El Monte

At the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains sits North El Monte, a quaint neighborhood with big-city amenities. A short drive from Downtown Los Angeles, this LA County community is primarily residential but close to highways, schools, parks and restaurants. “It’s a very healthy, involved community.” says Ken Rausch, CEO of the El Monte Chamber of Commerce. “A lot of people have lived here a long time, and they care about their neighborhoods, and the city as a whole.” Residents are treated to plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The 5-acre Peck Road Park Water Conservation Park offers hiking, mountain biking and fishing at its lake. The neighborhood also boasts Arcadia Golf Course, an 18-hole greenway that’s been a local favorite since 1962. And the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area is only 5 miles east, where residents can swim, play sand volleyball, camp, kayak, hike or go horseback riding. Hikers wanting to trek deeper into nature can head just 4 miles south to hop on the San Gabriel River Trail. The LA County Arboretum lies 3 miles over North El Monte’s northern boundary. This 127-acre botanical garden and historic site is home to a wide variety of plants native to South America, the Mediterranean, South Africa and Asiatic-North America. There’s also an aquatic garden, prehistoric and jungle gardens, and Baldwin Lakre, a popular lagoon at its center. North El Monte is a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood that features small, midcentury ranch-style homes, bungalows and condos. "It's more of a smaller, starter-home area; some are two-bedroom, one-bath homes," says Realtor Callie Wilson with Dilbeck Real Estate. Most single-family homes were built in the 1950s and range from $600,000 to $950,000, depending on the size and upgrades, though some have gone for over $1 million. Like other areas of Southern California, accessory dwelling units are becoming a popular option for creating more space, and the decently sized lots allow plenty of room for landscaping and gardening. Sidewalks are wide and the neighborhood is highly walkable. Grocery stores like Albertson’s, retailers and mom and pops populate Live Oak Avenue. The community is known for its locally owned Asian and Mexican eateries like Cabrera’s Mexican Restaurant, a staple since 1985 that whips up tortas, larger-than-life burritos and caramelized plantains. Pho-licious is another local favorite, serving brothy Vietnamese soups, Bahn Mi sandwiches and milk tea. The biggest shopping outlet, El Monte Shopping Strip, is downtown, a 3-mile drive from the neighborhood. Rev up the night at Irwindale Speedway, which hosts drag racing, NASCAR and car shows. Or, for a different type of racing, take a 3-mile drive over to Santa Anita Park, a world-famous horse racing track known for the Breeder's Cup, where the finest thoroughbreds qualify for the Kentucky Derby. Part of the El Monte City Schools District, Rio Hondo School serves local kindergarten through eighth grade students. From there, students can attend Arroyo High School, part of the El Monte Union High School District. Earning a B-minus on Niche, Rio Hondo School offers a mariachi academy, Lego robotics and before- and after-school programs. Arroyo High, which earned a B-plus on Niche, offers football and cross country, advanced-placement programs and Renaissance Club. These top-notch education options are a major reason families are flocking to the area. "I've had an influx of people moving into the north part of El Monte because of the schools," Wilson says. The city itself puts on events for all communities to enjoy, including an annual parade and harvest festival, the Dia de los Muertos event and a Santa Parade with a tree-lighting ceremony. La Prada Event Plaza, in Whittier Narrows Park, hosts the Los Angeles Spring Fair, the largest fair in LA County. The multi-day event offers 15 acres of amusement rides for all ages, games, food and entertainment, a 6-mile drive to South El Monte. With its location close to Interstates 10, 210 and 605, North El Monte provides convenience access to the region, including Downtown LA, 15 miles away, and the San Gabriel Valley Airport, just a 2-mile drive. Public transit is easily accessible via El Monte Transit, which provides five bus routes and the Metrolink commuter train line.

Downtown El Monte is a prime choice for homebuyers who want a central location — about 15 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and even closer to flourishing areas in the San Gabriel Valley. “People often move there because it’s adjacent to Monrovia and Arcadia,” says real estate agent David Ramirez, who works with the David Ramirez Real Estate team and has over a decade of experience in the area. On days when residents want to stay close to home, there’s a vibrant local business scene with a diverse range of food in the suburb’s downtown. “Buyers choose the downtown for the restaurants and lifestyle — this is where you can go out and have a nice, fun date,” says Realtor Callie Wilson, who works with Dilbeck Real Estate and has worked in the area since 2022. About a dozen walkable blocks, downtown El Monte features shops, boutiques and a wide variety of restaurants. Those looking for new apparel can find it at Sally Shoes or El Vaquero, which sells Western-style clothes. For authentic Mexican food, residents can dine in La Barca Restaurantes, which has a warm and spacious interior. Eater describes Singkawang Café as one of the most unique spots for Indonesian fare in the San Gabriel Valley, where residents can also shop for snacks in an attached market. “There’s a popular Cuban restaurant on Peck Road,” Ramirez says. Havana Club Restaurant & Bar offers classics like oxtail in a space emblematic of its namesake city. For produce and more groceries, La Penita Meat Market is a short walk away in El Monte Plaza, a strip mall. For commutes to Los Angeles, downtown El Monte is around 15 miles away via Interstate 10, which can take half an hour or longer during rush hour. If residents don’t feel like driving, they can hop on a train at El Monte Metrolink Station or Metro and Greyhound buses at El Monte Transit Center. Both stations are conveniently located in downtown El Monte. For a nearby clinic, residents can go to Southern California Medical Center | El Monte, about 2 miles from the neighborhood. The closest airport is San Gabriel Valley Airport, conveniently located in El Monte next to neighborhood. Students in the area are served by the El Monte Union High School District, which earns an A-minus rating according to Niche. Columbia School serves kindergarten through eighth grade and earns a B-minus grade. El Monte High, given a B-plus rating, offers courses in commercial art and career and technical fields. It also has over 25 clubs to pique students’ extracurricular interests. About 3 acres in size, Fletcher Park has a playground and a basketball court as well as Fetch Park, a dog park with sections for big and small furry friends. More outdoor highlights include the Peck Road Water Conservation Area, which has scenic lakeside walking and biking paths featuring panoramic views of the San Gabriel Mountains. Whittier Narrows Recreation Area offers three lakes ideal for fishing, renting paddle boats or watching ducks and wildlife. Around the downtown shopping area, the town’s residential blocks are lined with sidewalks and small front yards, often gated or fenced. The yards are usually decorated with palm trees and flowering shrubs. Single-family homes are available in different architectural styles, like ranch-style homes and Spanish-style houses. The former range from $750,000 to $900,000, while the latter are priced from $740,000 to $800,000. Condos and townhouses, some with homeowners association fees, can include two-car garages and private security gates. Wilson notes the neighborhood demographics: many independent homeowners and young couples. At La Prada Event Plaza every autumn — locals and visitors alike go to the multiday LA Fall Fair, a grand festival with rides, games and live music. For a smaller crowd, residents can check out Dive-in Movies, where people can swim in the pool at El Monte Aquatic Center, while watching a family-friendly film.