California Real Estate & Relocation Guide

San Dimas, California

Population: 34,980

Located in Los Angeles County

San Dimas, a city of about 35,000 people, is located approximately thirty miles east of downtown Los Angeles, in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and straddling the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys. The community started out in the early 1800s being called Mud Springs, named for the adjacent Mud Springs marsh whose wet and swampy terrain characterized the region.


In 1887 with the arrival of the railroad, land agent E.M. Marshall opened the first business ­and hardware store­ at the corner of Bonita and Depot streets, and the name Mud Springs was changed to San Dimas.

San Dimas now is a place proud of its history and has done much to preserve the downtown area of the city. Wooden sidewalks make for an interesting and pleasant stroll down the main street of the city. Many bungalows that were built during the Arts and Crafts era are now being lovingly restored by homeowners. There are several Victorian homes undergoing restoration as well.

Settler's Park is a brand-new recreational area that the city opened in 2003, this offers bike trails and hiking, as well as playgrounds, sports fields and open recreational areas. The city also has bike trails that connect to the downtown area.

Because of its proximity to Los Angeles, San Dimas is a great place to live if you still have to work in Los Angeles, but prefer to live away from the large urban area. Housing prices do reflect that you are in a drivable distance from Los Angeles though. However, San Dimas does have a variety of housing options, and there is one sure to suit your pocket book!

San Dimas is well situated and the climate cannot be improved upon! If California, and more specifically Los Angeles are in your future, you could not do any better than seeing whether San Dimas is the place for you!