About eight miles from the heart of Downtown Los Angeles is the city of Alhambra, which is situated in the western San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County, California, in the United States. Alhambra shares boundaries with the following communities: South Pasadena to the northwest; San Marino to the north; San Gabriel to the east; Monterey Park to the south; and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Monterey Hills and El Sereno to the west. Approximately 99 percent of the 7.6 square mile total area of the city is made up of land.

Higher education establishments such as Platt College and Alliant International University, as well as the University of Southern California's Health Sciences Alhambra campus, may be found in Alhambra. The Alhambra Unified School District serves the majority of the city and is home to a number of public elementary and intermediate schools. Alhambra High School, Century High School, Independence High School, Mark Keppel High School, and San Gabriel High School are the high schools in Alhambra. The ancient Ramona Convent Secondary School is located in the city as well. Diverse educational opportunities are provided by a variety of private schools in Alhambra, both nonsectarian and sectarian.

Alhambra's transportation network includes the San Bernardino Freeway (I-10) which runs through its southern regions and the Long Beach Freeway (I-710)'s northern end at Valley Boulevard, which is located in the city's far southwest. Main Street, Fremont and Garfield Avenues, Mission Road, Atlantic and Valley Boulevards, and others are important thoroughfares in Alhambra. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan transit Authority (Metro) and Alhambra Community Transit provide public transit. A high-speed rail network along the I-10 corridor, connecting the east and west city borders, is also being considered by the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The possible effects of this idea on the city have sparked debates and worries among locals and government representatives.

With multiple automobile manufacturers represented, especially on Main St. auto row along Atlantic Boulevard, car dealerships are a major contributor to the Alhambra economy. Main St. from Atlantic Blvd. to Garfield Ave. has been revitalized, and as a result, new eateries and mixed-use buildings have emerged, creating job possibilities and encouraging business growth. The city is home to well-known businesses including Shakey's Pizza, which has its corporate headquarters in Alhambra, and The Hat, a family-owned outdoor restaurant that became a Southern California brand since its creation in 1951. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, AHMC Healthcare Inc., and the Los Angeles County Development Authority are the three biggest employers in Alhambra, according to the City of Alhambra's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.