Is Glendale AZ Safe?

This Glendale travel safety guide answers all travel safety-related questions, including is Glendale AZ safe, the safest and most dangerous places, safety tips, and more.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started –

Is Glendale AZ Safe?

The city of Glendale is situated nearly eight miles north of downtown Los Angeles, California, within the San Fernando Valley and the Verdugo Mountains. It is best known for its Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, which serves as the burial site for several worldwide famous personalities, high-profile Hollywood celebrities, and luminaries.

Glendale has Grand Central Airport, the renowned departure point for the first commercial transcontinental flight, flown by the famous 20th-century pilot Charles Lindbergh. The city is called the “Jewel City” as it sparkles like a jewel in the sun.

Glendale is popular for its mall and is surrounded by lovely scenery. The city offers wonderful opportunities to its visitors. You can go for a hike in the surrounding mountains, see great museums or visit famous parks offering an incredible experience of camping.

It is best recognized for its Brand Boulevard, a prominent stretch of road packed with various shops. Here, you will see the Americana at Brand, a large outdoor shopping complex brought to the city by LA’s famous The Grove.

This article will be a lifesaver if you plan to visit Glendale in your upcoming vacation.

Warnings & Dangers in Glendale, Arizona

Overall Risk – Medium

The city has medium overall risk. The crime rate is not impressive, and there is robbery, property crime, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny/theft, motor vehicle theft, etc. Compared to other towns of its size, the crime ranking is higher for this city.

Transport & Taxis Risk – Low

Glendale has a low transportation risk. You can ride in Dial-A-Ride and Glendale Urban Shuttle for free, as these are run by the city. You can even travel in a rideshare or traditional cab, as both require permits from the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Pickpockets Risk – Medium

Glandale has moderate pickpocket risk. You have more chances in crowded areas or tourist spots. So, it is best to keep your belongings close to you. Avoid carrying expensive items wherever you travel in the city, and avoid keeping your wallet or purse in your back pockets. Be alert in crowded neighborhoods.

Natural Disaster Risk – Medium

Though it receives 300 days of sunshine, there is a moderate risk of natural disasters. A monsoon occurs in summer, a series of fast-developing storms that start and then fizzle out. During its short life span, it drops a lot of water and stirs up wicked winds that cause damage. The other risk is that of wildfires that result in smoke.

Mugging Risk – Medium

There is a medium mugging risk in Glendale. The chances are more in tourist places. The most common mugging is assault and theft, which are higher than in cities of similar size in Arizona. So, we advise you to be aware of your surroundings and travel without much cash or valuables. You can safely store them in your hotel room.

Terrorism Risk – Low

Glendale has a low terrorism risk. The Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center works 24 hours and seven days a week to control terror in the city. But it is always good to travel with alertness and be updated on your areas or nearby regions.

Scams Risk – Low

The city has a meager risk of scams. There are some common scams that target a few people. It will help you learn about the different scams in the city before you travel to avoid falling victim.

Women Travelers Risk – Medium

Women have medium risk in Glendale. According to the State Department data, there is a high chance of human trafficking, and women become easy targets of trafficking. Not only this, high theft and robbery are also considered while ranking this city as moderately dangerous for women.

Tap Water Risk – Low

The city has low tap water risk. The water is safe and healthy to drink as per EPA standards. Therefore, you can use tap water for drinking in any part of the city.

These warnings and dangers would give you information about the city regarding various factors. While you know several dangers and risks in the city, you might want to know about the safest places to visit in the city when you travel.

Safest places to visit in Glendale, Arizona

The Museum of Neon Art

The Museum of Neon Art was built in 1981, and it is a great place where you will learn about neon works of art made from neon lighting. The Museum is also known as MONA.

Earlier, it was located in the downtown area of Los Angeles and moved to Glendale in 2016. Some of the most prominent pieces in this museum are neon signs from the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the Brown Derby.

Verdugo Park

Vertigo Park is located close to Verdugo mountain, after which it is named. It is one of the largest parks in Glendale. The park offers a range of activities to its visitors, including play areas, baseball fields, and basketball courts.

There are also wonderful picnic spots where you can spend the afternoon enjoying the Californian sun, horseshoe courts, and a skate park.

Brand Boulevard

Brand Boulevard is an area where you will find a range of local shops. This place is famous as the main drag in Glendale and ideal for book readers since it is especially popular for its bookstores and strong cafe culture.

You can visit Boulevard if you wish to read some new literature in Glendale. The spot is also known for its eclectic stores that include curiosities, such as shops selling evening wear. So if you wish to have a red carpet dress or a tuxedo, visit this place to find them.

Forest Lawn Cemetery

Forest Lawn Cemetery is a place where many well-known personalities are buried. It is also known by its nickname Glendale’s Walk of Fame. Many people visit this place to pay homage to one of their heroes.

You will see the graves of film stars, musicians, singers, and several other professionals. The worldwide famous Michael Jackson is buried here, as are Humphrey Bogart and Sammy Davis Junior.

Autry Museum of the American West

The Autry Museum of the American West was built in 1988 and shows many exhibits and events, including lectures, film festivals, and musical recitals promoting the history of the American West. You will also find art pieces at the Museum Museum in a dedicated gallery called the “Art of the West.”

Deukmejian Wilderness Park

It is a scenic spot with huge local flora and fauna, such as wild Canterbury bells, lupines, poppies, and yellow monkey flowers. If you want to explore nature, this is an ideal place for you.

The park’s most significant feature is a McFall Oak that is 200 years old. There are many trails, such as the 2-mile Dunsmore Canyon Trail, with gorgeous vistas over Crescenta Valley.

These are the safest places in Glendale.

Places to avoid in Glendale, Arizona

You will be safe if you stay in tourist spots in the city. According to the data, the south region of the city is not safe, and your chance of being a victim of crime here may be as high as 1 in 19.
The areas close to Phoenix also have risks. On the other hand, the northern part is relatively safer with low chances, 1 in 48, of being a victim.

However, the northern region is mostly residential areas in the city.

Safety tips for traveling in Glendale, Arizona

• Avoid carrying big bags or bulky wallets – As previously mentioned, Glendale is a hotspot for theft and burglary. So, avoid traveling with big bags and a lot of luggage. This will lessen your chances of being targeted by thieves. Also, check if your bank allows payments through any app to avoid carrying a bunch of credit or debit cards.
• Stay hydrated – Keeping yourself hydrated while traveling in Glendale is good, as the heat there can cause a lot of damage. Temperatures can get above 100 in the spring, summer, and fall. Drink water every 15 to 20 minutes to keep yourself hydrated.
• Be your doctor – You might get Hyperthermia quickly in the sun. Therefore, you must know the signs like nausea, dizziness, and heavy breathing. Check your body temperature, and if it goes above 104°(F), seek medical help.
• Be careful of storms – You must check air quality and storm potential every day, as you never know when the sunniest days can quickly turn into storms with heavy rain and lightning.
• Be careful of summer – It is recommended to wear waterproof, long-lasting sunscreen with SPF30 when you are moving out in the sun. Sun exposure without proper safety measures can quickly lead to heatstroke and dehydration. The city’s sunburn could even lead to skin cancer.
• Avoid driving on flooded roads – If the city’s road is flooded by a storm, please do not drive around barriers or go through the water. This can harm you or can even kill you. Besides this, you could have to pay the cost of your rescue to the State Department since you went against the “Stupid Motorist.”
• Sign Up for Reverse 911 – We suggest you sign up for Reverse 911. Doing so will notify you of public safety threats, large fires, storms, or hazmat situations.
• Runaway from rattlesnakes – You must be careful of rattlesnakes which are most commonly found in wide-open deserts. The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is the most common in this area. Please don’t get involved in clicking pictures, as you might put yourself in big danger. They can bite you if they get irritated. It is best to call the animal control department if you see one.

How safe is Glendale to travel alone?

Glendale is safe to travel alone. However, like every other place, there is indeed reasonable risk involved. So, travel with proper precautions specifically mentioned for Glendale. Avoid dangerous places or getting out on the sunniest day without being prepared.

Is Glendale AZ safe for solo females?

Glendale is not so safe for solo female travelers. There is a high chance that women may fall victim to human trafficking. The risk is more for visitors as they remain unknown in most city areas. Please don’t travel without being prepared for every risk and danger involved.

Read safety guide for other cities of Arizona –

• Is Yuma AZ Safe?
• Is Tucson Safe?
• Is Tombstone Safe?
• Is Tempe AZ Safe?
• Is Sierra Vista AZ Safe?
• Is Sedona safe?
• Is Chandler AZ safe?
• Is Glendale AZ safe?
• Is Flagstaff Safe?
• Is Gilbert AZ Safe?
• Is Phoenix Arizona Safe?

How safe is Glendale for Travel

The city of Glendale is not so safe and has higher crime than most of the cities of its size. It is in the 25th percentile for safety, meaning 75% of cities are safer and 25% are more dangerous. The crime rate is 39.94 per 1,000 residents.

However, this number does not significantly affect the inflow of visitors to the city as there are more tourist destinations than in other cities of similar size. Overall, you can visit Glendale as most tourist destinations are safe and low-risk. Hopefully, our travel guide has provided you with every detail, such as whether is Glendale AZ safe, the safest and most dangerous places, and more.