Major city · United States
Compton
Skip as a base. Give Compton half a day for the air museum, the Heritage House and the donut shops, then sleep in Long Beach or Downey.
Compton is a Gateway City of Los Angeles County, west of the I-710 between CA-91 and I-105, and the birthplace of West Coast rap: N.W.A, Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, DJ Quik and The Game all came from here, as did Serena and Venus Williams. There is very little conventional sightseeing — the draw is the music history, the small air museum at Compton Airport and the donut shops. The Metro A Line reaches Downtown LA in about 45–60 min (check). Come for half a day, then leave before dark.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar-May, Sep-Nov
- avoid Jul-Sep (inland heat, 30-35 C)
- Airports
- LAX · LGB · CPM
- Nights
- 0-1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Compton911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Compton Police non-emergency310-605-6500
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Compton, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyCompton is not one place: the casino block and the shopping centre are patrolled and calm, while blocks north of Rosecrans see gang and drug activity.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 310-605-6500 Compton Police non-emergency · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckLAX Los Angeles International (About 20–30 min by car via I-105 (check).
- Getting aroundThe Metro A Line (formerly Blue Line) runs from Downtown LA through Compton to Long Beach, roughly every 10-15 min…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3-6
- Sit-down mealper person before tip$15-30
- Street or quick mealTaco or burrito from a stand$3-12
- Metro or bus rideMetro A Line ride$1.75 (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10-25
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LAX Los Angeles International (About 20–30 min by car via I-105 (check). Rail: Metro C Line to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks, then the A Line south — about 1 h 15 min (check).) · LGB Long Beach Airport (About 20 min by car; small airport, few routes) · CPM Compton/Woodley Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled passenger flights)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Care
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Mixed: Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Dec (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Compton: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The Metro A Line (formerly Blue Line) runs from Downtown LA through Compton to Long Beach, roughly every 10-15 min; the Compton station is on Willowbrook Ave. Local buses cover Alondra and Artesia. A car is far more practical for the airport museum, the donut shops and anything after dark. Rideshare is easy to hail but wait times stretch at night.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Metro A Line from Compton station, about 20 min
Aquarium, waterfront and the best evening food in the area.
Door to door: About 25 min
Car via I-710 or I-105, about 20 min
Chain hotels, mall and the Columbia Memorial Space Center.
Door to door: About 25 min
Car via I-605 or Alameda St, about 20 min
Cerritos Auto Square and a large mall; easy parking.
Door to door: About 30 min
Car via I-605, about 25 min
Walkable uptown with old storefronts and a historic hotel.
Door to door: About 25 min
Car via I-5 or Alondra Blvd, about 20 min
Splash! water park and a regional theatre.
Door to door: About 25 min
Car via I-710 and Del Amo Blvd, about 20 min
Lakewood Center mall and a mid-century planned suburb.
Artesia
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Car via CA-91, about 15 min
Little India: the best South Asian food in the county.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Artesia Blvd / Crystal Casino block
The one hotel cluster with a casino, pool and parking; the safest-feeling beds in the city.
Long Beach (outside Compton)
South by A Line or car; far more rooms, restaurants and evening options. Allow about 30–40 min by rail (check).
Downey or Cerritos (outside Compton)
20–30 min east by car; chain hotels, malls and free parking.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60-90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90-150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Metro A Line, Downtown LA to Compton, one way2 × US$2 · check | US$4 |
| Rideshare across town, one trip1 × US$15 | US$15 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$44 |
| Trip total≈ US$242 per person per day, bed included | US$483 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3-6 |
| Donut | $2-4 |
| Taco or burrito from a stand | $3-12 |
| Sit-down meal, per person before tip | $15-30 |
| Metro A Line ride | $1.75 (check) |
| Rideshare across town | $12-20 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10-25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Crime is concentrated in specific blocks, not the whole city: check a current crime map and stay on lit main roads after dark.
- Do the sights in daylight and drive or rideshare between them; avoid walking residential side streets at night.
- Most of what you came for (donut shops, taco stands, the air museum) is spread along highways: a car or rideshare saves hours.
- Street parking is fine by day; leave nothing visible in the car.
- Sales tax is added at the till, and sit-down restaurants expect 18–22% tip.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Compton Police non-emergency
- 310-605-6500
- Poison control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ComptonCompton
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Compton Police non-emergency310-605-6500
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in Compton; consulates-general cluster in Downtown LA and Beverly Hills. US visitors: your own embassy is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metro A Line, Downtown LA to Compton: about $1.75, 30-40 min (check)
- Rideshare, Compton to Long Beach: $15-25
- Rideshare, LAX to Compton: $35-55
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the station? — Where is the station?
- No thanks, I'm fine — No thanks, I'm fine
Screenshot this card; signal is patchy inside some buildings.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Compton. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar-May, Sep-Nov · avoid Jul-Sep (inland heat, 30-35 C) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LAX and LGB: last A Line departures field-checked, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Compton station and downtown, the Alondra corridor, the Artesia Blvd casino block.
- Place pages with verified hours (Heritage House, Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum, Gateway Towne Center) and eat pages with last orders.
- A music-history walk with addresses and a daylight-only rule, plus hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A-D can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Compton — official site
- officialCity of Compton — Heritage House landmark
- officialTomorrow's Aeronautical Museum
- officialLA Metro
- secondaryWikivoyage: Compton, revision 5068373 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Compton
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