Walnut, CA Properties | Justin Miller

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Walnut is a city in the eastern San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, California, set on the southern slopes of the San Jose Hills. With a 2020 census population of about 28,400, it is a predominantly residential, single-family community known for its hillside neighborhoods, well-regarded schools, and a distinctly suburban, low-density character within the greater Los Angeles area. The city borders Diamond Bar to the east, West Covina to the north, and Pomona to the northeast, with the broader San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire employment centers within reach. Walnut's history is rooted in agriculture. For more than a century, the area's fertile hills supported citrus and walnut groves, packing houses, and small farms, and the community that grew up around them took the walnut's name. Walnut incorporated as a city in 1959, transitioning over the following decades from ranchland into the master-planned residential community it is today, a transformation common across the postwar San Gabriel Valley. Two institutions anchor the city's identity. Mt. San Antonio College, founded in 1946 and located in Walnut since 1948, is one of the largest community colleges in California, serving tens of thousands of students across more than 400 degree and certificate programs on a 420-acre campus. The Walnut Valley Unified School District, which serves most of Walnut along with portions of Diamond Bar and West Covina, is consistently recognized for strong academic performance and is a central draw for families. Walnut is also a city shaped by its landscape. More than thirty miles of equestrian and hiking trails wind through its hillsides, connecting neighborhoods to county trails and reflecting the community's horse-friendly heritage. For homebuyers, Walnut offers a rare combination in the Los Angeles region: hillside and view homes, top-rated public schools, open space, and a calm, residential atmosphere within commuting distance of the region's major employment corridors.

Population 28,430

County Los Angeles County

Active Listings 170

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Walnut, California in?

Walnut is in Los Angeles County, California, in the eastern San Gabriel Valley. The city sits on the southern slopes of the San Jose Hills, bordered by Diamond Bar, West Covina, and Pomona.

What is Walnut known for?

Walnut is known for its hillside, master-planned neighborhoods, its more than thirty miles of equestrian and hiking trails, and its strong schools. It is also home to Mt. San Antonio College, one of California's largest community colleges.

What school district serves Walnut?

Walnut is served primarily by the Walnut Valley Unified School District, a highly rated K-12 district that also covers parts of Diamond Bar and West Covina. Mt. San Antonio College, a major community college, is located in the city.

What is the population of Walnut?

The 2020 census recorded Walnut's population at about 28,400 residents. The city is predominantly a single-family residential community, known for its low-density, hillside neighborhoods, extensive equestrian and hiking trails, and a quiet suburban character.

Where is Walnut located?

Walnut is in the eastern San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, on the southern slopes of the San Jose Hills. It sits near the junction of the Pomona (60) and Orange (57) freeways, roughly thirty miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

City Guide

About Walnut

Real Estate & Housing

Walnut's housing is dominated by master-planned, single-family homes on the city's hillsides and in its established subdivisions. Much of the stock was built from the 1960s through the 1990s as the former ranchland was developed, producing a landscape of spacious detached homes, many with views across the San Gabriel Valley. Lot sizes tend to be larger than in denser parts of the region, and the city's equestrian heritage means a number of properties include horse-keeping facilities and direct trail access. Condominiums and townhomes appear in a smaller share, primarily near commercial corridors. The overall character is suburban and family-oriented, with a strong emphasis on space, views, and quiet residential streets.

Neighborhoods

Walnut's neighborhoods are largely master-planned and hillside-oriented, spread across the slopes of the San Jose Hills. Residential areas range from the established subdivisions near the city's center to larger, newer homes on the hillsides, many with panoramic valley and mountain views. Several neighborhoods retain equestrian zoning, with horse trails and stables integrated into the residential fabric. The city's commercial activity clusters along Grand Avenue and the surrounding arterials, while the Mt. SAC campus forms a distinct institutional district. Walnut's compact, low-density layout gives most neighborhoods a calm, suburban feel, and its border with Diamond Bar and West Covina means residents share the broader eastern San Gabriel Valley's amenities.

Lifestyle in Walnut

Walnut offers a quiet, family-oriented lifestyle within the larger Los Angeles metro. The city's hillside trails and equestrian culture shape daily recreation, and its low-density, master-planned neighborhoods provide a sense of calm rare in the denser parts of the region. Education is a central part of community life, with the Walnut Valley Unified School District and Mt. San Antonio College both major anchors. Residents enjoy proximity to the shopping and dining of Diamond Bar, West Covina, and the City of Industry, while downtown Los Angeles and the Inland Empire are within commuting range. Walnut appeals especially to families and professionals seeking strong schools, space, and a hillside setting in the eastern San Gabriel Valley.

Schools & Education

Walnut is served primarily by the Walnut Valley Unified School District, a highly regarded K-12 district that also covers the southern portion of Diamond Bar and a small part of West Covina. The district's schools consistently post strong academic results and support a full range of extracurricular and advanced coursework programs. Mt. San Antonio College, located in Walnut, is one of California's largest community colleges, offering more than 400 degree and certificate programs and serving as a major pathway to the state's four-year universities. The combination of a top-rated school district and a major community college campus makes education one of Walnut's defining advantages for families.

Getting Around

Walnut sits in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, with access to the region's major freeway network. State Route 60 (Pomona Freeway) runs along the city's southern edge, while the Orange (57) Freeway lies just to the east, providing routes toward Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. The San Bernardino (10) Freeway is also within a short drive to the north. Metrolink's San Bernardino Line serves nearby stations in Industry and Pomona, offering a rail alternative for commuters. Downtown Los Angeles is roughly thirty miles west, with commute times varying widely by traffic. The city's hillside setting and equestrian trails also make it popular with residents who commute to the employment corridors of the San Gabriel Valley and beyond.

Parks & Recreation

Walnut maintains more than thirty miles of equestrian and hiking trails, a defining feature of the city's outdoors-oriented character. The trail network winds through the San Jose Hills, connecting neighborhoods to county trails and offering scenic walks, rides, and hikes with valley views. The city's parks provide sports fields, playgrounds, and open space, while nearby Schabarum Regional Park in Rowland Heights and the Puente Hills offer additional hiking and equestrian opportunities. Mt. SAC's campus and athletics add to the community's recreational and cultural life. For larger destinations, the mountains, beaches, and attractions of greater Los Angeles and Orange County are within a day-trip drive.

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