This is the fourth story in a new series exploring the sights, tastes and culture of stops along the newly extended L.A. Metro A Line.
Rebecca Keeler
Special to the Campus Times
When departing from the La Verne station, a 39-minute train excursion brings the rider to the lively city of Pasadena, which has six stations. The Memorial Park station, located on East Holly Street, is in the center of Old Town Pasadena and is also a two-mile walk to the Rose Bowl Stadium.
Since Sept. 19, 2025, the newly extended Los Angeles Metro A Line that launches from the city of La Verne has made traveling west to the Pasadena area, then going south to Long Beach, a whole lot easier, quicker and more convenient.
The Memorial Park station in Pasadena is within walking distance of multiple high-quality culturally and ethnically diverse businesses, restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, salons and boutiques. Mijares Mexican Restaurant, a family-owned popular eatery that specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine, has served the community since 1920 and is the oldest Mexican restaurant in Pasadena.
Alfredo Nuez has worked at Mijares Mexican Restaurant for 21 years, holding many roles including bartender, caterer, banquet server and general server. He said he considers the restaurant his second home, and encourages A Line users to give the restaurant a try.
“Our most popular dishes are cheese enchiladas and beef or chicken tacos,” Nuez said. “My favorite menu item is the Baja Special, which is made up of scallops, shrimp, bacon and mushrooms, sautéed in picante salsa topped with melted cheese.”
Mijares Mexican Restaurant offers a variety of breakfast assortments, tostadas and combination plates for about $20. Quesadillas, salads, soups, tacos, enchiladas, tamales and burritos average around $15. The restaurant takes pride in not using lard in its food, and provides a wide selection of gluten-free dishes.
Claremont resident Erika Puente said Mijares Mexican Restaurant is a go-to spot for her whenever she visits Pasadena.
“I would definitely recommend this place to others,” Puente said. “As a Mexican American, I would say that this is probably one of the more authentic Mexican restaurants that I’ve seen here in the U.S.”
Three blocks from Mijares Mexican Restaurant, another family-owned and operated business provides a wide array of one-of-a-kind vintage pieces available for purchase. For more than 30 years, the Pasadena Antique Mall has supplied a multitude of antique artifacts, including paintings, jewelry, books, clothing, albums, glassware, toys, clocks and musical instruments.
Reez Strayer, manager at the Pasadena Antique Mall, has worked at the business for two years. He said most of the shop’s inventory is based on dealers and consignments.
“Everyone rents out a space, and from there they bring a little portion of their life into ours,” Strayer said. “We then help move it to someone else’s life and spread the love around.”
Strayer described the business as having a lively and diverse ambiance that draws communities together.
Around the corner and down the block, Motto Tea Cafe is a woman-owned teahouse that serves traditional Japanese drinks and desserts.
The cafe offers a variety of handcrafted teas and boba for about $7 souffle pancakes, crepe cakes and butter cookie assortments average around $16.
Kevin Goan has worked as a cashier at Motto Tea Cafe for one year. He said he has noticed many customers visiting from the Metro A Line specifically to try the popular and unique souffle pancakes.
“We specialize in serving authentic Japanese-style desserts,” Goan said. “There aren’t many types of these Japanese businesses around, so we’re a very distinct place worth trying.”
Regarding the atmosphere of the area, Nuez, Puente, Strayer and Goan all agree that Old Town Pasadena is a relaxed atmosphere with many unique, high-quality businesses worth visiting.
During my trip to Old Town Pasadena, a chicken enchilada combination plate from Mijares Mexican Restaurant satiated my afternoon hunger, and the original souffle pancakes with a matcha latte from Motto Tea Cafe capped off my dessert cravings. While exploring the Pasadena Antique Mall, an “I Love Lucy” vintage mug caught my attention for its nostalgic charm. I found my various experiences in Pasadena to be nothing short of a deliciously unforgettable day.
Other notable businesses within walking distance of the Memorial Park station are Kinrose Creamery, a Middle Eastern ice cream shop; Parsons Nose Theater, a professional theater company; and Calipokehouse, a collectibles store.
Additional information regarding Mijares Mexican Restaurant, Pasadena Antique Mall and Motto Tea Cafe is visible on their websites.
Rebecca Keeler can be reached at rebecca.keeler@laverne.edu.
Metro A Line: Before You Board
For rider convenience, below are answers to frequently asked questions about the Metro A Line departing from the La Verne station:
- How often does the A Line operate? Roughly every seven minutes.
- What are the hours of operation for the A Line? 4 a.m. to midnight on weekdays. 4 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends.
- Where does the A Line go? 48 stops spanning nearly 60 miles from Pomona to downtown Long Beach.
- How much does the A Line cost? $1.75 regular fare. 75 cents for seniors ages 62+ and for customers with disabilities. Prices are for a one-way trip and include two hours of free transfers when paying with a $2 reusable TAP card.
- How long does it take the A Line to get to Memorial Park station? Departure from the La Verne station to Memorial Park takes approximately 39 minutes.
- Is there a monitored metro alert system? There is a regularly updated L.A. Metro rider alert account on the social media platform X. The account can be found under the username @metrolaalerts.
The L.A. metro rail schedule is subject to change due to delays. Visit the L.A. Metro website for more information.
Rebecca Keeler, a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations and a music minor, is a staff writer for the Campus Times.
