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Los Angeles County

Olvera Street

This historic district in downtown Los Angeles is part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument.
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Hanging display of Mexican painted guitars
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Photo Credit: Tim Mossholder
Patrons shopping at Olvera Street
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Photo Credit:
Entrance to clothing store at Olvera Street
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Photo Credit: Discover Los Angeles
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
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Olvera Street is one of the oldest streets in Los Angeles. This historic district is in downtown Los Angeles as part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. Dating back to 1930, Olvera Street pays homage to the deeply rooted Mexican heritage of Los Angeles.

It feels like a romantic “Old Los Angeles” landmark, hosting a block of extended narrow, tree-shaded, brick-lined market-style shopping areas with old structures, painted stalls, street vendors, cafes, restaurants and gift shops to explore.

There are several historical museums to visit too. On holidays, the merchants go all out with Mexican music, dancing and celebrations for days including Los Tres Reyes, Blessing of the Animals, Los Angeles City Birthday, Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Independence Day, Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe and Las Posadas.

"I just love this place," says Metrolink employee Lillian M. "When I got baptized, we went to celebrate at 'La Placita Olvera' (that's how we call Olvera Street in Spanish, even though if you translate it, it should be 'Calle Olvera'). I love the authenticity of their food venues. It makes me a little melancholic just thinking about how these people lived in the 1700s."

Lillian's Pro Tip: "Try the small 'hole in the wall' restaurants; they are more like the real restaurants in Mexico. Also, try to go during the Mexican holidays, like Cinco de Mayo; they go all out!"
Nearest Station
L.A. Union Station
Address
845 N Alameda St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone
(213) 485-6855
Website
https://www.olvera-street.com/
General directions
View on Google Maps

Take Metrolink to L.A. Union Station

From L.A. Union Station, walk west towards Alameda St. which is located at the main entrance in front of the station

Olvera Street is directly across from L.A. Union Station

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Employee recommended

Lillian M.
Executive Assistant

Lillian M. works as an Executive Assistant for the PTC, Train Control Department at Metrolink. She has been in the transportation Industry since she was 19. 

Right out of that vocational school, she went to work for Amtrak in the Payroll Department before venturing into a more intricate and fulfilling position working directly as the coordinator for the President of Amtrak West and the Chief Operations Officer.

When Metrolink was founded in 1992, Amtrak was awarded the contract to handle all the operations sites for the service.

Lillian worked as a contractor for Metrolink for many years, first under Amtrak and second under Bombardier (now Alstom). She loves what she does, the people she works with and the company she works for.