United States
California (CA)
Los Angeles
Things to Do in Los Angeles
Olvera Street
See all things to do

Olvera Street

See all things to do
See all things to do
Olvera Street
4
1,355 reviews
#50 of 789 things to do in Los Angeles
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas • Flea & Street Markets
Read more
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
Write a review
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.)
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Olvera Street
See all
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Central L.A
How to get there
  • Chinatown • 5 min walk
  • Union Station • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,474 within 3 miles
Philippe the Original
2,226
353 ft$ • Quick Bites • American • Deli
Howlin Ray’s
110
0.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • American
Yang Chow
393
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Asian • Cantonese
The Little Jewel of New Orleans
109
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Cajun & Creole
El Paseo Inn
178
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Southwestern • Latin
Cielito Lindo
114
0.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • Mexican • Fast Food
LA Golondrina Mexican Cafe
185
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Latin • Vegetarian Friendly
La Luz Del Dia
75
0.2 mi$ • Mexican • Latin • Spanish
Traxx Restaurant and Bar
109
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Contemporary • Vegetarian Friendly
La Noche Buena Restaurant
36
0.3 mi$ • Mexican • Latin • Spanish
See all
Attractions
366 within 6 miles
Velveteria - The Museum of Velvet Paintings
22
0.1 miArt Museums
Union Station
1,838
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Los Angeles Terminal Annex Post Office
4
0.2 miHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings
Italian American Museum of Los Angeles
15
0.2 miHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings
Avila Adobe
109
0.3 miHistoric Sites • History Museums
America Tropical Interpretive Center
6
0.2 miSpeciality Museums
El Grito (the cry)
1
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Angies Boutique
1
0.2 miArt Galleries
Equestrian statue of Antonio Aguilar
2
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Old Plaza
32
0.2 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,355 reviews
Excellent
554
Very good
509
Average
229
Poor
49
Terrible
15
NewfiePupLover
Des Moines, IA296 contributions
Still An Interesting Place - Even With Much Commercialization Today
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.
HETAL
52 contributions
Li’l Mexico City
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.
MWB2011
Sanford, NC206 contributions
I love this place! It's rich in culture and the people are so nice!
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.
charles b
Los Angeles, CA3 contributions
Chili Relleno al a carte
May 2022
When you come to Los Angeles be prepared to eat the widest variety of food on this planet.
Authentic in every way.
Mexican food is proudly presented here on a tiny space preserved in LA. The feel of Mexico caught in just two streets big enough for horse and wagon.
Diners are transported back in a time machine.
My favorites ,year round, are the best chili rellenos made fresh using only local ingredients. rice and beans and horchata to drink. Unique eating .
Written July 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
permia
Ireland38,318 contributions
Bustling and vibrant
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.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris F
San Francisco, CA1,916 contributions
We Enjoyed Our Walk Through and Lunch Here,
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.
Gary M
Sydney, Australia255 contributions
Little Mexico
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. 

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.
Yenyok
New York City, NY207 contributions
I thought I was In Mexico
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.
wireless_in_CA
United States4,741 contributions
Colorful and Cultural Experience
May 2021 • Family
This was considered the oldest original street in Los Angeles and a way to experience the culture of Mexico. It’s close to Union Station and Chinatown so you can see multiple sites during a visit. Along the street, there were lots of small shops showcasing the standard touristy things along with more traditional clothing and grocery items. Brightly colored clothes and blankets plus Lucha Libre wrestling masks were quite popular. A host of restaurants were not yet open but offered many traditional foods. The architecture was also another reason for visiting. The oldest, Avila Adobe House, was here having been restored after an earthquake. Hopefully soon one can go inside. A couple of museums were also located here like the museum of Social Justice. When everything is fully reopened then I can see spending more time here ona future visit
Written June 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fern P
Cheshire, CT72 contributions
A Unique Journey into History of LA
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.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 1,080
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Olvera Street (Los Angeles) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Olvera Street
Olvera Street is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Olvera Street tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 24 Olvera Street tours on Tripadvisor