Known for its great schools, large shopping centers and great location, Cerritos is a popular landing spot for those looking for easy access to LA and Orange County. One of several “Gateway Cities” that runs along LA’s border with Orange County, its sizable shopping district along Interstate 605 has provided a decades-long revenue stream to the city government, allowing it to invest heavily in its parks, schools and public projects. “The best thing about the city is its location,” says Realtor Raul Padilla of the Real Estate Solution, who has worked in Cerritos for over 30 years. “You’re close to everything, from Downtown to Disneyland.”
The city was founded in 1875 as Dairy Valley, an agricultural hub where cows outnumbered residents by nearly 30 to 1. The city — and its name — quickly changed in the mid-twentieth century, as the population in southern California exploded, and the formerly rural townships of Greater Los Angeles transformed almost overnight into residential neighborhoods.
Heritage Park is one of the many parks large and small in the city of Cerritos.
Cerritos residents can head over to Downtown Disneyland for a fun get away.
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Spacious homes and lawns near the city
Today, most of Cerritos' blocks are made up of single-family homes, along with scattered condos and apartment buildings. Its residential streets are lined with a mix of California ranch-style homes and contemporary two-story houses. Neighborhoods offer residents a more suburban vibe than those closer to LA proper, with wide streets and cul-de-sacs, decent-sized grassy lawns and sidewalks. The residential architecture is noticeably more varied than in some neighboring areas like Lakewood, which are composed almost entirely of ranch-style homes. Homes sell for a median price of about $1 million. Most single-family homes in the city sell for between $1 and $2 million, while condos generally cost around $500,000.
Stylish modern homes in Cerritos, blend sleek design with comfort.
Quiet cul-de-sac in Cerritos, where neighborhood charm meets tranquility.
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Highly ranked Whitney High School
Most of Cerritos is within the ABC Unified School District, which also contains Artesia, Hawaiian Gardens, and part of Lakewood neighborhoods, and has an A-plus grade on Niche. "The ABC School District, and more importantly, the high-ranked Whitney High School, is a major motivator for homebuyers," says Realtor Leslie Campos of the LC Realty Team of Keller Williams Coastal. Many of the schools in the area are regularly ranked among the best in LA county, but Whitney High’s student performance is particularly impressive, with 96% of its student body meeting entrance requirements for UC/CSU schools. It regularly tops U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of California public high schools and rarely falls below 20th in their annual national rankings.
Whitney High School in Cerritos, home of the Wildcats.
ABC School District in Cerritos, where bright futures begin—look for the yellow school bus!
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Shop at Los Cerritos and Cerritos Town Center
While the vast majority of the city’s blocks are residential, Cerritos is best known to most Angelenos as a retail hub, and for good reason. Roughly equidistant from L.A., Long Beach, and Orange County, Cerritos is an ideal stopping point for anyone traveling between these urban centers—something that commercial developers have been taking advantage of for more than half a century. The Los Cerritos Center was opened in 1971 and quickly became one of the most visited malls in LA County. This was followed in the 80s by Cerritos Auto Square, which claims to be the “world’s largest auto mall” with more than 4000 cars on its lots, and in the 90s by the Cerritos Towne Center, a second mall that contains office and entertainment space. All in all, a lot of shopping for a city of less than 50,000 people. The local food scene is impressive as well, particularly when it comes to East Asian cuisines. The city is also home to a number of major grocery chains, ranging from Sprouts to H-Mart.
Shop till you drop at Cerritos Towne Center, where style and variety meet!
Shop, dine, and unwind at Los Cerritos Center, the heart of retail in Cerritos.
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Extensive recreation at large community parks
The number of parks in Cerritos is almost overwhelming and reflects the city’s commitment to providing its residents with a high quality of life. Standouts include the spacious Don Knabe Community Regional Park, which offers everything from fishing and swimming to walking trails to a skate park. Heritage Park’s Play Island is a playground modeled on a Revolutionary War-era American village, offering children a small dose of history while they’re having fun. Cerritos’ award-winning $40 million library is covered in titanium plates and is frequently featured on lists of the most beautiful libraries in the world. More practically, the library has a crowded event calendar that includes frequent prekindergarten storytimes and free homework help Monday through Wednesday.
Enjoy scenic views and peaceful trails at Cerritos Heritage Park, a local nature retreat.
Explore knowledge and inspiration at the Cerritos Library, a hub of learning and innovation.
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The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Taxes from Cerritos’ bustling shopping district have helped fund an array of lavish public projects, such as the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, which has won multiple design awards, including Performance Magazine’s ‘Theater of the Year’ award in 1995. The Center features regular performances by big-ticket acts like Jay Leno, Chicago, and Ruben Studdard, as well as a number of tribute bands. The Cerritos farmer’s market is held year-round on Saturday morning at the Cerritos Towne Center, and features an array of fresh produce and prepared foods, with an emphasis on foods used in east Asian cooking such as bok choy and napa cabbage.
Experience world-class performances at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center, a cultural gem.
Shop for fresh produce and goods at the Cerritos neighborhood weekly Cerritos Farmer's Market.
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Commute on Interstate 5 or 605
The neighborhood's central location is ideal for commuting within LA and Orange County. Commuters use Interstate 605 or Interstate 5 to reach Downtown LA, which is 25 miles away. It’s a 10-mile drive to Anaheim and about a 25-mile drive to the John Wayne International Airport. Traffic can significantly increase drive times during rush hours.
Low crime and balmy weather
Cerritos has a CAP Crime Index score of 2-out-of-10, well below the national average of 4-out-of-10. The city has a Mediterranean climate, with average daily highs ranging from the mid-80s in July and August to the high 60s in the wetter winter months.
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