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Compton is a city of about 95,000 people in southern Los Angeles County, between Los Angeles and Long Beach. Incorporated in 1888, it is one of the oldest cities in the county, and its name is known worldwide through the West Coast hip hop artists who grew up here. Tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams also learned the game on Compton's public courts.
The area's history goes back to the Spanish land grant of Rancho San Pedro, and the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum preserves the family home of the rancho's later owners. In town, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at the Civic Center, the Moorish-style Angeles Abbey Memorial Park and the horse-keeping neighborhood of Richland Farms, home of the Compton Cowboys, show sides of Compton many visitors never expect.
Compton sits on the A Line light rail, so it is easy to reach from downtown Los Angeles or Long Beach. The beaches of Long Beach, the Queen Mary and downtown Los Angeles are all within a short drive.
The restored adobe home of the Dominguez family, owners of one of the first Spanish land grants in California, now a museum with period furniture, family history exhibits and gardens. It is a California Historical Landmark. Opening days are limited, so check the schedule before you visit.
A tall white monument at the Compton Civic Center honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., set in an open plaza beside City Hall and the courthouse. It is a gathering place for community events and celebrations each January. It takes only a few minutes to see and is easy to reach from Compton station.
A historic cemetery opened in the 1920s whose domed mausoleums were built in an unusual Moorish and Byzantine style, with arches, minarets and ornate details rarely seen in Southern California. It is still an active cemetery, so visit quietly and respectfully during posted hours.
A historic general aviation airport dating from the 1920s, used today by flight schools, private pilots and helicopter operators. It is a pleasant place to watch small planes take off and land. Introductory flight lessons are sometimes offered by local schools for curious visitors.
A rural pocket of Compton where large lots have been zoned for farming since the early 1900s, and families still keep horses, goats and chickens. It is home base of the Compton Cowboys, who ride through the streets. Drive or walk through respectfully, as these are private homes and stables.
Compton's main shopping center near the 91 freeway, with big-name stores, a supermarket and plenty of casual restaurants and fast food. It is a convenient stop for supplies or a quick meal when exploring the area. Parking is free and plentiful.
A tributary of the Los Angeles River that runs through the heart of Compton, with a bike and walking path along parts of its banks and a soft-bottomed stretch where herons, egrets and ducks feed. It is best enjoyed in the morning. Stay on the path, as the channel can flow fast after rain.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
Photo: Vanesser III, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: USDAgov, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: USDAgov, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Vanesser III, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Epolk at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: LittleT889, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0