Alhambra is a city in the San Gabriel Valley. There is a large ethnic Chinese population (both from Taiwan and Mainland China), though not as much as in neighboring cities like Monterey Park.
Get in
By plane
The closest and most convenient airport is the Burbank/Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, which is 18 miles from Alhambra. Other nearby airports are Los Angeles International Airport and airports in Ontario, and Orange County.
By train
Alhambra is just 6 miles from Union Station in Downtown L.A.. Metro Local Bus Line 76' runs from Union Station to Alhambra.
By car
Alhambra is intersected by the east/west Interstate 10 with exits at Fremont Ave, Atlantic Blvd, and Garfield Ave, the main north/south arteries of the city. Interstate 710 has its northern terminus at Valley Blvd., at the western edge of Alhambra. Cars traveling to Pasadena or South Pasadena exit the 710 here and must take side streets (Valley Blvd. east to Fremont Ave. north).
By bus
Las Vegas Express Bus operates a daily service to and from Las Vegas, which has a stop just south of Alhambra in neighboring Monterey Park.
Get around
Alhambra is a walkable city in some areas (Main St, Valley Blvd) but you are likely to want to rent a car to see the surrounding areas as well. The bus is a cheaper, but slower option.
By bus
Alhambra is accessible by LA Metro Bus routes 76 (Valley Blvd) and 78 (Main St), as well as the Metro Express 760. Although inexpensive, expect it to be much slower than automobile. Detailed routes and schedules are located at the LA Metro website.
The city runs a few of its own buses, the Alhambra Community Transit (ACT) (dead link: January 2023). There are two lines, Green and Blue. The fare is only 25 cents.
By car
Car rental will be your best bet. Car rentals from all the major companies are at the Los Angeles Airport as well as two in Alhambra.
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 2201 W Main St, +1 626 457-2828.
- Avis Rent-A-Car, 330 S Garfield Ave # 108, +1 626 407-2431.
See
- Renaissance Plaza.
- Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Western America.
- Ramona Convent.
- Wing Lung Bank. Was the largest glass tile mural in North America in 2008.
Do
- Lunar New Year Celebration, Valley Blvd. One of the largest Lunar New Year's celebrations in Southern California takes place in Alhambra, preceded by a three-week art exhibit at city hall. Nearly 25,000 people turn out to celebrate the Lunar New Year in the city's main Chinese commercial district on Valley Blvd with booths, activities, workshops, cultural demonstrations, giveaways and food. 2015-05-26
Buy
Eat
- The Hat.
- Twohey's Restaurant.
Drink
Sleep
The few hotels in Alhambra are not well reviewed. The Days Inn on First St. is probably the best bet. There is a Hilton not to far away in San Gabriel on Valley Blvd., though you will probably feel more like you are in Taipei than California. Airbnb offers local rentals, which may be your best option if you want to stay in the city limits.
- Days Inn Los Angeles/Alhambra-N. First, 15 N. First St, +1 626 308-0014.
- Hilton Los Angeles/San Gabriel Hotel, 225 W Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776, +1 626 270-2700. $100+
Stay safe
Alhambra is a safe city, with its own police force, the Alhambra Police Department (APD) (dead link: January 2023). The APD is professional and courteous, and will respond quickly. Do not drink and drive: they are serious about it, and you will go to jail. The most likely crime one can encounter is minor property theft. Lock your bicycle, and normal stuff like that. As in all of America, for emergency services call 911. The APD non-emergency number is +1 626-570-5151.