Take a ride through the suburban valleys and foothill corridors of Los Angeles County as we cruise west along Interstate 210 from San Dimas to Pasadena. This 20-mile journey on the Foothill Freeway not only connects commuters and commerce across the San Gabriel Valley, but also offers a rolling window into Southern California’s unique blend of suburbia, mountains, and pop culture landmarks. From the eastern edge of the freeway in San Dimas, we head west toward the birthplace of the Rose Parade, flanked by tree-lined neighborhoods, busy interchanges, and the ever-present silhouette of the San Gabriel Mountains.
We begin at the eastern terminus of I-210 in San Dimas, where the freeway splits from CA-57 and CA-210 in a complex interchange that feels deceptively simple behind the wheel. San Dimas itself is a name that might ring a bell if you’re a fan of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure—this unassuming suburb served as the hometown for the duo’s most triumphant journey through time. While the actual filming locations were elsewhere, the spirit of “Be excellent to each other” still seems to hum beneath the surface here. Heading west, the freeway stretches out through Glendora and Azusa, nestled between neighborhoods and the distant San Gabriel ridgeline. The wide median and broad lanes signal that we’re on one of the primary arteries of the San Gabriel Valley.
Crossing CA-39 (Azusa Avenue), we skirt downtown Azusa before merging into the junction with I-605, a major southbound route that peels away toward the industrial corridors of El Monte and ultimately Long Beach. As we continue, the landscape tightens briefly through Baldwin Park and Irwindale, where concrete sound barriers and utility corridors mark the freeway’s integration into the fabric of the surrounding communities. But look up, and you’ll often find the mountains looming large just beyond the suburbs—a constant reminder that Southern California’s beauty and bustle exist side by side.
Passing through Duarte, Monrovia, and Arcadia, the character of the drive subtly evolves. These older communities are lined with mature trees, low-slung homes, and pockets of commercial development that feel distinctly mid-century. Traffic can be heavy, especially near Sierra Madre Villa, but the route is well-signed and flows steadily. As we approach Pasadena, the mountains feel almost within arm’s reach, and the scenery becomes more urban. We cross into the city proper just before the interchange with CA-134, which heads west toward Glendale and the San Fernando Valley.
In Pasadena, we roll past the exits for Lake Avenue and Hill Street, just a few blocks north of Colorado Boulevard—famous for the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Rose Bowl. Pasadena’s freeway network is dense, and the city blends old California charm with modern infrastructure. Our journey concludes at the Ventura and Long Beach Freeway interchange, where I-210 meets CA-134 and the stub end of CA-710. The latter remains an unfinished dream, long intended to link Pasadena directly to Long Beach but mired in decades of legal and civic debate.
As with so many L.A. drives, this stretch of I-210 is more than a commuter route—it’s a look into the region’s layered identity. From pop culture callbacks in San Dimas to Pasadena’s polished civic pride, the Foothill Freeway offers a ride that’s part freeway, part time machine, and always worth the trip.
🗺️ Route Map
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