![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
Search Vacation Homes in Altadena
Change your mindBook hotels with free cancellation
Be pickySearch almost a million properties worldwide
Check prices for these dates
In two weeks
In two months
In three months
In four months
Our top choices for Altadena vacation homes
Vacation Home in Park Mesa Heights
Delightful 1 bedroom in a nice Family house in Inglewood.15 min from LAX.10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (1)
"house was amazing host/family was nice and kind made my birthday weekend very special i absolutely love this house and family will be back alot more!"
trayvion e.
The price is AED 188
AED 372 total
includes taxes & fees
14 Jan - 15 Jan
Vacation Home in Glendora
Luxury Estate With Sparkling Pool & Elegant Amenities10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (1)
"The property was in excellent condition and fitted our needs. "
Helen
The price is AED 1,004
AED 1,872 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Jan - 8 Jan
Vacation Home in Baldwin Park
Gated & remodeled 2b/2b house, WiFi in welcoming Baldwin Park10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (3)
"Everything was great and easy to access. "
Francisco M.
The price is AED 533
AED 1,106 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Feb - 4 Feb
Vacation Home in South San Gabriel
Charming 2-bedroom house with WiFi and AC in Rosemead10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (2)
"The property is beautifulI would highly suggest more furniture in the front room. One couch in NOT enough for even 2 people to sit comfortably to watch TV.I would put a couple comfy chairs/ecliner . It plenty big enough!"
Julie M.
The price is AED 441
AED 992 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Feb - 2 Feb
Vacation Home in La Cañada Flintridge
Garage Studio with Beautiful Backyard10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (2)
The price is AED 386
AED 459 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Jan - 8 Jan
Vacation Home in East Los Angeles
Guest house w/2BR 2bath by DTLA East Los Angeles10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (3)
"Communication with the owner is great, very responsive and follow up on any issues "
Gustavo H.
The price is AED 458
AED 1,182 total
includes taxes & fees
11 Jan - 12 Jan
Vacation Home in Monrovia
MI- Ranch style 3 bedroom 2 bath Quiet & safe Neighborhood king-bed!9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (9)
"Loved our stay."
TJ D.
The price is AED 499
AED 1,287 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Jan - 8 Jan
Vacation Home in Atwater Village
Scenic Retreat With Deck Stunning Views in LA10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (3)
"Good"
Shantinique
The price is AED 369
AED 857 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Jan - 10 Jan
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
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Los Angeles Beverly Hills by IHG
10/10 Excellent
Explore a world of travel with Expedia
Popular Destinations
Top Vacation Homes in Other Destinations
- Vacation Homes in San Francisco
- Vacation Homes in Los Angeles
- Vacation Homes in Reno
- Vacation Homes in Sacramento
- Vacation Homes in Fresno
- Vacation Homes in Oakland
- Vacation Homes in Bakersfield
- Vacation Homes in Riverside
- Vacation Homes in Stockton
- Vacation Homes in San Bernardino
- Vacation Homes in Modesto
More Accommodation Types in Altadena
- Apartments in Altadena
- Condo Rentals in Altadena
- Motels in Altadena
- Villas in Altadena
- Aparthotels in Altadena
- Cottages in Altadena
- Guest Houses in Altadena
- Hostels in Altadena
- B&B in Altadena
- Cabin Rentals in Altadena
- Resorts in Altadena
- Farmstay in Altadena
- Chalets in Altadena
- Residences in Altadena
- Inns in Altadena
- Capsule Hotels in Altadena
- Hotels