Alhambra (/ælˈhæmbrə/ ⓘ, /ɑːlˈhɑːmbrə/ ⓘ, Spanish: [aˈlambɾa]; from "Alhambra") is a city located in the western San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, California, United States, approximately 8 miles (13 km) from the downtown Los Angeles civic center.

[5] The San Gabriel Mission was founded nearby on September 8, 1771, as part of the Spanish conquest and occupation of Alta California.

In 1820 Mexico won its independence from the Spanish crown and lands once ruled by them became part of the Mexican Republic.

[6] Alhambra was founded as a suburb of Los Angeles that remained an unincorporated area during the mid-19th century.

Thirteen years before the city was incorporated, several prominent San Gabriel Valley families interested in the Catholic education of their daughters established the school in 1890.

[7][8] There are also a large number of condominiums, rental apartments, and mixed-use residential/commercial buildings, especially in the downtown area.

While many of the classic historical buildings have been torn down over the years, the rebuilding of Main Street has led to numerous dining, retail, and entertainment establishments.

Subsequently, developers have remodeled the dilapidated building, turning it into a vibrant commercial center with many Chinese stores and eateries.

In 2003, actress Lana Clarkson was shot to death in the Alhambra home of record producer Phil Spector.

[10] Spector lived in Alhambra's largest and most notable residence, the Pyrenees Castle, built in 1926.

[12] Alhambra is bordered by South Pasadena on the northwest, San Marino on the north, San Gabriel on the east, Monterey Park on the south, and the Los Angeles districts of Monterey Hills and El Sereno on the west.

[5] During 2009–2013, Alhambra had a median household income of $54,148, with 13.9% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

In the California State Legislature, Alhambra is in the 25th Senate District, represented by Democrat Sasha Renée Pérez, who previously served as Mayor of Alhambra, and in the 49th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Mike Fong.

Major thoroughfares within the city include Atlantic and Valley Boulevards, Mission Road, Fremont and Garfield Avenues, and Main Street.

It is part of the line between Los Angeles's Union Station and San Diego, through the Inland Empire.

It was the original, family-owned outdoor restaurant, and is now a well-known small Southern California chain.

The event was of such significance to the majority Asian American demographic in Alhambra that it was broadcast live on Chinese radio, KWRM AM 1370, locally on KSCI-18, and later on worldwide cable and satellite TV.

From 2001 to 2008, Alhambra was the host of the Summer Jubilee, a street carnival and music concert held every Saturday, until its postponement due to loss of funds caused by the late 2000s recession.