In the Puente Hills of Los Angeles County, Hacienda Heights is a diverse community known for its scenic views, good schools and a famous Buddhist temple. Residents enjoy the city’s many parks and hiking trails. Although the area gets many visitors visiting the temple, Hacienda Heights has maintained a laid-back lifestyle. It’s an appealing location east of LA’s sprawl where buyers can find homes on secluded streets that cost less than LA’s million-dollar median.
Bigger homes with private lots are located in the hills of Hacienda Heights.
Hsi Lai Temple sits at the top of Hacienda Heights off of Hacienda Road
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Hsi Lai Temple brings in thousands of visitors
As the largest Buddhist temple in North America, the Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple brings thousands of visitors to Hacienda Heights every year. The temple serves not only as a place of worship but also as a Buddhist and Chinese cultural center. Every year, thousands of visitors from within the community and from out of town attend services or one of the many classes offered through the temple’s educational outreach. Locals enjoy walking in the temple gardens, spread out across the 15-acre complex. As the temple attracts so many visitors, Hacienda Heights often experiences dense traffic.
While the temple is the biggest hub of activity in the city, the parks system also fosters fun in the community through annual events like Treat in the Park for Halloween and a summer movie series.
Hsi Lai Temple sits at the top of Hacienda Heights off of Hacienda Road
A couple walking through the Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights
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Spanish Revival homes in Southern California
Spanish influence can be seen throughout the city, with stucco siding and tiled roofs giving Hacienda Heights a distinct aesthetic. Residential areas dominate the 11 square miles of city property, meaning homebuyers can choose to live anywhere in town depending on their taste.
The median home price in Hacienda Heights is $890,000, but prices can increase into the million-dollar range. These pricier homes sit on large lots in gated communities. The houses often come with amenities like private pools and panoramic views of the LA area or the Puente Hills.
Homes can be found for under $500,000. Mobile homes and ramblers cluster in developments bordering the City of Industry. While they do enjoy close access to the highway, they sit back from busy thoroughfares on quieter residential streets.
Big backyards and huge lots are an option in Hacienda Heights.
Single-story craftsman-style homes can be found in Hacienda Heights.
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Hacienda la Puente Unified School District and quality private options
Children will attend the Hacienda la Puente Unified School District, rated A-minus by Niche. Although the schools are located in the neighboring City of Industry, it is only a 3-mile drive via Hacienda Boulevard, which spans both towns. The two largest public high schools, Glen A. Wilson High School and Los Altos High School, both achieved A-ratings on Niche.
Parents who would prefer to enroll their children in a private school have no shortage of highly-ranked options. Elite Open School, ranked 8th best private K-12 school in California by Niche, is eight miles east in Rowland Heights. The school offers kindergarten through twelfth grade and does not have a religious affiliation. St. John Bosco High School, ranked the second-best all-boys high school in California by Niche, is only 18 miles away.
The entrance to Los Altos High School located in Hacienda Heights.
An overview of the athletic fields and campus of Los Altos High School.
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Puente Hills and public parks
The curve of the city’s western border is ringed by the Puente Hills, which provides scenic hiking trails close to home. Hacienda Hills Trailhead and Ahwinga Trailhead are both popular treks through the nearby hills, providing scenic vistas of nature and the city beyond.
In town, nine parks are spread across the city. Some, like Manzanita Park, have play and picnic areas while others, like Hacienda Heights Park, have facilities for hosting organized community activities. Through a partnership with LA County Parks and Recreation, Hacienda Heights offers youth sports classes and clubs, dancing and theater, snack programs and music lessons.
A hiker stopping to use one of many workout stations placed around the Orange Grove Park
A hiker walking past workout equipment at Orange Grove Park in Hacienda Heights
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City shuttle and personal transit
A car is the best way to travel in town or to commute outside, but a bus service is available. The Heights Hopper Shuttle circulates in town and throughout communities in the Puente Hills area like Rowland Heights. The City of Industry has a Metrolink station, which some residents travel independently to and complete the rest of their commute via rail.
For those who choose only to drive, State Route 60 winds through the bottom half of town and connects with State Route 39 at the eastern edge of town. Los Angeles is a little under 25 miles away and can take as long as 45 minutes to reach by car depending on traffic. Rowland Heights and The City of Industry are more accessible, with both less than 15 minutes away by car.
Eating out and out of town shopping
State Route 60 and Hacienda Boulevard make up the city’s retail corridors. Along these thoroughfares, residents can find a mix of restaurants from In-N-Out to fine dining. Most restaurants in town serve Asian cuisine, from Vietnamese to Thai, but other genres of food can be found in smaller numbers.
While there is a Vons grocery store and other small markets in town, residents must travel to one of Hacienda Heights’ nearby cities for shopping, dining and recreational options.
Inside the Popping Yolk Cafe in Hacienda Heights
A customer enjoying a brunch burger at the Popping Yolk Cafe in Hacienda Heights
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Crime in Hacienda Heights
According to the City of Industry Sheriff’s Station, which serves Hacienda Heights as an unincorporated part of LA County, violent crime was down 8% in 2023. However, there has been an uptick in robbery-related property crimes in 2023. To combat this, the City of Industry Sheriff’s Station has helped citizens implement around 30 neighborhood watch groups.
Lan "Gloria" Xiao, DRE # 01937896 with Re Max Elite Realty works in San Gabriel Valley area, providing home-sellers and buyers with professional, responsive and attentive real estate services. Want an agent who'll really listen to what you want in a home. Need an agent who knows how to effectively market your home so it sells, Give me a call! I'm eager to help and would love to talk to you. 626 589-3179
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