El Monte is a residential, industrial, and commercial city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The city's slogan is "Welcome to Friendly El Monte," and historically is known as "The End of the Santa Fe Trail." As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 115,965. As of 2002, El Monte is the 191st largest city in the United States, and is the 44th largest city in California. El Monte Lies in the San Gabriel Valley region East of the city of Los Angeles.