The Southern California city of Whittier is a member of the Gateway Cities and is located in Los Angeles County. In addition to the City of Industry to the north and numerous other unincorporated San Gabriel Valley villages largely along its northern borders, Whittier is bordered to the northeast by the community of Hacienda Heights. The locations of Pico Rivera are as follows: Santa Fe Springs is to the south, La Habra Heights is to the east, La Habra is to the southeast. A total of 14.7 square miles, or almost all land, is the estimated size of the city by the US Census Bureau.

Whittier has different weather patterns because it is around 15 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. The winter months bring highs of 68°F to 80°F during the day and lows of 43°F to 54°F at night. In the summer, highs range from 78°F to 95°F, with 58°F to 72°F nightly lows. Because of its higher altitude and inland location, there is a greater chance of thermal inversion at night. With an average of roughly 14 inches of precipitation per year, the region has a Mediterranean climate throughout the winter.

Whittier is home to a number of important historical sites. Rose Hills Memorial Park is the largest single-location cemetery in the world, and it's located just beyond the western perimeter of the city. California Historical Landmarks can be found throughout the city, such as the Casa de Governor Pío Pico, the final home of the Mexican governor of California, and Pio Pico State Historic Park. On Fridays and Saturdays, the Whittier Museum, which is situated at 6755 Newlin Avenue, is open for public tours. Whittier also has a number of locations, including the Pio Pico House, Hoover Hotel, Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, Standard Oil Building, Jonathan Bailey House, National Bank of Whittier Building, and Orin Jordan House, that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Every one of these places adds to Whittier's rich historical fabric.

Whittier has a varied educational landscape that includes both private schools and public systems such as Fullerton Joint Union High public District. Adults can attend Whittier Adult School, one of five high schools in the Whittier Union High School District. Catholic elementary private schools—St. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese includes Bruno's Parish School, St. Gregory the Great Parish School, and St. Mary of the Assumption School. There are different grade levels offered by Trinity Lutheran School, Whittier Christian School, Whittier Friends School, and Plymouth Christian School. Whittier College, Southern California University of Health Sciences, and Rio Hondo College are among the institutions offering higher education.