Shopping & Culture on LA’s Olvera Street

by Mary Jo Manzanares on June 24th, 2008

Olvera Street (845 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles), also known as El Pueblo Historic Monument, is the birthplace of the City of Los Angeles. The block-long street, one of the oldest in the city, features historic buildings lining a traditional Mexican style plaza, and is home to one of the most colorful marketplaces that you’ll ever see.

The street was originally a short lane, called Wine Street. The lane was eventually extended, and the name changed to honor Agustin Olvera, the first county judge of Los Angeles. Although it became a dirty, unused alley for a period of time, the area was eventually re-habbed, closed off to vehicles, trees were planted, and a large wooden cross was put up at the south end of the street.

Olvera Street officially opened on Easter Sunday, 1930, and provided a place for Mexican American vendors to sell their goods, as well as to way to preserved their customs and culture. The first restaurant in the city to sell authentic Mexican food opened here in 1930. That restaurant, La Golondrina, is still there today.

In 1953 Olvera Street was designated as a California State Historic Landmark, and today it has become a center of Mexican commerce, culture and tourism. It attracts over two million visitors a year.

Continue reading to find out what Olvera Street is like today!

Shopping on Olvera Street in LA As you wander the market, you’ll find many shops carrying the typical wares that you’d find in a market in Mexico (check the merchant directory). You’ll also find numerous restaurants and outdoor cafe serving traditional, and authentic, Mexican food, and on weekends the plaza is full of entertaining musicians and dancers.

It’s a great place to be for many of the important annual fiestas, including the Blessing of the Animals, Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo, and Dia De Los Muertos

When planning a visit, I’d recommend allowing a couple hours. There are lots of great photos opportunities, and you’ll want to spend some time wandering through the various stalls and shops, soaking up the sun and the culture.

Be sure to allow time for a bite to eat. You’ll be tempted by all the delicious aromas wafting the through the plaza, and you’ll regret it if you don’t have time to succumb to that temptation. Hint: try the mole!

Olvera Street is open daily from 10 am – 7 pm (some stores keep different hours), and is free to wander through.

Photo credits: Courtesy of the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau

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