Monterey Hills - Los Angeles, CA Area Guide

The Tongva people originally settled what is now Monterey Hills, until the Spaniards arrived in 1769.

Construction of the Monterey Hills Redevelopment Project began in 1973 to build 21 residential complexes. Though the 1980s saw problems with some of the complexes, due to being built on landfills, residents sued Los Angeles County to rebuild more safely. Today, property values have made this neighborhood one of the more sought after in the area.

Though Monterey Hills doesn’t have any museums, nearby Montecito Heights hosts the Heritage Square Museum, a famously preserved octagonal house and Highland Park houses the Los Angeles Police Museum, with decades of police history.

Highland Park also has several galleries, including Avenue 50 Studio, The Art Grist and Slow Culture Gallery, for exhibits of local artists. The Brewery Artwalk, held several times each year, allows visitors to visit artists’ studios in this old brewery complex and purchase art.

Most restaurants serving Monterey Hills can actually be found in Montecito Heights. While there's no central restaurant location here, you'll have many choices when it comes to food. From cafes to Mexican, Thai, sushi, vegetarian, American and French, you'll find nearly everything in this area.

The Manifesto Cafe draws locals for coffee, tea, breakfast, lunch, bowls and salads to support a good cause. Proceeds from each meal the restaurant sells benefit a social cause in the area, such as 100 Meals for Starving Seniors and people living on skid row. The cafe itself has a charming atmosphere and great food. Knowing that you're making a difference with each bite just makes it that much sweeter.

If you're in the mood for Mexican food, look no further than El Palenque, which keeps it as real as can be. Traditional items like gorditas, nachos and burritos get kicked up a notch with carne asada fries and tacos dorados. Residents tout the friendly, quick service to tables of hungry regulars as the main reasons they keep coming back.

Thai Fantasy Restaurant's claim to fame is its orange chicken, as well as the garlic chicken noodles and tom yum soup. Spicy, sweet and pungently tasty, these dishes can also be delivered or picked up, if you're not in the mood to drive.

Nightlife in the Monterey Hills area isn't very lively, given that it's a small suburban development of homes. If you're looking for something fun to do, you'll need to travel to nearby Lincoln Heights, Highland Park, Cypress Park or El Sereno. Most locals crowd into their favorite bars on the weekends, such as The Office Club, which also has dancing and live cumbia bands or The OffBeat Bar for dive-y fun and a great jukebox. The Church on York provides live music nearby, where patrons enjoy intimate shows with great bands throughout the year.

Monterey Hills is more of a driving area than a public transportation area, in keeping with many other parts of downtown L.A. Since this neighborhood lies at the top of a hill, most locals drive to their destinations. Parking is available and cheap wherever you find yourself, however, Monterey Hills lies to the east of the 110, and is also accessible to the 5 Freeway.

Public transportation options are limited to the Metro Gold line, stopping in Highland Park or Heritage Square. Several Metro bus lines run close to, but not through, Monterey Hills.

Taxis and Uber can be arranged by calling or over the Internet, but you most likely won’t be able to find a cab on the street.

Monterey Hills lies at the top of a steep hill, and isn’t very walkable. Though it’s nice in places, chances are you’ll want to drive here. There are some bike paths in this neighborhood, making it safe for cyclists.

Montecito Park has the area’s closest parks, including Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, with lots of hiking trails winding up the side of a hill to an incredible view of the city. Hemon Park, also nearby, has a play area, picnic tables, tennis courts and barbecue pits for the whole family. Parks are kid and dog friendly, and free. Most have plenty of parking, and welcome fitness activities.

Residents hold the Monterey Hills Jazz Festival each year in October, with Latin, blues and traditional jazz music in a pleasant outdoor setting.

Monterey Hills has a cost of living slightly higher than the city average, with a typical 1-bedroom residence renting for $851.

It costs around $1.75 each way to get to downtown from Monterey Hills. A beer at a local pub, which will probably be located in Highland Park, is $4, and gas hovers around 11% higher here than the national average.

Monterey Hills doesn’t have any shopping centers or boutiques, but surrounding areas like Montecito Heights, El Sereno and Highland Park have Mount Analog for real vinyl records, Sunbeam Vintage, which sells great home items and accessories for bargain prices and Plum Blossom Designs, selling jewelry, bags and Buddha figurines.

This area doesn’t support any grocery stores, but vocals visit nearby chain stores like Food 4 Less and smaller choices like Fresco Community Market, Sunrise Market and La Fortuna Grocery Store.

Highland Park hosts the Old LA-Highland Park Certified Famers Market on Tuesday afternoons, with fresh produce and baked goods, as well as a popular hummus stand, honey and several craft vendors.