Monterey Park (蒙特利公園)
Monterey Park is a city in Los Angeles County, California, situated in the San Gabriel Valley. It is widely recognized as the historic heart of the Taiwanese American community in the United States and has been nicknamed “Little Taipei.”
Geography and Overview
Monterey Park is located approximately 9 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The city has a population of roughly 60,000, with a significant East Asian population. As one of the smaller cities in the San Gabriel Valley, it developed into a key hub for Taiwanese immigration starting in the 1960s and 1970s.
Taiwanese American Community
Monterey Park was one of the first destinations for Taiwanese immigrants arriving in Southern California, drawn by its proximity to downtown Los Angeles and affordable housing. Over decades, the city accumulated Taiwanese businesses, churches, and cultural organizations.
Taiwanese American Churches
- Good Shepherd Taiwanese Presbyterian Church (好牧者臺灣基督長老教會) — 606 S Atlantic Blvd., founded by Taiwanese immigrants and students; current pastor: Rev. Ming Yuan Hsu (許明遠) (2019–present)
Taiwanese American Organizations
- NATPA South California Chapter — Founding meeting held on December 14, 1985, at the Lincoln Plaza Hotel, Monterey Park
Taiwanese Cultural Life
Monterey Park’s Atlantic Boulevard and Valley Boulevard corridors feature dense concentrations of Taiwanese businesses including:
- Restaurants and cafes
- Grocery stores and bakeries
- Medical and professional offices
- Taiwanese cultural and community centers
The city continues to host annual Taiwanese cultural events during Taiwanese Heritage Week, maintaining its role as a cultural gathering point for the community.
Historical Significance
Monterey Park’s designation as “Little Taipei” reflects its importance as the original anchor of Taiwanese settlement in Southern California. While later waves of Taiwanese immigration expanded into surrounding cities such as Rowland Heights, Hacienda Heights, and the greater San Gabriel Valley, Monterey Park remains the symbolic and historical center of the community.