Our perennial favorite Hometown Pasadena web page has a poetic appreciation of the joys of North Lake from Mel Malmberg.

And on the other hand, Ernessa Carter talks about some of the real disadvantages of the area (one word: Ralphs.  And why don't we have a modern postage machine like they have TWO of in the main Pasadena post office?  It's bad enough the local post office is on a campaign to remove all the corner drop boxes).  Both sides have their merits!