Arts & Culture
About
The rich history of the City of San Gabriel dates back to 1771 with the founding of the Mission San Gabriel Archangel, a California State historical landmark, which established San Gabriel as the birthplace of the Los Angeles region.
The Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, "Pride of the California Missions", founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1771 was the fourth of 21 California missions. It has long been a center for culture and art. As the original and oldest settlement north of San Diego and south of San Luis Obispo, it is from San Gabriel that the City of Los Angeles and the greater metropolitan area were established.
Libraries & Museums
San Gabriel Library
The library has a collection of English and non-English publications, including Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese books for adults and Chinese and Spanish books for children. DVD’s are available in English and Chinese. Downloadable audio books, digital eBooks and music files are also available.
San Gabriel Library events include Storytimes for babies, toddlers and families, book clubs for adults, meditation and special themed events and activities.
500 S. Del Mar Ave.
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 287-0761
Hayes House and Museum
Their daughter, Mary Ruth Hayes (1907-1990), was born in the house and lived there all her life. She was a teacher and administrator in the school district for more than forty years. She willed the home and its contents to the San Gabriel Historical Association. The home reflects the lives of one family in San Gabriel for nearly 100 years.
The small stone milk house was used as a jail on weekends to hold revelers from local saloons until they could be taken to the Los Angeles County Jail on Monday morning. It was later moved to the Wilson-Hayes property.
Hours
First Saturday of each Month 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
San Gabriel Historical Association
546 W. Broadway
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 308-3223
Group tours may be arranged by appointment
SGHA Website
Ramona Museum of California History & George A Lyman Memorial Library
The Museum is located on Mission Drive, opposite the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse in the heart of the Mission District and houses a number of fascinating artifacts from California’s colorful history.
Hours
Saturdays 1:00pm-3:00pm
Free
Ramona Parlor #109
Native Sons of the Golden West
P.O. Box 292
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 523-9798
Group Tours may be arranged by appointment. Free parking available. Handicap Access.
Performing Arts
San Gabriel Mission Playhouse

The theater, with almost 1400 seats plays host to a number of regular clients including the Pasadena Civic Ballet, Pasadena Dance Theatre, San Gabriel Valley Music Theatre, TheatreWorksUSA, Theatre Experience of Southern California, Los Angeles Theatre Organ Society, Chinese American Dancing Group and Esperanza Flores Ballet Folklorico. More information about these and some other groups that perform at the Playhouse, visit the Playhouse Returning Clients page.
You can read more about the Playhouse and the Mission Play itself, on the Mission Playhouse website.
320 S. Mission Dr.
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 308-2865
www.missionplayhouse.org
San Gabriel Valley Music Theatre
P.O. Box 848
San Gabriel, CA. 91778
Office: (626) 282-1440
www.sgvmusictheatre.org
Visual Arts
San Gabriel Fine Arts Association
Today, SGFAA promotes traditional fine art in the community, providing a venue for member artists to show their work. The Association maintains a large group of over 200 members and represents all of Southern California and several states.
The gallery is open to the public in the Mission Playhouse’s Glass Room, and is generally open Tuesday – Saturday, Noon-4:00pm.
The Glass Room Gallery
320 S. Mission Dr.
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 282-1448
Sgfaa website
Don’t see your organization or group listed? If you’re based in the City of San Gabriel and are a member, or leader of an Arts or Cultural organization or an individual artist, let us know and we’ll see if we can include your details here. Know of one and don’t see it here? Get in touch, and we’ll see what we can do.