Featured image credit: Glendora Village
If you’re seeking a slice of small-town Americana but can’t quite give up the big city, a search for houses for sale in Glendora, California may be in your near future. Though it’s firmly a part of Los Angeles County, Glendora has a quaint and timeless feel to it. When you cross the border of Glendora, it’s hard not to recount that old adage “You can’t go home again.” Except, this foothill town dares to say “Sure you can.” Christmas parades, classic car shows, wine walks… Glendora needs no excuse to come together as a community. Here’s what else to keep in mind when considering houses for sale in Glendora.
A Small City with a Lot of Heart
Measuring just under 20 square miles, Glendora isn’t a large city. But it makes efficient use of what it’s got. As of the 2020 Census, 52,558 people hung their hats in Glendora, snug in the enveloping embrace of the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. In fact, it’s colloquially referred to as the “Pride of the Foothills”.
The San Gabriel Mountains border the city to the north, rendering it a part of the San Gabriel Valley. To the west, between Glendora and Los Angeles proper, you’ll find Azusa and an unincorporated area called Citrus. Covina and the unincorporated Charter Oak border it to the south along with a portion of San Dimas that also reaches up to form its eastern border.
A Safe Southern California Community
Glendora enjoys a relatively low crime rate considering it’s a part of Los Angeles County. The city boasts its own police force, the Glendora Police Department. However, the community relies on the county’s fire department for any fire-related services. And with its location near the foothills, wildfires are possibilities, though not exactly common.
Likewise, earthquakes are simply a part of life in California. The closest faultline to Glendora is the Sierra Madre fault zone which runs along the southern edge of the San Gabriel Mountains for a 55-mile stretch. In 1966, construction briefly uncovered a portion of this fault during the building of the Glendora tunnel.
Glendora Keeps the Emphasis on Education
Both of Glendora’s public school districts, Glendora Unified and Charter Oak Unified, rank among the best in not just California, but the United States as a whole. Therefore, if you’re planning a family or already have one, considering houses for sale in Glendora is often a wise choice. Both school districts have earned official accolades as California Distinguished Schools and Gold Ribbon Schools, so it should come as no surprise that education is also the leading industry in Glendora.
According to the city’s 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Citrus College was the city’s top employer with just over 800 employees. Glendora Unified School District was right behind the college with 798 employees. The institution with the third highest number of employees was Foothill Presbyterian Hospital with 653 employees.
Getting Around Glendora
While Glendora is remote enough from Los Angeles proper to retain its small-town feel, getting around is easy thanks to easy freeway access and a wealth of public transit options. If you’re planning on commuting to the city for work, search for houses for sale in Glendora near the 210 and 57 freeway ramps. These two freeways keep Glendora closely connected to the rest of the region. Historic Route 66 also bisects the city, allowing easy passage whether headed east or west.
Glendora relies heavily on the regional Foothill Transit system for local public transit, though this service also provides an express line to Downtown Los Angeles. During the week, the city’s own Glendora Mini Bus offers shuttle service to nearby Metrolink Commuter Rail Stations. The Mini Bus even assists disabled residents and senior citizens with special curbside transport options.
Connecting to the Greater Los Angeles Metro train system is a bit tricky for Glendorans, but that stands to change in 2025. At the moment, the closest link to the Metro system is in neighboring Azusa at the APU/Citrus College station which connects to the A Line. However, the A Line extension project currently underway will add a Glendora station at the cross street of Ada and Vermont Avenues.
It Takes a Village…
If you’re curious about Glendora’s jubilant community spirit, we recommend starting at the city’s downtown center, affectionately referred to as the Glendora Village. A celebration of some sort always seems to be happening in Glendora Village, facilitating a tighter community than you’d expect from a satellite city of the second-largest metropolitan area in the country.
Summer is a particularly active time in Glendora Village with the annual wine walk which wrapped its 14th year in 2024. Glendorans turn out in droves for an evening of wine, beer, live music, and socializing. Glendorans also look forward to closing out the summer every year (at least for the last 36) with the Flashback Classic Car Show. This family-friendly event raises funds for local schools and youth organizations while offering live music, food vendors, and, of course, an eye-popping collection of cars, trucks, bikes, and hotrods. But the Glendora Village never misses an opportunity to bring people together, whether it’s through Small Business Saturdays, Christmas Parades, Earth Day Festivals, or general community mixers.
Year-round, Glendora Village is a hotspot for shopping and dining, with small specialty businesses creating a wholly unique experience. We’ve spotlighted a variety of Glendora businesses from the Village and beyond including:
A Lot of Culture and a Little Castle
If you’re curious about the city’s rich history, take a break from your search through the houses for sale in Glendora to visit the Glendora Museum. Operated and maintained by the Glendora Historical Society, the museum offers a rich collection of city-specific memorabilia dating back to the 1800s, painting the beloved city in a panoramic context. You can also take in touring theater programming at Citrus College’s Haugh Performing Arts Center; a lovely 1,400-seat venue that hosts stage shows, musical performances, and more.
Arguably, the most unique local attraction in Glendora is Rubel Castle. We covered it in great length on this very blog, but it’s basically a makeshift castle a Glendora resident built over the decades with the help of friends and eventually the community. Open for tours, it’s also currently maintained by the Glendora Historical Society. You won’t find anything else like it in Southern California… or the world, if we’re being honest.
The Great Outdoors in Glendora
Finally, thanks to its prime location at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, Glendora is the site of several scenic public parks and hiking trails. You don’t even have to consider them when you’re browsing through the houses for sale in Glendora because you’ll definitely be close to at least one. If you’ve got children, you’ll want to acquaint yourself with the local Camp Cahuilla Summer Camp which keeps over 500 kids active and inspired every summer.
Then, there’s Centennial Heritage Park, a public park with a recreation of an antique citrus ranch at its center. If you’re in the mood for something more floral and fragrant, plan to visit the Glendora Bougainvillea. Not so much a park as a historical monument, it’s the largest bougainvillea plant in the United States. To catch the most picturesque views of the mountains, bicycle up Glendora Ridge Road or Glendora Mountain Road. And for hiking, start with our guide to Glendora’s best hiking trails. Other local parks and outdoor facilities include:
- Big Dalton Canyon Wilderness Area
- Big Tree Park
- Colby Trail
- Finkbiner Park
- Glen Oaks Golf Course
- Glendora Urban Trail System
- Louie Pompei Memorial Sports Park
- Lower Monroe Truck Trail
- Mystic Canyon Trail
- Poop Out Trail
- Punk Out Trail
- South Hills Park
Narrowing Down the Houses for Sale in Glendora
Looking for a personal recommendation to pursue homes for sale in Glendora CA? Well, look no further. JohnHart was so enamored with the community that in April 2024, we opened an office dedicated to redefining Glendora real estate. Several of our agents are Glendora residents and they love to spread the adoration. So, if you’re still not convinced, swing by for a cup of coffee and we’ll make your decision even easier!
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