Los Angeles metro, CA relocation guide
Moving to Hawaiian Gardens, CA
About Hawaiian Gardens
Hawaiian Gardens is a compact city in southeastern Los Angeles County — at 0.95 square miles it is the smallest city in the county by area — with a 2020 census population of 14,149 (2025 estimate 13,373, per Census QuickFacts, read September 24, 2026). Incorporated on April 9, 1964, the city sits along the I-605 corridor, bordered by Long Beach, Lakewood, Los Alamitos, and Cypress (Orange County). Housing is a mix of modest mid-century single-family homes, duplexes and multifamily buildings. The city is best known for The Gardens Casino, a landmark 24/7 card club, and its well-used city parks.
Home prices in Hawaiian Gardens
Home prices in Hawaiian Gardens vary by neighborhood and property type.
Top places in Hawaiian Gardens
- The Gardens Casino — Hawaiian-themed 24/7 card club (poker, blackjack, baccarat) with restaurant and bar; the city's most famous landmark, visible from I-605 (shown in the photo below).
- Clarkdale Park — city park with splash pad, playground, skatepark, summer concerts, movie nights, and holiday celebrations.
- Lee Ware Park & Recreation Center (C. Robert Lee Ware Memorial Park) — public pool, basketball, and a wide slate of youth programs.
- Pioneer Park and Fedde Sports Complex — additional city parks and youth league sports fields.
- East Carson Street — the city's main commercial corridor: family-run Mexican and Vietnamese restaurants (Casa Adelita, Pho May, Don Ruben), fruit carts, and Bartha's Donuts.
- Hawaiian Gardens Square Shopping Center and nearby Long Beach Towne Center just across I-605.
- Close by: El Dorado Regional Park (Long Beach) is under 2 miles away; Long Beach's beaches and the Aquarium of the Pacific are a short drive south.
Commuting from Hawaiian Gardens
- No rail service within the city. Approximate drive to downtown Los Angeles (about 22–24 miles): ~30–40 minutes off-peak via I-605 to I-105/I-110; peak-hour commutes run significantly longer.
- Transit: Long Beach Transit buses connect through the city; the nearest Metro rail is the A Line (Blue) at Long Beach Transit Center, from which downtown LA is roughly a 50–55-minute train ride. Typical combined bus-plus-rail trips to downtown run about 1–1.5 hours (estimates; not confirmed against current Metro timetables).
- City is directly served by I-605 (San Gabriel River Freeway), with easy access to I-405, I-105, and CA-91 for Orange County and South Bay job centers.
Schools in Hawaiian Gardens
Public schools: ABC Unified School District. For enrollment and performance data, see the state report card in Town links below. Confirm school assignment for any address directly with the district.
Hawaiian Gardens FAQs
- What is the housing market like in Hawaiian Gardens, CA?
Home prices in Hawaiian Gardens vary by neighborhood and property type. - How is the commute from Hawaiian Gardens, CA?
No rail service within the city. Approximate drive to downtown Los Angeles (about 22–24 miles): ~30–40 minutes off-peak via I-605 to I-105/I-110; peak-hour commutes run significantly longer. - Which school district serves Hawaiian Gardens, CA?
Hawaiian Gardens is served by ABC Unified School District. See the state report card in Town links, and confirm school assignment for a specific address with the district.
Town links
Schools
Transit
Official town resources. School report cards via the National Center for Education Statistics.