Walktober Spotlights Pasadena’s History, Neighborhoods and Natural Beauty

A Walktober event, 2022 (File Photo – pasadenacsc)

Pasadena residents can explore the city’s history, architecture, gardens and natural spaces on foot this October as the city marks its ninth annual Walktober celebration.

By News Desk

The monthlong program features free walks, tours and community events organized by the Pasadena Department of Transportation, Day One, the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition, local residents and community organizations.

Rather than focusing solely on exercise, this year’s schedule presents walking as a way to experience Pasadena’s neighborhoods and connect with the community, from birding near The Gamble House to learning about the former 710 extension and touring historic homes.

Walktober is part of an international effort to encourage communities to promote walking as a form of transportation, recreation and public-health activity. In Pasadena, the event was launched by the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition and its community partners. The city is sponsoring all events this year.

The schedule begins with Week Without Driving, a citywide observance running Oct. 1–8. Other early events include a tour of the Vista del Arroyo Hotel and Court of Appeals on Oct. 2; a bird walk with the Pasadena Audubon Society and Councilmember Tyron Hampton on Oct. 3; and a Walktober Storytime and StoryWalk kickoff at Sunnyslope Park that same day.

Participants can also join Pasadena Village for a Spanish-language community walk, take an urban hike, learn about Japanese American history in Pasadena or participate in National Walk and Roll to School Day.

Later events will explore the historic Oak Knoll neighborhood, Route 66, Pasadena’s gardens and historic homes, East Washington Village, Old Pasadena and the city’s sacred spaces. The month concludes with a Caltech campus tour on Oct. 31.

Most events require advance registration. Organizers encourage early sign-ups because space may be limited. Locations for several tours will be provided to registered participants.

A Walktober event, 2022 (File Photo – Mike Pashistoran)

Walktober events include:

• Week Without Driving, Oct. 1–8, citywide
• Vista del Arroyo Hotel and Court of Appeals tour, Oct. 2 at 10:00 am.
• Bird Sit and Walk, Oct. 3 at 8:00 am.
• Storytime and StoryWalk kickoff, Oct. 3 at 11:00 am at Sunnyslope Park
• ¡Vamos a caminar!, Oct. 3 at 3:30 pm.
• Pasadena Village Urban Hike, Oct. 4 at 8:00 am.
• “Roots, Removal, Renewal: Japanese Americans in Pasadena,” Oct. 4:00 pm at 3:00 pm and Oct. 30 at 9:30 am.
• National Walk and Roll to School Day, Oct. 7
• Pasadena Run Club walking group, Oct. 7 and every Wednesday at 6:00 pm at lululemon Pasadena
• Historic Oak Knoll Neighborhood walk, Oct. 10 at 2:00 pm.
• “99 Years and 11 Months of Route 66,” Oct. 17 at 9:00 am.
• Pasadena Gardens and Historic Homes, Oct. 18 at 9:00 am.
• “Stories of Displacement: The 710 Stub,” Oct. 24 at 10:00 am.
• East Washington Village walk with Councilmember Rick Cole, Oct. 24 at 1:00 pm
• “Arroyo’s Edge: An Exploration of Architecture With Nature as Inspiration,” Oct. 25 at 9:00 am.
• Old Pasadena South Tour, Oct. 25 at 10:00 am.
• Pasadena’s Sacred Spaces, Oct. 25 at 1:00 pm.
• Old Pasadena North Tour, Oct. 25 at 5:00 pm.
• Caltech Mostly Modern Campus Tour, Oct. 31 at 1:00 pm at the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics

Event times and locations are subject to change. Registration and the full calendar are available at WalktoberPasadena.org.

For accessibility information or accommodation requests, call 626-744-7311 or email CSC@cityofpasadena.net.