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Arcadia is a city in Los Angeles County, California, set in the San Gabriel Valley just east of Pasadena and against the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. With a population of about 56,000, it is an established, affluent suburb distinguished by two institutions of national note: Santa Anita Park and the Los Angeles County Arboretum. The city was founded by Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin, a colorful real-estate investor who incorporated Arcadia in 1903 and built the original Santa Anita racetrack on his estate in 1907. The present Santa Anita Park — an Art Deco landmark designed by Gordon Kaufmann — opened on Christmas Day in 1934 and remains one of the country's premier Thoroughbred venues, home to the Santa Anita Derby and other prominent races. Across the street lies the 127-acre Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, a museum of plant collections from around the world and an animal sanctuary. Its most famous residents are the peafowl that Baldwin imported from India roughly a century ago; more than 200 of the birds live at the Arboretum, and their descendants still roam freely through Arcadia's neighborhoods, giving the city its most charming quirk. Schools are central to Arcadia's identity. The Arcadia Unified School District has been ranked among the top one percent of districts nationwide, and its schools regularly earn California Distinguished School recognition — a key reason the city attracts families. The city's location adds everyday convenience, with the 210 Freeway and light rail connecting it to Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles. For those seeking a well-regarded, family-oriented San Gabriel Valley community with landmark attractions, strong schools, and a touch of the unexpected, Arcadia stands apart.

Population 56,681

County Los Angeles County

Active Listings 341

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Arcadia, California in?

Arcadia is located in Los Angeles County, California, in the San Gabriel Valley. It sits just east of Pasadena, against the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, near the 210 Freeway.

What is Arcadia known for?

Arcadia is best known for Santa Anita Park, a historic Thoroughbred racetrack that hosts the Santa Anita Derby, and for the 127-acre Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. The city is also famous for the peacocks that roam its neighborhoods.

Who founded Arcadia?

Arcadia was founded by Elias J. 'Lucky' Baldwin, a wealthy California real-estate investor, and was incorporated in 1903. Baldwin built the original Santa Anita racetrack in 1907 and imported the peafowl that still live in the area today.

Are there really peacocks in Arcadia?

Yes. Arcadia's peacocks descend from peafowl that Lucky Baldwin imported from India about a century ago to adorn his estate. More than 200 of the birds live at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, and many roam freely through the city's neighborhoods.

What school district serves Arcadia?

Arcadia is served by Arcadia Unified School District, which has been ranked among the top school districts in the nation. Its campuses include multiple California Distinguished Schools, and the district is a major draw for families moving to the San Gabriel Valley.

City Guide

About Arcadia

Real Estate & Housing

Arcadia's housing stock is predominantly single-family and suburban, with an established character shaped by its history as a Baldwin-era landholding and its later growth as an affluent San Gabriel Valley suburb. The city includes mid-century homes alongside newer, larger custom-built residences, particularly in its northern foothill neighborhoods. The market is known for generous lots, well-maintained streets, and a strong demand driven by the city's schools and amenities. Overall, Arcadia presents an upscale, established single-family market rather than dense multi-family development.

Neighborhoods

Arcadia's neighborhoods range from its northern foothill areas, where larger homes sit against the San Gabriel Mountains, to the established subdivisions that spread south toward the 210 Freeway. The area around Santa Anita Park and the Arboretum anchors the city's landmark district, while Arcadia County Park — on the site of Baldwin's original racetrack — adds green space. Residential streets are typically tree-lined and well-kept, and the city's peacocks give many neighborhoods a distinctive, almost pastoral feel unusual for a Los Angeles County suburb.

Lifestyle in Arcadia

Arcadia's lifestyle is defined by its distinctive landmarks and a family-oriented, well-kept suburban character. Peacocks wandering the streets are a beloved local quirk, descended from birds Lucky Baldwin imported a century ago. The Arboretum offers a 127-acre garden escape, while Santa Anita Park brings the rhythm of racing seasons and major events. The city's dining scene reflects its diverse community, and its strong schools make it a magnet for families. With Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles nearby, residents enjoy a polished San Gabriel Valley setting with easy access to the wider metro.

Schools & Education

Arcadia is served by Arcadia Unified School District, a system that has been ranked among the top one percent of school districts nationwide. Its campuses include multiple California Distinguished Schools, such as Camino Grove and Longley Way elementary schools, and the district's strong academic reputation is a defining feature of the community. The district's quality, combined with Arcadia's amenities, makes the city a consistent draw for families relocating within the San Gabriel Valley.

Getting Around

Arcadia sits in the San Gabriel Valley with convenient freeway access via the 210 Freeway, which runs along the city's southern edge, and connecting routes toward the 605 Freeway. Light rail service through the Metro A Line includes a station in Arcadia, providing a direct transit link toward Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles. This combination of freeway and rail access makes Arcadia a practical base for commuters across the Los Angeles metro while preserving its residential, suburban character.

Parks & Recreation

Arcadia's recreation is anchored by two landmark attractions. Santa Anita Park offers Thoroughbred racing seasons, major stakes races, and large public events, while the 127-acre Los Angeles County Arboretum provides gardens, trails, and wildlife viewing — including its famous peafowl. Arcadia County Park, built on the site of Baldwin's original racetrack, adds picnic areas and green space, and the nearby San Gabriel Mountains open onto the Angeles National Forest for hiking and outdoor recreation. The city's parks and neighborhood streets round out a well-rounded recreation landscape.

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