San Marino is also regarded as having one of the best-performing schools in the Greater Los Angeles, California area. Its high school consistently ranks as the one of the highest API score among public high schools in California. All of its public schools are distinguished as California "Blue Ribbon" schools

The Edwin Hubble House, residence of astronomer,Edwin Hubble is a National Historical landmark

Another landmark is the Michael White Adobe House, located on the high school campus.

In the middle of San Marino lies Lacy Park, a huge expanse of grass and trees rare for urban areas. Lacy Park was created when Wilson Lake was drained, and was modelled after New York's Central Park.

The Old Mill, completed about 1816 as a grist mill for Mission San Gabriel, is in San Marino. The original two-story structure measured 53 by 26 feet. It is the oldest commercial building in Southern California.