Olvera Street is the oldest and liveliest neighborhood in Los Angeles! It’s bursting with color, churros, Mariachi music, and dancing! Cha! Cha! Cha! When I’m here, I feel like I’m in another country.

On Olvera St. alone, there’s Avila Adobe (the oldest existing home in Los Angeles), Pico House, and El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument (where there’s music and dancing every weekend). Within 1-3 city blocks of Olvera St. is Our Lady Queen of Angels Church, the Italian American Museum, Chinatown, and Union Station Olvera Street.

I like to come on a Saturday afternoon, and be immersed & enriched by the Latino culture. I brought my parents here and they loved it! We arrived at 1pm and ordered burrito and taquitos from Juanita’s (a quick and delicious Mexican joint that cost $5-7 a burrito/dish). Afterwards, we weaved through the colorful carts and did a little shopping for things made in Mexico. My mom bought my son a hand painted wooden guitar for $13. I thought it was a great deal.

When I like the buzz and energy of people, I come on the weekends in the high afternoon, although it’s open from 10:00 – 20:00. When I like a less busy crowd, I come on a weekday between 11:00 – 15:00. The best place to park is El Pueblo lot off Main Street ($10). It’s open 7 days a week including holidays! Cinco de May is poppin’!