Introduction to Downey California
Incorporated in 1956, Downey is a city in Los Angeles County, in Southern California. Downey is approximately 20 minutes southeast of Los Angeles and 20 minutes northeast of Long Beach.
Downey was founded by, and is named after, former California governor John Gately Downey. He founded Downey in the 1870s. Downey was home to the first Taco Bell restaurant, and is the home to the oldest surviving McDonald's restaurant in the world, which was built in 1953. Karen and Richard Carpenter, of the singing group the Carpenters, attended Downey High School after their parents moved to Downey in 1963.
Downey Arts, Culture, and Entertainment
Downey residents can take advantage of all of the arts and entertainment attractions of Los Angeles and surrounding Los Angeles County. Some of the attractions of note in and around Downey include:
- The Carpenters Collection at the Downey City Library.
- The Civic Light Opera.
- The Downey Civic Theatre.
- The Downey History Center.
- The Downey Museum of Art.
- The Downey Symphony.
- The Krikorian Theatre.
- The Rio Hondo Golf Club.
- The World's Oldest McDonald's.
Downey is conveniently located near many professional teams, including:
- The Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League (AFL).
- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB).
- Club Deportivo Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS).
- The Lancaster JetHawks, and Inland Empire 66ers of Minor League Baseball (MiLB). The JetHawks are a Class A Advanced affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the 66ers are a Class A Advanced affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
- The Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- The Anaheim Mighty Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL).
- The Los Angeles Storm, and Southern California Seahorses who play in the United Soccer League's (USL) Premier Development League.
- The Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.
Downey is also only 30 minutes south of Pasadena, home to the Tournament of Roses Parade and the NCAA's Rose Bowl every January first.