Experiencing L.A. in "the 626" (Monterey Park, suburban Chinatown)

The city of Monterey Park, a suburban community located 7 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, has the distinction of having the highest percentage of Chinese Americans of any city in the United States. 

These photos are along South Atlantic Blvd, one of the major thoroughfares in the city. Above, the Chinese Evangelical Free Church. My wife and I attended a friend's wedding here years ago. 

The Chase Bank at the corner of Harding and S. Atlantic. The city of Monterey Park has a population of 60,000 residents  -  2/3rd of whom are Asian-American; almost 50% of whom are Chinese Americans.

Unlike previous blog posts, many of these photographs were taken while driving - through my windshield. 


This could be a suburban shopping plaza pretty much anywhere in the United States, except that everything is in both English and Chinese. California State University, Sacramento professor Timothy Fong describes Monterey Park as "the First Suburban Chinatonwn."

According to our friends at Wikipedia, beginning in the 1970's, well-educated and affluent Asian Americans began settling in the west San Gabriel Valley, primarily in Monterey Park.

In many ways these signs remind me of Koreatown, a few miles away in Los Angeles (here's a link to a previous post). As an aside, there are also numerous suburban Korean American communities in Cerritos, Hacienda Heights, Fullerton, Buena Park, and the northwest San Fernando Valley.

Back to South Atlantic Boulevard: apparently Monterey Park tried to pass zoning ordinances in the 1988, in an attempt to limit new building resulting from the growth from the influx of Asian immigrants. As a result, many Chinese immigrants moved a couple miles away to the adjacent city of Alhambra.

While in the 1980's Monterey was called "Little Taipei" - there has been a continual shift north - and east.  

Many established, wealthy Taiwanese immigrants have since relocated out of Monterey Park and northward to wealthier cities of San Marino, Arcadia, Temple City, South Pasadena, and eastward to Diamond Bar, Hacienda Heights, Walnut, and Rowland Heights (sometimes called the "New Little Taipei").

The map above of San Gabriel Valley - located immediately east of downtown Los Angeles, shows the checkerboard of different municipalities. Unlike the Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley (the vast majority of which lies within L.A. City limits), the San Gabriel Valley has over thirty independent cities, each with their own city government. 

Over 1.5 million people live in the San Gabriel Valley, most of which is covered by the 626 area code. More on this in a bit. 

I stopped to get gas at the corner of S. Atlantic & Garvey - love the Chinese guy squatting while on on his cell phone. Super common all over China. Less common in the USA.

Inside the MASSIVE "Ranch 99" supermarket across the street (corner of S. Atlantic & Garvey). 

Ranch 99 markets are found in California (as well as Washington State, Texas, and Nevada) featuring a wide selection of Asian American food choices. Here's a link to their store locator. But this was the largest I'd ever seen. Note the bi-lingual signs inside the store. 

The soy sauce aisle. Wow, what a selection. 

Here's something you'd be hard pressed to find in your average Kroger or Safeway: squid tentacles.

Or eel sliced. Mmmm. 

The Ocean Star Restaurant. The reception of that wedding my wife and I attended at the Chinese Ev Free Church was held here. Excellent time, outstanding food!

Speaking of food . . . 

. . . more recently, I came across this GREAT video by the Fung Brothers, a couple of Chinese American guys, celebrating life in "the 626" (their area code). 

Very catchy tune, and really captures the Asian American experience in what they affectionately call "the SGV" (San Gabriel Valley). The song kicks in at 1:08. 

Cars in the parking lot at Ranch 99. Unlike "poor" immigrant neighborhoods of previous eras, there's a lot of money in the San Gabriel Valley. That's certainly not to say that everyone is rich. Far from it. But it's certainly another world from the small urban Chinatown next to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (here's a link to a previous post on that).

A final shot out my car window at the corner of S. Atlantic and Emerson, with yet another Chinese-American shopping center up ahead. The San Bernardino Freeway - "the 10" - was another few blocks up. 

The Fung Brothers video, and my very brief drive up South Atlantic Blvd, reminds me that while our family lived in Los Angeles for five years, there were huge parts of the metro are that we never experienced. 

In fact, I think the vast majority of our (former) neighbors on "the westside" of Los Angeles don't even know the San Gabriel Valley exists. Hmm, their loss. Of course, it's never too late to take a trip over. 

All part of experiencing L.A.

View Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park in a larger map

© 2012 www.experiencingla.com

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Chinatown

Back in 2009 my wife and I took our then 9 year old son and our 8 year old nephew to "Philippe's" - a 100 year old restaurant in downtown Los Angeles for lunch. Here's the link. Afterwards, we went to Olvera Street (the oldest street in Los Angeles) and then after that decided to walk over to Chinatown.

The day was overcast, crowded, somewhat confusing, and not much for kids to see. After walking a block or so up Broadway (the main drag) I could tell the boys were miserable. Time to head home.

A few months later I decided to give Chinatown another shot, this time by myself. I was in the neighborhood and figured I could scope out what see the next time with my kids. And take some pictures for the blog here.

The southern entrance to Chinatown consists to two huge dragons over Broadway.


Chinatown is a working business district with a mixture of both contemporary and traditional architectural styles. The "BC Plaza" here is pretty typical. I like the names of some of the businesses: "United Buffet" and "Honey World Center".


Another commercial center. Apparently, scenes from Lethal Weapon 4 (gee, missed that one) were filmed here.


I have no idea what this store sells, but I loved the colors!


I liked the contrast between the Far East National Bank, and the traditional Chinese building.


The Gold Line metro rail (which goes all the way to Pasadena) has a stop in Chinatown.


The Central Plaza. This is what comes to mind when I think "Chinatown." I found this excellent link. It was 6pm on a weekday and very quiet. The Central Plaza (and the rest of Chinatown) are much busier during the day.

The Central Plaza consists of a dozen or more traditional Chinese buildings. It was built as a tourist destination in the late 1930's and early 1940's with restaurants and souvenir shops up and down the plaza and pedestrian street. It's fun, and (important for me as a dad) a great for kids.


A group of Chinese men playing mah jong in the Central Plaza.


Sure it's a little touristy, but it's also great place to introduce my kids to another part of Los Angeles. Kind of ease them into the whole "cross cultural" experience. They've got plenty of years to experience the more urban side of Chinatown (and L.A.) ... and to grow in their understanding of other peoples and other cultures.


As a Christian, I'm reminded that God constantly calls me to grow in faith. To take steps and move beyond what's just comfortable. For my 7 and 9 year olds, walking around Chinatown and having lunch at a different restaurant (like Hop Louie's, pictured above) is a good first step, at least in terms experiencing another culture. There are so many incredible opportunities in Los Angeles to interact with different people, different cultures. In years to come I hope their experience doesn't end with a lunch at Chinatown.

A last look at the Central Plaza.

Meanwhile, back on Broadway, it was a chance to take in the sights and sounds of the rest of Chinatown. Mmm, roast duck.


Another modern commercial center. According to a professor friend from Cal Poly Pomona (who is from Hong Kong, so I assume he knows what he's talking about) the Chinatown in downtown L.A. was founded by Cantonese immigrants. When Mandarin speaking Chinese immigrants began arriving in the L.A. after WWII, they created their own Chinese community in Montery Park (which today has a HUGE Chinese population - subject for another blog).


Another small "mom and pop" store. I really wish I had someone to show me around!


I not sure why I like this photo. Maybe because the architecture looks so "average." Aside from the Chinese signs, this could be about anywhere in Los Angeles.


Now I know where all the Chinese restaurants in L.A. get their lucky cats.


The inside of the store with the lucky cats out front, full of tchotkies and other paraphernalia.


I LOVE this rooster on top of the roof of the poultry store!


Another view of Superior Poultry and the surrounding area.


Across the street from Superior Poultry is Peking Poultry. Both places sell live chickens. The sign in Chinese, English, and Spanish is "so L.A" (so is the barb wire on the right hand sign of the photo!). City Hall is visible in the distance.


City Hall looming over the twin dragons at the entrance (and for me, exit) to Chinatown. Time to head home. I hope to be back sometime - with my kids in tow.

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 Chinatown in a larger map

originally posted 5/2/09

© 2011 www.experiencingla.com

Chinatown

A couple months back my wife and I took my 9 year old son and our 8 year old nephew to "Philippe's" - a 100 year old restaurant in downtown Los Angeles for lunch. Here's the link. 

Afterwards, we went to Olvera Street (the oldest street in Los Angeles) and then after that decided to walk over to Chinatown.

The day was overcast, crowded, somewhat confusing, and not much for kids to see. After walking a block or so up Broadway (the main drag) I could tell the boys were miserable. Time to head home.

I decided to give Chinatown another shot, this time by myself. I was in the neighborhood this past week and figured I could scope out what see the next time with my kids. And take some pictures for the blog here.

The southern entrance to Chinatown consists to two huge dragons over Broadway.

Chinatown is a working business district with a mixture of both contemporary and traditional architectural styles. The "BC Plaza" here is pretty typical. I like the names of some of the businesses: "United Buffet" and "Honey World Center".

Another commercial center. Apparently, scenes from Lethal Weapon 4 (which I didn't actually see) were filmed here.

I have no idea what this store sells, but I loved the colors!

I liked the contrast between the Far East National Bank, and the traditional Chinese building.

The Gold Line metro rail (which goes all the way to Pasadena) has a stop in Chinatown.

The Central Plaza. This is what comes to mind when I think "Chinatown." I found this excellent link. It was 6pm on a weekday and very quiet. The Central Plaza (and the rest of Chinatown) are much busier during the day.


The Central Plaza consists of a dozen or more traditional Chinese buildings. It was built as a tourist destination in the late 1930's and early 1940's with restaurants and souvenir shops up and down the plaza and pedestrian street. It's fun, and (important for me as a dad) a great for kids.

A group of Chinese men playing mah jong in the Central Plaza.

Sure it's a little touristy, but it's also great place to introduce my kids to another part of Los Angeles. Kind of ease them into the whole "cross cultural" experience. They've got plenty of years to experience the more urban side of Chinatown (and L.A.) ... and to grow in their understanding of other peoples and other cultures.

As a Christian, I'm reminded that God constantly calls me to grow in faith. To take steps and move beyond what's just comfortable.

For my 7 and 9 year olds, walking around Chinatown and having lunch at a different restaurant (like Hop Louie's, pictured above) is a good first step, at least in terms experiencing another culture. There are so many incredible opportunities in Los Angeles to interact with different people, different cultures. In years to come I hope their experience doesn't end with a lunch at Chinatown.


A last look at the Central Plaza.


Meanwhile, back on Broadway, it was a chance to take in the sights and sounds of the rest of Chinatown. Mmm, roast duck.

Another modern commercial center. According to a professor friend from Cal Poly Pomona (who is from Hong Kong, so I assume he knows what he's talking about) the Chinatown in downtown L.A. was founded by Cantonese immigrants. When Mandarin speaking Chinese immigrants began arriving in the L.A. after WWII, they created their own Chinese community in Montery Park (which today has a HUGE Chinese population - subject for another blog).

Another small "mom and pop" store. I really wish I had someone to show me around!

I not sure why I like this photo. Maybe because the architecture looks so "average." Aside from the Chinese signs, this could be about anywhere in Los Angeles.

Now I know where all the Chinese restaurants in L.A. get their lucky cats.

The inside of the store with the lucky cats out front, full of tchotkies and other paraphernalia.

I LOVE this rooster on top of the roof of the poultry store!

Another view of Superior Poultry and the surrounding area.

Across the street from Superior Poultry is Peking Poultry. Both places sell live chickens. The sign in Chinese, English, and Spanish is "so L.A" (so is the barb wire on the right hand sign of the photo!). City Hall is visible in the distance.

City Hall looming over the twin dragons at the entrance (and for me, exit) to Chinatown. Time to head home. I'll hope to be back soon.

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© 2011 www.experiencingla.com




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