San Gabriel Travel Guide

A “city with a mission”, San Gabriel is known for its peaceful atmosphere and stunning views of the surrounding hills. San Gabriel is a popular vacation destination that offers visitors a home away from home and plenty of fun experiences that only a sunny California city can offer.

Things to Do in San Gabriel

There's something fun to do around every corner in San Gabriel. The San Gabriel Mission Playhouse puts on musicals and plays that are family-friendly and are a great way to spend an evening, while the Ramona Museum of California History offers informative exhibits and artifacts that showcase California's unique past. Visitors wanting to have a picnic or take a casual stroll can spend the day at Vincent Lugo Park, San Gabriel's largest public park. They can also take a bike ride down the San Gabriel River Trail. To relax, San Gabriel's guests can get a massage, facial, or pedicure at Organic Zen Spa, or they can get their nails done by the professionals at BeautyBar SVG.

Best Places to Stay in San Gabriel

Other than Los Angeles itself, San Gabriel has the biggest selection of vacation rentals in the Greater Los Angeles area. The rentals in San Gabriel are located throughout the city, ensuring that each visitor finds their perfect area of town. Most visitors opt for a rental in the general downtown area, though, as the rentals tend to be closer to the nightlife and activities that the city has to offer. Areas near La Laguna Playground are popular spots for vacationers, too.

Best Time to Visit San Gabriel

The best time to visit San Gabriel is May through October. In typical California fashion, July and August are the hottest months, making them ideal for beach side activities but too warm to truly relax outdoors.

Food in San Gabriel

San Gabriel is home to a number of Asian restaurants including Shanghai No.1 Seafood Village and Golden Deli Vietnamese Restaurant. However, it also offers traditional American eateries such as Mary Lane Cafe. For a fast dining option, San Gabriel also has a McDonald's, Subway, and Burger King.

Best Events in San Gabriel

The annual Fall Fun Festival celebrates Halloween and everything spooky. It features games, contests, a Haunted Zone, Halloween movies, food, free family photos, trunk or treating, and costumes of every kind. The Dia de los Muertos Festival, another incredibly popular San Gabriel festival, takes place each year in November and features live dancers, artists, food, face painting, a Catrin/Catrina costume contest, and various vendors selling souvenirs and quirky items.

Things to Do for Families in San Gabriel

On their downtime, families visiting San Gabriel can spend quality time together at the La Laguna Playground -- a popular playground that, despite not having swings or slides, can entertain children -- and parents -- for hours.