Twenty miles northeast of Los Angeles sits Duarte, a sleepy residential town incorporated in 1957. Today, the city is a thriving bedroom community with a population of just over 20,000 that has held steady since 1990. “When people move here, they don’t want to move out unless they have a good reason, like a job transfer,” says RE/MAX agent Amy Lam, who has 20 years of experience selling in the market. Situated in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, Duarte is a peaceful suburb with majestic views. "It's a cute, secluded [community] against the hillside. We love living so close to the mountains," says Realtor Rana Madain of DPP Real Estate, who lives and works in the city.
Duarte sits right at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, giving you that breathtaking look.
One of your typical street views in the community.
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City of Hope
“The City of Health” is home to the world-renowned City of Hope Medical Center, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center with roots dating back over a century. For over a decade, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the center among the nation’s top cancer hospitals, and is a major employer in the region.
The City of Hope medical center is located in Duarte.
A look down a beautiful road in the hills of Duarte.
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Homes at a wide range of price points
Homebuilding in Duarte was consistent between 1940 and 1989, with a minimum of 1,000 homes added per decade. “There are certain higher-end neighborhoods. Hearthstone is a master-planned community with about 600 homes built in the 1980s,” Lam says. Located in the city’s northeast area, Lam says they are some of the highest-priced homes in Duarte. Architectural styles run the gamut, from cozy bungalows and ranches to contemporary Spanish-inspired offerings. The streets have a classic suburban feel with small, manicured front yards, two-car garages and well-maintained sidewalks — not to mention majestic mountain views. Home prices range from around $500,000 for a 1,000-square-foot home ripe for renovation to over $1.5 million for a fully updated home near Maddock Canyon. In addition to single-family offerings, there are also several condo and townhome offerings south of Royal Oaks Drive. Those range in price from around $450,000 upwards of $750,000, depending on the size and state of the property.
Duarte is home to some of California's biggest homes.
Two story homes are also available in the Duarte community.
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Schools are slightly above average
Families with children are served by Duarte Unified, a public school district graded B-minus by Niche. Students can start their education at Valley View Academy of Technology & Creative Learning, a classic walkable community elementary school with a B grade from Niche. Beardslee Dual Language Academy is a kindergarten through eighth-grade school graded C. Kids then advance to Duarte High School, which is graded B-minus by Niche. DHS has early college classes in the summer, including courses like Strategies for College Success and History of Rock and Roll, which were offered in 2024.
The entrance to the Beardslee Dual Language Immersion Academy in Duarte.
Duarte High School has a covered bus drop off near the school entrance.
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Convenient highway access
Duarte is horizontally split in two by Interstate 210, which intersects with Interstate 605 at the city’s western border. The city is 20 miles from downtown LA, a drive that can take 90 minutes in rush hour traffic — LAX is about 40 miles southwest. Pasadena is just 10 miles west, and Glendale is just 8 miles west of Pasadena. “Local traffic congestion is definitely doable. It’s not like getting on the West Side during rush hour,” Lam says. “Even at peak traffic hours, it doesn’t necessarily jam, but it does get much heavier.” Duarte contracts with Foothill Traffic, which operates an all-electric bus fleet in the area, and it has a stop on the Metro L line at the City of Hope Station.
Grab your bike and go for ride down one of the many paths in Duarte.
Shopping is conveniently located right off the freeway and in the city of Duarte.
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Rich in green space and public parks
One of the most appreciated parts of eastern Los Angeles County is the wealth of green space, and Duarte is no exception. “Parks in the city and other areas nearby are well-maintained and well-utilized,” Lam says. Encanto Park is a standout of the midsized local parks in the area, offering scenic views of the mountains and the valley. Situated on over 800 acres, the Santa Fe Dam Recreation area is one of the largest and best-loved parks in Greater LA. It offers miles of trails and bike paths, lakes for swimming and fishing, seasonal camping and a nature center. “The hiking and biking trail along Royal Oak is extremely popular with families. You see people walking their dogs and even horses occasionally,” Lam says. The San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest begin on the north edge of Duarte and are the town’s defining features and provide extensive outdoor opportunities.
Sit lakeside and go for a swim at Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area.
Picnic space is wildly available at the Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area.
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Le Roys is a popular breakfast spot
Local retail outlets are mostly concentrated in a few shopping centers along Interstate 210, where you can find big-box stores such as Walmart, Target and Best Buy, to name a few. These shopping centers are also home to Duarte's only supermarkets: Smart & Final and Grocery Outlet. In addition to its fast-casual dining options, there are also a few well-regarded restaurants along Duarte’s main drag, Huntington Drive, like Janet’s Mediterranean, Max’s Mexican and Sushi Fire, a highly rated sushi joint. “Le Roys is a diner that has been around for a long time. On the weekends, you see people form a line around the building,” Lam says. There aren’t many smaller shops in the area, so residents often travel to Arcadia or Pasadena.
Le Roy's serves breakfast and lunch all day and is a popular diner in the community.
Best Buy in the city of Duarte.
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Wildfire and flood risk
According to the California State Fire Marshall, Duarte has an extremely high wildfire risk, one that increases the farther north you go. There have been many fire events, most recently in the summer of 2022 when 60 acres burned in a brush fire. Precipitation events in the winter have also increased in frequency and duration in recent years, meaning flooding and the accompanying mud and debris flow have become a looming environmental risk. Land burned in a wildfire is more likely to give way to floods because of the eroded root systems in the ground.
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