Introduction to Bellflower, California
The California city of Bellflower, situated in Los Angeles County, is located about 20 miles south of Los Angeles proper and about 15 miles west of Anaheim. Incorporated in 1957, the city derived its name from the "Belle Fleur" apple, a breed growing abundantly in the region. For much of the early 20th century, Bellflower and its neighboring cities comprised a prime dairy farming and milk production center. Bellflower's good soil and cheap water also fostered a strong resource for gardeners, fruit growers, and nursery operators. By the late 1950s, Bellflower was a principal shopping center for the surrounding region but in the 1960s and 1970s chose to remain focused on smaller businesses, which eventually affected the city's revenue streams. Through the establishment of a redevelopment strategy, Bellflower today is making strides to redevelop; attracting new businesses to the city, renovating existing business facades and upgrading its infrastructure.
Bellflower is served by California State Highway 91 and Interstate-605. Nearby freeways include Interstate-5 and Interstate 710.
Bellflower Events and Attractions
Bellflower is home to the annual Liberty Day Parade, held every October. Other public events include the Summer Streetfest concert series, the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, and Halloween carnivals.
Several major attractions are located in the nearby Los Angeles and Anaheim areas. Among these are: Universal Studios, Disneyland & Disney's California Adventure Park, Knott's Berry Farm & Soak City, Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, CBS Television City, the L.A. County Natural History Museum, and the Wells Fargo History Museum.
These same nearby areas are home to several professional sports teams. Among these are:
- Major League Baseball (MLB): Los Angeles Dodgers & Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
- NBA Basketball: Los Angeles Lakers & Los Angeles Clippers
- WNBA Basketball: Los Angeles Sparks
- NHL Hockey: Los Angeles Kings
- MLS Soccer: Los Angeles Galaxy
- MLL Lacrosse: Los Angeles Riptide
- AFL (Arena Football League) Football: Los Angeles Avengers
