In the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, is a little historical gem called Placita Olvera, otherwise known as Olvera Street. It is a popular Mexican American marketplace with important historical significance for Southern California.
History
In 1781, Olvera Street was originally founded by several families who were sent from Mexico to Southern California by King Carlos the III of Spain to establish "El Pueblo de Los Angeles" (The Town of the Angels). It was originally called Wine (or Vine) Street as it was located near a winery and vineyards. Olvera Street became a host for politics and in 1877 it was renamed as the current Olvera Street in honor of LA County's first judge, Agustin Olvera, who resided there. In 1926, history buff and socialite Christine Sterling came down from Northern California to enjoy the cultural haven she had heard about, but instead was greeted by rundown buildings and street crimes. Dissatisfied with the state of Olvera Street and the rumors that the street would be torn down by bulldozers for its run down state, Sterling lead a campaign to preserve the "birthplace of Los Angeles". After a successful campaign and funding from many sponsors, Olvera Street was saved. On Easter Sunday in 1930, the establishment of an iconic Mexican American marketplace and cultural gem was made official.
Recommended Activities
Avila Adobe
The Avila Adobe is must visit attraction if you are on Olvera Street. Open Wednesday through Sunday between 10 am to 4 pm, the Avila Adobe is a historical building known for its seniority in Los Angeles. In 1818, the Avila Adobe was constructed by ranchero Francisco José Avila (who served as the mayor of Los Angeles in 1810). After being rundown by time, it was one of the buildings that was restored and declared as California Historic Landmark #145 in Olvera Street's opening in 1930. It is known as the oldest house in Los Angeles.
The Avila Adobe is currently a museum that is protected by its historical status. Visitors are allowed to roam freely around the inside of the furnished adobe building and can ask for guided tours by dedicated docents. Admission is free.
The Plaza Firehouse
The Plaza Firehouse is a quick visit that you should not miss while at Olvera Street. It is a small museum that operates Tuesday through Sunday between the hours of 10 am to 3 pm. It was built in 1884 and is considered the first firehouse established by the City of Los Angeles. Guided tours are available. Admission is free.
Shopping
There is a numerous amount of shops to buy from on Olvera Street. Since Olvera Street's establishment, it has stayed true to its original mission of being a Mexican American marketplace. Most of the shops and stalls have imported Mexican goods or handcrafted items made by the artisans who sell their goods there. Even if you do not plan on buying anything, it is definitely worth it took take a stroll around Olvera Street to see and appreciate all of of beautiful goods the vendors have to sell.
A list of shops and vendors that are on Olvera Street can be found here.
Where to Eat
There are several places to eat while at Olvera Street. Fortunately, there is food for every mood, so you should be able to find something to your liking while visiting this historic street!
If you are feeling hungry for a full meal, you should try...
- La Luz del Dia
- Cielito Lindo
Established in Olvera Street in 1959, La Luz del Dia is a cafeteria-style restaurant that serves Michoacan Mexican food. Open from Tuesday through Sunday, La Luz del Dia can handle your breakfast, lunch, and early dinner (the latest they close is at 5:30 pm on the weekends) needs. They offer a menu that covers every part of a meal, with appetizers such as fresh tortilla chips and guacamole, to desserts like flan.
For more information about La Luz del Dia, click here.
Established in Olvera Street in 1934, Cielito Lindo is a restaurant that specializes in making their world-famous taquitos. Operating daily, Cielito Lindo covers customers' beef taquitos cravings for about 12 hours a day. Taquitos for breakfast? Sure. Taquitos for lunch? Why not? Taquitos for dinner? Definitely. They offer a small menu that mostly just consists of taquitos, but they do offer some burritos, sides like beans and cheese and chile rellenos, and drinks if you want something other than taquitos.
For more information about Cielito Lindo, click here.
If you are feeling hungry for a snack, you should try...
- Mr. Churro
- Velarde’s Fruit
Mr. Churro is a food shop that is well-known for its churros. Described as the perfect combination of a crunchy outside and a chewy inside, it is a must stop location for churro and dessert enthusiasts. Opened every day from 9 am to 5 pm (6pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays), Mr. Churro is available to alleviate your sweet cravings with warm churros. Other recommended items from Mr. Churro include their speciaity raspados with flavors such as mango and nuez (walnut) and their ice cream (which you can eat with mini churros if you want. 😏 )
For more information and reviews about Mr. Churro, click here.
Velarde's Fruit is a staple food stand in Olvera Street, as it has been around since 1972. Open 7 days a week, Velarde's Fruits offers its customers a fresh snack, which definitely hits the spot on Southern California summer days. Besides cut fruit, they offer different flavors of refreshing agua fresca, corn in a cup topped with cheese and chile, and fruta con crema (fruit with cream). For a cool down or a fruity energy boost, it is recommended to visit Velarde's Fruit.
For more information about Velarde’s Fruit, click here.
Bonus Activities to do in the Area
Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA)
Just a short walk from Olvera Street, is the Italian American Museum. Established in the historic Italian Hall, the IAMLA is a mueseum dedicated to educating the community about the significant role of Italians in the development of culture in Los Angeles. It is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 3pm. Admission is free and docent-led tours are available by registration.
To learn more about the IAMLA, click here.
Union Station
Across the road from Olvera Street, is the historic Union Station. Opening in 1939, Union Station is the largest railway station in the Western United States is is considered the "the last of the great train stations". Known for its beautiful architecture, thousands of people pass through Union Station every day to take the trains or Metro subway. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this iconic establishment. Union Station operates from 4 am to 1 am daily. Admission is free, but you must pay to ride the trains and subways.
To learn more about Union Station, click here.
Grand Central Market
A few blocks away from Olvera Street is the staple Los Angeles marketplace called the Grand Central Market. Originally established in 1917 as the "Wonder Market", the Grand Central Market strived to become a cultural center for all of LA's residents. It is still as strong as it was when it opened, with 40 vendors currently running their businesses in LA's largest public marketplace.
To learn more about the Grand Central Market, click here.
Additional Information
Address: 845 N Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday: 10 am to 6-7pm, Saturday through Sunday: 10 am to 8-10 pm
Price: Free
Website: Olvera Street's Offical Website
Facebook:Olvera Street's Offical Facebook
Instagram:Olvera Street's Offical Instagram