Planned Parenthood Expands With New Flagship Center in Pasadena Amid Rising Demand

Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley broke ground Sunday, March 30 on a new flagship health center and headquarters in Pasadena, largely expanding its capacity to provide reproductive healthcare services as demand grows across the region.

The ceremony at 620 North Lake Avenue brought together a coalition of community leaders, supporters and elected officials to celebrate a project that takes on heightened significance in the current national landscape.

“California has become a safe haven for many people seeking abortion care since the fallout from the Supreme Court’s cruel and devastating decision,” Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley said in announcing the event, pointing to a 19% increase in out-of-state patients traveling from Texas, Arizona, and other states for abortion services.

The expansion comes at a critical time as “abortion rights, gender affirming care and bodily autonomy continue to be undermined under the current administration,” Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley officials said.

While Planned Parenthood-affiliated health centers face closure in other states, Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley is expanding locally to meet increasing needs for abortion care, gender-affirming care and other sexual and reproductive health services.

The new 20,000-square-foot facility, spread across two stories, will house clinical, programmatic and administrative functions. It features expanded and modernized exam and procedure rooms, enhanced abortion services, and dedicated spaces for medical training, mental health care, mammograms and telehealth capabilities.

The center will also include an on-site lab and pharmacy space to support new services, alongside community areas designed for educational sessions, advocacy events and collaboration with local partners. Construction is expected to reach completion in 2026.

The project gained additional urgency after Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley’s administrative office in Altadena at 2333 Lake Avenue sustained damage from the Eaton Fires, forcing staff relocation due to smoke damage and remediation requirements.

Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley’s current Pasadena Health Center at 1045 North Lake Avenue, a landmark facility housed in two 100-year-old Craftsman bungalows renovated into a health center, has served the community for almost 60 years.

As California’s first Planned Parenthood affiliate health center, it’s estimated to have provided care to hundreds of thousands of patients since the late 1960s. The historic facility will continue operating until the new center opens.

Sheri Bonner, Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley President & CEO, led the groundbreaking ceremony, welcoming Representative Judy Chu (CA-28), Pasadena Vice Mayor Jess Rivas, California Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, California Assemblymember John Harabedian, and Altadena Town Council Chair Victoria Knapp, among many other supporters.

Other notable attendees included Pasadena Councilmember Steve Madison, Annie Brose (Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley Flagship for the Future campaign chair), Pasadena City Manager Miguel Márquez, Pasadena Public Health Director Manuel Carmona, and Frances Teng (Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley board chair).