Hawaiian Gardens is a small city in Los Angeles County, California, covering about 1.0 square mile, making it the county’s smallest city by area. It was incorporated on April 9, 1964, and had a population of 14,149 at the 2020 census. The city’s name originated from a 1920s fruit stand decorated with palms and bamboo, which became a local landmark. Hawaiian Gardens allows casino gambling, and the Gardens Casino contributes over 65% of the city’s revenue.
Geographically, Hawaiian Gardens is bordered by Long Beach, Lakewood, and Cypress, with 1.22% of its area covered by water. Historically, the area was rural, with dairy farms, truck farms, and some oil development. Roads were mostly dirt until the city’s incorporation in 1964, after which streets were paved and major thoroughfares widened over the next few years.









