Corona

The Riverside County town of Corona offers commuter convenience to Los Angeles and Orange County, but costs a whole lot less than either. “With single-family homes averaging $700,000,” says Realtor Jose Sepulveda of RE/MAX, “Corona is a relatively affordable version of Southern California. You’ll encounter the usual rush-hour traffic on the 91, and you’ll have to go to Riverside for some real nightlife, “Sepulveda continues, “but right at home you'll have a low crime rate, great weather and tons of parks.” About 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles, right at the junction of the 91 and 15 freeways, Corona is 15 miles west of Riverside and 22 miles east of Orange County’s Anaheim. Once dubbed “the lemon capital of the world,” Corona today is home to headquarters for Fender and Monster Energy, with easy access to hiking trails in the Corona Mountains. That Corona home averaging $700,000 is likely to be either midcentury ranch-style or midcentury modern with three or four bedrooms on a mid-size lot. With larger lots and layouts, Mediterranean-style homes from the 1980s and ‘90s average $800,000. Attached town house condos from the mid-’80s average $550,000, plus a $260 monthly HOA; and in a handful of mobile home parks — both 55-plus and all-ages — two-bedroom units average $200,000. Community parks are easy to come by here. The largest is leafy, 20 ½ -acre City Park, which offers various playing fields, plus a public swimming pool and popular skate park, while 13-acre Brentwood Park includes an accessible modern playground, various sports courts and a picnic/barbecue area that’s hopping on weekends. In addition to grassy open spaces, Lincoln Park has a modern wood-hewn playground that looks like a castle, and a neatly paved jogging course where you can greet your neighbors. A car is certainly helpful here, but you'll also find a Metrolink station (it’s a little over an hour to Downtown LA’s Union Station), several public bus routes and the free, fixed-route Corona Cruiser bus. The closest shopping mall, Crossings at Corona, is about 2 miles south, with big-box retail like Target, Rock and Brews for grabbing a beer with your pals, and a Regal Edwards movie theater for the latest flicks. Local eateries are generally casual affairs. American breakfast standby Silver Dollar Pancake House serves up epic pancake, egg and bacon combos, with dark-roast coffee and friendly service. Tiny Barra de Pan, owned by local chef Lucy Silva, has a colorful Mexican village vibe and authentic street-style tacos on fresh-made masa tortillas, while family-owned Bawarchi Tandoori Halal offers authentic curries, masalas and biryanis from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Local grocery options include Stater Bros., Walmart and Cardenas Markets, as well as Indian specialty market New Spice World. Local kids can attend Corona-Norco Unified public schools. John Stallings Elementary is rated 7/10 by GreatSchools, while Raney Intermediate, which offers programs like AVID, STEM Academy and the International Baccalaureate diploma, earns an overall 3/10. Corona High (go, Panthers!) earns a solidly average 6/10 and includes Upward Bound and Spanish-English dual immersion programs, as well as a strong STEM focus. With commuter convenience to Los Angeles and Orange County and lower home prices than either, the Riverside County town of Corona offers safety, recreation and a Southern California bargain.

Anchored by the junction of state Route 91 and Interstate 15, Riverside Valley Home Gardens in Riverside County offers suburban living with views of rolling hills in a convenient location for commuters, without the typical Southern California price tag. “It’s affordable,” says Gina Johnson, a Realtor with Allison James Estates & Homes who’s been selling homes in Home Gardens for seven years. The median price for a single-family home in this neighborhood is $630,000, less than the surrounding communities where median prices are above $750,000. Buyers will primarily find three-bedroom ranch and Mediterranean-style homes. Johnson also says, “Living in Home Gardens is so handy for commuting to Orange County and San Bernardino.” An unincorporated community of the city of Corona, Home Gardens is diverse in makeup, with warehouses to the west and residential areas to the east. The southern half is primarily quarries and natural space. Most homes here are single-family, averaging 1,400 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, but there are options big and small for buyers. Prices range from $135,000 to $750,000 and are generally lower than the neighboring city of Corona, where the average sale is more than $623,000. Along the gridded streets in the heart of Home Gardens are 1960s ranch-style homes with attached garages. For larger layouts, subdivisions of Mediterranean-style homes built in the 1980s can come with backyard pools and sometimes homeowners associations. There are also communities of double-wide manufactured homes with amenities like pools and playgrounds. Many commuters use I-15 and Route 91 —or simply “the 15” and “the 91” to locals— for jobs in Orange County, 30 miles west, and San Bernardino, 25 miles east. Several projects are underway to improve traffic flow on these heavily used highways. While most residents drive, several bus stops along Magnolia Avenue connect people to neighboring communities like Corona and the La Sierra train station. Small, locally owned businesses are sprinkled along Home Garden’s thoroughfare of Magnolia Avenue. Among them is La Mazorca, a Mexican grocery store known for handmade tortillas. For a more contemporary take on Mexican cuisine, residents can dine out at Luna Modern Mexican Kitchen in the commercial area to the west. For the essentials, locals cross the 91 to Corona Hills Plaza in Corona Ranch, home to big box stores and chains like Costco, Walmart, and Ranch 99 Market. To connect with nature, residents travel out of the neighborhood. “While there are no parks in Home Gardens, there is plenty of green space around it. People typically head over to Corona,” says Johnson. That’s where residents can head to City Park, with 20 acres of open space and athletic facilities like basketball and volleyball courts, a swimming pool and skate park. Work is underway to transform City Park, which dates to 1913, based on feedback from the community. Two school districts serve students in Home Gardens: Corona-Norco Unified and the Alvord Unified. Students can go to the centrally located public school Home Gardens Academy for Grades K-8. It gets a B from Niche. After class, children can go down the hall to a YMCA Youth Center to take music lessons or play sports. Students can move on to Santiago High School in Corona, which receives an A grade from Niche. The school has more than 80 student clubs and a sprawling campus with facilities for students interested in athletics and the arts.

At the junction of Interstate 15 and California State Route 91 in Riverside County, the Inland Empire neighborhood of Corona Ranch is surrounded by Norco Hills, Corona and La Sierra. Home largely to Los Angeles and Riverside area commuters, it’s bordered to the west by the 15, south by the 91, north by Hidden Valley Parkway and east by Buchanan Street. Mountains provide a backdrop for the neighborhood, and top national retailers have a footprint here. Freshly paved suburban streets ending in cul-de-sacs and craftsman-style homes with two-car garages are hallmarks of Corona Ranch. Single-family homes here are mid-sized and built in the 1990s, with lots of up to a half-acre. Del Rey at Corona Ranch offers midsize detached single-family homes and attached townhouse condominiums, while the gated Triana community has apartment-style units. Prices range from $360,000 to $1.2 million. The average home costs $705,802. There are also several apartment-rental complexes in Corona Ranch, including Marquessa Villas and Promenade Terrace. Corona Ranch has plenty of parks, including the 18-acre Promenade Park, where baseball games, tennis matches and picnics happen on the weekends. Rock Vista Park has a landscaped jogging course, and Parkview Park offers a softball field and open space. Kids play on the playground at Village Park, which has a softball field and barbecue areas. The public Costa Verde Golf Course has a driving range, a snack bar with hot breakfast and cocktails and an 18-hole course. There are two shopping centers here. To the west near I-15, Hidden Valley Plaza includes a Stater Bros. Market, Kohl’s, Bank of America and Chick-fil-A. North of 91, Corona Hills Plaza has big-box stores like Costco and Walmart, plus banks, a gym, Korean eateries and fast-food chains like Red Robin. Home décor and auto repair stores operate out of the McKinley Crossroads complex, which sits half a mile south of the neighborhood. Main Street in Corona is about 10 minutes away; the downtown district includes chains like Starbucks and local haunts like Tacos Al Fuego and Main Street Brewery. Corona Ranch falls within the Corona-Norco Unified School District, the largest school district in Riverside County. The school system is regarded for its teachers, college prep and academics. Kids in Corona Ranch can attend William McKinley Elementary School, which has an A-minus rating from Niche. For grades 7-8, kids go to the C-plus-rated Auburndale Intermediate School, followed by Centennial High School, which is rated A. Centennial is known for its athletic programs. A handful of future NFL players got their high school diplomas there. With the 15 and the 91 nearby, Corona Ranch is a convenient home base for commuters. Downtown Los Angeles is 50 miles away, and Riverside is 12 miles, a 20-minute drive. Commuters can take advantage of the Corona – North Main Metrolink station about 10 minutes from the neighborhood. Trains to Union Station in Los Angeles can take 1-2 hours, and the ride to downtown Riverside is 25 minutes on the train.

Cradled between Chino Hills State Park and the Santa Ana Mountains, Green River invites residents to get out and breathe the fresh California air. Ensconced in natural splendor, Green River is conveniently located at the crossroads of two major highways within the LA and Anaheim suburb of Corona. A highly rated school system, inviting hilltop parks and proximity to hiking trails make this neighborhood especially appealing to active young families. Spanish Revival–style homes, many built in the 1990s, are prevalent in Green River, as are low-slung bungalows. It’s possible to find smaller mobile homes for under $300,000, but sprawling four-bedroom Mission-style houses in the Sierra Peak subsection can fetch up to $1.4 million. In general, homes in Green River range from $400,000 to $850,000. The area is primarily residential, and yards are fringed with lush trees offering shade and privacy. Small- to medium-sized lots encourage a cozy vibe, and while many properties include a driveway, on-street parking is common. Paved sidewalks make it easy for runners or dog-walkers to navigate the gently sloping hills. With access to the West Corona Metrolink train service and the Corona Cruiser bus system, Green River residents can take advantage of all the region has to offer. Homebuyers who work in Orange County will be drawn to the neighborhood’s 20-mile commute to Anaheim, not to mention comparably low home prices for the region. Be aware, however, that traffic tends to jam along Green River Road. Kids can begin their education at Prado View Elementary School, which received an A-minus from Niche, followed by Letha Raney Intermediate School and Corona High School, which both received a B. Corona’s Vice Mayor Jim Steiner, who raised three children in Green River, says Corona High School is second to none. “The leadership has been incredible,” he says. Youth sports, such as high school water polo, are a way of life in the area, and many residents spend their weekends shuttling kids to various activities. With its well-equipped play area, Sierra Bella Park also offers a lovely view, particularly when sunset paints the sky. Throughout the summer months, the splash pad and built-in barbecues at Ridgeline Park are an enticing attraction. Visitors can reserve picnic shelters in advance and make a day of grilling up hot dogs, cooling off beneath the water jets or organizing an afternoon matchup on the softball field. The Green River Promenade offers a host of dining and recreational options. Mexican joint Maiz Cocina and Big Al’s Pizza are two local favorites. At the Happy Hour Saloon, folks can slake their thirst while tapping their toes to live music. When it’s time to stock up on groceries, Ralph’s is a convenient option just down the road. The Green River Golf Club is a cornerstone of the community—and not just for golf enthusiasts. The club also offers seasonal events like drive-in movie nights, Easter egg hunts and breakfast with Santa. For residents who do enjoy hitting the links, the 18-hole course features a driving range, a chipping green and a practice-makes-perfect sand bunker. Hikers, runners and birders flock to the Fresno Canyon trail, an out-and-back course that roams over four miles. Although the trail is popular, it’s still possible to enjoy a quiet stroll along the well-worn path. For cyclists and other outdoorsy types up for a challenge, Green River serves as the starting point for the 57-mile Santa Ana River Trail. “It’s a beautiful, picturesque community,” Steiner says. “The people here really try to keep the area beautiful.”

Eagle Glen is home to an expansive suburban community sloping down from the Santa Ana Mountains. “It’s a very neighborly, safe part of Corona that is great for families. It’s a bedroom community,” says Deserie Ramirez, Vice President of Operations at Corona Chamber of Commerce. The neighborhood sprouted up around the eponymous golf course in the early 2000s, which does not require a membership. As the population has grown, Eagle Glen has become more than just golfing greens, as numerous restaurants, shopping malls and highly rated schools also populate the map. The 15 also cuts right through the neighborhood’s northern sector, providing residents with a convenient route northeast toward Las Vegas and south toward San Diego. Ramirez says, though, that “most homes sit far enough away from the freeway that you won’t hear the hustle and bustle of city traffic.” Eagle Glen is about 53 miles from Los Angeles and 40 from the coast, giving residents plenty of destinations for work or vacation. With a low CAP Index crime score of 2-out-of-10, Eagle Glen residents can feel secure and relaxed in the foothills of the mountains, within reach of outdoor activities and everyday necessities. Eagle Glen has plenty of green spaces, and most notably, the golf course. The public access course opened in 1999, designed to maximize the striking views of the surrounding landscape. Fairways wind through canyons and hills before climbing up ridges and sliding down into flat basins. The course serves classic American breakfast and lunch fare at the Eagle Glen Grille, an in-house eatery adorned with Californian décor and a veranda for open-air dining. The neighborhood also has other outdoor gathering spaces, including Spyglass Park, a dog-friendly green area right next to the elementary school. The Eagle Glen Community Park is also available for soccer, baseball and a playground, complete with public restrooms and a pavilion with plenty of tables. Residents can walk through the ornate covered bridge and see geese glide around the lake at the nearby Dos Lagos Park before enjoying some retail therapy in the adjacent shopping center. Eagle Glen students are zoned for the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Children can begin their education at Woodrow Wilson Elementary and El Cerrito Middle, which both score A-minus grades on Niche. El Cerrito has a Peer Assistance and Leadership program, where students collaborate to improve skills, such as public speaking. Santiago High earns an impressive A grade and offers Career Technical Education (CTE), providing students with knowledge and training in career fields such as architectural design, media arts and patient care. Santiago is also in the top 10 best college prep high schools in the county, according to Niche. The shopping centers near Eagle Glen are a big draw to the neighborhood, bringing big-box stores to an otherwise suburban area. Bedford Marketplace and The Village at Eagle Glen are the primary areas for shopping here, with fast and casual dining options and a Skater Bros. Markets location. On the other side of the 15, the Crossings At Corona has retail, such as Marshalls and Barnes & Noble, along with Target. Under 2 miles down the road, The Shops at Dos Lagos also provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor boutique shopping, a movie theater and Trader Joes. Eagle Glen has local dining options, such as Corky’s Kitchen & Bakery, known for its hospitality, inspired by Grandma Corky, and is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024. The restaurant is located in The Village at Eagle Glen, along with Acai Republic, a popular franchise known for smoothie bowls and fresh juices. Developers of Eagle Glen built primarily single-family detached houses. Residents live along winding avenues lined with tall palm trees in full view of the towering Santa Ana Mountains, with some streets intersecting with the fairways of the Eagle Glen Golf Course. Regional house styles prioritize protection against high temperatures, so Spanish and Mediterranean-style homes built with stucco exteriors and tile roofs provide cool interiors under the California sun. Properties near the 15 sit on smaller lots and often sell between $500,000 and $800,000. Prices increase toward the mountains, starting around $850,000 and tipping over $1 million. Most homes feature private driveways and garages, and most residents get around by car. Sidewalks and wide streets are a common feature throughout the neighborhood, though, allowing locals to take leisurely strolls and bike rides. Public transportation is available nearby via the Corona Cruiser system, though it is not utilized often in the neighborhood, as most residents own cars. While Eagle Glen has many amenities that are easily accessible, some services are farther outside of the area. The closest hospital is about 8 miles away at City of Hope Corona, and places of worship sit outside of the neighborhood, the closest Christian church being about 5 miles away. For air travel, Ontario International Airport is about 20 miles north on the 15.