Walk to the Rose Parade! Heart of Pasadena Bungalow

Los Angeles: most people think of Disneyland, the beaches, Hollywood. "Authentic LA" is kind of an oxymoron. But staying in the Deodora immerses you in a totally real and unexpected Southern California experience.

First, the bungalow, which is in a four unit complex with a central courtyard, is immaculate and totally Pasadena (roses in the courtyard, hello!). Everything in the house is top notch from the bath fixtures to the bedding. Down pillows and comforter on the bed. Our child slept in the bed and we shared the futon - most comfortable futon ever, no joke (and I'm 6'2"). Great kitchen with great appliances, same with the bathroom. We've stayed in vacation rentals that were outfitted with the cheapest appliances and fixtures the owner could get away with, but this place was obviously remodeled with quality in mind.

But the real reason you want to stay here is the location. The neighborhood is vibrant and full of families. Walking down to Villa Park on a Friday night you get a real feel for life in Southern California - a men's soccer league under the lights, kids playing on the playground, chess matches on picnic tables, and vendors selling ice cream, tamales, and tortas out of carts (I dare you to find tamales wrapped in banana leaves for $2 at some fancy Latin-fusion restaurant on the Westside!). THIS is Southern California, a Friday night in the park, drinking Jaritos, snacking on tamales, talking with friends, and watching soccer while the kids play on the jungle gym. And even though the Deodora is up in sleepy Pasadena, and you feel a world away from the freeways of LA, the location is perfect (OK, it does take a little while to get to Santa Monica from here, but everything else is just a skip down the 110, which, as far as LA Freeways go, is pretty tame). Walked to Memorial Park Station in downtown Pasadena (1 mile), and took the Gold Line downtown to Union State in under an hour (and for $3 roundtrip - cheapest metro in the country!). Best hike in Southern California - Eaton Canyon Falls (3 mile roundtrip hike) - is just up the road in Altadena (took 5 minutes to drive to the trailhead). You've got Griffith Park, the zoo, Kidspace, Huntington Gardens, and downtown all within a few minutes drive. Great place, great neighborhood, great location.

And this has nothing to do with the Deodora, but you HAVE to see the La Brea Tar Pits Museum it is seriously the coolest thing in the entire city.

Be well and happy travels. Thanks, Helena!

Perfect little bungalow. Quiet area. Very clean. The bed is very comfortable. I would stay here again. Helena is great to work with and very helpful. I left an item behind and she was kind enough to go to the property and secure it for me so I could go back and pick it up since I was still in the area. I would definitely recommend this property to a friend.

We enjoyed our stay in this well decorated and well appointed bungalow. Everything was new, very clean and well maintained. Everything you need to have a comfortable stay was provided for. The owner was very nice, helpful, professional and responsive to our needs. We did not want to leave at the end of our stay and would gladly recommend the rental to anyone. We would love to visit again in the future. Thank you Helena ~ you have a wonderful flair for service and great style!!