Arroyo Vista Inn

The three-star Arroyo Vista Inn occupies a low-slung mid-century motor court on Monterey Road in South Pasadena, a residential stretch between the Arroyo Seco and the Gold Line's Mission Street stop. Its motel-style layout with parking outside each door suits drivers heading to the 110 freeway rather than transit-dependent visitors.

Rooms keep simple furnishings and small kitchenettes, useful for longer stays. South Pasadena's Mission Street shops and cafes sit within walking distance, and downtown Los Angeles is a fifteen-minute drive north via the Arroyo Seco Parkway.