Major city · United States
El Monte
Skip El Monte as a destination. Use it only as a transit hub for Greyhound or Metro buses, or if you need a cheap bed near the San Gabriel Valley. One hour is enough to see the historical museum.
El Monte is a working-class city in the San Gabriel Valley, historically a stop on the Santa Fe Trail and home to the former Gay's Lion Farm. Today it functions mainly as a bus hub (Greyhound, Metro) and a budget lodging base for travellers passing through Los Angeles. The El Monte Historical Museum is the only sight; most visitors move on to Pasadena, Arcadia or Claremont.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot)
- Airports
- BUR · ONT · EMT
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
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 El Monte911 ▾
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
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 El Monte, 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
- SafetyEl Monte has a higher crime rate than the LA county average.
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
- 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.
- AirportBUR Hollywood Burbank (30 mi northwest).
- Getting aroundCar is the only practical way.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (diner)$2–4
- Metro or bus rideGreyhound bus LA–El Monte$10 (check)
- Budget bedMotel room (private), a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedMotel room (private), a night, per roomUS$90
- High-end bedMotel room (private), a night, per roomUS$130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$80 · High US$120
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
- BUR Hollywood Burbank (30 mi northwest) · ONT Ontario International (30 mi east) · EMT San Gabriel Valley Airport (General aviation only)
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
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°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. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
El Monte: 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)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°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
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 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
Car is the only practical way. Metro bus J Line (Silver) runs to downtown LA; local buses cover the valley. Rideshare available.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20 min
Car via I-210, about 15 min
Old Town, Norton Simon Museum, Huntington Library.
Door to door: 15 min
Car via I-210, about 10 min
Los Angeles County Arboretum, Santa Anita Park.
Door to door: 15 min
Car via I-210, about 10 min
Old Town Monrovia, hiking in Monrovia Canyon Park.
Door to door: 15 min
Car via I-10 W, about 10 min
Chinese and Vietnamese food, Alhambra Place.
Monterey Park
goDoor to door: 15 min
Car via I-10 W, about 10 min
Chinese bakeries and restaurants.
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.
Peck Road / I-10 corridor
Motels near the freeway; convenient for drivers, walkable to a few fast-food places.
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
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–120 excl. bed
- High
- $120+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room (private)1 × 1 night × US$70 | US$70 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$50 | US$50 |
| Greyhound bus (one way, LA–El Monte)1 × US$10 · check | US$10 |
| Metro bus J Line (one way)1 × US$2 · check | US$2 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$13 |
| Trip total≈ US$145 per person per day, bed included | US$145 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (diner) | $2–4 |
| Fast-food meal | $8–12 |
| Motel room per night | $70–130 |
| Greyhound bus LA–El Monte | $10 (check) |
| Metro bus one way | $1.75 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- El Monte is not a walkable city; sidewalks are limited along main roads.
- Motels near I-10 can be noisy.
- The bus terminal can attract transients; keep valuables secure.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
El MonteEl Monte
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest consulate services are in Los Angeles. Check the US State Department website for your country's embassy in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Greyhound LA–El Monte: about $10, 30 min (check)
- Metro bus J Line LA–El Monte: $1.75, about 45 min (check)
- Taxi from Burbank Airport: $60–80 (check)
Say or show
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the bus station? — Where is the bus station?
- Thank you — Thank you
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 El Monte. 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, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about El Monte
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