La Puente

About La Puente

La Puente is a medium-sized city in California's San Gabriel Valley, covering just about 3.5 square miles of land. With a convenient location just east of downtown Los Angeles, La Puente is home to a diverse population that enjoys the community's vibrant public spaces, quality recreational facilities and freeway access to LA. All these amenities, combined with a diverse culture, make the city a great place to call home.

La Puente's Early Beginnings

Like many areas along the Southern California coast, the land that's now home to La Puente originally housed the Tongva Native American tribe. The tribe established a village called Awingna, residing there until the arrival of Spanish missionaries in the late 1700s.

The name "La Puente" comes from the Spanish term for "bridge," and it refers to a bridge built in 1769 across San Jose Creek. Although the community officially dates back to 1841 when European settlers arrived, the city wasn't incorporated until Aug 1, 1956. Today, the suburb is mainly residential, with just a portion of commercial land dotting the major streets and highways.

Living in La Puente

Although the city covers a fairly small portion of land, there are a handful of amenities to explore. La Puente Park offers over 20 acres of open grass dotted with large shade trees, with several picnic areas and sports fields to enjoy. You can enroll your child in any one of the many sports leagues at the park, including Little League, football and cheer. It also has a large playground, and you can reserve space at the park for special events and parties.

If you're interested in experiencing the natural side of La Puente, you can visit the Puente Creek Nature Education Center. The award-winning park features climbing boulders and sculptural animals for children to enjoy, as well as several educational features where you can learn about the Southern California ecosystem.

In addition to excellent opportunities for play, La Puente provides a range of work options as well. The unemployment rate in La Puente is slightly lower than the national average, thanks to a large number of job opportunities in Los Angeles and surrounding communities. If you'd prefer to stay within La Puente limits when looking for work, the city's largest employers include Northgate Gonzalez Markets, Bodega Latina Corp., Food 4 Less and Ed Butts Ford.

La Puente Schools

La Puente is part of the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District. There are also several private schools in the city and surrounding area.

Resources for Moving to La Puente

Here's an at-a-glance guide that can help you prepare for your move to La Puente:

• Utilities: Most homes in La Puente receive power from Southern California Edison. The La Puente Valley County Water District manages public water services.
• Garbage and Recycling: Valley Vista Services provides curbside collection of trash and recyclables.
• Transportation: The La Puente LINK offers low-cost transportation around the city, including discounted rates for senior citizens. Foothill Transit and Metrolink also provides a network of public transit in and around La Puente.

La Puente Housing

There are several distinct neighborhoods in La Puente, which should make it easy for you to find a home to fit your preferences and budget. The median home value is slightly less expensive than in many other areas of Los Angeles, though prices are on the rise. The rental market is very competitive, and rent can be expensive due to high demand.