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Nicknamed the Freeway City for sitting where the 91, 110, and 405 freeways come together, Gardena is a central, well connected South Bay adjacent community with a genuinely diverse population and one of the longest standing Japanese American communities in California. Swami International Property Management is headquartered right here in Gardena and has been matching Los Angeles County renters with quality homes since 1978. Tell us what you are looking for and our leasing team will follow up with current Gardena area availability.
Find Your Home in Gardena
Send us a message. No obligation. A leasing agent typically responds within one business day.
Send a MessageEqual Housing Opportunity Provider. DRE License #01309982.
Central, Connected, and Genuinely Diverse
Everything a renter needs to know before choosing Gardena as their next home base.
Location & Commute
Gardena sits at the meeting point of the 91, 110, and 405 freeways, and the western end of the 91 is even named the Gardena Freeway. Close to a dozen Metro Local bus lines run through the city along Rosecrans Avenue, Crenshaw Boulevard, and Western Avenue, putting LAX about 8 to 10 miles away, the beach cities of Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach roughly 5 to 7 miles away, and Downtown Los Angeles about 13 to 15 miles away.
Schools
The Los Angeles Unified School District covers all of Gardena, operating Gardena High School, Peary Middle School, Denker Avenue Elementary, and a number of other campuses. Families also have access to private and parochial options based in the city, including Junipero Serra High School and Maria Regina Catholic School, so it is worth confirming the exact attendance zone for any specific address.
Parks & Recreation
Rowley Park anchors the city's recreation system with sports fields, a skate park, and paved trails, and hosts the annual Gardena Jazz Festival. The Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve protects a rare, naturally occurring marsh at the southeast corner of the city, and Freeman Park adds a smaller neighborhood green space.
Shopping & Dining
The Rosecrans Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard corridors carry most of the city's everyday retail, alongside a genuinely diverse restaurant scene reflecting Gardena's Japanese, Korean, and Latino communities. Donut King II, home to one of Southern California's giant rooftop donut signs, is a beloved local landmark along Vermont Avenue.
Climate
Like most of coastal Los Angeles County, Gardena enjoys a mild, semi arid climate with average temperatures in the mid 60s year round. Summers are warm and mostly dry, winters are cool and mild, and the bulk of the modest yearly rainfall falls between November and March.
Safety & Community
Gardena maintains its own Gardena Police Department rather than contracting out to a countywide agency, with roughly 89 sworn officers serving the city. As in any city, conditions vary block to block, and we encourage renters to review conditions for the specific address they are considering.
A City Built on Freeways, Farms, and Community
Gardena's story is unlike almost any other city in the South Bay, and it still shapes the city renters move into today.
Donut King II, Gardena, CA, via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons license.
Gardena proper began in 1887, when real estate developers subdivided part of the old Rosecrans Rancho in anticipation of a new rail line, and Civil War veteran Spencer Roane Thorpe is credited with starting the area's first settlement. Early growers found the area a rare green spot during the dry season, and the city was known for decades as Berryland for its strawberry farms, celebrated each year with a Strawberry Day Festival and Parade.
The City of Gardena officially incorporated on September 11, 1930, combining the communities of Gardena, Moneta, and Strawberry Park into a single municipal corporation. From 1936 to 1980, Gardena held a Los Angeles County monopoly on legal cardrooms, with the tax revenue funding close to a third of the city budget at times. A card club still operates today on the site of the former Normandie Casino.
Gardena is also home to one of the longest standing Japanese American communities in California. Until 2014, it had the second highest concentration of Japanese Americans of any U.S. municipality outside Honolulu, and the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute, based in the city since 1988, continues to offer cultural, educational, and social programs for the wider South Bay Japanese American community.
Nissin Foods opened its United States headquarters and a manufacturing plant in Gardena in 1970, and Marukai Corporation USA is headquartered in the city as well, reflecting Gardena's long running ties to Japanese American business and culture. Swami International Property Management has operated its own headquarters in Gardena since 1978, giving our leasing team an on the ground understanding of the city that is hard to match.
Explore Gardena's Neighborhoods
Gardena is made up of several distinct neighborhoods, from the historic Strawberry Park and Moneta districts to the busy Rosecrans Avenue corridor.
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Photos above are representative stock imagery except where the exact Gardena location is noted, sourced from Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licenses.
Gardena, CA on the Map
A quick reference for where Gardena sits relative to Torrance, Redondo Beach, and the wider South Bay.
Schools Serving Gardena, CA
Public school options across the Los Angeles Unified School District, plus private and parochial choices based in the city.
Photos above are representative stock imagery, not the exact campuses, sourced from Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licenses. Enrollment boundaries change from time to time, so families should confirm current attendance zones directly with LAUSD or the school in question.
Parks Near Gardena, CA
Green space and community gathering spots across the city's parks system.
Photos above are representative stock imagery except where the exact Gardena location is noted, sourced from Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licenses.
Average Rent in Gardena, CA
Current asking rent ranges across the Gardena rental market, for context while you plan your move.
| Unit Type | Typical Monthly Rent Range |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,500 to $1,700 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,700 to $1,900 |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,200 to $2,400 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,400 to $2,800 |
Rent ranges reflect market wide asking figures as of early 2026 and change regularly. Specific Swami International listings may fall above or below these ranges. Demographic figures are drawn from the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates, and walkability figures are drawn from Walk Score. Send us a message for current, unit specific pricing.
Explore Rentals Near Gardena, CA
Considering the wider South Bay? These neighboring communities are within a short drive of Gardena.
Photos above are representative stock imagery except where the exact location is noted, sourced from Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licenses.
Common Questions About Renting in Gardena, CA
What is the average rent for an apartment in Gardena, CA?
As of early 2026, asking rent generally runs from about $1,500 to $1,700 for a studio, $1,700 to $1,900 for a one bedroom, $2,200 to $2,400 for a two bedroom, and $2,400 to $2,800 for a three bedroom home. Send us a message for current pricing on specific Swami International units.
What school district serves Gardena, CA?
The Los Angeles Unified School District covers all of Gardena and operates the city's public schools, including Gardena High School, Peary Middle School, and Denker Avenue Elementary School. A number of private and parochial options are also based in Gardena, including Junipero Serra High School and Maria Regina Catholic School. Confirm the exact attendance zone for any specific address you are considering.
Is Gardena, CA a safe place to live?
Gardena is patrolled by its own Gardena Police Department rather than relying on a countywide agency, with roughly 89 sworn officers serving the city. As with any city, safety varies block to block, and prospective renters should review conditions for the specific address they are considering.
How far is Gardena from LAX, the beach, and Downtown LA?
Gardena sits about 8 to 10 miles from LAX, roughly 5 to 7 miles from the beach cities of Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach, and about 13 to 15 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, typically 20 to 30 minutes by car depending on traffic and route.
What is Gardena, CA known for?
Gardena carries the nickname Freeway City for sitting at the crossing point of the 91, 110, and 405 freeways, and the western end of the 91 is even named the Gardena Freeway. The city held a Los Angeles County monopoly on legal cardrooms from 1936 to 1980 and remains home to a card club at the site of the former Normandie Casino. Gardena also has one of the longest standing Japanese American communities in California, anchored by the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute.
Is parking available at Gardena apartments?
Parking varies by property in Gardena. Some buildings offer assigned or covered parking, while others rely on off street or permit parking. Confirm parking details for any specific unit when you apply, or send us a message and we can point you to availability with the parking setup you need.
Are Gardena apartments close to public transportation?
Gardena is served by close to a dozen Metro Local bus lines running along corridors like Rosecrans Avenue, Crenshaw Boulevard, and Western Avenue, giving renters a car optional option for many errands and connections toward Torrance, Hawthorne, and the wider South Bay. Gardena does not have its own rail station, so longer commutes generally rely on a car or bus and rail combination.
Does Swami International manage rental properties in Gardena, CA?
Yes, and Gardena is where Swami International Property Management is headquartered. We have served Los Angeles County renters since 1978, managing 295 properties and 2,373 units. Send us a message or call our vacancy line to hear about current and upcoming Gardena area availability.
Current Vacancies in Gardena, CA
Live availability for Gardena and the surrounding South Bay.
2804 W. El Segundo Blvd. Unit 08
Why Rent with Swami International Property Management
What to expect when you work with our leasing team, headquartered right here in Gardena.
- Headquartered in Gardena, serving Los Angeles County since 1978
- 295 properties and 2,373 units under management
- Professionally managed with responsive maintenance support
- A real leasing agent typically responds within one business day
- A 90 percent lease renewal rate across our portfolio
- Equal Housing Opportunity Provider
Ready to Call Gardena Home?
Send us a message or call our vacancy line. A real leasing agent will follow up with current availability.
