Alhambra, California

About Alhambra, California

Alhambra is a city located in the western San Gabriel Valley region. Alhambra was named after the Washington Irving book “The Tales Of Alhambra.” It was known as the “city of homes.” The city has designated over 26 areas as historic homes. There are many different styles of home, including Spanish colonial, craftsman, bungalow, Spanish Mediterranean, and Italian beaux-arts.

Alhambra has a high percentage of Asian Americans, with many Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese-owned businesses and residents. The city is home to the San Gabriel Valley Lunar New Year Parade & Festival. The festival and parade celebrate the Chinese New Year.

History

Alhambra was originally inhabited by a Native American tribe. The one here was called the Tongva. When the Spanish came to this area in 1771, they established the San Gabriel Mission. Native Americans were converted and helped the Spanish by providing labor. The land was hearty, and many orchards provided for the Spanish crown until 1833, when California fell into Mexico’s control and gave the San Gabriel Mission land to individuals.

Several notable individuals lived in what would become Alhambra, including Benjamin Davis Wilson— grandfather of General George S. Patton— and his wife, Ramona, whose father initially acquired the land from Mexico. He christened it Alhambra at the encouragement of his other daughter, Ruth, who was reading Washington Irving’s “Tales Of The Alhambra,” which detailed his travels to the world-famous palace of the same name in Spain.

In 1850, California became a state in the Union.

By the turn of the 20th century, Alhambra was home to a bustling Main Street business district and dozens of residential homes, comparably more than many neighboring communities. It was incorporated as a town in 1903, and many more storefronts and houses followed, making it a premiere Los Angeles suburb for most of the 1900s.

After World War II, numerous immigrant communities began to develop in Alhambra as well, including Italian, Mexican, and Chinese regions. There are still descendants of all among the citizenry in present-day, but Chinese Americans, in particular, continue to play a vibrant part in the restaurant, retail, and domestic makeup of many local neighborhoods.

Demographic

Racial

White: 6.4%
Two or more races: 2.5%
Asian: 53.6%
Other race: 0.4%
Black or African American: 2.5%
Native American: 0.1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0%
Hispanic: 34.5%

Marital Status

Never married: Male 41.9%
Never married: Female 35.4%
Married: 48.4%
Single: 51.6%
Divorced: Male 4.6%
Divorced: Female 10.8%
Widowed: Male 1.1%
Widowed: Female9.3%

Age and Household

Population: 80,264
Male Population: 39,594
Female Population: 40,670
Median Age: 43.2 years old
Under 18: 15.5%
18 to 64: 64.5%
65 and over: 20%
Total Households: 31,579
Average People Per Household: 2.5
Home Ownership Rate: 41%

Income

Median Household Income: $72,406
Per capita income: $41,931
14% below poverty line
White Collar: 35,777
Blue Collar: 6,021

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade: 9.74%
9th to 12th Grade: 7.17%
High School Graduate: 21.28%
Some College: 15.98%
Associates Degree: 7.45%
Bachelors Degree: 25.5%
Graduate Degree: 12.88%

source: US Census data

Education

Notable People

Alhambra, over the years, has given the world an eclectic array of professionals in a wide range of cultural and occupational disciplines.

While far from definitive, let’s take a brief look at some of the most notable individuals from Alhambra in two highly visible fields.

Entertainment

Betty White
Ke Huy Quan
Kenny Loggins
Clive Cussler
Cheryl Tiegs
Melissa Villaseñor
Mitch Vogel

Athletes

Mickey Thompson
Frank Pastore
Jairo Avila Jr.
Hank Aguirre
Danny Lopez
Noé Ramirez
Duane Allen
Ralph Kiner
Lance Mountain

Points of Interest

Gallery Nucleus

Located at 210 E Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801, the gallery has art from both local and international artists. The gallery also is home to benefit auctions, product signings, music events, and artists’ lectures.

Granada LA

Located at 17 S 1st St, Alhambra, CA 91801, the Granada LA is a bar, restaurant, nightclub, and dance studio. Visitors can book dance lessons and then show off their skills on one of the three floors of dancing that the Granada provides.

Lizard Theater Company

Located at 13 N 4th St, Alhambra, CA 91801, the Lizard Theater Company offers must-see performances from up-and-coming artists.

Alhambra Golf Course

Located at 630 S Almansor St, Alhambra, CA 91801, the Alhambra Golf Course offers and 18 hole course is a par 71 at 5,478 yards, with four par 5’s, five par 3’s, and nine par 4’s. It also has a lighted practice facility as well as a restaurant.

Ohana Brewing Company

Located at 7 S 1st St, Alhambra, CA 91801, tourists and residents can sample award-winning beer at this craft brewing company.

Fun Facts

Alhambra, California, was named after the Washington Irving book “The Tales Of Alhambra.”
The city is home to the San Gabriel Valley Lunar New Year Parade & Festival. The festival and parade celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Alhambra was known as the “city of homes.” The city has designated over 26 areas as historic homes. There are many different styles of home, including Spanish colonial, craftsman, bungalow, Spanish Mediterranean, and Italian beaux-arts.
Alhambra has a high percentage of Asian Americans, with many Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese-owned businesses and residents.
The city has been the filming location for movies such as:
- Halloween (1978)
- Liar Liar (1997)
- Father Of The Bride (1991)
- Taken 3 (2014)
- Halloween II (1981)
- Guess Who (2005)

FAQs

What are Alhambra’s overnight parking regulations?

Any vehicle without a valid Overnight Parking Permit or Handicap Placard may be cited for being in violation of the 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. parking restriction.

A Temporary Parking Permit can be obtained from the self-service parking machine, located in the Police Department’s lobby or at the 7-Eleven located at 2150 S. Fremont Ave, for a fee of $5 per night. For a.50 convenience fee, a Temporary Parking Permit for up to ten days may be purchased for $5.50.

No overnight parking is allowed on the following streets: Atlantic Boulevard, Fremont Avenue, Garfield Avenue, Main Street, Mission Road, and Valley Boulevard.

How to schedule a community safety or neighborhood watch meeting?

Call the Alhambra Police Department Crime Prevention Office at 626-570-5177 to schedule an available date and time for your first meeting.

What Kind of City is Alhambra?

Many of the homes in Alhambra, which is marketed as a “city of homes,” are significant historical structures. These include the craftsman, bungalow, Spanish Colonial, Spanish Mediterranean, Italian Beaux Arts, and Arts & Crafts architectural types.

What is the Crime Rate in Alhambra?

At 23 crimes per 1,000 persons, Alhambra’s crime rate is not among the highest in the country, but it is significantly higher than the average for all American municipalities, from the largest to the smallest.

Is Alhambra a town or a city?

Technically, Alhambra is a city that is located in the western San Gabriel Valley region.

Is Alhambra a part of the San Gabriel Valley?

Yes, Alhambra is one of the many fantastic cities included in the San Gabriel Valley region.