Tujunga

Tujunga is a 10-square-mile residential community tucked away in the foothills of Angeles National Forest in the rugged San Gabriel Mountains. This sprawling, mountainous neighborhood is officially called Sunland-Tujunga as it shares a municipal government with its eastern neighbor. Given its elevated location, Tujunga homes typically have northern views of the City of Los Angeles’s highest peak, Mount Lukens, which towers above the community from over 5,000 feet. Many homes tucked higher into the mountains in the northern section of Tujunga have stunning views of LA every day around 4pm when magic hour, as locals call it, begins. In 2009, an arsonist burned down 161,000 acres in the adjacent Angeles National Forest and many homeowners had to evacuate. But Tujunga has rebuilt and local government and NGOs are revitalizing the land. Michelle Pendergrast, a licensed broker associate with Keller Williams, says, “Neighborhoods on both sides of the mountains are recovering well.”

Many homes in the neighborhood are from the mid-century era, with some showcasing newer renovations and in-ground pools. Renaissance, a gated community higher up in the foothills, features two-story homes in varying architectural styles. Not far, a split-level built in 1995 with three bedrooms on a large, grassy lot overlooking the valley below is listing for just over $1 million. Further down the hills, charming bungalow starter homes with three bedrooms and mountain views are listed for under $750,000. These relatively cheaper prices are what make Tujunga a popular destination for families priced out of the tightening LA market further southwest. South of Foothill Boulevard, one of Sunland-Tujunga’s main roads, small bungalows with two bedrooms on the edge of the 1,100-acre Tuna Canyon Park in the Verdugo Mountains are listing for around $650,000. There are also tracts of land for sale in this southern section of Tujunga and new homes are being built.

Aside from the vast wilderness of Angeles National Forest to the north which is filled with hiking trails, state parks and wildlife, the Verdugo Mountains on the other side of Tujunga provide a convenient place to adventure for residents further down the mountains. Little Landers Park is a more cultivated neighborhood space, featuring a playground and lawn right outside of Bolton Hall Museum, home of the local historical society. The McGroarty Arts Center has its own park and offers classes in ceramics, writing, yoga and more in its historic location at the early 20th century home of California poet laureate John Steven McGroarty in the Verdugo Mountains. Tujunga appoints a poet laureate of its own every two years through the Village Poets of Sunland Tujunga. The group also organizes poetry readings and other literary community outreach. Eater Magazine recommends Caruso’s Italian Kitchen for its handmade pizzas and eggplant parmesan. Of course, there’s a branch of California’s favorite burger chain, In-N-Out, nearby. Regional supermarket’s Vons and Albertsons both operate in Tujunga.

Mountain View Elementary offers a dual immersion program in English and Armenian to its students, the first such program in the Los Angeles Unified School District. School ranking website Niche gave it an overall grade of B plus. Nearby Mount Gleason Middle School in the foothills of its namesake received a B from the site. Verdugo Hills Senior High School is ranked in the top 600 schools in the country. The neighborhood sits about 12 miles away from Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena, making it an option for commuters, depending on how far up in the mountains they live. The 210 Freeway provides access to all the major freeways in LA. Despite its location on the outskirts of Los Angeles County, Tujunga is beautiful, quiet and growing, making it a great option for homebuyers looking for more space and less hustle than in the denser areas to the southwest.

Written By

Christine Bartruff

Photography Contributed By

Christopher Montagne-Waggoner

Video By

Kellan Beaver