Overview
Monterey Park is in the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California.
4 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Monterey Park
Barnes Park
The main park in the center of the city where many of the big events, like the 4th of July Celebration, Cherry Blossom Festival and May Days are held.
Chinese New Year Festival
Usually takes place around January or February, depending on when the Chinese New Year falls for that year.
Cherry Blossom Festival
A Japanese and Japanese American cultural festival that usually takes place in April in Barnes Park.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Around May 5 in Barnes Park. The day features a wide variety of entertainers, including Folklorico Dancers, Mariachis, and other traditional Mexican music.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 48°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Los Angeles)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HHR Jack Northrop Field Hawthorne Municipal Airport, Hawthorne — 16 mi away. Directions
- BUR Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport, Burbank — 17 mi away (major hub). Directions
Monterey Park is located about 8 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles and is most easily accessible by car via the 10, 60 or 710 freeways.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Barnes Park, Cherry Blossom Festival
- Lunch Mandarin Noodle House
- Afternoon Chinese New Year Festival, Cinco de Mayo Celebration
- Dinner JJ's Cafe
- Evening Beard Papa
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
This is the San Gabriel Valley, which in Monterey Park primarily means: delicious, authentic Asian food. Asian style pastries and other baked goods from the many bakeries around town (try the mango cake).
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Monterey Park is located about 8 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles and is most easily accessible by car via the 10, 60 or 710 freeways.
Get around
Monterey Park has its own citywide bus system called the SPIRIT. Local area school kids affectionately dub it "the trolley".
See
Known as "Little Taipei" in the 1980s, Downtown Monterey Park (along Garvey Avenue) contains many Chinese businesses and restaurants. These authentic restaurants are often viewed as Monterey Park's biggest claim to fame. Like South Bay area in relation to Little Tokyo, Monterey Park and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley area (plus Rowland Heights further east on the 60 freeway) is the new residential heart of the Chinese community in Los Angeles.
While ethnic Chinese represents more than half of the city's population, incredible diversity exists in the city. Monterey Park is home to families who trace their roots to places as different as Mexico, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. Monterey Park - Asian-American friendly, All-American, and 100% Angeleno!
Do
Do Barnes Park
The main park in the center of the city where many of the big events, like the 4th of July Celebration, Cherry Blossom Festival and May Days are held.
Cultural celebrations
Buy
Shop Wing Hop Fung
Tea, Tea sets, bowls and ceramics, Chinese herbs and ginseng of excellent quality.
Eat
This is the San Gabriel Valley, which in Monterey Park primarily means: delicious, authentic Asian food. Asian style pastries and other baked goods from the many bakeries around town (try the mango cake).
Eat JJ's Cafe
A Monterey Park classic, old school Hong Kong-style cafe.
Eat Sushi Sai
Recommended for their salmon skin salad.
- Daikokuya Monterey Park, 111 Atlantic Blvd #241. Japanese ramen house. +1 626-570-1930
Drink
Drink Beard Papa
Great for freshly made cream puffs. Highly recommend those cream puffs but also the drinks, with great tea and coffee options, and you can add tapioca balls
Nearby
Alhambra
City / town · 11 listings · 2 mi away
Rosemead
City / town · 4 listings · 2 mi away
San Gabriel
City / town · 5 listings · 3 mi away
South Pasadena
City / town · 4 listings · 4 mi away
San Marino
City / town · 2 listings · 4 mi away
City of Commerce
City / town · 5 listings · 5 mi away
El Monte
City / town · 3 listings · 6 mi away
Pico Rivera
City / town · 11 listings · 6 mi away
My experience
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