You’ll find many different options here, from single-family to multi-family homes, and attached homes like condos and townhomes. Word on the street is that a small portion of homes in Montrose are zoned for La Cañada Unified, but I’d have to leave that up to you to verify.
Montrose
Montrose is kind of funky because a small part of it is within the unincorporated area of L.A. County, but most of it is incorporated within Glendale. It’s extremely walkable, with the main streets, Montrose and Honolulu, going east to west.
Last updated Aug 22, 2026
Montrose was once known as a sleepy town, but not anymore. Downtown along Honolulu Ave has a weekly harvest market, Oktoberfest, the annual car show, arts and crafts festival, and an emerging food scene that gives me hope. With trees wrapped in lights along the sidewalks and a wide array of small businesses, this is a super popular filming spot. If you remember Frank the Tank streaking through downtown in “Old School,” that was Montrose. Did you love “Sons of Anarchy” like I did? Montrose. “Rooster” with Steve Carrell? Montrose!!
The Montrose food scene is changing, and in a great way. In addition to classics Joselito’s, Giuseppe’s, Sushi Monster, and Casa Cordoba, we now have How’s It Going to End, Backbone, Sabrina’s, and Perla’s. Yes, I know that the last four aren’t on Honolulu, but close enough! I still haven’t tried King Yubu, but I heard it’s great. There’s also a Paris Baguette location in the old Faye’s spot which adds convenience, but I still love my independent cafés like Gio’s and Toasted.
Montrose Park is a favorite of ours, because there’s a loop around the playground for bikes and scooters, a hill going up to a grassy area, and a hill to roll down to the baseball fields. My kids love to explore all over that park; it never gets old.
What to compare on a tour
Sparr Heights, just below the Montrose Shopping Park, is technically a part of Glendale and is the area’s most festive neighborhood and goes all out for Halloween. Sparr Heights is full of Spanish-style homes, Craftsman bungalows, traditional, and mid-century homes. I love walking through the streets.
Montrose is within the Glendale Unified School District and is served by the Glendale police and fire departments. The fire department and library are actually located across the street from the Trader Joe’s, which actually has a decent parking lot!
Local notes for Montrose
With kids · The Foothills
A rainy-day (and too-hot-day) backup plan with kids
Indoor spots around Glendale and Montrose that have actually saved a weekend: arcades, art studios, bowling, skating and a bookstore.
With kids · The Foothills
A hot-day plan with kids: shade, cold treats and early starts
Summer here means early mornings outside and cold treats by the afternoon. Here are some of our current faves.
Things to do · Montrose
One unhurried afternoon in Montrose
How I’d spend a Sunday in downtown Montrose: the farmers’ market, two bookstores, a bowling alley from 1940 and where to end up for dinner.
Things to do · The Foothills
Small shops worth a stop
The gift shops, tea rooms, bookstores and plant shops I send friends to, most of them family- or women-owned.
Things to do · The Foothills
Holiday lights and seasonal traditions
Christmas Tree Lane, the Montrose car show, the arts festival and the other things we do every year.
Food · Montrose
Montrose and other food stops worth returning to
The places I actually go back to, from a casual sushi spot to the fine-dining room the town waited years for.
Food · The Foothills
Foothills coffee field notes
Independent coffee shops that I’d gladly meet you at.
Food · The Foothills
Markets, wine shops and the weekend haul
Three farmers’ markets, two wine shops with tastings, and where I pick up meat for Korean BBQ at home.
Talk with Jean
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