Monterey Park blends culture, community and convenience
Monterey Park is just about everything a SoCal suburb is supposed to be. Less than 7 miles from both Downtown LA and Pasadena, the small residential city has just about everything you could ask for — a strong community, good schools, regular cultural events, and great parks. “It offers a really nice combination of suburban lifestyle and access to LA’s arts and entertainment scene,” says local Realtor Fabian Garcia. “There are a lot of nice houses in the city, nice ambience, and if you want to catch a ballgame or visit a museum, Downtown LA and Pasadena are just fifteen minutes away.” Monterey Park’s evolution into a diverse, dynamic community is emblematic of modern California – a place where history, culture, and progress coexist.
A mix of midcentury designs and modern Spanish-style houses
On the housing front, Monterey Park offers a mix of residential styles. From classic homes reflecting midcentury designs to contemporary apartments, there's something for everyone. Home prices range from $850,000 for a historic 1,400-square-foot bungalow up to around $1.1 million for a modern 2,000-square-foot Spanish-style Home.
Monterey Park rivals nearby cities for authentic East Asian cuisine
Like neighboring cities Alhambra and San Gabriel, Monterey Park is well-known for its East Asian shopping and dining. If you’re looking for authentic Chinese street food, it’s hard to do better than the meat buns and scallion pancakes at Jin Hai Pie House. Or if you’re in the mood for a more communal dining experience, you can head to Dabin Kabob & Hotpot. Feel like desert? You can head to one of the area’s many Asian bakeries and bubble tea shops and grab a pastry or a boba. If you prefer to make your own dumplings, the city is home to three large Asian Supermarkets.
Vincent Price museum and annual festivals keep locals busy
Monterey is home to East Los Angeles College, the city’s largest employer, and a great place to catch a basketball game. The college also houses the well-regarded Vincent Price Art Museum, named for the horror movie actor, who donated over 2,000 items to the museum’s collection. For those looking for something a bit more lively, the city hosts an impressive number of large annual festivals, including Cinco de Mayo, Lunar New Year, and Cherry Blossom Festivals, all of which feature music, live performances, and street food vendors. If that’s not enough, locals can always jump on the I-10 and head downtown—it's less than 15 minutes away by car.
City parks and nearby access to Pasadena and Angeles National Forest
When locals need a bit of exercise, or just some time outdoors, they can head to one of the city’s many well-maintained parks, all of which have paved walking trails, playgrounds, and athletic fields. Those looking for more strenuous exercise can always head up to Pasadena and Angeles National Forest, which has all the hiking, biking, camping, and rock climbing opportunities anyone could ask for.
Keppel High and Monterey Highlands lead local education
While Monterey’s public schools fall into four separate districts, most are California Distinguished Schools. Monterey Highlands Elementary — which actually teaches K-8 — prides itself on its STEM-focused curriculum and offers extracurriculars like First Lego League, a building competition where students can learn both creativity and problem-solving skills. Older students may attend Keppel High School, which has an A grade on Niche.
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
Photography Contributed By
Christopher Montagne-Waggoner
