Montebello, CA is a medium-sized city with a little more than 60,000 residents. It sits to the southwest of Los Angeles. This city has a rich history and Latin American culture. The population is almost split with half being married and the other half single professionals. Oscar De La Hoya is one famous person that resides here. The town has the title of “Tree City USA” town because it has more than 20,000 trees within the borders. The neighborhood leaders are big on providing recreational spaces that balance out the bustling business district and industrial properties in the city. Ashiya, Japan, and Stepanakert, Artsakh are both sister cities to Montebello, CA.
A short history of Montebello, CA
While Montebello has roots dating back to 1771, the city was not incorporated until 1920. Catholic missionaries began the area with the formation of the San Gabriel Mission. Flooding made it impossible to keep the original location for the mission, so the establishment moved to the current location in San Gabriel just minutes from Montebello. The name is Italian, and it means hills that are beautiful. The man who gave the town the name is William Mulholland. The main source of income for the town in the 1700’s was agriculture, but 1917 brought about oil mining and a new way of living. By the time the area became a city, it was producing about an eighth of oil produced in California.
Geography of the city
Montebello is a city of rolling hills and cliffs. The rich earth lets farmers produce abundant resources. Because of the proximity to Los Angeles at less than ten miles, residents can quickly access additional resources and entertainment. Other nearby towns include Rosemead, Pico Rivera, Monterey Park, and South San Gabriel. The town is only about eight square miles in size with a tiny percentage of that area being water.
Temperature ranges and typical climate
This sunny California city often sees temperatures that range between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The area has a history of lows in the upper 40’s and highs as hot as 113 degrees Fahrenheit. The town is pretty humid with average moisture readings running 75 to 80 percent in the afternoons. Most of the summer there is very little rainfall, but the winter months can see as much as four inches of precipitation. There is never any snow, and Montebello usually has sunshine at least 60 to 70 percent of the time.
Attractions and things to do in Montebello
Recreational areas and green spaces are significant in Montebello with the municipal golf course that has more than 120 acres of property, and the city says it is one of the best in the southern part of the state. Grant Rae Park is one of the dozens of parks, and it even has train rides, a carousel, a small water park, pony rides, and the Barnyard Zoo where families like to visit. Montebello City Park is the oldest recreational area in the community which now houses a skate park where the fishing ponds once were in the 1950’s. The Juan Matias Sanchez Adobe is the oldest building in Montebello dating back to 1854, and many locals and visitors stop by to take photos and learn about the structure. Bicknell Park is home to the local genocide memorial for those that love history. Reggie Rodriguez Park honors a Vietnam war veteran, and the community center at the park is popular for the building design.
Montebello has other famous places to go for entertainment like Mystery Art and Altered Space Gallery. Commerce Casino is a huge attraction for the area with guests enjoying the craps and blackjack tables. The city boasts that it has spectacular shopping opportunities at The Shops at Montebello. Citadel Outlets is another favorite destination for those wanting to buy gifts and clothing. Adrenaline lovers and thinkers may enjoy a stop at the Exit Game where the goal is to work as a team to find an escape before time runs out. Authentic Mexican restaurants and Italian diners are just a few of the cuisine options that visitors will find in the city. Restaurants like Marin Cafe, Frumento’s Italian Deli, Juan Great Fiesta, and Lucille’s Bar-B-Que await diners that want to sample something new, indulge in comfort food, or grab dinner for the family.
Businesses and local economy
Montebello has an enormous agricultural richness that was originally the main income generator for the city beginning in the 1700’s. In 1920, oil became the major business. Other huge economic players include specialty vehicle suppliers, car dealers, and trucking companies. The downtown area is close to Interstates 05, 605, and 710 making it very easy to get around town and across the state. Several other industries like sales, administrative support, production, management, and material supply are also huge in the community.
Whether you want to have fun and you stop by AMF Beverly Bowl or the local cinemas, Montebello has dozens of fun activities for families and individuals. The Whittier Narrows Recreation Area houses a military museum, a horse center, urban farm, disc golf, and three lakes to use. When you want a quiet picnic with someone special, or you need a space to entertain a crowd of guests, there are tons of places to gather and enjoy all the Montebello has to offer.
References:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Montebello-California.html
http://www.cityofmontebello.com/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g32735-Activities-Montebello_California.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montebello,_California