Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Monterey Park with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Monterey Park on the map
📍 Where Monterey Park is
Monterey Park sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Hollywood Burbank (~17 mi / 27 km). It's roughly 7 mi (11 km) from Downtown LA and 108 mi (174 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Family attractions near Monterey Park
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Monterey Park.
Almansor Park
A lake, playground and golf course — a solid local stop to pair with Alhambra's Main Street dining.
Free
Mission San Gabriel Arcángel
Reopened in 2023 after the 2020 fire — a restored church and a reimagined museum on Tongva history.
Modest admission
Vincent Lugo Park ('Monster Park')
The beloved 1965 concrete 'sea creature' playground. Heads-up: some sculptures are under multi-year restoration and may be fenced — verify before a special trip.
Free
Montebello Barnyard Zoo
A beloved old-school petting zoo inside Grant Rea Park with pony rides, a little kiddie train, and a barnyard full of goats, sheep and bunnies to feed. It's ideal for toddlers and preschoolers rather than older kids. Bring small bills for feed cups and pony tickets, go on a cooler morning since there's limited shade, and park free in the Grant Rea lot.
~$11 zoo admission, pony rides ~$12; weekend combo ~$24/child
Grant Rea Park
The big green hub of Montebello — ball fields, picnic tables, a playground and the barnyard zoo all in one spot. Families pair a free morning at the playground with a paid loop through the petting zoo next door. Parking is free, but the lot fills on weekend mornings when sports leagues play, so arrive early and grab a shaded table.
Free
Montebello Library (LA County)
A friendly LA County branch with a kids' area, story times and free family programming, plus blessed air conditioning on hot valley days. A great free rainy-day or heat-wave backup when the parks are too warm. Check the events calendar before you go — story time fills up fast with local families.
FreeFestivals & annual events in Monterey Park
What Monterey Park is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival
Garvey Avenue closes for a two-day city-run street festival with lion and dragon dancers, food and vendor booths, and a carnival fun zone. Free shuttles run from off-site parking both days.
Free
Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival
A volunteer-organized cultural arts festival at Barnes Park with Japanese and other Asian performing arts, craft demonstrations and food booths. Over 25 years running.
The 26th annual ran Apr 11-12, 2026; 2027 not published
Local restaurants in Monterey Park
NBC Seafood
Classic Monterey Park banquet hall doing rolling-cart dim sum.
Empress Harbor Seafood
Spacious upstairs dim sum palace with traditional pushcart service.
Huge Tree Pastry
Tiny Taiwanese breakfast gem for fan tuan rice rolls and hot soy milk.
Mama Lu's Dumpling House
Xiao long bao soup dumplings, pork-and-chive dumplings, and dan dan noodles. Cheap, fast, and kid-friendly.
Seasonal & outdoors near Monterey Park
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Monterey Park.
Monterey Park is part of the San Gabriel Valley family guide — see the region's best things to do, local eats and events.
More Los Angeles family guides
Monterey Park family FAQ
Where can families eat in Monterey Park?
Local, family-friendly spots in Monterey Park include Mama Lu's Dumpling House, NBC Seafood, Empress Harbor Seafood and Huge Tree Pastry, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.