Zip code 90056, Mar 2026 to May 2026, from the Redfin Data Center. 90056 covers most of Ladera Heights plus the western edge of Windsor Hills, so the figures blend both. Zip codes don't line up neatly with neighborhood borders, and medians hide a wide range of homes, so treat these as a rough feel for the area.
The hills just north of Ladera Heights were oil country after a 1924 strike, and later held the Baldwin Hills Reservoir. In the late 1970s County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn pushed to turn the land into a park, which opened in the early 1980s as the Baldwin Hills State Recreation Area and took his name in 1988. Today its 401 acres of lawns, a lake, a Japanese garden and ridge trails are Ladera's big green backyard.
The homes
Ladera Heights started in the late 1940s with Old Ladera, a tract of postwar homes east of La Cienega Boulevard and south of Slauson Avenue, now a City of LA neighborhood. As building moved west across La Cienega in the 1950s and 1960s, larger custom homes went up on the hills, and architect-builders Valentine and Gallant were among the most active, with many Valentine homes designed by Robert Earl. Some on Wooster Avenue were sited to look out over what was then the Fox Hills golf course.
Today the area splits into Upper Ladera, north of Slauson, and the larger Lower Ladera, south of it. Expect ranch, traditional and mid-century custom homes on sloping, curving streets, many with views from the higher streets, plus some condos and townhomes. If you love the era, see our mid-century modern guide.
The feel
- Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area rises just north, with a fishing lake, a Japanese garden, picnic lawns and trails with views from Downtown to the ocean.
- The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, a state park on the Culver City side of the hills, has a hilltop visitor center and trails, and it's part of the Park to Playa Trail toward the beach.
- Ladera Center, just west of La Cienega in Lower Ladera, and the shopping center where La Tijera, La Cienega and Centinela meet handle everyday errands, with cafes and restaurants nearby.
- Ladera Park has a recreation center, tennis courts, a ball field and an outdoor amphitheater.
Eat, drink, shop
- Pann's (La Tijera Blvd). A classic coffee shop with a Googie roofline, red leather booths and neon, known for hotcakes, chicken and waffles and a patty melt on rye. The Infatuation
- The Court Cafe (Centinela Ave). A breakfast and lunch spot for big, shareable Southern-leaning plates, like shrimp and grits and a loaded seafood burrito. The Infatuation
- Somerville (W Slauson Ave). A retro supper club a short drive east with upscale comfort food and a nightly jazz band. The Infatuation
- Simply Wholesome (W Slauson Ave). A health food market with a vegetarian restaurant and a big patio, known for smoothies and turkey burgers. The Infatuation
Getting around
Ladera Heights sits along La Cienega Boulevard, the main route north through the Baldwin Hills to the 10, with the 405 a few minutes west via La Tijera or Slauson. Off-peak, LAX is about 10 minutes, Culver City about 10, Santa Monica 20 to 25 and Downtown 25 to 30. The Metro K Line runs a short drive east through Inglewood, south to the LAX/Metro Transit Center and north to the E Line.
What's new
- K Line to LAX. The LAX/Metro Transit Center station opened in June 2025, connecting the K Line to the airport's transit hub, with free shuttles to the terminals. (Spectrum News)
- Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza redevelopment. A few minutes northeast, phase one of the mall's mixed-use makeover broke ground in March 2026, with housing, a hotel, retail and offices planned over later phases. (Wikipedia)
- Vision Theatre reopens. In nearby Leimert Park, the restored 1932 theater reopened on August 20, 2026, as a 729-seat performing arts center. (Time Out)
Good to know
- County or City. Most of Ladera Heights is unincorporated LA County, with permits and zoning through the LA County Department of Regional Planning. Old Ladera, east of La Cienega, is in the City of LA, where City rules and the Measure ULA transfer tax apply. Confirm the jurisdiction for any address.
- Hillside homes. On sloped lots, look at foundations, retaining walls, drainage and pool condition, and check the CAL FIRE hazard map for any address near open hillside.
- The oil field next door. The Inglewood Oil Field still operates in the hills north and west of Ladera Heights. Review the seller's disclosures and ask your inspector about anything relevant to a specific address.
Questions people ask
Is Ladera Heights part of the City of Los Angeles?
Mostly no. Ladera Heights is largely an unincorporated community of Los Angeles County, so permits and zoning run through LA County. A small section east of La Cienega, known as Old Ladera, is in the City of Los Angeles as the Ladera neighborhood, so confirm the jurisdiction for any address.
What kind of homes are in Ladera Heights?
Ladera Heights began with postwar homes in the late 1940s and grew west in the 1950s and 1960s with custom homes, many from architect-builders such as Valentine and Gallant, with Robert Earl designs. Expect ranch, traditional and mid-century homes on hilly streets, many with views, plus some condos and townhomes.
How far is Ladera Heights from LAX?
LAX is about 10 minutes from Ladera Heights off-peak, and the 405 is a few minutes away via La Tijera or Slauson. Culver City is often about 10 minutes, Santa Monica 20 to 25, and Downtown 25 to 30. The Metro K Line runs a short drive east through Inglewood.
What is Ladera Heights known for?
Ladera Heights is known for its hillside custom homes, many with views, its spot next to Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area and the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, its central location near LAX and Culver City, and Pann's, the classic Googie-style coffee shop on La Tijera.
