Neighborhood overview
Sierra Madre Canyon is in Sierra Madre, California. A natural canyon in the northeast quadrant of Sierra Madre, from Mountain Trail on the west to Sturtevant Drive on the east.
The Canyon was first developed in the 1920s for seasonal housing. The lots are small, and the original buildings were cottages for visitors who came for rest and recreation. Over time those cottages became year-round homes, and the old commercial center of the Lower Canyon has mostly been converted or rebuilt as housing.
The General Plan sets the Canyon's boundaries at Mountain Trail on the west, Sturtevant Drive and Canon Avenue on the south, and Sturtevant Drive on the east. It carries its own Residential Canyon land use designation.
Homes & property types
Small lots with cottages and other single-family homes, many dating from the Canyon's early seasonal development. The Canyon has its own development standards, separate from the rest of the city.
What makes properties here different
Canyon homes sit on small lots under their own standards, so additions and rebuilds follow rules that differ from the rest of Sierra Madre. Have the permits for past work ready, and compare against other Canyon sales rather than homes on the flatter foothill streets.
Living in the neighborhood
The General Plan names the meeting of Sturtevant Drive and Woodland Drive as a significant node in the Canyon, and lists the Mount Wilson and Bailey Canyon trailheads among the city's landmarks.
Neighborhood FAQ
- Where is Sierra Madre Canyon?
- In the northeast quadrant of the city. The General Plan bounds it by Mountain Trail on the west, Sturtevant Drive and Canon Avenue on the south, and Sturtevant Drive on the east.
- Are there special building rules in The Canyon?
- Yes. The City adopted an ordinance in 2011 with development standards for The Canyon to preserve its rustic and historic character. Confirm the rules for your lot with the Planning & Community Preservation Department.
Other Sierra Madre neighborhoods
Sources
- City of Sierra Madre — General Plan (PDF) — retrieved 2026-10-15.
- City of Sierra Madre — General Plan Update Draft EIR, Chapter 3: Project Description (PDF) — retrieved 2026-10-15.
Sierra Madre city guide · All Sierra Madre neighborhoods · Selling options in Sierra Madre
Sidney Manzo, CA DRE #01108914, licensed in California. Informational only: a property-specific review is advisory, not an appraisal, and neither this page nor the form creates a listing agreement. Equal Housing Opportunity.