Easy access to downtown LA and Orange County
Situated near the Puente Hills in eastern Los Angeles County, Rowland Heights is an unincorporated area of about 50,000 residents. The San Gabriel Valley suburb has easy access to downtown LA and Orange County via multiple freeways. “This is a heavy commuter area; highway access is a selling point. In my experience, people usually choose this area for its proximity to major roadways,” says e-Homes Realtor Jordan Partida, who grew up nearby and has an office in nearby Downey. Residents commute all over the region, but the City of Industry is about 5 miles away and home to employers like Newegg, Fashion Nova and DIRECTV, to name just a few.
Midcentury homes and contemporary, Spanish-inspired offerings
In early 2025, the median home price in Rowland Heights was around $1.1 million, almost three times the national number but on par with greater LA. The community is overwhelmingly single-family, but there are small pockets of condos and townhomes off Colima Road. “Home inventory is diverse here. It’s a mix of 1960s and ’70s single-story, ranch-style homes and more contemporary two-story homes with Spanish influence,” Partida says. “Pricing also runs the gamut. You could get a two-bedroom condo for under $400,000 or a seven-bedroom home for as much as $3 million, but most homes are going to be priced between $800,000 and $1.3 million.” The area's most expensive real estate is in the Ridgemoor gated community south of Pathfinder Road and other areas surrounding Pathfinder Community Regional Park.
A lot of through traffic flows through Rowland Heights
Rowland Heights has direct access to state routes 57 and 60, which link to interstates 605 and 10, connecting to the broader region. The community is about 25 miles east of downtown LA and around 10 miles north of Anaheim. “You’re going to get a lot of through traffic here. You’ve got people from Whittier, Brea and La Habra potentially driving through to get around the area,” Partida says. For those who rely on public transportation, Foothill Transit operates bus routes in town, and there is a Metrolink train station in nearby City of Industry. The closest place to catch a flight is Ontario International Airport, about 20 miles east. However, Los Angeles International and John Wayne airports have more flights and are only about 35 miles away.
Rowland Unified is a well-regarded public school district
Rowland Unified School District is graded A-minus by Niche. The district has 23 schools, including many walkable community elementary schools, that serve nearly 12,000 students. Those looking for a private education have the Ivy League School, an award-winning learning center with a curriculum designed by Stanford and Columbia alums.
Shopping and dining scene has a distinct Asian bent
Once known as “Little Taipei,” the restaurant scene in Rowland Heights has a distinct Asian focus. “You’re going to get all the flavors here: Thai, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Asian fusion,” Partida says. “Yumiyaki Sukiyaki House offers sushi and sashimi but is best known for its A5 Wagyu. That’s definitely a local favorite.” Supermarkets and big-box stores like Target anchor shopping centers along Colima Road. There are also multiple Asian grocery stores in the area.
Hiking and horseback riding at Schabarum Regional County Park
Situated on 30 acres with scenic mountain views, Pathfinder Community Regional Park is a gem with a ton of amenities. There are highly utilized tennis courts and other sports facilities, seasonal splash pads, fitness stations and a community center that hosts everything from after-school programs to computer classes. There are hiking trails at Powder Canyon inside the 575-acre Peter F. Schabarum Regional County Park, also known for its equestrian facilities. The park is home to 500 memorial cherry trees that spring to life each year in March and April.
The annual Buckboard Days Parade to return in 2025
The highlight of annual events is the Buckboard Days Parade, which started in 1971 before a network of freeways connected the community. It began as a way to raise funds while bringing neighbors together and fostering a sense of pride and community spirit. The parade and festival that follows are usually held at Rowland Heights Park in August, though circumstances led to its cancellation in 2024. Local officials expect a return in 2025.
Significant wildfire risk on the edge of the Puente Hills
Rowland Heights is a standalone, unincorporated area that is policed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Crime statistics for the community are not readily available.
Due to its location near the Puente Hills, Rowland Heights has a very high wildfire risk, particularly on its southern end. The area is monitored by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which has a station on Nogales Street. The climate in Rowland Heights is temperate, with warm and dry summers in the 80s and mild, wet winters in the upper 60s and 70s. LA County has almost 270 days of sunshine annually, compared to around 205 nationally.
Written By
Amber Steinmetz-Cole
