Fullerton

The established homes and historic buildings in downtown Fullerton belie the changing nature of the neighborhood. “Fullerton is one of the smaller, older cities in California. It has been a conservative city. But you are seeing a lot of new development going on in the community,” says Charles Lee, a Realtor with One Group Realty. In addition to housing, a burgeoning restaurant scene has been a significant part of the change. “Downtown Fullerton has been diversified. You are seeing a lot of multinationals who own restaurants, and a lot of younger residents are moving in because of the restaurants, and bringing their experiences with them.” Residential pockets dot the neighborhood. Established housing is highlighted by quaint Craftsman bungalows. As is typical of traditional California housing, the homes feature private driveways that lead to spacious backyards with room for garages. Liberty Walk is a small subdivision of contemporary multilevel homes, town houses and condominiums. Even newer housing can be found in the SoCo Walk District, the epicenter of the city’s efforts to modernize its downtown. The contemporary loft-style condominiums and town houses offer residents easy access to an array of restaurants south of Commonwealth Avenue, the general location for which the district is named, as well as convenient transportation. “SoCo Walk is right across the street from the Metro line, so it’s attracting young professionals,” says Lee. “And a lot of millennials are moving into the area because they would rather eat at restaurants. The city’s efforts to make the neighborhood an attractive destination are paying off. “Inventory is low because there is such high demand,” says Lee. “If I list anything in SoCo Walk, I will start getting calls right away and it won’t last long.” SoCo Walk residences typically list in the $750,000 range, while the rest of the neighborhood’s housing ranges from $600,000 to $900,000. The neighborhood is home to Fullerton Union High School, which sits on a beautiful campus populated with historic Spanish Revival-style buildings. An A-rated school by Niche, it also received a 9 out of 10 from GreatSchools for College Readiness. Academies for performing arts, visual arts and culinary arts are among the elective courses available to students. Younger neighborhood students can attend Maple Elementary School and Ladera Vista Junior High School of the Arts, a B-rated school by Niche that offers a Dual Language Academy. Fullerton College, a public community college, also calls the neighborhood home. The SoCo District manages to successfully blend the old with the new. Heroes Bar & Grill has been a Fullerton standard for more than 30 years. The local tavern-style eatery known for the vast collection of memorabilia adorning its walls, is the anchor of the SoCo District, having moved to its location south of Commonwealth Avenue in 2002, long before the area became an entertainment hot spot. Nearby Stubrik’s Steakhouse, another neighborhood mainstay, offers the choice of an upscale meal in a relaxed atmosphere or fun with friends over pool and comfort food in its mezzanine lounge. Retail options are plentiful in SoCo, with clothing and antique stores common. A similar cluster of boutique stores and eateries is located at Villa Del Sol, a historic Spanish-influenced former hotel that is now the centerpiece of a quaint shopping village. The Fullerton Certified Farmers’ Market, one of the oldest in Orange County, takes place every Wednesday at the Fullerton Community Center on Commonwealth Avenue, and the Downtown Fullerton Market is a popular seasonal event where vendors gather at the Downtown Plaza on Wilshire Boulevard every Thursday from April through August. The Downtown Plaza is among several neighborhood parks. When the plaza is not hosting markets, festivals or concerts, it is a popular spot for children, who enjoy its splash pad and playground. Amerige Park, named after the city’s founders, is adjacent to the Fullerton Community Center. The multi-purpose athletic facility is best known for Duane Winters Field, which hosted minor-league baseball from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s. Today the field is the home of the city’s Pony Baseball League. Independence Park is the neighborhood’s largest. It features a colorful skating facility and a swimming complex. Neighborhood cultural attractions include the Fullerton Museum Center and the Fox Theater. The museum center is housed in the city’s original library building, which dates to 1941 and is built in the same Spanish Revival style as the buildings on the campus of Fullerton Union High. The Fox Theater was built in 1925 and hosted vaudeville shows when it first opened. In closed in 1987, but efforts to restore it began in 1997. Phase II of its restoration began in 2022. The changing face of downtown Fullerton is sure to make you smile.

If you’re looking for homes nestled in the hills of north Fullerton, you’ve come to the right place. “The Sunny Hills area is very mountainous. It’s very peaceful, and the schools are excellent,” says Realtor Linda Suk of Century 21, who has lived and worked in the area for decades. Located in northwest Orange County, Sunny Hills occupies the northeastern edge of the city, just south of the low, rangy slopes of the West Coyote Hills. Once home to lush groves of citrus trees, the area is now a classic suburb with plenty of picturesque parks, public schools and several institutions of higher education — Fullerton College and California State University, Fullerton. Along gently sloping streets, you’ll find a wealth of midcentury and contemporary homes largely constructed between 1960 and 1990. Mission Revival style homes, classic ranch homes and split-level homes can all be found here, ranging from modest footprints to large, upscale models. Landscaped lawns and curving, tree-lined roadways give some parts of the neighborhood an old-school suburban vibe, while others benefit from woodsy scenery, spacious lots and hillside views. Prices can range from around $800,000 to more than $1.5 million depending on size, age and acreage. You’ll also find several pockets with townhomes, apartments and condo complexes for those looking to downsize. If you need some fresh air, Ralph B. Clark Park offers 104 acres of sprawling greenspace, grassy lawns and wooded hillsides, walking trails, a playground, sport courts and an amphitheater. While you’re there, stop by the Interpretive Center, a small museum with historic exhibits and an extensive fossil collection. Laguna Lake Park, another popular outdoor destination, offers trails at the edge of a small, blue lake. You might want to bring a fishing rod — it's regularly stocked with catfish and rainbow trout. The park is also home to the Equestrian Center, a recreational area with horseback riding rings and grandstand seating. There are also several greenbelts that wind through the neighborhood that connect small community parks with residential streets. Stellar public schools are a major perk for Sunny Hills residents. Within the neighborhood, students can attend Fisler Elementary School, Sunset Lane Elementary School, Golden Hill Elementary School, Laguna Road Elementary School, Russell Parks Junior High and Sunny Hills High School, all of which hold “B” ratings or higher from Niche, an online school review site. Sunny Hills High stands out as a top-rated Orange County high school; it's been recognized with the prestigious California Distinguished Schools Award four times, most recently in 2019, and won the National Blue Ribbon Award in 2012. Head down to Amerige Heights Town Center and you can shop at Target and Barnes & Noble, pump some iron at Golds Gym or dine at range of fast and casual eateries. Hoshi Sushi is the perfect spot to try some Japanese tempura, while those in the mood for something heartier may enjoy the Vietnamese soups at Pho Zip. For everything else, it's just 4 miles to the vibrant streets of downtown Fullerton, a walkable commercial district with delicious eats, boutique shops and local entertainment venues. If you’re looking for fun outside the city, the neighborhood is about 25 miles from Los Angeles, and about 20 miles from the sandy shores of the Pacific Ocean. With hillside homes, superb schools and natural scenery, Sunny Hills is an idyllic suburban setting in the city of Fullerton.

Lower Raymond Hills offers residents a blend of suburban peace and urban convenience. It's the kind of neighborhood where the tree-lined streets whisper stories of community ties, and the homes echo the warmth of family life, all while enjoying proximity to the city's dynamic center. "It's a quiet, convenient place to live," says local Realtor David Drake of the Drake Real Estate Team. "The views maybe aren't quite as good as in Upper Raymond Hills, but there's a lower cost of entry, and you get the same great schools, the same access to Downtown Fullerton." Housing in Lower Raymond Hills presents an appealing mix of options at a wide range of price points. A number of homes carry the charming hallmark of mid-century design, while others speak a more contemporary architectural language. Each home rests on comfortably sized lots with well-manicured gardens, exhibiting pride in homeownership that enhances the neighborhood's appeal. Warm lights through windows in the evenings lend a friendly atmosphere that invites a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. As for home prices, a 1,500-square-foot home in the neighborhood can sell for $800,000 to $900,000, while more spacious homes in the 4,000-square-foot range can go for over $2 million. Living in Lower Raymond Hills means never being too far from Fullerton's vibrant heart. Downtown Fullerton's pulse hums with an eclectic range of shopping venues, dining spots, and entertainment options. Whether it's a treasure hunt in one of the antique shops or a memorable meal at one of the many restaurants like Hopscotch Craft Beer and Whiskey, there's always a new city experience to explore. And when locals feel like a quiet night in, they can pick up ingredients at one of the many nearby major supermarkets or swing by a local grocer like the longstanding Dry Dock Fish market. Residents find solace in the area's abundant green spaces. From leisurely afternoons at the Fullerton Arboretum to energetic jogs along the Juanita Cooke Greenbelt Trail, opportunities to connect with nature are plentiful. The neighborhood also features an assortment of well-maintained local green spaces, from the petite Byerrum Park to sprawling Hillcrest Park. The neighborhood falls within the well-respected Fullerton Joint Union High School District, providing residents access to quality education from elementary through high school. Local students might attend primary school at Acacia Elementary, rated 9 out of 10 on GreatSchools, before moving on to Ladera Vista Junior High and eventually Fullerton Union High School, which Niche gives an overall grade of A-. Lower Raymond Hills is more than a sum of its parts. It's a neighborhood where shared values knit a strong community fabric. Neighbors aren't just people living next door; they are friends participating in block parties, supporting local schools, and lending a hand when needed. That's the beauty of Lower Raymond Hills. It's a neighborhood that nurtures a sense of belonging, a place that welcomes everyone home. In the midst of Fullerton's vibrant cityscape, Lower Raymond Hills continues to shine as a beacon of serene suburban living, offering a lifestyle that's as engaging as it is tranquil.

Rolling Hills is a residential gem of a neighborhood that pairs understated charm with a vibrant community spirit. It's a pocket of suburban comfort where well-tended homes and verdant landscapes combine to create an atmosphere that resonates with a sense of tranquility and warmth. "It's full of vintage mid-century homes, there are parks all over the neighborhood, and it's convenient to both Brea and Downtown Fullerton," says local Realtor David Drake of Drake Real Estate Team. "What more could you ask for?" Rolling Hills' housing scene is a delightful collage of mid-century aesthetics and contemporary updates. The homes, primarily ranch-style structures, effortlessly blend into the natural terrain, with their low-lying profiles harmonizing with the rolling topography. As one moves through the neighborhood, it becomes evident that the term "cookie-cutter" can't be applied here. Every home is unique, offering personalized landscaping, color palettes, and architectural details. You can find a 3-bed, 3-bath condo in the neighborhood for around $700,000, while most single-family homes offer between 1,200 and 3,000 square feet and sell for between $800,000 and $1.5 million. No matter what part of the neighborhood you're in, you're likely to enjoy wide, sunny streets lined with native flora and offering picturesque valley views. For most residents, Rolling Hills' standout feature is its wealth of green spaces. 124-acre Craig Regional Park offers tree-canopied trails, picnic spots, and a serene lake. Smaller city parks like Rolling Hills Park and Mountain View Park are perfect for playground play-dates and pickup basketball. East Coyote Hills Trail, meanwhile, is great for hiking and mountain biking and connects residents to the 11-mile Fullerton loop trail, one of the most popular nature trails in all of Orange County. Schools in Rolling Hills, overseen by the Fullerton School District, also deserve a nod. Local students can expect to attend Rolling Hills Elementary and Ladera Vista Junior High before matriculating to Fullerton Union High School, which is graded an A- on Niche and is known for its award-winning arts and theater program. Of course, one of the perks of life in Rolling Hills is its balance of seclusion and connectivity. Although the neighborhood exudes a removed feel, it's just a stone's throw from both downtown Fullerton and Downtown Brea. This convenient proximity means residents can easily tap into both cities' myriad dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Locals don't have to leave the neighborhood to find decent shopping, though. They can pick up groceries at Stater Bros. or swing by one of the shopping centers along Brea Boulevard, where they can find chain stores like Goodwill and Guitar Center alongside a wide variety of dining opportunities. You can grab a cappuccino and pastry at beloved local coffee shop Melted Vinyl, try the authentic Italian at Luigi's D'Italia, or stop by the iconic Summit House Restaurant, known for its prime rib steaks and stunning views of Fullerton. Rolling Hills merges the comfort of suburban living, the sociability of community life, and the serenity of nature into a compelling neighborhood narrative. Here, residents can cultivate a lifestyle that doesn't just meet their needs but embodies their vision of a fulfilled, balanced life.

President Homes is a section of Fullerton whose name hints at its elegance. Wide, tranquil streets and stylish midcentury homes characterize this neighborhood. This is a primarily residential enclave, but one that’s close to your pick of amenities — it’s considered a desirable part of the city, local Realtor Eric Urban says. Though similar in age, the houses in this neighborhood come in an array of layouts, single-story and multistory, anywhere from roughly 1,500 square feet to well over 2,000 square feet. That square footage includes attached garages in a lot of cases. Most of the homes here share a well-kept condition and stand on lots that, though compact, provide a bit of front and back lawn space. Quite a bit of residents use their backyard space for inground pools. Lots around the President Homes neighborhood typically stretch between 7,000 and 9,000 square feet. “The lots are smaller, so they’re easier to maintain,” says Urban, of Reliance Real Estate Services. Sidewalks cut in front of all the well-manicured yards here, making it easy to stroll or jog around the block. Prices for options in President Homes typically start in the $900,000s and can reach $1.3 million. Among the benefits of living in President Homes is access to the well-regarded schools in the area — “That would be a draw, too,” Urban says. The teachers across the Fullerton School District carry an A- grade on Niche. Young students in President Homes can go to Beechwood School from kindergarten to eighth grade. Beechwood is within walking distance for those who live in President Homes, and young musicians here can join the school’s advanced string orchestra, which performs at assemblies and concerts at Beechwood and around the community. From Beechwood, students can move on to Fullerton Union High School, which is part of what’s known as the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, serving Fullerton, La Habra, La Habra Heights and Buena Park. Fullerton Union High has an A- rating of its own on Niche, and includes Agri-Science and Culinary and Hospitality academies, plus an Academy of the Performing Arts. Beechwood Park sits adjacent to Beechwood School, a 3-acre facility with a playground, baseball diamond and multiuse field space. The sprawling, roughly 18-acre Fullerton Sports Complex is nearby as well. The biggest sports park in the city, this complex features three baseball diamonds and two soccer fields. There’s a playground at Fullerton Sports Complex, too, and hikers can head here to access the Lost Trail, a path that connects with the city’s Brea Dam Park. The complex also hosts Fullerton’s free Summer Concerts in the Park series on Friday evenings in September. The area’s retail hotspot is just about 2 miles northeast of President Homes: Brea Mall. This 1.3 million-square-foot shopping center has over 180 stores, from Abercrombie & Fitch to Zumiez. Among the dining options here are The Cheesecake Factory, Olive Garden and Red Lobster. President Homes residents looking for an even closer spot to grab food can scoot over to Early Bird, a well-liked place for brunch. The eggs benedict at Early Bird is particularly popular. For a quick caffeine boost, residents can stroll to The Well, a neighborhood coffee and tea shop. In President Homes, quiet suburbia comes just a stone’s throw from an assortment of nearby conveniences. This is a neighborhood whose appeal is of presidential proportions.

The Coyote Hills neighborhood stands as an emblematic representation of what Orange County suburban living can offer. Combining natural beauty with convenience and community spirit, it holds allure for various residents, from families to retirees. “The neighborhood has a lot of larger homes with larger lots,” says local Realtor David Drake of Drake Real Estate Team. “It’s near some of the best recreational trails in town and really stands out for the excellent outdoor opportunities in the area, particularly around the West Coyote Hills open space area.” The homes in Coyote Hills stand out for their aesthetic variety and attention to landscape detail. Many of the residences, developed primarily from the 1970s through the 1990s, display a mix of architectural styles, including California Ranch, Mediterranean, and contemporary. Spacious front and back yards, often meticulously landscaped with native plants and elegant outdoor living spaces, are common. The neighborhood's hilly terrain provides many homes with panoramic views of the surrounding areas, from city lights to verdant hillscapes. Prices range from $650,000 for a 1,000-square-foot two-bed, two-bath condo to $850,000 for a 1,700-square-foot modern Spanish-style home, while a more spacious 3,000-square-foot property in a gated community can go for upwards of $1.7 million. Central to Coyote Hills' appeal is its proximity to an abundance of green space. The most notable of these is the expansive Coyote Hills Regional Park. This park, with its 670 acres, provides a refreshing escape from urban hustle. Numerous trails wind through the park, suitable for hiking, jogging, or even horseback riding. Its varied topography, punctuated by rolling hills, riparian habitats, and the occasional sight of roaming deer or birds of prey, is a reminder of Southern California's diverse ecology. On top of the trails and vistas, there's the Coyote Hills Golf Course, a lush and well-maintained spot that offers not just a day of golf but scenic views for those living nearby. While Coyote Hills offers a sense of retreat, residents don't have to venture far for urban conveniences. A variety of shopping centers are within a short drive, catering to everyday needs. Residents have easy access to a variety of supermarkets, including specialty shops like Trader Joe’s and beloved Korean Grocer H-Mart. And when it comes to dining, Fullerton's evolving culinary scene ensures that there's something for everyone. Just outside the immediate neighborhood, one can find an array of eateries, whether it's casual fare or gourmet establishments. The Korean options in the area are particularly impressive, from the takeout kimbap at Oh Mama! Kitchen to the barbecue of Kote Dae Ji. The local school system is another feather in Coyote Hills' cap. The neighborhood is served by the Fullerton School District, known for its commitment to academic excellence and holistic student development. Several of the elementary and junior high schools have received accolades for their programs and performance. For high school students, Sonora High School is rated 7 out of 10 on GreatSchools and has an A grade on Niche. Younger students in the area may attend Emery Elementary or Buena Park Junior High. Additionally, proximity to California State University, Fullerton ensures that higher education opportunities are just a stone's throw away, and the university's events and programs often spill over, enriching the broader community. Coyote Hills, with its blend of natural beauty and suburban comforts, represents a particular slice of Orange County life. Here, families can grow, professionals can find respite after a long day's work, and all can appreciate the melding of nature with modern living.