Walnut

Nestled into the gently rolling hills of the San Gabriel Valley is Ramona, a neighborhood full of open spaces and luxury homes in east Los Angeles County. "If you're looking for that rural feel but still want a sense of community, this is a great fit for you," says Miriam Lara, a Realtor with Century 21 Citrus Realty. Acreage homes dot the community and include an array of single-family housing built from the 1950s to the present day. "You'll find a lot of well-manicured properties with trees and beautiful homes on winding streets," says Lara. Massive estate homes built in the 21st century that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape stand out for their opulence. Sprawling established homes with as many as eight bedrooms and large contemporary remodels hidden behind private gates feature high-priced amenities such as pools and tennis courts, adding to the neighborhood’s luxury feel. In addition, traditional ranch-style homes, colorful midcentury-moderns and Spanish-influenced homes built in 2023 occupy lots ranging in size from 35,000 square feet to well over an acre. Prices typically range from $1.5 million to upwards of $5 million depending on lot size and amenities. Students can attend a trio of top schools in the Covina-Valley Unified School District. Mesa Elementary is a California Distinguished School, Seirra Vista Middle is a B-rated school by Niche, and South Hills High is an A-rated school by Niche that offers the prestigious International Baccalaureate learning tract and several Advanced Placement courses. Interestingly, Ramona is not the neighborhood’s official name. Adjacent to the city of Walnut, Ca., the neighborhood is recognized as the Walnut Islands by local government. Ramona was the name given to the neighborhood in 2008 by the Los Angeles Times during its mapping of Southern California. It is not to be confused with the unincorporated community of Ramona in San Diego County. There are no islands in Ramona, but there are plenty of walnuts. Walnut trees are a prominent feature in the San Jose Hills that separate the San Gabriel Valley and the Pomona Valley. A network of trails in and around the community provides convenient recreation. "The trails are another nice aspect of living in the area," says Lara. "There are easy trails and harder trails, and they are great for families because they accommodate different levels of hiking." Much of the network runs through the San Jose Hills, which separate Ramona's residential areas from the campus of Cal Poly Pomona. At more than 9,000 acres, the campus is the second-largest land-holding university in California and one of the largest campuses in the country. Attractions there include the Japanese Garden, a tranquil green space with a footbridge, shaded paths and koi pond; an ecological reserve at Voorhis Park; and Kellogg House, a 1926 ranch-style estate on verdant grounds surrounded by walnut trees. Today, Kellogg House is open to the public for tours and is available for conferences, weddings and other special events. Nearby is another iconic landmark – the Life of Christ Mosaic at Forest Lawn. You can’t miss the almost-four-story-high depiction of 26 scenes from the life of Jesus if you pay a visit to the cemetery. It is even visible from Interstate 10, which runs just north of Forest Lawn and bisects the community to provide convenient commutes to nearby Los Angeles and surrounding areas. There is no commercial land in Ramona, which adds to its secluded appeal. However, I-10, also known as the San Bernardino Freeway, provides residents with quick and easy access to retail and dining options just west in neighboring West Covina. Big-box retailers Walmart and Target anchor the Eastland Center shopping mall. Surrounding eateries include everything from In-N-Out Burger, a California standard, to 85C Bakery Café, a popular chain with Taiwanese roots known for its international desserts. Via Verde Street, one of the community's main roadways, connects to the Orange Freeway and greater San Dimas only a few miles east. "Even though it's a private area, you still have access to all of the surrounding cities," says Lara. Find an appealing blend of privacy and convenience in Ramona.