Eagle Rock

Hip. Trendy. Where hipsters in Los Angeles go when they’re ready to raise kids. These are just some words and phrases used to describe Eagle Rock, a small community northeast of Los Angeles with an unpretentious feel that differs from many of the surrounding neighborhoods. "You are paying a premium for the hip factor, but it's more real, more down to earth than an area you'd find in West LA or parts of the San Fernando Valley," says Peter Kinnaird, Realtor with DPP Real Estate.

Homes in Eagle Rock are diverse, with various styles and sizes lining the streets. California bungalows sit next to midcentury modern, Spanish Eclectic and ranch-style homes. Many were built in the 1920s, though some, like the midcentury modern homes, were built in the 1950s or 1960s. Most have been renovated enough to offer modern conveniences like new appliances and lighting but not so much as to erase their original character. Homes sitting closer to main thoroughfares Colorado Boulevard and Eagle Rock Boulevard tend to be less expensive, while homes up in the hills, with their impressive views of LA, are more expensive. Prices range from $605,000 for 500 square feet to $3.1 million for 3,400 square feet. Streets can be steep and winding going up into the hills, and in some areas, sidewalks disappear entirely, leaving room for little else beyond parked cars. Where there are sidewalks, you can also find tall, mature trees of many varieties and yards featuring drought-resistant foliage. Condos and town houses are also available, with prices ranging from $715,000 to $900,000 and averaging about 1,600 square feet.

Children in Eagle Rock attending public school may begin their education at Rockdale Elementary, which serves kindergarten through sixth grade, then continue to Eagle Rock High, which serves seventh through twelfth grade. Eagle Rock High has approximately 2,300 students and boasts an A rating on Niche. Families considering private education for their children can choose from faith-based, Montessori and performing arts-focused schools in the area.

Residents looking for fresh air and exercise often head to the Eagle Rock Recreation Center, which boasts amenities like tennis and basketball courts, a playground for the kids and lots of tree-dotted green space. Eagle Rock’s canine residents can take advantage of the center, too — a spacious dog park on the premises offers a large, fenced-in, hilly area for dogs to run and socialize with plenty of places for their humans to sit and relax. If you’re looking for a hike, take the one-mile trail through Fiji Hill, which begins at the Yosemite Recreation Center and ends at nearby Occidental College. The trail offers a scenic view of LA and is just challenging enough to get your heart rate up.

For shopping, locals frequent the Eagle Rock Plaza off Colorado Boulevard. This indoor mall has Target, where you can pick up all your daily essentials, and Seafood City Supermarket, which offers fresh seafood, Filipino foods and fresh produce. When you’re in the mood to dine out, Colorado Boulevard is lined with popular restaurants like The Oinkster, from acclaimed fine-dining chef Andre Guerrero, which offers burgers made from freshly-ground Nebraska Angus beef and sandwiches made from house-cured pastrami with homemade condiments and high-quality cheeses. Another place to find high-quality cheese in Eagle Rock is Milkfarm Artisan Cheese Shop. This shop not only sells hundreds of international, domestic and award-winning cheeses, but it also sells lunch, too. Check out the menu online before you go, as the dishes change according to availability and season; however, the Milkfarm grilled cheese is usually available to order.

Bordered by SR-134 and SR-2, your commute to Glendale, Pasadena or downtown LA will be a snap, and once you reach nearby I-5, the rest of Southern California will be at your fingertips.

Written By

Sara Huffman

Photography Contributed By

Jeremiah Unruh

Video By

Taylor Gilbert