Summary
You don’t have to travel to Tijuana to get a taste of Old Mexico; there’s a clean, nicely packaged slice of Mexican California right in downtown L.A. at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, also known as Olvera Street. Technically, El Pueblo encompasses the whole block of historic buildings, while Olvera Street is the alley turned into a vibrant pedestrian Mexican Marketplace that runs down the middle of the block. However, the terms are often used interchangeably, with the entire area commonly referred to as Olvera Street.
The renowned Mexican Marketplace, with its colorful old-world feel, was created in 1933 to preserve the surrounding historic buildings, including the oldest structure in Los Angeles: the Avila Adobe ranch house, now nestled between later brick buildings halfway down Olvera Street.
Where Is Olvera Street?
Olvera Street is conveniently situated across Alameda Street from L.A.’s historic Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, next to Chinatown, which was once Little Italy. Consequently, remnants of all three cultures are present at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. While most visitors concentrate on the Mexican Marketplace, there are 27 historic buildings on the site, some of which are open to the public, making it worthwhile to explore a little further.
The block is bordered by Alameda to the east, Plaza to the south, Main to the west, and Cesar E Chavez to the north.
The small parking lots at Olvera Street can be expensive. However, less pricey lots or metered street parking are typically available north of Cesar Chavez on North Spring Street or New High Street in Chinatown, just a couple of blocks away.
Furthermore, directly across from Union Station at the southeast corner is the Old Plaza, which is an excellent starting point for your exploration.
La Placita Olvera
The Plaza was the center of community life for the first settlers in Los Angeles. It forms a square space surrounded by a circle of shade trees and a bandstand or kiosko where various events are held.
The Pobladores Plaque in the Plaza honors the original 44 settlers of the City of Angels. According to the plaque, these settlers included individuals of diverse descent: Negro, Mulatto (Negro and Spanish), Indian, Mestizo (Indian and Spanish), alongside a couple of Spaniards.
The Plaza (Placita) frequently hosts festivals at Olvera Street including Dia de Los Muertos Novenarios, Cinco de Mayo, the Christmas Posadas, the Easter Blessing of the Animals, the Chinese Lantern Festival, among others.
Plaza Methodist Church
On the right side of the plaza is the Plaza Methodist Church, which replaced an adobe house owned by Agustin Olvera, the first judge of Los Angeles County, whose name is associated with the street from 1877. This church is designated as a Methodist Historical Site and a California Historic Monument. Its tower overlooks the entrance to Olvera Street, which continues to the right. Notably, the church is still active, serving a local congregation. Additionally, in 2012, the Los Angeles United Methodist Museum of Social Justice opened on the premises.
Next to the church is the Biscailuz Building, initially serving as the United Methodist Church Conference Headquarters and Plaza Community Center. It more recently functioned as the Instituto Cultural Mexicano (Mexican Cultural Institute), and before that, it housed the Mexican Consulate in L.A. for 30 years.
Blessing of the Animals Mural
In 1979, artist Leo Politi painted the mural “Blessing of the Animals” under the archways of the Biscailuz Building at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. This mural symbolizes the event taking place at Olvera Street every Easter.
Mexican Marketplace
Adjacent to the Methodist church is the entrance to the Mexican Marketplace, which is part of the pedestrian zone that comprises Olvera Street. Visitors will find a variety of touristy souvenirs typical of any marketplace in Mexico, albeit at slightly higher prices and without persistent vendor pressure.
This lively Mexican Marketplace thrives during the summer, especially on weekends, and becomes particularly vibrant during holidays throughout the year. However, it can be quite subdued, if not empty, on winter weekdays.
Avila Adobe
Located about halfway down Olvera Street on the right, you’ll come across the oldest surviving structure in Los Angeles: the Avila Adobe. Constructed in 1818 by Francisco Jose Avila, who served as mayor of Los Angeles in 1810, this adobe is now a museum furnished in a 1940s ranch style. Visitors can freely explore the house, courtyard, and additional exhibits in an educational building located behind the courtyard, including the History of Water in Los Angeles and a tribute to Christine Sterling, instrumental in saving the Avila Adobe and establishing the Mexican Marketplace on Olvera Street.
Food
Dining at Olvera Street is as much about the ambiance as it is about the food itself, which is generally decent, though not particularly inspired. La Golondrina and La Luz del Dia are both well-liked sit-down restaurants situated in historic buildings with open-air seating. Patrons at the outside tables can enjoy people-watching while listening to the music performed by strolling musicians. La Golondrina, located in the Pelanconi House, the oldest brick building in L.A., is particularly famous for its enormous margaritas.
Moreover, churros from Mr. Churro’s are a beloved tradition at Olvera Street, and the taco stand, Cielito Lindo, located at the Cesar Chavez end, is renowned for its taquitos.
Musicians
Beyond the Avila Adobe, approximately halfway down the street is a gathering spot under a shade tree where many musicians often perform. Here, a brick archway used to be the entrance to a winery. Public restrooms and a gallery can also be found through this archway. Musicians are volunteers who play for tips, and scheduled musicians are the only ones permitted to perform.
Italian-American Museum in Los Angeles
After exploring the Mexican Marketplace on Olvera Street, turn left at Cesar Chavez and then left again around the corner to Main Street. The first building on the corner is Italian Hall, once the center of Italian community life in L.A.’s Little Italy. It now hosts the Italian-American Museum in Los Angeles.
If you look up after passing this building, you can see the winged canopy that covers the restoration of a mural on the second story of the building. Painted in 1932 by David Alfaro Siqueiros, this mural is titled América Tropical and “features an Indian bound to a double cross, surmounted by an imperialist eagle and surrounded by pre-Columbian symbols and revolutionary figures.” Just before the Sepulveda House, you will find the América Tropical Interpretive Center, where visitors can learn more about Siqueiros and his work, as well as the restoration of the mural. The main entrance is located on the Olvera Street side.
Sepulveda House
The Sepulveda House, built in 1887, now houses a museum and the El Pueblo Visitor Center, featuring the Interpretive Center for David Alfaro Siqueiros’ América Tropical mural next door. The Jones Building, once machine shops, stands alongside it. Most visible are the street-front sides of the buildings, which reveal their business facades along Olvera Street. An entrance to the Visitors Center can be accessed from the Olvera Street side through a corridor near Casa Flores Imports, opposite El Paseo Restaurant.
Nuestra Señora Reina de Los Angeles
Also known as La Placita and the Old Plaza Church, this is the oldest church in Los Angeles and the only building at El Pueblo still used for its original purpose. The first chapel was built in 1784, but it sustained damage in an earthquake. The present-day church was dedicated in 1822 but also suffered earthquake damage and was rebuilt in 1861. Today, it serves as an active parish of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a museum dedicated to the history and contributions of Mexicans and Mexican culture in Los Angeles, occupies two historic buildings on Main Street near La Placita Old Plaza Church. The Plaza House, built in 1883 as part of the Garnier Block, features a lower level that has housed various shops, saloons, and restaurants.
The adjacent five-story Vickrey-Brunswig Building, constructed in 1888, initially served as a bank. Over the years, it was purchased and modified for various uses, including as a courthouse and crime lab by the County of Los Angeles. Both buildings suffered damage from earthquakes and fires and remained vacant for decades before undergoing extensive renovations for their current role as a museum.
Pico House
On the Plaza side of the street, you’ll find the Pico House, a grand hotel that opened in 1870, established by Pio Pico, the last governor of Mexican California. The Merced Theatre (1870), one of L.A.’s oldest theaters, adjoins the Main Street side of Pico House. Additionally, the Masonic Hall (1858), after serving various purposes throughout the years, is once again an active Masonic Hall and currently functions as a special event space.
Las Angelitas del Pueblo
Around the corner, the opposite side of the old hotel faces the offices of Las Angelitas del Pueblo (Little Angels of the Pueblo) located in the Hellman-Quon Building between the firehouse and the Chinese American Museum. Las Angelitas includes volunteer docents who conduct free, 50-minute tours of the El Pueblo historic site. Their office also features exhibits and occasionally hosts workshops during El Pueblo events.
