Avila Adobe
Avila Adobe
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Constructed in 1818, this oldest residence in Los Angeles has been restored as an example of the life style in California during the 1840s.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Central L.A
How to get there
- Union Station • 3 min walk
- East LA Civic Center • 9 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,051 within 3 miles
Attractions
672 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
112 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
61
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,545 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Built in 1818 by Francisco Avila, who was one of the richest ranchers in California in his lifetime, the house is the oldest residential property in Los Angeles and one of the oldest in the state. I love to visit to see historic homes like this to understand how the weather and culture shape housing in their differences and similarities. This was the town house for the Avila who spent most of their time out on their ranch. However, when they came to town they stayed here.
The home has a long porch to the busy town street with an inner courtyard lined by trees and cactus. The house is so adapted to the environment with thick 2.5-3 foot adobe brick walls and small windows to insulate from the heat. There are many luxuries in this house including large gathering rooms and multiple bedrooms for the time period. Interesting that the floors would have originally been hard dirt but later converted to plank wood. For me, I love looking into the window to LA's colonial past. This is why I wanted to bring my friends to see this place and they all enjoyed.
The home has a long porch to the busy town street with an inner courtyard lined by trees and cactus. The house is so adapted to the environment with thick 2.5-3 foot adobe brick walls and small windows to insulate from the heat. There are many luxuries in this house including large gathering rooms and multiple bedrooms for the time period. Interesting that the floors would have originally been hard dirt but later converted to plank wood. For me, I love looking into the window to LA's colonial past. This is why I wanted to bring my friends to see this place and they all enjoyed.
Written April 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward
Santa Rosa, CA3,236 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
The Avila Adobe, on Olvera Street, the remains of the old Spanish- and Mexican-era pueblo of Los Angeles, is reputedly the oldest surviving house in Los Angeles. Built in 1818 and of course restored, it is a nice example of the era and gives a good feel for the life of a more well-off settler of the early pueblo. There are of course many such examples in California, including quite a few much larger ones, but this is very nice nonetheless and important as the local example. It is also free to enter and explore at one's leisure.
Written January 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
permia
Ireland67,090 contributions
Oct 2019
Getting an impression of life, for some at least, in the city’s early days was exciting.
Marvellously persevered and renovated, its whitewashed walls, cooking and heating items, plus means of transport in the guise of a horse are all to be seen.
Set in a tranquil garden with local flora, it was an interesting time.
Marvellously persevered and renovated, its whitewashed walls, cooking and heating items, plus means of transport in the guise of a horse are all to be seen.
Set in a tranquil garden with local flora, it was an interesting time.
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris F
San Francisco, CA1,806 contributions
Feb 2020
Located on Olvera Street in the middle of a large Mexican market area is Avila Adobe. Avila Adobe is a 1970’s rebuilt replica of an 1820 home that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1971. There is a lot of interesting information on early Los Angeles and California history. The walk through took less than a half hour and showed what life was like in the 1820-40 time period. The attraction is free and worth a pass through if you are on Olvera Street.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline L
Los Angeles, CA2,618 contributions
Mar 2012 • Family
There aren't many free things in LA, but the Avila Adobe is free to browse. This historic place was the first home in Los Angeles and is worthy of a look. There is much history here and there is usually a volunteer nearby to answer any questions. I've taken my kids and they too have enjoyed it.
Written December 31, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie L
Cullman, AL19 contributions
Feb 2012 • Friends
If you happen to be on Olvera Street, then don't leave without stopping here! It will only take 15-30 minutes of your time, and free of charge. I thought this going to be boring, but I was really wrong. The house is fully decorated and furnished, so that it looks like people from the 1800's still live there today. I was amazed at how beautiful it was. I would go back again with my friends.
Written May 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Destination35600
torrance,Ca1 contribution
Well I have been there more then 15 times and it never gets old my mom and dad love it too. It makes feel good. It shows you what the past was like, and theres not alot of old mexican history anywhere and there it tells you everything its great for school who want to know about any history of late 1800's and how peole lived. I wish the don't ever take it down it's something my parents showed me and its something I want to show my kids. Its a great for family trip. All in all its great I loved it and anyone who goes will too.
Written May 18, 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marilyn A
Kitchener, Canada566 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We toured here as part of Olvera Street sightseeing. It was interesting but requires you to read the panels. It is a tranquil spot and indicative of an earlier era.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SPENCER R
1 contribution
Dec 2018 • Family
When i went last year for a spanish field trip there was a lady on drugs talking to a bush in the middle of this place, tbh i was pretty sketched out after that. As a matter of fact there was like 2-3 people tweakin out all through olvera street
Written December 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
geotech522
5,238 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
This is a real hidden gem that can be easily lost in Olvera Street that is part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. Best of all, it is FREE to visit. The Avila Adobe was constructed in 1811 and constructed with sun-baked adobe bricks that are 2.5 to 3 feet thick. The house is in the third location of the original Spanish settlement of El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles sobre el Río Porciúncula; the first two locations were destroyed by flooding of the Río Porciúncula (Los Angeles River). The adobe has exhibits that showed how the Avila family lived and the furniture, although not original, are typical of the time for the more affluent Spanish settlers in Southern California. Very nice displays and well worth the visit among the touristy shops along Olvera Street. It is too easy to miss and not well enough publicized. That's too bad.
Written September 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What would it take for a photo shoot here? It will be 4 of us plus our friend who will be taking our picture.
Written November 20, 2017
The staff, from the groundskeeper to the docent, is super helpful. I think you'll have no problem with any group of 5 taking photos. It's a fascinating place to visit and don't overlook the grape arbor in the entry.
Written November 21, 2017
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