Calle Olvera
Calle Olvera
4
Points of Interest & LandmarksHistoric Walking AreasFlea & Street Markets
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
The oldest street in Los Angeles is fun to visit, especially during special events like the "Blessing of the Animals" or "Dia De Los Muertos" (Day of the Dead.)
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience Calle Olvera
The area
Neighborhood: Chinatown
How to get there
- Union Station • 3 min walk
- East LA Civic Center • 9 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,038 within 3 miles
Attractions
667 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Lehcar1Tucson, Arizona3 contributionsFun place to visit for a couple of hours on your Cali trip.I have been here many times in the past from Tucson, AZ. This trip I was pleasantly surprised that the actual street and csurrounding area were clean and seemed safe. The vendor stands were nicely stocked and I made sure to visit the taquito stand at the end across from Union Station. My grandmother first took me there as a child and I have taken my daughter and granddaughter as well as others. It is a local icon. We visited the old homesite and purchased some items. There was some music and the weather was sunny and cool. There is a public parking lot across the street.Visited November 2023Traveled with familyWritten November 29, 2023
- peter r2 contributionsExcellent and beautiful history areaBeautiful place. They were celebrating Valentine’s Day and had music and dance in the park as well as food. A very pleasant and beautiful experience. Very good crafts and arts at an ice price if you look for them.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 9, 2024
- Cristy S4 contributionsFateMy dog gizmo and I were waiting for the metro link I met 2 new friends and we went off on an adventure to Olvera St. It was such a blast we bar hoped ate chips and salsa and enjoyed ourselves. We even danced at the park where the dj had some great tunes playing. Really wish I would of got their number before going our separate ways Ray if your reading this maybe one day we'll see each other again and go visit this place again. Hes going to be " the one that got away" and i can't stop thinking about him.Visited March 2024Traveled with friendsWritten March 11, 2024
- Grover RPensacola, Florida22,266 contributionsFun and Enjoyable with so Much to Do & SeeI am a huge history fan so when I first came to LA I wanted to see its colonial beginnings, and that experience is why I wanted to bring my friends back this time. Our group of 12 greatly enjoyed our time here as there is a little bit of everything. It has shopping both in store and street vendor, history with Avila Adobe and the historic parish church Our Lady Queen of the Angels, food as we ate at El Paseo Inn with dessert from Mr. Churro, and entertainment, music and dancing at the Old Plaza. It was also fun as we had one in our group get a wrestling mask and the perfect group picture with the community designated cross. It may not be the most recognized or popular thing in LA, but it is in many ways the essence of the community and fun place to visit.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 20, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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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.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,379 reviews
Excellent
568
Very good
513
Average
233
Poor
50
Terrible
15
MWB2011
Sanford, NC195 contributions
Aug 2019
I now live on the East Coast but whenever I go back home to California, Olvera St is a must stop every time...and sometimes more than 2-3 times during a California visit. I love and appreciate the culture. This is the oldest street in Los Angeles and is themed like a street in Mexico. There are shops and eateries everywhere. There are also live performances on the street and at the plaza at the end of the street. If you have never been, you are definitely missing out. Most items are bargain priced and there are many craftsmen that do custom work. My favorite is to stuff myself with taquitos at Juanitas.
Written June 19, 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.
permia
Ireland66,040 contributions
Oct 2019
Colourful and vibrant, it’s a charming route to stroll around. A cogent atmosphere of Mexican origins is everywhere.
Markets with a plethora of goods open early and continue daily. Numerous eateries and stalls provide satisfying fare. We enjoyed a tasty lunch at the very popular Cielito Lindo Restaurant.
Adobe Avila is well worth a visit. Portraying life in the 19th century, it is gorgeously preserved and presented.
Markets with a plethora of goods open early and continue daily. Numerous eateries and stalls provide satisfying fare. We enjoyed a tasty lunch at the very popular Cielito Lindo Restaurant.
Adobe Avila is well worth a visit. Portraying life in the 19th century, it is gorgeously preserved and presented.
Written January 21, 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.
NewfiePupLover
Des Moines, IA367 contributions
Jun 2022
When I was a kid in the 1970's my mother brought me here. I lived in the midwest with very little culture at that time. Olvera Street was at that time what I believe was an authentic hispanic cultural site with real hand-made crafts, musicians, food, etc. It left a positive impression on me for the past 45+ years. When I visited this time with my young children it was still very colorful, and has a wonderful legitimate and important history, but it was also much more commercialized. The "crafts" were the same mass-produced junk (not all of it, but most of it) that you buy on the streets and beaches when visiting Mexico these days. Much of it is likely "Made in China" and not actually by a hardworking traditional artisan like it was at one time. But, still I'd recommend visiting Olvera Street today simply because of the history the street has with the City of Los Angeles from the earliest days. For small kids it's also still a fun place to visit because of all the color and interesting things to buy. Small kids don't know how commercialized it has become.
Written June 22, 2022
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, CA1,814 contributions
Feb 2020
We had visited Union Station just down the street and had heard about Olvera Street from different blogs on LA travel. Olvera Street is just a block up the street and is mainly small kiosks with vendors selling different wares and souvenirs. There are quite a few restaurants too and we were hungry so stopped at the El Paseo Inn Restaurant for lunch. It was very good and will be reviewed separately. Olvera Street itself was very clean and a fun place for photography. Avila Adobe (one of the first homes to be built in LA) which is also on Olvera. It was a cool place for a quick visit and we had fun walking through it.
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.
Fern P
Cheshire, CT66 contributions
Jan 2020
Visiting here you get a chance to appreciate the original settlers in Southern California. Original buildings, street vendors, musicians, and food provide a unique respite from the bustling city of Los Angeles and its fast-paced life for the traveler. Many of the restaurants and shops have served Olvera Street for generations. I was here 50 years ago and it appeared the same to me now as then.
Written January 14, 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.
CTO-Alex
Oahu, HI9 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
One of the great contributions at Olvera Street in Los Angeles is seeing the cross at the entrance. It reminds us of the past, present and future struggles of our city and how religion shaped both our culture and the continued blessings bestowed upon us.
I’ve been coming here for years and was privileged to spend time with the creator Jackie Hadnot. Mr. Hadnot has a workshop right next to restaurants in Olvera Street (across from the city public restroom near the churro store). Not only has he crafted this beautiful cross he crafted so many other amazing items.
I asked him to pose for a picture so everyone could see the man behind the creation. A selfless, caring, talented artist who donates nearly all his work. Next time you’re in the area stop in and ask him to tell you a few stories and the history behind his creations. Tell him Alexander Bordbar’s review pointed you to his cross. He will he happy to tell you a few stories.
I’ve been coming here for years and was privileged to spend time with the creator Jackie Hadnot. Mr. Hadnot has a workshop right next to restaurants in Olvera Street (across from the city public restroom near the churro store). Not only has he crafted this beautiful cross he crafted so many other amazing items.
I asked him to pose for a picture so everyone could see the man behind the creation. A selfless, caring, talented artist who donates nearly all his work. Next time you’re in the area stop in and ask him to tell you a few stories and the history behind his creations. Tell him Alexander Bordbar’s review pointed you to his cross. He will he happy to tell you a few stories.
Written August 23, 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.
Yenyok
New York City, NY204 contributions
Feb 2020
My friend and I love this place. I thought I was In Mexico, so much culture and all those amazing gif shops. We visit the church at cross street and as well an old cemetery of the first immigrant that moved here. IN the park they have traditional Mexican music live, free cost. 2 blocks down you can also find chinatown. I highly recommend this place, no one bother us or tried to sell us anything. The Casa Avila is also there, free cost to see. I noticed a few museum as well but they were closed because was after 5pm. I will take 3+ hrs to enjoy this street.
Written March 1, 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.
HETAL
81 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
If you like Mexican Food and if you like colourful handicrafts and souvenirs then this is the place to go. I went there on a weekday but a lot of places were closed but when I went there again on the weekend Sunday it was fully packed and lively. People played music and couples dancing and having the time of their life. Lots of options for shopping and colorful creative artsy stuff at all the prices.
Written March 28, 2022
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.
Gary M
Sydney, Australia275 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Olvera Street: The Fabrication of L.A.'s Mexican Heritage.
With its narrow passages and 19th century buildings housing traditional restaurants and folk art shops, Olvera Street certainly evokes the romance of an authentic mercado.
Technically, it’s part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, which includes many of the city’s oldest buildings and an 1815 plaza.
Mariachis strum their big guitars and the aroma of fresh tortillas and hot churros fill the air.Â
Little Mexico is certainly worthy of a visit.
With its narrow passages and 19th century buildings housing traditional restaurants and folk art shops, Olvera Street certainly evokes the romance of an authentic mercado.
Technically, it’s part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, which includes many of the city’s oldest buildings and an 1815 plaza.
Mariachis strum their big guitars and the aroma of fresh tortillas and hot churros fill the air.Â
Little Mexico is certainly worthy of a visit.
Written June 25, 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.
mccarthk2018
Livonia, MI21 contributions
Nov 2019
If you are looking for traditional Mexican items or food this was a great place to find it all in one spot. The churros were delicious. We visited during the day of the dead festival so there was a very large croud in attendance and it was hard to walk through the market. I'm not a fan of large crouds so we did not stay long. Would have enjoyed a longer visit on a less active day.
Written February 11, 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.
Is it open on Christmas? (Will it even be possible to take a stroll there on Christmas?)
Written February 27, 2019
giddensdiana
Tucson, Arizona
From union station how do you get to price is right. What hotel near there is
Good.
Written February 27, 2019
I have no idea about Price is Right?
Written February 27, 2019
Hi, is it dangerous as a neighborhood? or can you walk and park in peace?
Written January 27, 2019
GoPlaces252989
San Clemente, California
Can you walk to Olvera Street from Union Station? It like to be about a third of a mile away but cannot tell if you can walk there due to the freeway being right there...so it sure if pedestrian friendly. Thanks!
Written July 15, 2018
Yes you can walk directly across the street and you're there!
Written July 16, 2018
Gee, I looked up their events, and they had the Blessing of the Animals yesterday, March 31, but I see nothing listed for today. The street may be open, but the shops may be closed for Easter. I wish there was a phone number to call but it's not like that. Sorry about that. Chinatown is right there too, if Olvera Street is locked up, you can stroll Chinatown which should be open. They have a GREAT shopping mall where everything is soooooooo inexpensive. All from China, not an "American" mall. And many stalls on the shopping street. All along Broadway.
Written April 1, 2018
What time does olvera st open next Thursday the 8th of December and what time does it close?
Written November 30, 2016
Olvera st on N Alameda st, Los Angels is open on Saturday's from 10 am to 7 pm
Written January 10, 2018
Hello! Planning out vacation in the area and bringing our small dog. Is this place pet friendly? If not, I usually put her in a doggie bag, is that okay? Any pet friendly places we can visit in that area?
Thank you!
Written September 30, 2016
Olvera Street is usually crowded - but a small dog in a bag would probably be no problem. There are patio restaurants there.
Many restaurants around town now allow dogs on the patios, even furnish water bowls, etc...
Written September 30, 2016
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