Overview
San Gabriel is a city in the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California.
3 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about San Gabriel
Ramona Museum of California History
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.
San Gabriel Historical Association Museum and Hayes House
San Gabriel Mission
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 t…
San Gabriel Mission Playhouse
This historic 1927 theatre, built for John Stephen McGroartry's Mission Play, is still used for concerts, plays, and dance performances. The theatre has a working Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ. Tours of the theatre may be…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Jun. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 45°F. Very hot (Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Pasadena)
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.
- BUR Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport, Burbank — 16 mi away (major hub). Directions
- HHR Jack Northrop Field Hawthorne Municipal Airport, Hawthorne — 18 mi away. Directions
San Gabriel is north of Interstate 10 from the New Ave. exit about 9 miles (14 km) east of downtown Los Angeles.
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 Ramona Museum of California History, San Gabriel Mission Playhouse
- Lunch 99 Ranch Market
- Afternoon San Gabriel Historical Association Museum and Hayes House, San Gabriel Mission
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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.
Understand
San Gabriel Mission was established in 1871, one of the earliest white settlements in Southern California. The area became part of the United States in 1850. In the 1870s and 1880s, railroads were built to the town. In 1912, John S. McGroarty wrote the Mission Play, which made San Gabriel a tourist destination. It was incorporated the next year.
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
See Ramona Museum of California History
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.
See San Gabriel Historical Association Museum and Hayes House
See San Gabriel Mission (Mission San Gabriel Arcangel)
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.
Do
Do San Gabriel Mission Playhouse
This historic 1927 theatre, built for John Stephen McGroartry's Mission Play, 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
Eat 99 Ranch Market
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.
Nearby
San Marino
City / town · 2 listings · 2 mi away
Alhambra
City / town · 11 listings · 2 mi away
Rosemead
City / town · 4 listings · 2 mi away
Monterey Park
City / town · 12 listings · 3 mi away
South Pasadena
City / town · 4 listings · 3 mi away
Arcadia
City / town · 14 listings · 5 mi away
El Monte
City / town · 3 listings · 5 mi away
Pasadena
City / town · 64 listings · 5 mi away
My experience
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