Olvera Street Mexican Marketplace, Los Angeles

Standing: Notable
Rank: Rank 5,619 of 6,837

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About Olvera Street Mexican Marketplace

Olvera Street, known in Spanish as Placita Olvera or Calle Olvera, is a historic pedestrian street in El Pueblo de Los Ángeles, the historic centre of Los Angeles, running north from the Los Angeles Plaza to Cesar Chavez Avenue. It is named after the Californio judge and politician Agustín Olvera. In the 1920s Christine Sterling campaigned to save the Avila Adobe and remake the street as a Mexican-style marketplace; it was closed to cars in 1929 and opened as Paseo de Los Angeles on Easter Sunday 1930.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

What's inside

The Olvera Street Mexican Marketplace is the centrepiece of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, whose sites cluster around the street and the Old Plaza. They include the Avila Adobe, the oldest existing home in Los Angeles; the América Tropical Interpretive Center, home to David Siqueiros' América Tropical mural; the Chinese American Museum in the historic Garnier Building; the Pico House, the first three-storey building and luxury hotel in Los Angeles; and the Old Firehouse, the city's first firehouse.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

Season and crowds

El Pueblo says Olvera Street is open for shopping and take-out dining, and that hours vary by individual business, so check a specific shop or restaurant before a late visit. El Pueblo Historical Monument offers free one-hour guided tours of the historic district from Thursday to Saturday, with start times at 10 am, 11 am and 12 pm. All groups and individuals must request a tour at least two weeks in advance; requests made at shorter notice are not considered.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

Getting there

El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, where Olvera Street lies, is directly across the street from Union Station (834 North Alameda Street), LA's main transportation hub. Union Station has connections to the Metro Gold, Red and Purple lines, the LAX FlyAway, the Dodger Stadium Express, taxis, ride-hailing and local DASH buses. A Metro Bike Share station with 20 docks is at the same address. Drivers can use the four public parking lots operated by El Pueblo on North Main, North Alameda and North Los Angeles streets.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

Place details and sources

Type of place: Marketplace OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09

Official site Official source · Checked 2026-11-10

Common questions

What are Olvera Street's opening hours?

The street is open for shopping and take-out dining; hours vary by individual business.

Are there guided tours?

Yes, free one-hour tours run Thursday to Saturday at 10 am, 11 am and 12 pm; book at least two weeks ahead.

What is the nearest station?

Union Station, directly across the street at 834 North Alameda Street.

Where it is

Open directions in Google Maps

Nearby

Within 12 min on foot

45 min
2 min walk
Los Angeles Plaza Historic District
- Must see
- Historic site
45 min
4 min walk
Los Angeles Union Station
- Must see · Heritage site
- Historic site
1 hr 30 min
12 min walk
Japanese American National Museum
- Must see
- Museum