![Professor Lowe had a dream to make the beautiful Mountains overlooking the cities of Altadena / Pasadena accessible to average citizens. After much planning, many exploratory trips on horseback, he and Engineer Thomas McPherson located a series of routes that could be built upon with a series of rail cars to reach miles back into the forest and eventually all the way to the top of Mount Wilson. Financing the project himself, Professor Lowe proceeded to build his dream which eventually reached all the way to the base of Mount Lowe (named after Professor Lowe, previously known as Oak Mountain). At its peak, it was the top honeymoon destination in America. Beginning with the famous red car lines in California, Professor Lowe extended the line up through the rolling hills in Rubio Canyon where a small hotel was built at the base of new incline rail systems that would take a visitor up a mile along a ridge overlooking the LA Basin to the top of Echo Mountain.
The top of Echo Mountain became a little city of its own with places to eat, order picnic lunches, shop at stores, dormitories for employees, power generating station to power Echo Mountain facilities. There was also a trolley repair building and pit, observation decks at various spots, trails that could be taken by hikers both up and down the mountain and into the Alpine regions, tennis courts, stables and a now little known zoo. The entire assembly of buildings were painted white and because of the view from far below, became known as "The White City in the sky". The “opera box” great incline cars were also white and could be seen from afar ferrying up and down the hill. On a ridge behind the Echo Mountain ridge was an observatory building with a working 16 inch telescope housed in a round domed building. The foundations can still be found at the site as well as the cement stand which is what the telescope was mounted upon. It was Professor Lowe's intention to build the rail system all the way to the top of Mount Wilson along with additional hotels and facilities on the top of Mount Wilson. Later, much of the path of the large 100" telescope and observatory built on Mount Wilson was used to transport the delicate 100" mirror to the top of Mount Wilson.
[From Wikipedia]](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6058643/03e5e617-ede3-45ea-9817-79e95ae8eb81.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1200&h=500&q=medium)
Photo by CHH Hiker
Bed and Breakfast in Altadena
Change your mindBook hotels with free cancellation
Be pickySearch almost a million properties worldwide
Check prices for these dates
Next weekend
In two weeks
In one month
In two months
Our top choices for Altadena bed & breakfast
Cozy Peaceful Convenient Sweet Home 1 minute to all places 優雅方便，私用衛浴， 高速出口一分鐘。
Cozy Peaceful Convenient Sweet Home 1 minute to all places 優雅方便，私用衛浴， 高速出口一分鐘。Hacienda Heights
The price is NZ$256
includes taxes & fees
28 Dec - 29 Dec
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (347)
"Loved staying at this B&B"
Eilleen
The price is NZ$233
includes taxes & fees
11 Jan - 12 Jan 2026
2 Miles Burbank Airport/7 Miles Universal/ Studios/N Hollywood. Cozy Room
2 Miles Burbank Airport/7 Miles Universal/ Studios/N Hollywood. Cozy RoomLos Angeles
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (11)
"Edith is great to stay with, secure place and in a cute neighborhood, everything provided"
Kaitlyn
The price is NZ$297
includes taxes & fees
29 Dec - 30 Dec
2 Miles Burbank Airport & Amtrak, 6-7 Miles Universal City, 10 Miles Hollywood
2 Miles Burbank Airport & Amtrak, 6-7 Miles Universal City, 10 Miles HollywoodLos Angeles
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (58)
"Friendly owners, great location near airport, easy check-in"
ANGEL L.
The price is NZ$287
includes taxes & fees
29 Dec - 30 Dec
Serenity 2BD Haven in HollywoodFree Parking & Pool
Serenity 2BD Haven in HollywoodFree Parking & PoolWest Hollywood
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (1)
"If you’re looking for a stay in a vibrant anmd diverse area close to the action consider this place. Everything you need is nearby. "
Jay T.
The price is NZ$523
includes taxes & fees
15 Jan - 16 Jan 2026
Chic 1BD Oasis in West Hollywood!Free Parking
Chic 1BD Oasis in West Hollywood!Free ParkingWest Hollywood
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (3)
"Perfect location, clean apartment and wonderful host. The bed was very comfortable and parking was secure. Would stay here again!"
Megan T.
The price is NZ$577
includes taxes & fees
14 Jan - 15 Jan 2026
Spacious 2-bedroom in the miracle mile
Spacious 2-bedroom in the miracle mileWest Hollywood
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (1)
"Great place and location."
Randy S.
The price is NZ$917
includes taxes & fees
28 Dec - 29 Dec
Alex 2BD Haven in Hollywood!Free parking and pool!
Alex 2BD Haven in Hollywood!Free parking and pool!West Hollywood
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (10)
"Clean and cozy, and in a great location!"
Daniel H.
The price is NZ$713
includes taxes & fees
26 Jan - 27 Jan 2026
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Top Altadena Hotel Reviews
Sheraton Universal Hotel
10/10 Excellent
Find out more about Altadena
Altadena B&B information
Number of reviews | 429 |
|---|---|
Accommodation | 32 B&B |
Lowest Price | NZ$233 |
Highest Price | NZ$1,378 |
Frequently asked questions
Explore a world of travel with Expedia
- B&B in Glendale
- Condo Rentals in Glendale
- Motels in Glendale
- Cottages in Glendale
- Guest Houses in Glendale
- Serviced Apartments in San Marino
- Motels in San Marino
- Caravan Parks in El Monte
- Apartments in El Monte
- Villas in Monterey Park
- Apartments in Altadena
- Guest Houses in South Pasadena
- Apartments in South Pasadena
- Capsule Hotels in Northeast Los Angeles
- Cabin Rentals in Northeast Los Angeles
- Cottages in Arcadia
- Guest Houses in Arcadia
- Apartments in Arcadia
- Resort in Arcadia
- Guest Houses in Pasadena
- Cottages in Pasadena
- Condo Rentals in Pasadena
- Apartments in Pasadena
- Serviced Apartments in Pasadena
- Hostels in Pasadena
- Cabin Rentals in Pasadena
- Motels in Pasadena
- Caravan Parks in Pasadena
- B&B in Burbank
- Motels in Burbank
- Sierra Madre Hotels
- Pasadena Hotels
- La Canada Flintridge Hotels
- San Marino Hotels
- Eagle Rock Hotels
- Hotels near Descanso Gardens
- Altadena Hotels
- Old Pasadena Hotels
- Hotels near Rose Bowl Stadium
- Hotels near California Institute of Technology
- Hotels near Pasadena Convention Center
- Hotels near The Huntington Library
- Montrose Hotels
- Hotels near Scholl Canyon Golf Club
- South Arroyo Hotels
- Hotels near Santa Anita Park
- Lgbt Welcoming Hotels in East San Gabriel
- Historic Hotels in Old Pasadena
- Luxury Hotels in Old Pasadena
- Spa Hotels in Pasadena
- Historic Hotels in Pasadena
- Boutique Hotels in Pasadena
- Cheap Hotels in Pasadena
- Luxury Hotels in Pasadena
- Hotels with Pool in Pasadena
- Family Hotels in Pasadena
- Casino Hotels in Pasadena
- Romantic Hotels in Pasadena
- Historic Hotels in South Pasadena
- La Quinta Inn & Suites Hotels in Pasadena
- Vagabond Inn Hotels in Pasadena
- Pacifica Hotels in Pasadena
- Motel 6 Hotels in Pasadena
- Best Western Hotels in Pasadena
- Motel 6 Hotels in San Marino
- Coast Hotels in South Pasadena
- Motel 6 Hotels in Alhambra
- South Pasadena Holidays
- California Institute of Technology
- Gamble House
- Pasadena City Hall
- Pasadena Holidays
- Pasadena Convention Center
- Huntington Memorial Hospital
- Old Pasadena Holidays
- Santa Anita Park
- Descanso Gardens
- Colorado Street Bridge
- Rose Bowl Stadium
- Visit Altadena
- Visit Old Pasadena
- Visit South Pasadena
- Visit Pasadena
- Visit La Canada Flintridge
- Convertible Car Hire in Pasadena
- Economy Car Hire in Pasadena
- Car hire near Los Angeles
- Car hire Pasadena
- Car hire near Happy Feet Massage
- Dollar Rent A Car Rental Cars in Bungalow Heaven
- Alamo Rent A Car Rental Cars in Pasadena
- Budget Rental Cars in Pasadena
- Hertz Rental Cars in Pasadena
- Sixt Rental Cars in Pasadena
- Enterprise Rental Cars in Old Pasadena