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San Gabriel Valley Airport (EMT)
Overview
Location
4233 Santa Anita Ave
El Monte, CA 91731
(626) 448-6129
Get Directions
San Gabriel Valley Airport
Events
Announcements / News
Media Inquiries
For any media inquiries, please contact pio@pw.lacounty.gov
No current announcements / news at this time.
Introduction
Located in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley with convenient access to the I-10 and 210 Freeways, San Gabriel Valley Airport facilitates more than 81,000 general aviation takeoffs and landings each year on its 3,995-foot asphalt runway. It primarily serves the constituents of El Monte, the San Gabriel Valley, and the greater Los Angeles area.
Originally constructed in 1936 and owned and operated by the County of Los Angeles since 1969, the airport is now publicly available to general aviation (GA) aircraft 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is home to more than 200 based aircraft, a restaurant, a pilots lounge, and numerous aviation-related businesses. Additionally, the airport serves as an emergency-preparedness center, with aerial firefighting and law-enforcement support, disaster relief, search-and-rescue, and air-ambulance services.
Current Airport Events / Activities / Opportunities
LA County airports host and support—along with aviation, non-profit, and community partners—various events that are open to the general public. These include static aircraft displays, fly-ins, air races, air shows, and open houses. Opportunities for youth to explore aviation careers are also available.
Visit our Events and Activities Calendar to learn about upcoming public events, activities, and opportunities at our airports.
Additionally, airport tours and off-airport visits are provided to local schools, youth organizations—such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and civic groups that want to learn more about our airports specifically, and aviation in general.
Contact the airport manager at one of our five airports to schedule an on- or off-airport visit for your group.
Community Information
San Gabriel Valley Airport offers various facilities, services, opportunities, events, and activities available to local communities and their residents.
Airport Facilities
- Aircraft viewing area
- Conference and meeting facilities
- Restaurant
- Event spaces
Airport Services
- Flight training
- Aircraft charter
- Aerial sightseeing tours
- Airport tours
- Presentations for local school career days
- Partnerships with local organizations to facilitate community programs (recycling, hazardous waste collection, food and clothing drives, vaccination sites, cooling centers, etc.)
Non-Profit and Other Aviation Organizations
Other Information
Airport Events and Activities
Visit the Events and Activities webpage to learn more about upcoming public events at the airports and how to request a tour of the airports.
Pilot Resources
Airport Overview
San Gabriel Valley Airport features an FAA-operated air traffic control tower, a 3,995-foot by 75-foot asphalt runway (01/19) and has ample capacity to safely and efficiently accommodate a wide range of fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft.
The airport also offers nearby access to various destinations, including:
- BMO Stadium (19 miles)
- Crypto.com Arena (16 miles)
- California State University Los Angeles (9 miles)
- Dodger Stadium (15 miles)
- Irwindale Speedway (4 miles)
- Los Angeles Convention Center (17 miles)
- Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (19 miles)
- Raging Waters Los Angeles (17 miles)
- Rose Bowl Stadium (13 miles)
- SoFi Stadium (27 miles)
Products and Services
- Aviation fuel
- Aircraft maintenance
- Aircraft flight training
- Aircraft rental
- Pilot lounge and flight planning facilities
- Restaurant
- Transient (visitor) aircraft parking
Noise Abatement Program
LA County airports are surrounded by noise-sensitive residential and commercial areas. As such, each airport endeavors to be an asset, not a nuisance, to their respective local communities. In order to help mitigate potential negative impacts from aircraft operations and enhance compatibility with the surrounding communities, the Department of Public Works maintains a proactive noise-mitigation program with requested visual flight rules (VFR) flight paths, operational restrictions, and limited activities during certain hours of the day.
Pilots should be aware that LA County airports‘ neighbors—residents, business owners, visitors, and wildlife—are sensitive to aircraft noise. Airports’ staff ask that pilots follow these noise abatement procedures—only when practical and consistent with the safe operation of aircraft—to protect the quality of life for LA County community members:
Disclaimer: The above noise abatement procedures should only be used for flight planning. Pilots should read back and follow all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control instructions.
Useful Links
The following resources provide general information pertaining to airport operations:
- Airport Facility Directory (AFD)
- AirNav Website
- Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) and Temporary Flight (TFRs)
Fuel Availability and Pricing
The following aviation fuel services are available. Please contact the fuel providers for current prices.
Billion Air Aviation
- Full- and self-service Avgas (100LL)
- Full-service Jet A
- Contact: (888) 818-8177 or (626) 825-1661
Los Angeles County Airports
- Self-service Avgas (100LL)
- Contact: (626) 501-0617
Hangar and Tie-Down Rental Information
Please contact the San Gabriel Valley Airport – Airport Manger’s Office at (626) 448-6129 for more information on available tie-downs and hangar space.
Tenant Resources
Commercial Café
Tenants have access to Commercial Café, an online portal through which they can submit lease/license payments, read announcements, and place requests for maintenance. All online payment transactions are secure and meet the Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance standards. Click the button below to access the Airport Tenant Portal.
Airport Administration Contacts
4233 Santa Anita Avenue
El Monte, CA 91731
Salvador Eulloqui, Airport Manager
seulloqui@dpw.lacounty.gov
Airport Office (626) 448-6129
Other Useful Links
Airport Businesses
Airport Businesses and Service Providers
| Business | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Aero Association of Caltech | Flying Club | (626) 437-2399 |
| Aerial Sim | Aircraft Simulator Training | (626) 826-7806 |
| Aerial Photography | Aerial Photography | (626) 826-7806 |
| AMDG Aviation | Property Management | (626) 807-3852 |
| Annia’s Kitchen | Dining / Restaurant | (626) 401-2422 |
| ARA Aviation | Avionics | (909) 957-4685 |
| Billion Air Aviation | Pilot / Aircraft Line Services | (888) 818-8177 |
| Billion Air Aviation | Fuel / Full Service / Jet-A and 100LL | (626) 208-3708 |
| Bill’s Air Center | Aircraft Maintenance / Repair Station | (626) 274-2137 |
| Cloud Aviation | Flight Training / Aircraft Rental | (626) 455-8888 |
| Joey’s Mobile Detailing | Aircraft Washing / Detailing | (626) 806-9148 |
| MB Thrill Squadron | Flight Training / Aircraft Rental | (818) 862-1202 |
| Off Road Kings | Custom Off Road Vehicle Service | (626) 443-8937 |
| Santa Anita Storage | Off-Airport Storage Facility | (626) 872-5988 |
| So-Cal Flying Club | Flight Training / Aircraft Rental | (626) 869-7099 |
General Business Information
For additional information about the airport’s business rules and regulations, please visit the LA County Airports Business Resource page.
Minimum Standards and Permits
View San Gabriel Valley Airport’s minimum standards and permits document.
Brief History
The airport was constructed by Nick Lentine in 1936 on approximately 35 acres of land during the early growth of Southern California aviation. It served as an Army Air Corps cadet training facility in the years leading up to World War II, supporting the rapid expansion of pilot training nationwide. Civilian operations were curtailed during the war, and the airport was temporarily closed as resources were redirected to the war effort.
Following World War II, the airport reopened during the postwar aviation boom, when general aviation expanded significantly across the United States. The facility was purchased and operated by private individuals, including Robert Wanamaker, and became a hub for flight training, aircraft maintenance, and recreational flying. In 1965, the County of Los Angeles began leasing the airport from Mr. Wanamaker and subsequently purchased it in 1969, ensuring its long-term role as a public-use general aviation airport serving the region.
Following its wartime closure, the airport underwent significant expansion and transformation. From its modest beginnings in 1936 on just 35 acres, San Gabriel Valley Airport has grown to encompass 103 acres. Today, it features a total of 469 hangars and tiedowns, a dual 20,000-gallon fuel storage facility, one fixed-base operator (FBO), two aircraft service stations, and multiple flight schools serving the broader San Gabriel Valley.
Over the years, the airport has evolved alongside the surrounding communities of the San Gabriel Valley, supporting business aviation, public safety operations, and aviation education. In November 2014, the airport’s name was changed from El Monte Airport to San Gabriel Valley Airport through a collaborative initiative by airport tenants, Los Angeles County Public Works, and neighboring cities. The new name reflects the airport’s regional significance and its role in serving the entire San Gabriel Valley, rather than a single municipality.
Today, San Gabriel Valley Airport is a thriving general aviation facility, facilitating over 116,000 aircraft takeoffs and landings in 2025. The airport is home to over 300 based aircraft, a popular on-site restaurant, and a variety of aviation businesses and nonprofit organizations. With a continuously operating Airport Traffic Control Tower, modern navigational aids, and an Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), the airport safely and efficiently accommodates a wide range of aircraft from small, single-engine trainers to larger turboprop and business jet aircraft.
Overall, the airport plays a vital role in the nation’s integrated system of airports and remains an important asset to the local community, supporting economic activity, emergency response, and aviation access for the diverse population of the San Gabriel Valley and the broader County of Los Angeles.
LA County Airports
