Upscale suburban city 26 miles from downtown LA
The city of Walnut spreads across the shaded hills of eastern Los Angeles county. It is known for its relaxed atmosphere and for being within driving distance of Los Angeles. “The City of Walnut prides itself on our small-town values that are respected and blended with contemporary ideals,” says Melanie Tep Maio, Public Information Officer for the City of Walnut. “Walnut really is an ideal place to settle down, with pristine parks, one of the top-ranked school systems in California and one of the lowest crime rates in the region.”
Hilltop suburbs in Walnut
“Walnut has that small-town feel, away from the hustle and bustle,” says Mike Chou, Realtor and Managing Partner at The Chou Team. “There are a lot of first-time or second-time buyers that are trading upwards from condos/townhomes.” Single-family homes sell for a median of $1.3 million, which is significantly more expensive than the median price of neighboring cities. Midcentury modern homes are common, but there are some custom new builds. Housing is competitive, as few homes are on the market at any time.
A-plus rated Walnut Valley Unified School District
Kids attend schools through the Walnut Valley Unified School District. Niche awards the district with an overall grade of A-plus and ranks it as the 31st-best school district in California out of nearly 1000 districts. The city is also home to Mt. San Antonio College, a community college with 22,000 students that is also a major employer within the city.
Parks, trailheads and nearby golf course
The city maintains over 90 acres of green space spread across 11 parks. According to the Trust for Public Land, 77% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Walnut enjoys a typical SoCal climate of balmy weather and hot summers, which can make the area prone to drought. Hikers can access trailheads leading through the San Jose Hills from the northern suburbs. Golfers can schedule tee times at Industry Hills Golf Club, located 5 miles west in the city of Industry, the closest public golf course.
Shopping and dining in Walnut
Most shopping and dining are concentrated around La Puente Road. Lemon Creek Village is a shopping plaza home to a Vons, Chase Bank and a handful of restaurants. The Village strip mall is a collection of grocery and department stores, as well as a few casual eateries. For a wider range of retail, residents can head into surrounding communities like the City of Industry and West Covina.
Community events at community parks
The city of 28,000 hosts a handful of events. The Walnut Winter Wonderland is a community party with live entertainment, vendors and a visit from Santa. The Taste of Walnut Festival is held each spring in Suzanne Park, which is one of the most popular community events. "Taste of Walnut is a perfect place for residents to sample local bites and for small businesses to showcase their menus," says Tep Maio. "This will only be our second year hosting the festival, but we see it being a staple event." On select summer afternoons, neighbors join each other for concerts and movie nights at Creekside Park. The Farmers Market at Mt. SAC, held on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College, welcomes craft and food vendors, along with plenty of fresh produce, every Saturday.
Commuting to downtown LA and other nearby cities
Many residents work outside Walnut or travel to nearby communities for shopping and entertainment. The nearest hospital is 8 miles northwest in West Covina. “It's close to the 60 freeway and 10 freeway but far enough you don't hear the freeway,” says Chou. Los Angeles is a little over 25 miles west, and Irvine is 30 miles south. Anaheim, a major entertainment hub, is a little closer, at 17 miles south. Many residents drive, but the neighboring City of Industry is home to a Metrolink station.
Rates of Crime in Walnut
Walnut Police Department reported a decrease in violent crimes between 2023 and 2024 but an increase in property crimes. Notably, there were no reported instances of homicide in 2023 or 2024.
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Photography Contributed By
Tyler O'Neil
