Glendale
Glendale is a city of about 188,000 just north of Downtown Los Angeles, between Griffith Park and Pasadena, known for the Americana at Brand, the Glendale Galleria, the Alex Theatre and the Verdugo Mountains rising behind it. Here's what to know whether you're visiting or thinking of moving, with full drives so you can see the streets for yourself.
Last updated November 2026 · Sources
At a glance
- Part of
- Its own city in LA County, about 10 miles north of Downtown LA
- Population
- About 187,800 (2024 Census estimate)
- Founded
- First town plat filed in 1887, incorporated in 1906
- ZIP codes
- 91201 to 91210, plus a few more
- Main streets
- Brand Boulevard, Glendale Avenue, Central Avenue and Colorado Street
- Freeways
- SR-2, SR-134, I-210 and I-5
- Nickname
- The Jewel City
A short history
- Rancho San Rafael
In 1784, José María Verdugo received Rancho San Rafael, a huge land grant that took in what is now Glendale and much of northeast Los Angeles.
- A new town
On March 11, 1887, a group of landowners filed the first plat for Glendale. The city incorporated in 1906, the same year Forest Lawn cemetery opened.
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- Grand Central Airport
Grand Central Airport opened in Glendale in 1929 and closed in 1959. Walt Disney bought much of the old airport land in 1961, and the site became home to Walt Disney Imagineering and, later, DreamWorks Animation.
- Brand Boulevard
The Alex Theatre opened on Brand Boulevard in 1925. The Glendale Galleria followed in 1976 and the Americana at Brand in 2008, turning Brand into one of the region's big shopping streets.
Glendale today
- Brand Boulevard is the main street, with the Americana at Brand, the Glendale Galleria, the Alex Theatre and a dense downtown of offices and apartments.
- Away from downtown, neighborhoods climb into the foothills, with older homes on winding hillside streets.
- The Verdugo Mountains and the San Rafael Hills frame the city, with trails close to many neighborhoods.
- Glendale borders Griffith Park and Burbank to the west and Eagle Rock and Pasadena to the east.
From the driver's seat
Glendale appears in our rainy Saturday drive, which passes through on the way to the Rose Bowl and Pasadena. It's a good look at the city's wide boulevards on a wet, gray day.
Watch A Rainy Saturday: Glendale, the Rose Bowl and PasadenaIf you're visiting
- The Americana at Brand
An outdoor shopping and dining center with a central lawn and fountain, opened in 2008.
- The Alex Theatre
A 1925 movie palace on Brand Boulevard, now a venue for concerts, films and shows.
- Brand Park and Brand Library
A park at the foot of the Verdugo Mountains, with a library and art center and trails heading uphill.
- Forest Lawn Glendale
The landmark cemetery, open since 1906, known for its art and hillside views.
Getting there: Driving is easiest. Metrolink and Amtrak stop at the Glendale Transportation Center, and Beeline buses run around town.
Preview it: A Rainy Saturday: Glendale, the Rose Bowl and PasadenaHours, prices and seasons change, so check before you go.
If you're moving here
Cost snapshot
Figures are area-wide estimates from listing sites and change monthly. Check current listings before you decide.
Getting around
Glendale is mostly car-oriented, with four freeways close by. Metrolink and Amtrak trains stop at the Glendale Transportation Center, and Glendale Beeline buses run local routes around town.
Need Glendale on film for work?
Realtors, relocation consultants and brands can license our footage or commission a drive of a specific street, route or time of day.
Watch it: drives through Glendale
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Quick answers
Where is Glendale?
Glendale is a city of about 188,000 just north of Downtown Los Angeles, between Griffith Park and Pasadena, known for the Americana at Brand, the Glendale Galleria, the Alex Theatre and the Verdugo Mountains rising behind it.
What is the population of Glendale?
Glendale has a population of about 187,800 (2024 Census estimate).
What is there to do in Glendale?
Top things to see include The Americana at Brand, The Alex Theatre, Brand Park and Brand Library and Forest Lawn Glendale.
How do you get around Glendale?
Glendale is mostly car-oriented, with four freeways close by. Metrolink and Amtrak trains stop at the Glendale Transportation Center, and Glendale Beeline buses run local routes around town.
How much does it cost to live in Glendale?
Typical home value: $1.17M (Zillow, September 2026). Average 1-bedroom rent: $2,075/mo (Apartments.com, October 2025).
Can I see what Glendale looks like before I visit or move?
Yes. Somewhere Drive has a full 4K drive through Glendale with no narration, including A Rainy Saturday: Glendale, the Rose Bowl and Pasadena.
Sources
- Glendale, California (Wikipedia)
- Glendale population (Census Reporter, ACS 2024)
- Glendale home values (Zillow)
- Glendale rent (Apartments.com)
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