Montebello, CA

Getting the lay of the land in Montebello is straightforward once you know the main corridors. The northern half of the city is primarily made up of quiet residential neighborhoods, while the south mixes residential pockets with industrial areas. For shopping and dining, Whittier Boulevard serves as the traditional downtown strip with local eateries and storefronts, while the Shops at Montebello and nearby plazas along Beverly and Montebello Boulevards handle big retail runs. Along the eastern edge, the Rio Hondo river trail offers miles of paved paths for cyclists, runners, and walkers looking to get outdoors.

ATTRJames Walker / Public domain

The city gets its name from the Italian phrase for "beautiful hills," a suggestion made by civil engineer William Mulholland around the turn of the twentieth century. Before developing into a suburban community, the area was known for fertile farmland filled with flower nurseries, berry patches, and vegetable gardens. That changed in 1917 when a major oil discovery in the Montebello Hills sparked a boom, quickly supplying a significant portion of California's crude oil and leading to the city's incorporation in 1920.

ATTRKonrad Summers from Santa Clarita (Valencia) , California, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0

Commuting from Montebello is relatively easy thanks to its location about ten miles east of Downtown Los Angeles. The city runs its own transit network, Montebello Bus Lines, which connects local neighborhoods to surrounding communities and downtown transit centers. If you prefer taking the train to work, the Montebello/Commerce Metrolink station offers weekday commuter rail service, backed up by local shuttle connections to major employment hubs. Regional transit planning is also underway to bring light rail access closer to the community.

ATTRPostalRoadTrips / CC BY-SA 4.0

When it comes to recreation, the city offers plenty of green space and family-friendly spots. City Park on Whittier Boulevard is a central gathering place with sports fields, a skate park, and an aquatic center. Families with young kids often head to Grant Rea Park, which features ballfields, a splash pad, batting cages, and a small barnyard zoo. You can also tour the Sanchez Adobe to explore local nineteenth-century history, or spend an afternoon at Bicknell Park, home to the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument set against the open hilltop park grounds.