shop
1006 Mission St., South Pasadena626-441-0744
Started decades ago by the South Pasadena mayor Dick Richards, Buster’s remains the place to get your caffeine-and-sugar fix. The café offers lunch fare that’s whipped up in-house, plus locally made Fosselmen’s ice cream. Regulars come back for the frosted mocha (an ice cream-espresso shake) and live jazz Sunday night.
South Pasadena Library
1100 Oxley St., South Pasadena626-403-7330
Lavender and rosebushes greet you at the entrance of this community library and its Greco-Cali courtyard. Be sure to trek around the picnic-worthy grass shaded by trees that look a bajillion years old. You’ll also find the stately Community Reading Room, where groups such as the South Pasadena Democrats meet.
Mission Wine
1114 Mission St., South Pasadena866-367-9463
At Mission Wine, low-key wine experts will introduce you to off-the-beaten path vintages from all around the world. Wine not your thing? The shop has an impressive beer collection with odd-ball brews like the Belgian Deus, which tastes exactly like champagne. (Miller Highlife, why did you lie to us?)
