South Gate, CA

Gabriellino and Tongva Indians inhabited the land thousands of years before Spanish explorers reached South Gate. Modern history began with the settlement of one of the first Spanish families in this region, the Lugos, in 1769. Almost 100 years later, the area south of Lugo's ranch became the City of South Gate. This city got its name after the South Gate Gardens, and it was officially incorporated in 1923.

Drop in to the South Gate Civic Center Museum located on California Avenue. This free museum offers a glimpse into this city's past in the form of hundreds of photos, furniture and antiques.

Residents of this city look forward to the Annual South Gate Children's Christmas Lane Parade that has a parade, candies and of course, Santa.

The cultural diversity of South Gate is best seen in its local restaurants and bars. If you are in the mood for Obama chicken or Kobe burger, then Mt8848 Bar and Grill is the place. Born in Nepal and raised in Europe, chief chef J.Thomas adds a Himalayan touch to authentic European dishes. Royal dal bhat, chicken tikka masala, potage of pumpkin and ginger soup, prawns pasta, and peppered steak keep you coming back for more.

Another place to enjoy a mixed cuisine is Sushilito's. Come here to taste the fusion of Mexican and Japanese cuisines in the form of gried jalapeño roll, shrimp sushilito style sauce with sticky rice, mango roll, double crunch roll and molcajete de res y pollo. These dishes are simply one-of-a-kind, with the varied layers of flavors tickling your taste buds long after the food is gone. Matched by pleasant staff and neat ambiance, this is a must-visit local restaurant.

What's a LA suburb without some authentic Chinese food? Dragon Loco, located on Long Beach Blvd, fits the description of a small Chinese restaurant offering the best Chinese flavor. Won ton soup, house chow mein, pork fried rice, crispy orange chicken and kung pao shrimp transport you back to China. Don't be fooled by the small place, as the food comes in large portions enough to fill the appetite of two medium eaters.

Good food is matched by a vibrant and interesting nightlife in South Gate. To visit the best dive bar on the southern side of downtown LA, head to The Toadstool located on Atlantic Avenue. As you walk in, the vibe of this place makes you forget your worries. A full liquor bar, three pool tables, big screen TVs to watch your favorite players in action, friendly bartenders and good live music entertain all your senses.

To shake a leg with friends, saunter into Lido Restaurant, the hottest and most happening dance club in this part of LA county. This is the place to be if you love Norteno music. Plan to come here early, as the place fills up fast, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.

South Gate's urban charm is accentuated with its connectivity to downtown LA. Take route number 60 or 760 to go to downtown LA, and the trip averages about 30 minutes. Though buses ply once every 15 minutes, most people prefer to use their cars due to the convenience that comes with it. Alternately, you can hail a cab through the many transit companies that operate here, or just send the next taxi to your doorstep with some help from Uber.

Large sidewalks and good temperatures in South Gate open up opportunities to bike or walk around for your local needs, though most people stay away from bikes due to the maddening traffic. With the crisscrossing of highways, cars seem to be the best transportation option here. Availability of public parking at low rates adds to the use of cars and can be found in abundance.

South Gate Park has everything you need for outdoor activities. This free park gives you the option to walk, bike, run, play soccer, shoot basketball, or simply to catch up with your friends and loved ones. The play area on this park is sure to keep kids entertained for hours on end. Hollydale Park, with its neat landscaping and play areas, remains another popular choice for both kids and adults. Trails located throughout this park help exercise enthusiasts to stay fit and healthy.

Good communities cost more, so South Gate's cost of living is 29.8 percent higher than the U.S. average. This higher cost of living translates to everything, as a one-bedroom apartment rents at an average of $1,250, while a pint of beer costs $5.45 in the local pubs. Gas prices also sit at 9.5 percent higher than the national average.

Head to Azalea Regional Shopping Center on Firestone Blvd to get almost anything under the sun. For a more personalized shopping experience, visit Curacao. Being close to downtown, South Gate does not offer much option for boutique specialty stores. Your best choices are large retailers, such as Target, Walmart and Sam's Club. "The Last Original Clothing Store," Greenspans covers everything from hats and shoes to accessories and coats.

For your everyday grocery, Lucky Grocery Store and El Super have good choices, while the South Gate Certified Farmer's Market on Tweedy Boulevard sells fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers.