Downtown Sierra Madre
Whether you’re bringing the whole family out for dinner, looking for a cozy table for two or pressed for time and need a quick bite to go, you’ll find a vast variety of dining establishments in downtown Sierra Madre that meet your tastes.
Mostly situated along beautiful Sierra Madre Boulevard and Baldwin Avenue, there are restaurants that serve the finest in local and international cuisine, including Californian, Italian, Greek, Mexican, Japanese and Thai. There are also many restaurants with patio and sidewalk seating to make dining even more special. Strolling down the street you’ll also find several pizzerias, café-style eateries, as well as coffee and teahouses brimming with freshly brewed beverages and fresh-baked sweets, as well as ice cream parlors that dish out traditional favorites. Many of the eating and nighttime establishments feature live entertainment.
Others provide catering so you can serve your guests those favorite dishes on special occasions.
Throughout town, you’ll find just about every service-oriented business you need, from attorneys and real estate agents to florists and beauty parlors. A collection of charming shops populate Sierra Madre’s downtown area. In many cases these shops are family-owned and operated, assuring a personal touch with your selections. Near Kersting Court, the heart of Sierra Madre’s downtown, you’ll find clothing stores, floral shops, custom jewelry stores, gourmet treats, home décor and much more. The downtown shopping area is a district that’s been called cordial, convenient and creative.
The healthy business climate in the downtown is due in great part to the year-round efforts of the Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce. This group of dedicated volunteer professionals work hard to provide assistance and support to keep local business thriving.
Arts and Entertainment
A stroll through the downtown area will reveal how important the arts are to the people of Sierra Madre and why it’s often thought of as an “artists’ colony.” That significant aspect of Sierra Madre’s culture is evident in the many galleries, art festivals, shows, and artwork on display at various businesses.
The Foothill Creative Arts Group on North Baldwin is an important part of the art community, and is both an art school and an art gallery. Founded in Sierra Madre in 1960, Foothill Creative Arts Group provides a friendly and nurturing environment for people of all ages, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds. Bringing together the richness of our diverse community through programs, exhibitions, and workshops, Foothill Creative Arts Group provides a means for discovering creative self-expression and developing an understanding and appreciation of others through the arts.
The Sierra Madre Playhouse, in operation since 1979, has provided more than 200,000 guests the finest in live family entertainment. They are a nonprofit theater, and all office staff and most performers and technical assistants are volunteers. But that doesn’t mean less of a show for their patrons. The Sierra Madre Playhouse has been selected, “Best Live Theater,” twice by voters of The Pasadena Weekly.
Sierra Madre’s Community Arts Commission promotes the community’s interest in, awareness of, and appreciation for the arts, and provides support to and enthusiasm for artists living in the community, and encourages the community’s participation in the arts. The Community Arts Commission recently implemented an Art in Public Places ordinance, which provides for placement of public art, much of which is created by resident artists, throughout the City.
Additionally, the Community Arts Commission held a City Flag Contest and solicited designs for the flag from the community. The winner of the competition, a resident of over three decades, said upon winning: “It’s one of the greatest accomplishments of all the things I’ve done…one of the neatest, most memorable things. I’m really honored.” The City Flag now represents the City as its chief symbol, encompassing the pride and spirit of the community, as well as representing and uniting all aspects of the city.