Santa Fe Springs

About Santa Fe Springs

Located in Los Angeles County, Santa Fe Springs lies about 15 miles southeast of Downtown Los Angeles. It is one of LA’s Gateway Cities, a region that stretches from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach eastward.

The major interchange of Interstates 5 and 605 in Santa Fe Springs make it convenient to Orange County, San Gabriel Valley, and the rest of LA County. About 20,000 diverse residents call Santa Fe Springs home, but the daytime population reaches upwards of 150,000 because much of the city is zoned commercial and industrial. With a motto like A Great Place to Live, Work, and Play, Santa Fe Springs is committed to making businesses prosper and families thrive.

Anyone who has ever traveled the 5 freeway south of LA has noticed the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet landmark, which opened as the La Mirada Drive-In movie theater in 1953 before the freeway was built. Now one of the largest swap meets in Southern California, folks shop and then gather for refreshments, concerts, and sports broadcasts.

Santa Fe Springs History

Originally home to a village of the Tongva Native Americans, Santa Fe Springs has a varied history involving vast citrus groves, a cattle empire, a sulfur springs health spa, and a major oil boom. Visit these sites for a deeper look into that past: Clarke Estate, the Hathaway Ranch Museum, and Heritage Park, which is a recreated ranch on 6 acres and home to a beloved Historical Railroad Exhibit.

Living and Working in Santa Fe Springs

Devoted to its cultural, historical, and economic vibrancy, Santa Fe Springs makes public art and arts education; scholarships and grants; youth events; and festivals for dance, music, performance, and the visual arts a high priority. Newcomers can get acquainted at year-round celebrations such as Fiestas Patrias held at Los Nietos Park, for live mariachis, dancing, food, arts & crafts, games, and a beer garden.

Opportunities to give back to the community include volunteering as a coach or tutor, at civic events, and for local nonprofit organizations.

As expected, housing prices in Southern California are notoriously high. In Santa Fe Springs the median home price is twice the national average, and more than half of the population own their own homes. A recent renaissance of new residential options have been built while the city beautifies its commercial corridors.

On the work front, Santa Fe Springs’ strong business incentives and access to ports, airports, rail, and highways make it a coveted location. There are thousands of local companies, many of which have been open for decades. Residents pursue careers in such sectors as healthcare, education, retail, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and utilities.

Things to do in Santa Fe Springs

Santa Fe Springs Parks & Recreation offers active, educational, and artistic classes for all ages, as well as youth and adult organized sports. Residents enjoy more than 100 acres of parks and green spaces.

The Sculpture Garden in Heritage Park is a must visit, and from there you can stroll beyond the park along the Art Walk. Shop or just gather for fun at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet. While Santa Fe Springs is a fun place, you can also hop on a freeway and soon be at the beach, in the mountains, or enjoying entertainment venues throughout Los Angeles.

Santa Fe Springs Transportation

Major arteries in Santa Fe Springs are I-5 and I-605, while nearby are I-105, I-710, and I-10. Access Metrolink commuter trains at Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs station. Fixed-route bus lines are operated by LA Metro as well as Norwalk Transit System. Los Angeles International and Long Beach International airports are nearby.

Santa Fe Springs Schools

Santa Fe Springs is served by Los Nietos, Little Lake, and Whittier Union school districts for highly rated K-12 public education. Graduates can commute to these nearby colleges: Cerritos, Rio Hondo, Whittier Adult, Whittier, Tri-Cities ROP, as well as California State University campuses at Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Dominguez Hills.

Resources for Moving to Santa Fe Springs

Santa Fe Springs provides water utilities, while curbside pickup of rubbish, recycling, and yard waste is handled by CR&R, Consolidated, or Serv-Wel. For natural gas and electricity service, contact SoCalGas and Southern California Edison.

Santa Fe Springs offers a vibrant home for families and the business community, and is committed to its motto: A Great Place to Live, Work, and Play.