A Newcomer's Guide to La Cañada Flintridge
La Cañada Flintridge is a suburb in Los Angeles County known for its tranquility and prestige. It’s situated in the Crescenta Valley, south of the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest, and north of the San Rafael Hills. The city is conveniently located near La Crescenta-Montrose, Altadena, Pasadena, and Glendale. Because La Cañada is surrounded by recreational parks and mountains in nearly every direction, many Angelenos visit to partake in hiking, mountain climbing, and even motorbiking. The city is home to some well-heeled residents: According to Niche, the city’s median household income is nearly $160,000, which is significantly higher than the national average. There are also several tourist attractions located in La Cañada, the most popular include the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA and the Descanso Gardens.
Here’s what else you should know about La Cañada Flintridge.
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Family-friendly City
Perhaps it’s the city’s overall peacefulness or friendliness, but many families tend to gravitate towards this city. Niche ranked La Cañada Flintridge second in the category of Best Places to Raise a Family in the Los Angeles area. The city boasts a small-town feel, which is rare in Los Angeles County. Also, families in La Cañada Flintridge have their pick of activities; the city is a great place for camping, hiking, fishing, bike riding, and more. There are several family-friendly restaurants in town as well.
Home to Highly Ranked Schools
La Cañada Flintridge has plenty of open greenspace and park areas, but it also has some of the most stellar public and private schools in California. For residents able to live in this prestigious city, the La Cañada Flintridge Unified School District has some of the best public elementary schools in the state. There are currently five schools in the La Cañada school district, nearly all of which have perfect scores.
Residents Have Privacy
With mountains, hillsides, and forests surrounding the city, many residents have the luxury of living in tranquility and privacy. For this reason, many high-profile residents who prefer to stay away from the crowds like living in La Cañada. Many estates in La Cañada Flintridge are spread out, with open greenspace, trees, and valleys acting as a natural buffer between homes. Even though Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley are only a short drive away, residents in La Cañada enjoy a fair amount of peacefulness away from the fast pace of a metropolitan.
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Pricey Real Estate
With a mix of sprawling estates, contemporary houses, and historic ranch-style homes, the real estate in La Cañada Flintridge doesn’t come cheap. The price of real estate property in the city falls towards the more expensive side compared to homes in the San Gabriel Valley and many parts of Los Angeles. Since many residents stay in the city for a long time, inventory can be difficult to come by during parts of the year. Home prices start in the low $1 millions and stretch upwards of $7 million, according to Neighborhoods.com.
Scenic Views All Around
This is probably La Cañada’s best-selling point—its breathtaking views. Whether you plan on visiting the waterfalls at Switzer Falls or catching the sunset at Cherry Canyon Park, the city offers scenic views in any direction you’re facing. Since La Cañada is among hillsides, mountains, and canyons, homes that are more elevated come with views of the colorful terrain of the parks and mountains as well as views of the Downtown LA skyline. Both locals and visiting tourists, photographers, and botanists also enjoy visiting the botanical gardens at the Descanso Gardens.
Convenient Location
The city’s central location makes it easy to travel to most neighborhoods located near the east side of Los Angeles. Popular neighborhoods such as Burbank, Pasadena, Glendale,and even DTLA, are easily accessible for residents living in La Cañada Flintridge. Pasadena is only a 15 minute-drive away from the city, while Pasadena and Glendale are only a 20-minute drive away—and that’s in traffic. For those who travel often to the booming DTLA neighborhood, the commute from La Cañada averages 30 minutes.