After visiting Chinatown, I traveled to Olvera Street, which was just two blocks away from Chinatown. The close distance of the two areas surprised me, especially since both areas are composed of two different cultural backgrounds: Chinese and Latino. How can two entirely distinct cultures be so close to each other? The answer: that’s Los Angeles for you.
Visiting and walking through Olvera Street was so surreal. Standing in the first heart of Los Angles, the birthplace of Los Angeles itself, I felt the history and authenticity of Olvera Street.
Los Angeles was founded in an area southeast of Olvera Street by Spanish popladores— the 44 settlers who founded Los Angeles in 1781. They named the area El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de Los Ángeles “'The Town of Our Lady the Queen of Angels.” As I walked through the plaza in Olvera Street, I noticed the original name of LA, “Nuestra Señora Reina de Los Ángeles” on the entrance of a church archway. This was different from all the other signs I read that said the word Los Angeles and not El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de Los Ángeles The name I saw turned out to be part of the oldest church in Los Angeles La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora Reina de Los Ángeles. The Church is one of the first three Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments! Even though I have visited Hollywood and seen the walk of fame and the Hollywood sign, visiting the church had a bigger impact. It one of the first architectural building in Los Angeles!
Olvera Street is well- known as the Mexican Marketplace. Selling Mexican art, clothing, gifts, and souvenirs, Olvera street has traditional Mexican goods that are similar to those sold in Mexico. Each store was reasonably priced. My favorite items were colorful Maracas and the leather purses with the unique burned designs. Walking around all the stores, I heard the Mexican Mariachi band playing, creating traditional and authentic Mexican feel as I shopped.
To eat Mexican tacos, I went to El Cielito Lindo, a taco stand located at the beginning of Olvera Street. The tacos were cheap and tasted amazing, especially with the guacamole. The most authentic and traditional Mexican restaurant in Olvera Street is La Golondrina Café. Although I did not get a chance to eat there, La Golondrina café was a highly recommended restaurant by the shop owners of Olvera Street. To add the cherry on top of my visit, I went to Mr. Churro which is by far sells the best churros. Selling churros filled with chocolate, caramel, custard, and fruit, the fresh churros taste cheap and delicious. I tried the custard filled churro, which had a crisp and cinnamon taste on the outside and a warm and sweet custard on the inside.
The Food and the shopping are not the only attractions in Olvera Street. The historic buildings and sites that should be visited are:
· Masonic Hall: First Masonic Hall built in Los Angeles
· Pico House: National Hotel from 1892-1920
· Merced Theater: Oldest theatrical building
· Plaza Firehouse: First fir house built in Los Angeles
· Italian Hall: Political, Theatrical, and business building for Italians
· Garnier Building: Housed Chinese businesses
· Plaza Methodist Church: Built on the adobe owned by Agustin Olvera (Judge who Olvera Street was named for); Had the first missionary work for both Hispanic and Chinese People
For a Map of Olvera street: Click Here
