Loma Linda
Compact San Bernardino County city anchored by Loma Linda University Health and one of the world's five documented Blue Zones (Buettner / National Geographic, 2004)
Why People Move Here
Loma Linda is a compact (7.5 sq mi) San Bernardino County city built around Loma Linda University Health — an 891-bed academic medical center with Level I adult and pediatric trauma designation, the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System, and a health-sciences university of ~4,600 students. In 2004, researcher Dan Buettner, National Geographic, and the National Institute on Aging named Loma Linda one of the world's five original Blue Zones based on documented longevity outcomes. Day-to-day life reflects that research heritage: Hulda Crooks Park opens onto 50+ miles of hill trails, three weekly farmers markets rotate through the LLUH, VA, and Clark's Nutrition sites, and the Barton Road corridor has an unusually deep plant-forward dining bench for a city this size. Transit punches well above its weight — the Omnitrans sbX Green Line BRT and the 2022-opened Arrow commuter rail both terminate inside the city — but the overall footprint remains car-oriented (Walk Score ~19).
Key Statistics
Data sourced from census records, school district reports, and local transit authorities.
Commute Times
School Districts
Redlands Unified School District
A-#88 Best School Districts in California (Niche)
- 19,673 students K-12; 21:1 student-teacher ratio
- Bryn Mawr Elementary (Loma Linda, K-5) — Niche Grade A-; 630 students; opened 1993
- Redlands East Valley High + Redlands High + Citrus Valley High serve the area; Redlands East Valley ranked #244 Best Public High Schools in California (Niche)
- District-wide proficiency (state tests): ~35% math, ~51% reading
- Verify enrollment eligibility by address — boundary lines cross Loma Linda / Redlands / San Bernardino
Loma Linda Academy (private, TK-12)
A- Founded 1906; long-established private school on a campus adjacent to Loma Linda University
- TK-12 with separate children's center, elementary, middle, and high school divisions
- Programs in academics, music, athletics, and leadership
- Tuition-based; applications through lla.org
FAQ — Loma Linda
Why is Loma Linda called a Blue Zone?
In 2004, researcher Dan Buettner, National Geographic, the National Institute on Aging, and collaborating researchers named Loma Linda one of five original Blue Zones — geographic pockets where documented longevity outcomes exceed national averages. Buettner's published work attributes Loma Linda's results to lifestyle patterns including plant-forward diets, regular low-intensity physical activity, and weekly rest-day observance among a subset of long-studied residents. The designation is a research finding, not a lifestyle prescription for newcomers.
What are the school ratings in Loma Linda?
Loma Linda public schools are served by Redlands Unified School District, ranked #88 Best School Districts in California on Niche (overall grade A-, 4.2/5 reviews across 170 users, 19,673 students, 21:1 ratio). Bryn Mawr Elementary (K-5, Loma Linda) holds a Niche grade of A-. Redlands East Valley High serves most Loma Linda addresses at high-school level (Niche ranking #244 among California public high schools). Loma Linda Academy is a long-established private TK-12 alternative (est. 1906). Verify enrollment eligibility by address — district boundaries cross city lines.
What is the commute from Loma Linda to downtown Los Angeles?
By car: ~62 minutes off-peak and 90-120 minutes during peak hours via I-10 west (60 miles). By transit: take Arrow commuter rail from Loma Linda Station north to San Bernardino Transit Center, transfer to Metrolink San Bernardino Line to LA Union Station; total journey ~1 hour 50 minutes. Arrow runs every 30 minutes at peak and hourly off-peak. The Omnitrans sbX Green Line BRT also terminates in Loma Linda for intra-metro trips to Cal State San Bernardino.
What are the crime statistics in Loma Linda?
Per 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data (via HomeSnacks and AreaVibes compilations), Loma Linda recorded 71 violent crimes (~280 per 100,000, 24.3% below national average) and 554 property crimes (~2,185 per 100,000, 11.8% above national average). Property-crime rate is partially elevated because the 25,000-resident city absorbs tens of thousands of daily commuters, patients, and visitors at Loma Linda University Medical Center, the VA Healthcare System, and Loma Linda University. Law enforcement is provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (contract city).
What is the housing market like in Loma Linda?
The Redfin median sale price was $709,000 in February 2026 (+1.5% year-over-year), with Zillow's typical home value at $603,037 (-1.1% YoY). Price per square foot averages $356. Median days on market range from 39 to 85 depending on the snapshot, reflecting a modest cooling from the 2024 peak. There are currently 8 new-construction listings at a median of $689,000. Hill-adjacent streets on the south side command premiums over the flatter north and central blocks.
What healthcare facilities are in Loma Linda?
Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) is an 891-bed academic medical center with Level I adult and pediatric trauma designations (the pediatric designation is one of only six in California). It is renowned for infant and neonatal cardiac programs following the 1984 'Baby Fae' case and subsequent successful infant heart transplantation. Loma Linda University Children's Hospital operates a dedicated pediatric tower. The VA Loma Linda Healthcare System (Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Hospital) serves 76,000+ veterans. LLUH system-wide operates 6 hospitals and outpatient clinics across the Inland Empire with ~18,000 staff. Drive time to LLUMC from most residential Loma Linda addresses is under 5 minutes.
What are the top employers in Loma Linda?
Loma Linda University Health (~18,000 system-wide employees, including LLUMC and affiliated hospitals) is the largest employer; VA Loma Linda Healthcare System employs 3,000+; Loma Linda University (~4,600 students plus faculty and staff) is the third major campus employer. Redlands Unified School District and the City of Loma Linda round out the top local employers. The city's economic development office notes a healthcare and social-services workforce of 531,000+ within a 50-mile radius.
What parks and outdoor activities are in Loma Linda?
Hulda Crooks Park is a 72-acre regional park at Mountain View Avenue off Barton Road, with 19 acres of trails, playgrounds, athletic courts, an off-leash dog park, and picnic/BBQ areas. Its trailhead connects into the Loma Linda Hills network of 50+ miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails ranging from moderate to advanced. Heritage Park, Richardson Park, and the Jerry Lewis Family Swim Complex round out city-operated recreation. The San Bernardino National Forest (San Gorgonio Wilderness) is ~25 minutes north for high-elevation trails.
How walkable is Loma Linda?
Walk Score rates the city at approximately 19/100 (area average), Transit Score at ~13, and Bike Score at ~25 — meaning most errands require a car. Exceptions exist along the Barton Road commercial corridor and the LLUMC campus, where transit access is unusually strong for a small Inland Empire city: the Omnitrans sbX Green Line bus rapid transit terminates at LLUMC and VA Loma Linda with 10-minute peak frequency, and the 2022-opened Arrow commuter rail serves Loma Linda Station.
What are the property taxes in Loma Linda?
California's Proposition 13 sets the base property tax rate at 1% of assessed value, with voter-approved bonds and special assessments layered on top. San Bernardino County's median effective property tax rate is approximately 1.20%. The median annual property tax bill in Loma Linda is $3,789. Your specific rate depends on your Tax Rate Area (TRA) — contact the San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector at (909) 387-8322 or check your annual property tax bill.
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