Glendora

Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains is the residential suburb of North Glendora. This neighborhood is located within the city of Glendora, which was incorporated in 1911 and was originally established as a citrus-producing community until the late 1950s when residential development in the area boomed. Homes in this neighborhood often sit on large plots of land with well-maintained landscaping; Steve Alcala, a Realtor with the Suarez Realty Group, says that layout makes the neighborhood “not too congested and really family friendly.” Another big draw of this area is the Glendora Unified School District, which receives an overall A rating from Niche and boasts highly rated public schools and academic programs. “I think the reason people are so drawn to Glendora is because it has that small hometown feel, which I think people are really looking for these days,” says Alcala. Most of the homes here are ranch-style dwellings that reflect various architectural styles; from Spanish Revival to Modern Contemporary to traditional-style, homebuyers have a range of options. Spanish-inspired residences often feature clay tile roofs, rounded entryways and stucco facades, while some of the Modern Contemporary residences display wide windows and flat roofs. A majority of the homes here have paved driveways and attached garages or carports, so street parking isn’t as common. Lot sizes run big, which means homes have plenty of room for a front yard, complete with landscaping with drought-tolerate plant life and a backyard with a patio or a private pool. Properties tend to range in price between $800,000 and $1.5 million, with the median price of a home being just over $1 million. Young learners here can attend Sellers Elementary or Cullen Elementary School, two A-rated primary institutions that serve Kindergarten through fifth grade. Older students can then head to Goddard Middle School, also rated A, which feeds into the A-rated Glendora High School. Based on the outstanding academic performance of its students, Glendora High School has been designated a California Distinguished School. There are also multiple faith-based private school options as well, including the Hope Lutheran Elementary School and the A-rated St. Lucy’s Priory High School, an all-girls Catholic institution. With immediate proximity to the San Gabriel Mountains, residents can find plenty of outdoor recreation in this neighborhood. Along the foothills are numerous canyons, including the Englewild Canyon and Big Dalton Canyon. Hikers can trek along Colby Trail or Big Dalton Trail, which snakes through the eponymous canyon and leads to the Big Dalton Day Camp. For more fresh air and exercise, residents can head to George Manooshian Park, one of several recreational parks in North Glendora. Located at Goddard Middle School, this park features several tennis courts, a jogging track, baseball fields and a basketball court. Unique coffee shops, local boutiques and restaurants can all be found along Glendora Avenue, including Frisella’s Roastery, a barbecue eatery featuring live music, and Classic Coffee, a charming café with outdoor seating. Located off Historic Route 66 is The Route 66 Promenade, where residents can shop for groceries at Stater Bros., fill up their tank at Shell and make a deposit at Wells Fargo. A mile down the road is Legends Classic Diner, a retro-style that’s been serving patrons classic American food since 2005. A couple blocks south of the neighborhood is the Grand & Alosta shopping mall, which features a Sprouts Farmers Market and a Marshall’s clothing store. The Glendora Public Library offers a multitude of programs for the community, including Homework Buddies tutoring sessions for primary school students and weekly Storytime readings for preschool children. This neighborhood is also home to Rubel Castle, a local tourist attraction and architectural site that features a castle built using stones, recycled materials and various artifacts that reflect the city’s industrial era. Completed in 1986 by Michel Rubel, the Rubel Castle has officially been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [Transportation] Fixed bus routes operated by Foothill Transit Interstate 210 runs directly south of the city of Glendora and provides residents with access to the surrounding Los Angeles County. Using the 210, commuters can also drive approximately 18 miles towards the city of Pasadena or drive 28 miles into Downtown Los Angeles. Residents can also find several fixed bus routes and stops along Historic Route 66 and Glendora Avenue within the neighborhood, which are operated by Foothill Transit.