Alhambra is a city located in the western San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, California, United States, approximately eight miles from the Downtown Los Angeles civic center. It was incorporated on July 11, 1903. As of the 2020 census, the population was 82,868. The city's ZIP Codes are 91801 and 91803.
Alhambra welcome sign
Downtown Alhambra, Garfield and Main, 1890
Alhambra, 1920
Moorish-style decorative arch in Alhambra
The San Gabriel Valley, often referred to by its initials as SGV, is one of the principal valleys of Southern California, with the city of Los Angeles directly bordering it to the west, and occupying the vast majority of the southeastern part of Los Angeles County. Surrounding landforms and other features include the following:the San Gabriel Mountains to the north;
the San Rafael Hills to the west, with the Los Angeles Basin beyond;
the Crescenta Valley to the northwest;
the Puente Hills to the south, with the coastal plain of Orange County beyond;
the Chino Hills and San Jose Hills to the east, with the Pomona Valley and Inland Empire beyond; and
the city limits of Los Angeles, bordering its western edge.
Looking north from the Puente Hills above Rowland Heights
Los Angeles River, highlighted in red (on the left). The San Gabriel River is highlighted in red on the right.
Whittier, California, late 19th century
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory complex in La Cañada Flintridge. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech.