Located in northeast Los Angeles between Mount Washington, Highland Park, El Sereno, and Pasadena is Montecito Heights, one of LA’s smallest districts. In addition to being a tiny neighborhood, Montecito Heights is also known for its tranquility, country-like feel, historical roots, and panoramic hillside views of the Los Angeles Basin, San Gabriel Valley, Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA), Arroyo Seco River, and even the Pacific Ocean. 

The community consists of mostly residential areas and open greenspace—though Griffin Avenue is the neighborhood’s main street. Also, because Montecito Heights is a hillside community, it’s relatively separate from the rest of Los Angeles and still free of major developments and infrastructure, making it perfect for homebuyers looking for an escape from the city life without being too far away. 

Here are five reasons to live in Montecito Heights. 

Family-Friendly Neighborhood

Kids enjoying summer camp

From family summer camps and Easter egg hunts to community swim teams, childcare, and arts and crafts, Montecito Heights is booming when it comes to kid-friendly activities. While recreational or community facilities offer plenty of family-friendly programs, such as The Lotus Festival and Summer Night Lights, the neighborhood itself also has many fun activites year-round.

Prime Real Estate

Homes in Montecito Heights

View homes for sale in Montecito Heights

When it comes to the real estate in Montecito Heights, most properties boast a rich historical background and stunning architecture, including Craftsman-style homes, bungalows, cottages, Tudor-style, and some Spanish-style. It’s also common for many residents to flip their homes.

If you head towards the historical area of Heritage Square, you’ll see many preserved structures dating back to the city’s earliest developments. The estates in Heritage Square are mostly Victorian mansions, one of which includes the notable Hale House—the Queen Anne and Eastlake-style Victorian mansion designed by architect Joseph Cather Newsom and built in 1887. 

Homeowners, historians, and architecture buffs can head towards the Heritage Square Museum, where they’re sure to learn more about Montecito Heights’ forgotten architectural history as well as admire the many historic home designs.

Close-knit Community

Residents enjoying their neighborhood together

Montecito Heights is made up of residents ranging from families with kids and working professionals to retirees and young couples looking to settle down. And many of those residents have lived in Montecito Heights for decades. Although the hillside enclave is changing and rumored to become the next major hipster enclave (similar to its neighboring communities of Silver Lake and Highland Park), many locals feel that the area’s low walkability will keep it from changing too much.

Outdoor Recreation and Greenspace

Neighborhood park in Montecito Heights

As mentioned earlier, Montecito Heights is on a hill, giving homes in the community a great view of the city and rivers below. One of the area’s main parks, as well as LA’s seventh largest park, is the Ernest E. Debs Regional Park on Monterey Road, known to locals simply as Debs Park. Visitors can easily spend the day cycling on a bike path or even following the trail up the hill to the park’s hidden lake—Debs Lake or Peanut Lake. And the Audubon Center is the neighborhood’s cutting-edge environmental educational facility, ideal for field trips and teaching kids about nature.

Other neighborhood favorites include the Lummis Home and Gardens, Sycamore Grove Park, and Greayor’s Oak Mini Park. 

Public Transportation

Heritage Square/Arroyo Gold Line Station photo courtesy of GTD Aquitaine

Like the rest of Los Angeles, the preferred method of transportation is driving, even though the neighborhood streets are still considered rugged terrain. The neighborhood is located near the Pasadena 110 freeway to allow for easy access into the city. There’s also ample access to bike paths as well as the Heritage Square/Arroyo Gold Line Station for cyclists, pedestrians, and commuters. Due to Montecito Heights’ central location, residents can travel to DTLA from their homes in 30 minutes.