Olvera St — Attraction in Los Angeles

Before Olvera, this was Wine Street.

In the 1800s, L.A. was the center of wine production in the state, and in the U.S. Prior to 1877, Olvera St was known as Wine St, or Calle de las Vignas (Street of the Vines).

In the late 1700s, Spain sent to the missions a grape for winemaking, as California’s native varieties were not wine-worthy. The resulting “Mission” wine was high in sugar & alcohol, low in acid, was brownish, fortified with brandy. It wasn’t great, but adequate.

By 1818, thousands of these vines were being cultivated. A Mission hybrid was later introduced, likely at Mission San Gabriel; this became more popular. By the mid-1800s, L.A. became known as “The City of Vines”. Soon, commercial winemaking would become one of its main sources of income.

That world is gone, but there are still glimpses here that reveal a once a robust winemaking community.

When a new wave of European immigrants arrived after the Spaniards in the early 1800s, the local viniculture received a boost in plantings & expertise. The first Frenchman here (and its first French winemaker) was Louis Bauchet, who arrived in 1827. Yet more prominent was his peer, Jean Louis Vignes, who landed in 1831. Their vineyards were located where Union Station is now. This area would soon become a thriving French colony, making up 20% of LA’s population (Bauchet & Vignes are streets nearby. Coincidentally, Vignes’ name fittingly means “vines”). A native of Bordeaux, Vignes made the crucial step of importing better European grapes, as the popular Mission hybrid variety was uninspiring. By 1842, he was making regular shipments of his wine to northern California.

Pelanconi House (La Golondrina) was built as a winery by Giuseppe Cavacci (Covaccichi) around 1855, and was later owned by Antonio Pelanconi. The ground level was a wine cellar, and its stone fireplace was used to prepare sherry. Gazza & Cavacci operated additional wine cellars here in the 1850s.

There was another winery and distillery here belonging to Antonio Valla & Giacomo Tononi, founded in 1870. Later, the Pelanconi & Tononi families would become part owners of the wine storage directly across Pelanconi House. This bodega was named North Cucamonga winery/Padre Vineyard Co/The Old Winery (which is the same building that houses El Paseo Inn & Mr Churro). Giovanni Demateis would run his winery from this same bodega. Many more Italians around here made wine until Prohibition; only San Antonio Winery survived (located nearby).

Vineyards were the preferred crop, before being ravaged by drought & disease. Grapes (and other fruit crops) were cultivated along the river on both sides, and carpeted the valleys & foothills. When Mexico seized the missions’ landholdings, these were divided into ranchos. Policies were then relaxed, meaning grapes could now be cultivated for commercial use.

Vignes helped make winegrowing a commercial enterprise here. By 1858, growth of this industry grew to 4 million grapevines in California. L.A. was the center of this expansion, with 75 vineyards (and 100 wineries) inside its city limits. Long before Napa or Sonoma were knighted for their winemaking prowess, L.A. wore the crown. By 1869, it led the state in wine production.

Look up at the grapevines winding their way above the shops: these originate from the courtyard of Avila Adobe (and Pelanconi House). These are the Mission hybrid variety, & have been here for over 200 years. In recent times, they have been harvested to make Angelica wine. Among its many former tenants, this adobe once housed Secondo Guasti, who would later operate the largest vineyard in the world in Rancho Cucamonga.

The history associated with L.A.’s viticultural past, as well as its impact regionally and abroad, exceeds in significance when compared to this street’s namesake and former resident, Agustin Olvera.

L.A. is where winemaking first flourished commercially in the New World. The city’s first seal reflects how important this industry was back then, locally and...

Olvera Street is life, culture, cuisine, creativity, kindness, care and LA!

A beautiful blend of Spanish, Mexican, Indigenous and American culture w/ touches of this beautiful extension of our city's community.

Often referred to as a slice of Mexico, esto unica blend of street vendors, shops y tiendas siempre esta abierta

Es muy authentica en todos los sentidos. It's gratis (that's free in espanol)! Es divertido! And it's very much for everyone!

Disfruta de la musica, mariachi, luchador, el museo, comidas, bebidas, ropas, art and history. I believe this is the oldest street in the city with the Avila Adobe in the paseo, being the oldest residence (circa 1818)

La Luz del Dia is the main restaurante, but not the only spot to enjoy some delicious eats. La Noche Buena Restaurant is by far the most popular w/ a more sit down meets street vendor style but the El Paseo Inn not only has amazing nom (with many veggie friendly options), but also drinks! Salud!!

Mr Churro is a must (though it's been so long since I've had them or been able to - true real buttery deal).

ATMs and restrooms available and updated in the last year or two! Though stopping off before making your way over at Union Station isn't a bad idea.

If driving parking en la calle is available... Though limited and often full... Lots nearby, though not the best price due to the high traffic area.

Located at the start of Cesar Chavez/Alameda, about a three to ocho minuto a pie desde Union Station (depending on which side you're coming from).

Open everyday of the year, including holidays typically 10am to 5pm with some exceptions and/or extensions.

Monday and Tuesdays are a little slower here so some shops or spots may not be open, but that just means another trip to come :)

Be back soon,...

LA’s look back in time! I’ve taken my visitors here to experience the old marketplace, similar to the old town street as it would’ve appeared! There’s vendor’s booths lined up three across along Olvera Street, with two pedestrian pathways. A small cobblestone drainage canal, passes beneath the center booths, right down the middle! For the most part, venders here are selling handcrafted goods, as they would’ve been sold long ago! Modern or present day products are more obscure here. Vendors will have some convenience items for visiting travelers, as with luggage, handbags and t-shirts. More out of place items would be sold off to the side, as with batteries and camera supplies. They seem to make exceptions on sunny and hot days, selling caps, sunglasses and misting fans. Restaurants here serve authentic Mexican cuisine and are mostly to the N Alameda St side. Many regulars attest to the quality of these diners, with festive occasions and busy weekend days typically filling all of the tables inside! Keeping with the history of this place, LA’s original store, the Sepulveda Block, may be seen along Olvera Street, as is LA’s oldest house, the Avila Adobe. Although recent restrictions have temporarily closed the doors...