California note
The Rialto Theatre gives South Pasadena a grand old Main Street face
South Pasadena's Rialto Theatre was completed in 1925 and still gives the city one of its clearest early-20th-century landmarks.
The Rialto Theatre gives South Pasadena a true old-theater landmark. The building was completed in 1925. Its design included the theater, street-level shops, apartments, and Spanish tile.
The Rialto is part of a small remaining group of grand Pasadena-area theaters from the early 20th century. The building still keeps much of its original look, including Moorish-style detail.
That pairs well with South Pasadena’s older city story. Residents voted to incorporate in February 1888, partly to control their own territory. The Rialto came later, but it fits the city’s independent Main Street feel.
For a simple history walk, look at the Rialto from Fair Oaks Avenue and then keep going through the nearby business district. It is one of the clearest places to see South Pasadena’s older confidence at street level.
Where to see it
Rialto Theatre on Fair Oaks Avenue in South Pasadena.
Sources
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Reviewed July 1, 2026
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