Major city · United States
Pico Rivera
Skip as a base. Give Pico Rivera half a day for the rodeo arena or a round of golf, then sleep in Whittier or Long Beach.
Pico Rivera is a working Gateway Cities suburb about 15 km southeast of downtown Los Angeles, with no hotel strip and no walkable sight cluster. Its draw is narrow and specific: a 6,000-seat charro arena, a 9-hole municipal course, a small railway-station museum and a 1958 steakhouse. Come for one of those, not for the town.
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 °C (86 °F)+ most afternoons)avoid Jul–Sep (inland heat, 86 °F (30 °C)+ most afternoons)
- Airports
- LAX · LGB · ONT
- 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.
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 Pico Rivera911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Pico Rivera Sheriff's Station (non-emergency)562-949-2421
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 Pico Rivera, 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
- SafetyA normal suburban risk profile: traffic and parking-lot property crime are the real issues, not street violence.
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 · 562-949-2421 Pico Rivera Sheriff's Station (non-emergency)
- 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.
- AirportLAX Los Angeles International (About 35–50 min by car without traffic; allow 1 h+ at peak.).
- Getting aroundMetro buses link Pico Rivera to downtown LA and neighbouring Gateway Cities, but routes are slow and stops are spread out.
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 mealSteak dinner at Dal Rae$40–70
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedTelegraph Rd motel double, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedTelegraph Rd motel double, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
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 35–50 min by car without traffic; allow 1 h+ at peak.) · LGB Long Beach Airport (Smaller and closer, about 25–35 min by car.) · ONT Ontario International (Inland option; about 50–70 min by car.)
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
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°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 (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Dec (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pico Rivera: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°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
Metro buses link Pico Rivera to downtown LA and neighbouring Gateway Cities, but routes are slow and stops are spread out. A car is the practical choice: parking is free and easy almost everywhere in town. Rideshare works for evenings; expect a wait outside the arena after a show.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 15–25 min
Car or Metro bus along Whittier Blvd
Uptown Whittier gives you the walkable dining and coffee that Pico Rivera lacks.
Door to door: 20–30 min
Car via Telegraph Rd or I-605
More restaurants and the Columbia Memorial Space Center.
Door to door: 30–45 min by car
Car via I-605 south, or Metro bus with a change
Use it as a coast base or an evening out.
Door to door: 15–20 min
Car via Telegraph Rd
Splash! water park and a regional park in summer.
Compton
cautionDoor to door: 25–35 min
Car via I-710
Check current conditions and go with a purpose.
Artesia
goDoor to door: 25–35 min
Car via I-605
Little India dining strip on Pioneer Blvd.
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.
Telegraph Road motels
A handful of budget motels along Telegraph Rd; basic, car-dependent, no restaurant strip. Check current listings before booking.
Whittier or Downey (nearby)
Better-value rooms, walkable Uptown Whittier dining, 15–25 min by car.
Long Beach (nearby)
If you want a coast base with more to do, sleep here and drive in for a specific event.
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
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Telegraph Rd motel double1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Rideshare from downtown LA, one way1 × US$35 | US$35 |
| Rental car, one day, compact1 × US$55 | US$55 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$48 |
| Trip total≈ US$264 per person per day, bed included | US$528 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax extra. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Mexican plate at a casual spot | $12–20 |
| Steak dinner at Dal Rae | $40–70 |
| 9-hole round, municipal course | $20–35 |
| Movie ticket, Cinepolis | $12–18 |
| Rideshare across town | $10–18 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Almost nothing is walkable between sights: plan each stop as a separate drive.
- Summer afternoons inland run hot; the aquatic centre and golf course are morning activities.
- Event nights at the Sports Arena flood local parking — arrive early or rideshare.
- Prices at the pump and in shops are before sales tax; the total at the till is higher.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Pico Rivera Sheriff's Station (non-emergency)
- 562-949-2421
Pocket card
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Pico RiveraPico Rivera
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Sheriff's Station (non-emergency)562-949-2421
Embassy
No consulates in Pico Rivera; most are in downtown Los Angeles or Beverly Hills.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- LAX → Pico Rivera, rideshare: $40–70, 35–50 min
- Metro bus, one ride: $1.75, exact change or TAP card
- Rental car, one day: $45–80 plus fuel
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the parking? — Where is the parking?
- The check, please — The check, please
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How far is it on foot? — How far is it on foot?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
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 Pico Rivera. 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 °C+ most afternoons) · 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
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LAX, LGB and ONT: taxi and rideshare bands field-checked, plus a late-night fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Whittier Blvd, Smith Park, the Washington/Rosemead retail corner, and the arena and golf course.
- Place pages with verified hours (Historical Museum, Sports Arena, golf course, Cinepolis) and eat pages with last orders.
- Event-night fixtures for the Sports Arena so arrival and parking gates can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Pico Rivera
- officialLA Metro
- secondaryWikivoyage: Pico Rivera, revision 5217834 (CC BY-SA 4.0)