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Although a bit of a tourist trap, Olvera Street is still a lovely place to stop for a short visit if you find yourself in downtown LA. Olvera Street is a pedestrian only street that is only about a block long, stuffed full with Mexican eateries, both sit down and take out, and Mexican craft stores. You can't walk down the street smelling that delicious food and not stop to have a taste. A lot of people on chowhound recommended Luz del Dia so I stopped there to have a meal on my recent trip in April 2007.
Olvera Street is also home to the Avila Home, built in 1818, considered the oldest building in LA. Admission to the house, decorated as it might have been in the 1840s, is free.
There are several parking lots in the area, I didn't feel like trying to drive around and find a free space so I used one of the lots, the lot I found was a flat fee of $6 on a Saturday (April 2007).
While in the area, be sure to also visit Union Station, it's an easy walk from Olvera Street and Chinatown is also close by although I've never wandered over there.
Please see my travelogue for a few more photos of the area. Leave a Comment
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The Avila Adobe was built in 1818 and is said to be the oldest existing house in LA.
The house is beautifully preserved and now appears, fully furnished, as it might have looked in the late 1840's. It is now part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument.
The house is open for viewing daily between 9am and 3pm. Admission is free and it is well worth a good viewing. Even the garden is set with cacti and it reminded me that this is really all desert. There's an opportunity to leave a voluntary contribution.
It is accessed from Olvera Street and I am sure you will fall in love with that street just as I did. I'll write a seperate tip on that. Leave a Comment
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The heart of LA - this is where it all began, back in 1781. This is where the original city was founded. Of course, back then, Los Angeles was actually El Pueblo de La Reina de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles and was the capital of Alta Mexico, prior to becoming a state. It has definitely changed quite a bit since then, especially after the revitalization of this part of town in 1930 to become Olvera Street. Many of the historic buildings are still standing, including the oldest brick building in Los Angeles. This is a great place to walk around and enjoy the Mexican culture that it still celebrates. There are little shops everywhere and great restaurants! There is usually live music at the plaza and the air is just filled with this feeling of being in a simpler time where people are not caught up in rushing from place to place.
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The L.A. story begins here! Olvera Street is a vibrant part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles. I am all smiles when I spend time here, knowing that this spot is the birthplace of L.A. Mexican culture flourishes here. There are plenty of vending carts that sell various momentos of Mexico and other areas. Try to find the most authentic items here, please!
Also, there are wonderful food options here from restaurants or from vendors. On the weekend, there is sure to be live Mariachi music and presentations conducted both in English and Spanish. Pictures to come! Leave a Comment
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The Day of the Dead comes from Mexican tradition and is held on Olvera Street. It commemorates those that have died & helps keep memories alive even though the people may have passed. It is actually a festive event.
There are a bunch of things going on like pinata breaking times, mariachis, dancing and an art show commemorating the event. This art exhibit is kind of sad if you start thinking deeply about the people that were lost...I highly recommend deep thinking here.
There are also shrines of recently lost loved ones and lots of people selling stuff for the holiday. While the event is kind of odd with all the death, it is really a day of celebration and reflection. It's worth the trip if you are in LA around November 1 & 2. Leave a Comment Directions: Olvera Street , across from Union Station
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This is the birthplace of the city of LA. There are a bunch of historic buildings, a string of shops where you can buy souveniers, a couple of restaurants, a Mexican gazebo thing, sometimes musicians, and other events.
The area is named after the first County Judge, Agustin Olvera, in 1877 and became a Mexican market place in 1930.
Be careful in this general area, as you will find a large group of roaming bums (mostly alone, not together), and the area is pretty run down when you venture not too far away.
Open 10:00 A.M until 7:00 P.M Leave a Comment Directions: across the street from the Union Station and one block away from Chinatown.
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This is the oldest house in Los Angeles, built in 1818 and gives you an idea of how the Latino lifestyle was in the early years.The house is decorated as it would have been in the early 1840's. Some artifacts are original while others are reproductions.The house originally belonged to Don Francisco Avila who was a native of Sinaloa Mexico. It was then deeded to his family members before the state of California acquired it in 1953.
The tour is free and you are allowed to go from room to room and check out the way people lived in that era.
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Olvera Street or as most locals will call it "La Placita". This is one of the oldest streets in the City and named after Agustin Olvera who was the first judge of the county of Los Angeles. This is a popular place because it is to be the "historic heart " of Los Angeles. It is very common to see alot of school children here during the weekdays because it is a popular place for field trips as teachers teach their students about early life in LA. Some popular things to do on Olvera Street is eat good Mexican food, shop, take pictures, visit the Avila House (one of the oldest homes in LA), visit firestation #1, stop ny the Sepulveda House which is now a visitors center/museum.
On the weekends and sometimes on the weekdays you can even catch an Aztec dance show in the courtyard.
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This is the only Eastlake Victorian Building on Olvera St. It was build in 1887 and is now a visitors center, gallery and exhibits atrifacts from that era.
There is a Bedroon exhibit that used to be the main lady of the house's bedroom. There is also a kitchen exhibit.
In all the times I have been to Olvera Street i had never noticed this building. I am really glad i saw it because in the visitors section you can get alot of useful info on LA.
Admission is free and it is opened from 10am to 3pm Monday -Saturday
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This is now a museum featuring 19th century tools and equipment for putting out fires. This is the oldest Firehouse in Los Angeles. Admission is free and there is someone there that can answer whatever questions you may have.
Fires used to be rare in LA in those times because most building were made from adode and if there were a fire neighbors would get together and put it out by forming a brigade and using the water at their disposal.
The first fire dept was created by volunteers and the firehouse was constructed in May 1884, completes in August. The stables were inside for the horses that pulled the fire engine. The floor has a unique turntable in the floor that made it junnecessary to back the horses in or out.
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