Alhambra, CA

The city of Alhambra, California was founded in 1903. It is a suburban community situated to the Northeast Los Angeles. It is often called the "Gateway to San Gabriel Valley."

In 1874 Benjamin Wilson, an early settler, purchased 275 acres in the area and subdivided it into tracts. His young daughter was reading Washington Irving's book The Alhambra, about the Moorish palace in Spain, and she encouraged her father to name their newly bought land Alhambra. Wilson adopted the name, naming several streets in the original subdivision after places in Spain to further the theme.

Today, nearly 86,000 people called Alhambra home. The city has a culturally diverse population; nearly half of the population is Asian or Pacific Islander, one third is Latino, and 14 percent is Caucasian. Alhambra is a full-service city, with homes, industrial parks and retail locations. It is rich in history but keeps an eye on building for the future.

Alhambra enjoys a moderate climate throughout the year, with no extreme temperatures. The average year-round temperature is around 73 degrees. The city has an average annual rainfall of approximately 13 inches.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Older homes constructed in the styles of craftsman, bungalow and arts and crafts are intermingled with newer houses and modern condominiums in Alhambra. Local neighborhoods vary in style and character:

• Bean Tract is the priciest neighborhood, located in the Northwest part of the city. The area is named after Jacob Bean, a Minnesota lumber baron who enjoyed the mild California climate.
• Historic homes from the 1940s make up the Midwick Tract in the southwest corner of Alhambra. The neighborhood was built on the land of the Midwick Country Club, which burned down in 1944.
• Houses in the Airport Tract were built after World War II on what used to be the landing pad for Alhambra Airport.
• Emery Park consists of homes built for disabled veterans after World War I, as part of the Veterans Farm and Home Purchase Act.
• Main and Garfield has been the main business district since the late 1800s. Many of the older historic buildings have been replaced, but the area is still a thriving destination for dining, retail, and entertainment.
• Valley Boulevard is a busy Asian neighborhood featuring banks, dining establishments and Asian herbalists.
• On the western edge of town, the Alhambra is a multi-unit, 45-acre office campus that covers an area of roughly a million square feet. The site offers many amenities, with plans to add residential housing in the future.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Located at the gateway to the San Gabriel Valley, Alhambra's location allows for a diverse economic base. Education, government and health care are some of the top industries in Alhambra, with more than 45 percent of workers employed by the public sector. Manufacturing and retail trade also make up a large part of the local economy.

The Los Angeles County Public Works, the Alhambra City Schools and the County of Los Angeles are the three top employers. Major private sector employers include Empire Building and Environmental Service, a heating and air conditioning maintenance company; Southwest Administratorsat The Alhambra, an administrative services company; and Costco.

EDUCATION

Alhambra is home to a number of satellite campuses for larger universities, including:

• Platt College: Offers two year programs in graphic design, health care, paralegal, and visual communication.
• Everest College: Provides training in health care oriented fields.
• Alliant International University: Offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in business, education, and psychology.

FOR VISITORS

• The Alhambra Historical Society Museum was formed in 1966. It promotes and encourages historical study of the city and surrounding area.
• American Museum of Beat Art is an archive of works from the Beat Generation of the 1950s.
• The Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation designs exhibits at various restaurants in the area. The exhibits include railroad-themed photography and scale models of trains and are open to the public during regular restaurant business hours.
• Anime and graffiti-inspired art are the focus of the Nucleus Gallery.
• Local artists display their work in the City Hall Art Gallery. The exhibits change monthly, and many pieces are available for sale.
• Shorb Garden features artwork celebrating the history of Alhambra.

BEST BETS

• Every Sunday, visitors can choose from among more than 600 varieties of fresh fruit, vegetables, honey, plants and flowers at the Alhambra Certified Farmers' Market.
• The annual San Gabriel Valley Lunar New Year Parade and Festival coincides with the Chinese Lunar New Year. The festival is broadcast live on local Chinese radio and on local television.
• The Alhambra Summer Jubilee features world-famous musicians, food and retail booths on Saturday nights throughout the summer.
• Held in June, the Taste of Alhambra gives local restaurants the chance to showcase their diverse foods in an outdoor environment.

LOCAL MEDIA

• Around Alhambra is a free, monthly newspaper distributed by the Chamber of Commerce. It is available at various locations around the city, as well as online.
• Alhambra residents enjoy all of the television and radio stations that are broadcast in the greater Los Angeles area.