When driving into the northwest Riverside County city of Corona – Spanish for “crown” – traffic on the 91 Freeway is a testament to its popularity. Home to more than 160,000 residents, the expanding job market is one of the city's major draws. "The growth started when people were pushing out of Los Angeles and looking for somewhere more affordable to accommodate their growing families," says Stephanie Stancil, local Realtor with Coldwell Banker. "People want to find quality homes within a reasonable commuting distance to places like Irvine and Los Angeles, and they can often find that in Corona.” Set in the shadows of the Santa Ana Mountains, Corona presents a surprisingly urban face, challenging the Inland Empire's reputation as a sleepy suburban region. Main Street and Hamner Avenue are buzzing with energy, lined with restaurants, commercial developments and new apartments.
Corona's history dates back to 1886, when it was established as a major player in Southern California's citrus industry boom. By 1913, the city had embraced the newly invented automobile, hosting its first race on Grand Boulevard. This iconic street, a 3-mile circle that encloses the historic downtown, earned Corona the nickname "The Circle City." Corona's citrus industry continued to thrive, with the city becoming home to the first lemon-processing plant in the United States by 1915.
While Corona's historic center remains, the city's main attractions lie beyond the downtown area. Popular spots include The Shops at Dos Lagos, hiking trails along Foothill Parkway and commuter routes to nearby cities like Long Beach and Orange County. Major employers like Monster Energy and Fender Guitars call Corona home, and the city is working to bring more industry and jobs to the area. The Live Work Corona initiative aims to entice industries to set up shop in the city, connecting them with local job candidates. The city also has a 2020-2040 plan in place to address more open space, housing and quality of life for residents. Another goal is to increase the workforce in Corona, boosting spending in the area and securing a bright future for the city.
Corona City has plenty of walking and hiking trails for all skill levels.
Perfect your swing at the scenic Cresta Verde Golf Course in North Corona.
Dos Logos Shopping mall has the famous Batman car outside the movie theater.
Tom's Farms has a garden area with a peaceful water fountain to enjoy in Corona City.
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Homes hugging the Santa Ana foothills, freeways and fairways
Most of the homes in Corona can be classified as ranch-style or new traditional with Craftsman, Mediterranean or Spanish-Revival influences, popular styles for the region. Prices in Corona depend on the neighborhood and location; homes hugging the Santa Ana Mountains tend to be the most expensive. The golf course-centered Eagle Glen community is an example of a pricier hillside neighborhood, filled with two-story new traditional homes that were primarily built in the early 2000s. Homes here are typically priced between $850,000 and $1.2 million. Neighborhoods set closest to the 91 and 15 freeways tend to be the least expensive. As of December 2024, the median single-family home price in Corona was about $815,000, lower than California’s median price of roughly $905,000. Homes here typically sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 45 days.
Stylish Spanish townhomes are seen in Dos Lagos.
Corona City has quality homes with a reasonable commuting distance to places westbound.
Beautiful Ranch style homes can be found throughout Corona.
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Golfing by rivers and hiking through the mountains
Corona features more than 30 public parks and 5 golf courses; Eagle Glen Golf Club and Dos Lagos are among the most popular golf clubs. Downtown Corona's City Park is the oldest one in town, featuring walk trails, a playground and skate park. Hikers trek the Skyline Drive Trail, standing out for offering panoramic views of Corona on the 5-mile Lower Skyline Loop Trail. More adventurous hikers might explore the full 6-mile out-and-back trail, which leads to a historic homestead.
A lot of locals and visitors of North Corona, come to the Skyline Trail Head.
Downtown City Park in Corona City has a great skate park that attracts top skaters.
Dos Logos Golf Course is a popular golfing destination for residents of Corona City.
Corona City has an adventurous trail which is 6 miles out and back to a historic homestead.
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A-rated schools in the Corona-Norco District
The Corona-Norco Unified School District earns an overall A grade from Niche, one of the largest and highest-rated in the state. The school district serves over 51,000 students and is comprised of over 50 schools. Twenty of the 35 elementary schools have an A-minus grade on Niche or higher, while John F. Kennedy High School has an A-plus grade. Corona High is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been operational since 1894.
Lincoln Fundamental Elementary promotes self-esteem, patriotism, and civic responsibility.
George Washington Elementary School is home to the Eagles.
The teams at Corona High School are some of the best in Corona.
The main entrance to Prado View Elementary School in the Green River neighborhood.
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South Corona's eclectic shopping scene
While the city’s diversity is reflected in plenty of local international restaurants, Mexican food plays a starring role. Taco trucks and small strip malls and shopping plazas sit on most corners here, and it isn’t uncommon to find a fast-casual Mexican eatery in each one. Luna Modern Mexican is a local favorite for upscale dining, offering a contemporary spin on traditional flavors. Early risers start to their day with breakfast at Goodfella’s Café, though the cafe also offers lunch and dinner. Venturing into South Corona, the locally loved Tom’s Farms is equal parts theme park, grocery store and eatery. Tom's Farms has been in South Corona since 1971, selling everything from fresh produce to furniture from a rustic storefront. The Shops at Dos Lagos offer an open-air shopping center with national retailers and restaurants like Wood Ranch and King's Fish House all set around a lake with winding trails.
Goodfellas Cafe is a well know restaurant in Corona City with amazing dishes.
Dos Logos Shopping Center has everything you need for a day out of fun in Corona City.
Luna Modern Mexican is a popular upscale Mexican restaurant in Corona City with a great bar.
Taste the local charm at Betty Faye's Cafe in North Corona.
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Getting around locally on the Corona Cruiser
The city is intersected by major highways Interstate 15 and the 91 freeway, also called the Riverside Freeway. The 91 leads to Riverside in about 15 miles, Anaheim in 23 miles and Long Beach in about 50 miles. Residents often opt to take Cajalco Road as a scenic route to nearby cities like Perris, Riverside and Moreno Valley. "It takes longer to get to the next city, but it beats sitting in the 91 traffic," says lifelong resident Alyson Freilich. “As long as you’re driving on Cajalco during the day, you can see Lake Matthews." While the city is largely car-dependent, Corona's public bus line, the Corona Cruiser, travels along two routes in the city that lead to shopping centers, hospitals and parks. The Corona Regional Medical Center is the main healthcare provider in the city. The Ontario International Airport is 16 miles away.
Comparatively low violent crime rates, high wildfire risks
According to statistics from the FBI, Corona’s property crime rate as of December 2023 was about 190 incidents per 100,000 people, compared to a statewide rate of 195 and a national rate of 180. In the same month, the Corona Police Department reported a violent crime rate of about 50 per 100,000 residents, lower than the statewide rate of 98 and the national rate of about 120.
Like many California cities, Corona’s dry climate and low humidity puts the city at severe wildfire risk. In 2024, the Eagle Fire burned through 1,600 acres just south of Corona near El Cerrito that damaged several homes. The city has 7 fire stations that respond during these emergencies.
John Novak is a real estate sales agent and investor, representing buyers, sellers, renters and landlords in the South Bay and Greater Los Angeles Area - from El Segundo and Hawthorne, through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, into Torrance, the Palos Verdes area, Rolling Hills, San Pedro and beyond.
From his office at BCB Premier Estates, the luxury division of Beach City Brokers in Redondo Beach, John specializes in off-market, or pocket listings, constantly seeking out the most up-to-date market information to help his clients stay ahead of the curve.
By focusing on meeting client goals within the context of this evolving market, John provides informed and sensible advisement.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
