Pico Rivera is a city of 60,000 located 13 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. It was formed when the farming towns of Pico and Rivera joined together around railroad lines running through the area. Pico was named for the last governor of California under Mexican rule, Pío Pico. The Hispanic heritage of the city is reflected in the abundant Mexican cuisine, murals depicting Hispanic culture and the Pico Rivera Sports Arena, which celebrates horsemanship and ranch culture with traditional Mexican rodeos.
The city is filled with blocks of homes built during the post-WWII construction boom. Those who work in the city are largely employed in retail, manufacturing and healthcare industries, but Pico Rivera’s location makes it easy to commute to L.A., where the entertainment and tourism industries are big. “It’s an easy city to live in, close to everything,” says Joshua Glaz, a Realtor with the Ave Agency and a top producer in the Downey Association of Realtors. “It’s a commuter town with single-family homes and condos, and most are owner-occupied. It’s very family-oriented. No one ever leaves.”
Pico Rivera had a construction boom after the 2nd World War.
The line is often long at Taquearte by Duran's Grill in Pico Rivera.
Colorful murals can be found all across the Pico Rivera neighborhood.
Pico Rivera Sports Arena celebrates horses and ranch culture with Mexican style rodeos.
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Range of styles with larger homes near Pico Rivera Golf Club
Midcentury homes featuring private driveways and backyards big enough for garages, pools or guest houses are prominent in Pico Rivera. Ranch-style homes with attached garages and ample yard space are common as well, and there are a few bungalows and a few multilevel contemporary homes. The city’s largest homes are concentrated near the Pico Rivera Golf Club and many feature Spanish-inspired architecture. “It’s a nice slice of suburbia with well-priced homes,” says Keith Hernandez, a Realtor with Realty One Group Synergy. “It’s great for first-time homebuyers looking to break into the market.” There are also small pockets of manufactured homes on the north end of town.
Pico Rivera has an average home value of $740,000, higher than the national average of $555,000 but lower than the average for Los Angeles, which is $1.27 million. Single-family homes range from about $500,000 to $950,000, while condos are priced from $400,000 to $700,000. Manufactured homes range from $100,000 to $260,000. Homes sell after an average of 26 days on the market. “Everything is under a million dollars, but there’s never anything for sale there—inventory is limited. And when there is, there are thirty offers,” says Glaz. “It’s affordable for California, and that’s why people stay. When you sell that, where do you go?”
Pico Rivera is a quiet suburb where people are happy to stay.
There are some manufactured home communities in Pico Rivera.
Pico Rivera has some split level homes with wide driveways.
Pico Rivera is a fast-growing city of about 60,000 people in LA County.
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Whittier Narrows Dam project to impact recreational facilities
A major U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction project on the Whittier Narrows Dam north of Pico Rivera is needed to prevent future flooding and is expected to impact the city’s recreation areas and the Pico Rivera Sports Arena. The project starts in 2025 and is expected to last five years. The city will lose about half of its park space, including areas giving access to the Pico River Sports Arena, which may limit the size of the events the facility can hold. There are currently many events held there, including a Colombian Culture Festival in July, a New Year’s Fest and many concerts and music festivals. A 9-hole golf course is also impacted by the dam project, as is Streamland Park, where the Pico Boys Baseball League plays. The league is the oldest youth baseball league in the city.
The city is seeking $125 million in federal aid to address the impacts of the dam project by building new parks and another road to access the arena. Smith Park, the city’s largest park, will not be affected, being that it is located in the center of the city. It features an indoor pool, a skate park and basketball and handball courts. Classes are held at the community center, and the park’s grounds are used for organized youth activities. Rivera Park, south of the city, has batting cages and indoor pickleball courts. The San Gabriel River Parkway Trail, a 35-mile trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding, has an access point in Pico Rivera. Whittier Narrows Natural Area and Park north of town has bikes and boats for rent, hiking, picnicking, a military museum and a nature center.
Whittier Narrows Recreation Area features lakes for boating and fishing.
The San Gabriel River is a refuge and resource for wildlife.
Smith Park in Pico Rivera has an all weather soccer pitch and baseball and basketball too.
Pico Rivera has a 9 hole golf course in the northern edge of the city.
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City plans an uptown area with Whittier Boulevard Project
Being so residential, Pico Rivera is not known for its nightlife or high-end restaurants, but Dal Rae stands out. Opened in 1958, it serves steaks and oysters and offers a Caeser Salad prepared tableside. “It’s been there forever,” says Glaz. It’s where people go when they want to stay close to home and have a night out.” In November 2024, the city approved a plan to revitalize Whittier Boulevard corridor and turn it into an uptown with mixed-use development. So, a wider variety of shopping and dining options could be coming in the near future. In the meantime, Pico Rivera Towne Center on Washington Boulevard has a Walmart, Lowe’s, Aldi and Marshalls, as well as some casual eateries. Target, a movie theatre and some chain restaurants are on Whittier.
The Pico Rivera shopping center has a variety stores to cover everything local residents need.
Target on Whittier Blvd is always bustling with locals shopping.
Aldi in the Town Center shopping center is a popular discount grocery store in Pico Rivera.
Dal Rae is an iconic fine dining restaurant in Pico Rivera.
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STEAM middle school and a new stadium for the high school
Pico Rivera is served by the El Rancho Unified School District, which is graded B-minus by Niche and includes 14 schools. The STEAM Academy at Burke, a middle school, specializes in project-based learning. El Rancho High School, which is centrally located in the city, is graded B by Niche. A $200 million project to build a football stadium, aquatics center and other sports facilities is set for completion in April 2025.
North Park Academy of the Arts is a middle school in Pico Rivera.
The El Rancho High School has been undergoing major renovations and improvements.
Birney Tech Academy in Pico Rivera is the home of the Bulldogs.
The Steam Academy at Burke specializes in project based learning.
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Three major regional corridors ease travel
Pico Rivera is dissected by State Route 19 and bounded by Interstate 5 and Interstate 605. Downtown Los Angeles is 13 miles away and the Los Angeles International Airport is 24 miles away. Car travel is most common in the city, but buses stop on Paramount and Washington Boulevards. Amtrak, Metrolink and California High Speed Rail trains run through Pico Rivera. They currently do not stop there, but plans to build a station are being considered. The city is also seeking funds for a rapid bus transit corridor.
Crime rates see an uptick but remain near or below national levels
Crime rates have ticked up slightly in Pico Rivera over the past five years. The Pico Rivera property crime rate of 175 per 100,000 residents is about the same as the national rate of 179 per 100,000. The violent crime rate in Pico Rivera is 71 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average of 119 per 100,000.
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