Zip code 90042, Mar 2026 to May 2026, from the Redfin Data Center. Most of Mount Washington is in 90065, which isn't in our price data; 90042 covers its eastern slopes along with neighboring Highland Park. 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.
In 1909 developer Robert Marsh opened a cable-pulled incline railway up Avenue 43 to sell lots in his new hilltop subdivision and to carry guests to the Mount Washington Hotel at the summit. Two counterweighted cars climbed the hill at about four miles an hour until the line closed in 1919. The tracks are long gone, but the Mission Revival station at the foot of Avenue 43 still stands, and Marsh's winding hillside streets became the neighborhood.
The homes
Mount Washington is almost entirely residential and almost entirely hillside. Narrow, winding streets climb from the Arroyo Seco to the summit at about 940 feet, and homes are tucked into wooded slopes along the way. The mix is eclectic: 1920s cottages and Craftsman houses, Spanish homes, mid-century modern houses with walls of glass, and newer contemporary builds on lots that once looked unbuildable.
Lots tend to be steep, so many houses sit well above or below the street, reached by long stairways, bridges or decks, with garages at street level. The payoff is the views: Downtown, the San Gabriel Mountains, the Arroyo and, on clear days, all the way toward the ocean. Fans of hillside modernism should see our mid-century modern guide.
The feel
- Hilltop streets like San Rafael Avenue and Mount Washington Drive wind past houses, trees and lookout points, with very little commercial space up top.
- Elyria Canyon Park keeps a wooded canyon on the hill as open space, with trails and city views.
- The Southwest Museum building, a 1914 Mission Revival landmark with a tall tower, rises above Museum Drive at the foot of the hill.
- Eldred Street has a grade of about 33 percent, putting it among the steepest streets in Los Angeles.
Eat, drink, shop
Restaurants and shops sit at the foot of the hill, on Figueroa, Monte Vista and York in neighboring Highland Park.
- Sam's Place (Monte Vista St). A 1970s-style wine bar with simple, satisfying cooking and a good salami plate. The Infatuation
- Mason's Dumpling Shop (N Figueroa St). An order-at-the-counter dumpling shop known for pan-fried pork dumplings. The Infatuation
- Jeff's Table (N Figueroa St). A sandwich counter hidden behind a liquor store, famous for hot pastrami. The Infatuation
- Mariscos El Faro (N Figueroa St). A Sinaloa-style seafood truck with sidewalk seating, known for aguachile. The Infatuation
- Amiga Amore (York Blvd). A small chef-run restaurant blending Mexican and Italian cooking, with dishes like street corn agnolotti. Time Out
Getting around
The Metro A Line runs along the base of the hill, with Southwest Museum and Highland Park stations connecting to Union Station in one direction and Pasadena in the other. By car, the 110 runs along the Arroyo to Downtown, often about 15 minutes off-peak, and the 2 and the 5 are close for Glendale and the Valley. Up top, streets are narrow and steep, with tight curves and limited street parking.
What's new
- A Line to Pomona. The A Line extension from Azusa to Pomona opened on September 19, 2025, adding stations in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne and Pomona, all on a one-seat ride from the stations at the foot of Mount Washington. (Metro)
- North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit. Construction began in Pasadena in April 2026 on this mostly dedicated-lane bus line, with work expanding to nearby Eagle Rock this fall and service targeted in time for the 2028 Olympics. (Metro)
Good to know
- Hillside rules. The City of LA's hillside regulations can limit how big a home can be and how much you can add, and some streets have extra requirements for grading and access.
- Fire zones. Many streets fall in fire hazard severity zones, which can affect insurance. Check the specific address early and get quotes before you commit.
- Slopes and structure. Look closely at retaining walls, drainage, foundations, decks and any stairways during inspections, and ask for permit history on additions.
- City of LA rules apply, including the City's transfer tax on higher-priced sales. Verify current thresholds with the City.
Questions people ask
Is Mount Washington part of Los Angeles?
Yes. Mount Washington is a neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles, between Highland Park, Glassell Park, Cypress Park and Eagle Rock. City of LA rules apply, including hillside regulations that can limit home size and additions, and the City's transfer tax on higher-priced sales.
What kind of homes are in Mount Washington?
Mostly single-family hillside homes on sloped, wooded lots: 1920s cottages and Craftsman houses, Spanish homes, mid-century modern houses and newer contemporary builds. Many sit above or below the street on long stairways or decks, and many have canyon, city or mountain views.
How far is Mount Washington from Downtown LA?
Downtown is often about 15 minutes from Mount Washington outside rush hour via the 110 along the Arroyo Seco. The Metro A Line also stops at the foot of the hill, at Southwest Museum and Highland Park stations, with trains to Union Station and Pasadena.
What is Mount Washington known for?
Mount Washington is known for its winding, wooded hillside streets and big views of Downtown and the San Gabriel Mountains. It also has a story: developer Robert Marsh founded it in 1909 with an incline railway up Avenue 43, whose Mission Revival station still stands at the foot of the hill.
