San Gabriel's housing stock is primarily established single-family homes built through the mid-twentieth century, reflecting the city's long residential history within Los Angeles County. Neighborhoods of modest ranch and traditional homes on tree-lined streets dominate, with some older character homes near the historic Mission District and a smaller number of multifamily and newer infill properties along commercial corridors. The city is nearly built out, so turnover rather than large-scale new construction shapes the market. The emphasis is on stable, family-oriented neighborhoods rather than sprawling new subdivisions, and the compact scale keeps most homes close to schools, parks, and dining.

The Mission District is San Gabriel's historic heart, centered on Mission San Gabriel Arcángel and its surrounding grounds, with the oldest homes and a distinctive civic identity. Around it, established residential neighborhoods fan out toward the city's commercial corridors, blending into the broader San Gabriel Valley landscape. The city is compact, so neighborhood distinctions are mostly a matter of home age, street character, and proximity to the mission, parks, or shopping. Vincent Lugo Park and the city's recreation facilities serve as neighborhood gathering points, and the dense local restaurant scene means most residents are minutes from a well-regarded meal.

San Gabriel's lifestyle is shaped by history and food. The mission and the Mission District provide a strong sense of place, while the city's position in the San Gabriel Valley places residents at the center of one of the country's richest Asian dining scenes. Restaurants, bakeries, and markets serving Cantonese, Sichuan, Vietnamese, and other cuisines are woven through the city's commercial fabric, and dining out is a defining local pastime. Community life is grounded in the schools, the mission's cultural calendar, and the parks, giving the city a settled, multigenerational suburban feel with unusual culinary depth.

San Gabriel is served by two public school districts. The San Gabriel Unified School District operates five elementary schools, a middle school, and two high schools, while the Garvey Unified School District also serves portions of the city. Private and parochial schools, including San Gabriel Mission Elementary School, add to the local options. The presence of two unified districts reflects the city's position amid several neighboring communities in the western San Gabriel Valley, and families generally attend schools based on their neighborhood of residence.

San Gabriel sits within a well-connected part of the San Gabriel Valley. The city has direct access to the I-10 freeway, with the I-210 and State Route 60 nearby, making commutes toward downtown Los Angeles, the Westside, and the Inland Empire straightforward. Metro bus lines serve the city, and the Metro Gold Line light-rail station in neighboring Arcadia extends rail access to the area. For longer trips, the region's airport network is within driving distance. The combination of multiple freeways and nearby light rail makes San Gabriel a practical base for commuters across the greater Los Angeles region.

Vincent Lugo Park is San Gabriel's largest park and a local landmark. Within it, La Laguna de San Gabriel — popularly known as Dinosaur Park — is a whimsical concrete playground of sea-creature sculptures created in 1964 and later placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park also offers athletic fields, picnic areas, and open space. The historic Mission San Gabriel Arcángel and the Mission District provide cultural and historic points of interest, and the city's recreation department runs programs and events throughout the year. Nearby, the San Gabriel Valley offers additional parks, foothill trails, and regional recreation.