How about a city born from unity? La Cañada Flintridge. It is a name that flows smoothly. But do you know why it doesn’t have a hyphen? It signifies the joining of two distinct communities.
Before 1976 La Cañada and Flintridge were separate. Then they became one incorporated city. They chose a name that reflected their shared future. Now we know it as La Cañada Flintridge.
This city lies in the foothills of the Verdugo Mountains. It sits on the western edge of the San Gabriel Valley. You will find La Cañada Flintridge in Los Angeles County.
La Cañada’s name has Spanish roots. The word “cañada” means canyon gorge or ravine. Flintridge got its name from U.S. Senator Frank P. Flint. He was a developer in the area.
Reference to the entire city is often shortened to La Cañada. Sometimes Flintridge is used. The full city name has no hyphen. It shows unity between the two communities.
Let’s dive into some history. The Shoshone people first settled here. During the Spanish and Mexican eras it was known as Rancho La Cañada. In the 1820s the Mexican Revolution changed things. Our valley was inspected in 1843. It was reported as unoccupied. It was then granted to Ignacio Coronel. He was a Mexican schoolteacher. He named it Rancho La Cañada.
Fast forward to today. La Cañada Flintridge offers a unique blend of suburban life and natural beauty. There are 23 miles of hiking trails. They wind through the city. These trails are perfect for horseback riding too.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory calls La Cañada Flintridge home. Though its mailing address is Pasadena. JPL is a primary research center. It focuses on robotic exploration of our solar system.
Descanso Gardens is another jewel. It hosts the largest collection of camellia species in North America. The gardens are open daily. They host family friendly programs. There are also summer concerts.
La Cañada Flintridge has a council manager government. The city council has five members. Each serves a four year term. The council selects a mayor and a mayor pro tem each year.
Foothill Boulevard is the city’s main street. It runs through the center of La Cañada Flintridge. It is a major commercial zone. The 210 Freeway also runs through the city. It opened in 1972. Angeles Crest Highway starts here too. It winds into the San Gabriel Mountains.
Many notable people have called La Cañada Flintridge home. This includes actress Angela Bassett. Also comedian Adam Carolla. And even MLB player Shohei Ohtani.
La Cañada Flintridge is a place of natural beauty. It is a place of community spirit. It is a place with a rich history. Its story is one of unity resilience and innovation. So take a walk around. Discover the beauty of La Cañada Flintridge.