San Gabriel

San Gabriel is a city in the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California.

Get in

Via automobile

San Gabriel is north of Interstate 10 from the New Ave. exit about 9 miles (14 km) east of downtown Los Angeles.

See

• Ramona Museum of California History, 339 South Mission Ave, ☏ +1 626 523-9798. Saturday 1PM-4PM. This museum contains an eclectic collection of artifacts from the early history of California, ranging from a mammoth tooth to Pio Pico's opera glasses to a blacksmith shop. Free. 
• San Gabriel Historical Association Museum and Hayes House, 546 W. Broadway, ☏ +1 626 308-3223. Saturday 1PM-4PM. Free. 
• 1 San Gabriel Mission (Mission San Gabriel Arcangel), 428 South Mission Dr (public transit: Metro bus #487 from Downtown Los Angeles), ☏ +1 626 457-3035, fax: +1 626 282-5308, sgm@sangabrielmission.org. Daily: 9AM-4:30PM; closed New Years Day, Easter Sunday, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. This church was the fourth of the 21 missions on El Camino Real. It was established in 1771, predating the Pueblo of Los Angeles by several years. Between 1771 and 1834, more people were baptized at Mission San Gabriel than any other mission. Today, the church and grounds have been restored and contain a small museum, and a playhouse that was built for productions of The Mission Play. The first Saturday of each month features special programs. This mission is one of the smaller missions and can be seen in 1 or 2 hours. The church was damaged by a fire in 2020. Adults $5, seniors (62 and older) $4, youth (6-17) $3, 5 and under free. 

Do

• San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, 320 S. Mission Dr., ☏ +1 626 308-2865, fax: +1 626 284-9529. This historic 1927 theatre is still used for concerts, plays, and dance performances. The theatre has a working Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ. Tours of the theatre may be arranged by contacting the Managing Director at ext. 227. 

Eat

• 1 99 Ranch Market, 140 W Valley Blvd #150, ☏ +1 626 307-8899. 8AM–10PM daily. The iconic Chinese market has everything from imported Asian candies to live fish swimming in tanks to hard-to-find brands of cosmetics, plus a hot deli for a take-away picnic. Many employees speak Chinese. (updated Jul 2023)