Wordful Wednesday-Olvera Street in Los Angeles

by Angie on August 30, 2011

Olvera Street is the oldest street in Los Angeles and a great place to spend the afternoon with the family, if you want my opinion. We took the Metro Link into Union Station and walked across the street to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of Olvera Street. Olvera Street has a bunch a little kiosks with Mexican hand-crafts and knick-nacks, and it’s a great place for authentic Mexican food. Plus, it’s one of those Los Angeles landmarks that you have to visit if you are here.

I always love walking through the Avila Adobe, too. Tours are free and the adobe has the distinction of being the oldest standing residence in Los Angeles. Built by Francisco Avila in 1818, it is brimming with charm and functionality. My kids loved that the adobe walls are 2 1/2-3 feet thick. I’m pretty sure that if I were alive in 1818 in Los Angeles, this is the house I’d want to live in.

No trip to Olvera Street would be complete without a meal of fresh Mexican fare. There’s just something about homemade salsa and tortilla chips…..

The nice thing about Olvera Street is that it’s small, it’s outdoors for the most part, and it can be experienced in a few hours. I’m pretty sure that’s why my kids liked it. It didn’t seem heavy on the history, or time.

What are some of the places that everyone should visit when they are in your area?

Wordful Wednesday is like Wordless Wednesday, only WITH words. It’s for those of us that can’t contain the chatter, but in a good way. More info. in my tabber box titled WW on the right. Thank you for playing along!

Don’t forget to hop on over to my co-host Amanda’s place (Parenting By Dummies) to see what she has to be Wordful about today!

{ 2 trackbacks }

outdoor wednesday: heinz wildlife refuge: August 31, 2011 at 3:03 am
Wordful Wednesday-Olvera Street in Los Angeles | Parenting News: August 31, 2011 at 3:32 am

{ 74 comments }

1 Dumb Mom Twitter: thenagainphoto August 30, 2011 at 8:01 pm

I honestly am ashamed to admit that I lived in LA for 16 years and I never went to any of these places. It’s sad how much us LA-ians don’t get out!

2 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:39 am: I love that you were my first commenter! Next time you are in LA, we should do the sights together!

3 Mommy Moment Twitter: mommymomentblog August 30, 2011 at 8:02 pm

I agree, things that do not take all day are much better received by the kids!

Thanks for the linky!
Jody

4 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:39 am: It only took me like 10 years to figure this out….:)

5 genny Twitter: GennyHeikka August 30, 2011 at 8:05 pm

Definitely looks like a fun day. I hope you had fun in SF too!

6 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:40 am: Thank you for your suggestions. We did Fisherman’s Wharf, drove my the Painted Ladies, went to Chinatown, and did a lot of driving around just “looking”.

7 Kristi {at} Live and Love Out Loud Twitter: TweetingMama August 30, 2011 at 8:06 pm

I’d like to lock my children in the Avila Adobe whenever they’re arguing. The walls would be thick enough to drown out the sound and save my sanity! Great pics, Angie.

8 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:40 am: Now THIS is a great suggestion. I wonder if they’d notice if I just left mine there……I mean, they wouldn’t “hear” them right?

9 blueviolet @ A Nut in a Nutshell August 30, 2011 at 8:07 pm

I love the authenticity of the area! I’d love to go there!

10 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:41 am: It’s really a fun place……next time you are in LA…..:)

11 Mrs. Cox August 30, 2011 at 8:10 pm

How fun!! What a neat place – if I’m ever in LA I’m definitely going there.

12 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:41 am: You’d love it, and the nice thing is that it doesn’t take all day!

13 Elena @CiaoMom August 30, 2011 at 8:21 pm

Looks like a great place to explore!!

14 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 10:32 am: It really is a fun little place to visit!

15 Alexia Twitter: babiesandbacon August 30, 2011 at 8:46 pm

Go guys go on such cool adventures!! What a cool looking market. Your pics really do it justice. I’ll add this place to my list of things to do in Cali!

16 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:42 am: It really is a great place to visit……:)

17 Life with Kaishon August 30, 2011 at 8:47 pm

This looks like such a fun adventure. I love it : ) The kids are cute, cute, CUTE! Those smiles are the best : )

18 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:42 am: Thanks, Becky. Thursday or Friday is your big day, right?

19 Terra Heck August 30, 2011 at 8:55 pm

That adobe residence looks beautiful. I’ve never been to LA. Looks like you had a lovely time.

20 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:42 am: When you make it here, definitely add in an hour at least to visit!

21 Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation Twitter: RachelVoorhees August 30, 2011 at 9:28 pm

Everyone should visit NAPA when they are visiting my hood….hands down.

22 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:43 am

I’ve NEVER been to NAPA. NEver. I’ve driving down the 5 through the state though more times than I want to count.

23 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:43 am: driven down.

24 Erin Twitter: ErinsMiracles August 30, 2011 at 9:28 pm

WOW I haven’t been there since spanish class in High school! I really do need to take the kids!

25 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:44 am: Yes! We should meet there sometime!

26 dysfunctional mom August 30, 2011 at 9:33 pm

Looks like a VERY cool place to visit! I so want to visit CA. One of these days!

27 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:44 am: Put it on your bucket list. The good thing is that the weather is good year round so you won’t be limited by the weather…:)

28 Elyse Twitter: eah1234 August 30, 2011 at 9:40 pm

WoW, so many links already! Guess I am loosing it or slacking! I will get in gear then. I’ve never been but would LOVE to.

29 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:45 am: In it’s “hey-day” I’d get like 70 links in the first hour!

30 Deb - Mom of 3 Girls Twitter: debmomof3 August 30, 2011 at 10:53 pm

Sounds (and looks) wonderful!

31 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:45 am: It’s fun. And short.

32 Robin from Israel Twitter: RobinTA August 30, 2011 at 10:54 pm

What a great looking tour, no wonder the kids had a blast .

———————————–
My photography is available for purchase – visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

33 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:45 am: THE best part? You can explore yourself!

34 Runnermom-jen August 31, 2011 at 2:13 am

What great adventures your family goes on. Love that picture of you and your kids

35 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:46 am: We try to take the kids places as much as possible…..sometimes it works out So well. Othertimes…….

36 Barb @ A Life in Balance Twitter: ALifeinBalance_ August 31, 2011 at 2:48 am

It sounds like a great trip! I wish I weren’t on the other coast. Is it stroller friendly?

37 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:46 am: I single stroller works, but a double would be REALLY tight.

38 Sweaty Twitter: dosweatthesmall August 31, 2011 at 3:21 am

Another bit of history you’re sharing here! Thanks for taking those pics for us… For those, who like me, have never been to Olvera Street, now we got some ideas of what’s in store there for us!

I really liked the colorful bags on sale there! Those are awesome, very rich in patterns and textures.

The Villa Adobe looked amazing for such an old structure! And gosh, it did look homey! I could actually imagine people of the olden days carried on with their daily chores around the house… Very authentic!

39 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:47 am: You just won the prize for best comment of the day. Nice long comments like yours always make my day. So thank you!

40 Stacy Uncorked Twitter: RandomCoolChick August 31, 2011 at 3:29 am

What an amazing place! Next time we’re in LA we’ll definitely have to check it out. As for the best place for someone to visit while in our area is a smorgasbord – it’s so rife with history and historical places to visit…the top one being the Battlefields in Gettysburg.

41 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:48 am: I’ve been to Gettysburg but never did a smorgosboard (sp?) while there. Now I’m really bummed!

42 Susie's Homemade August 31, 2011 at 4:27 am

What a neat place!!

43 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:48 am: It really is……although they don’t have cupcakes like yours…..

44 cat@juggling act August 31, 2011 at 5:35 am

What a lovely trip and day out. Here it is simple- it’s big 5 country – go on safari.

45 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:49 am: You know how many people would kill (no pun intended) to go on safari? So exotic and rare. My kids would DIE to do this. Lucky you.

46 mindy August 31, 2011 at 5:36 am

I like your photos, what did you use to make your collages? Thanks for the opportunity to link up and meet new friends!

47 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:50 am

Picnik. Both for effect and collages! I have the paid version. Don’t know if you can make the collages for free, but I know the effects are free.

48 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:50 am: http://www.picnik.com

49 Paula Kiger Twitter: biggreenpen August 31, 2011 at 5:59 am

I enjoyed your pictures! As far as what people should visit in my area, it’s tough to say. For adults (and some kids) there’s a museum about 1.5 hours from here of Camp Gordon Johnston, where the beach was turned into a training area for WWII amphibious landings in the 40′s. There is an amazing amount of memorabilia AND great explanations of the history there. I love it and I love the veterans.

50 Nicole@MTDLBlog Twitter: MTDLBlog August 31, 2011 at 6:13 am

What a wonderful day with the family. The pictures turned out great too!

51 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:50 am: How are you after last week?

52 Melanie @ Whimsical Creations Twitter: melaniescrafts August 31, 2011 at 6:16 am

Looks like a beautiful place to visit!

53 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:50 am: It’s really fun!

54 Natalie August 31, 2011 at 6:37 am

I haven’t been there in years! Makes me want to take the kids!

55 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:51 am: Yes. Take the kids one morning or afternoon. I like to visit in the morning, eat lunch there and then leave.

56 imperfectmomma Twitter: imperfectmomma August 31, 2011 at 6:47 am

Sigh…when people come to our town? The coolest thing to seeis…DC. Sad but true, nothing incredibly cool like that here. Well, at least IMO

57 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 6:51 am: Lots to do in DC though….:)

58 Teresha@ Marlie and Me Twitter: Mommy2Marlie August 31, 2011 at 6:58 am

That is a side of LA you never see advertised. I love cool family outings like this one.

59 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 10:33 am: It’s really cool to, to go into LA and then be completely submerged in the culture in that little area!

60 Anti-Supermom August 31, 2011 at 7:12 am

Looks like the perfect outing for the day!

Thanks, once again, for hosting~

61 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 10:34 am: I always appreciate you playing along….and stopping by to see what you are being wordful about!

62 Jenn August 31, 2011 at 7:20 am

Thanks for such a fun meme! I much prefer my Wednesdays with words.

63 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 10:34 am: I never could be wordless. Ever.

64 threeundertwo Twitter: threeundertwo August 31, 2011 at 8:54 am

That does look like fun! Amazing that that adobe has survived so many earthquakes. Maybe we should all live in houses with 2 1/2 foot walls.

65 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 10:34 am: Really, right? It would have to be cool at least…:)

66 Caitlin {Pacifier In My Pocket} Twitter: paciferpocket August 31, 2011 at 9:15 am

I love the purse shots, so colorful and pretty!

67 Angie Twitter: 7clowncircus August 31, 2011 at 10:35 am

Did you get to see my wordful wednesday with pictures of us from Blogher?

68 Caitlin {Pacifier In My Pocket} Twitter: paciferpocket September 1, 2011 at 5:43 am: No, I’m still trudging through my reader catching up on post. I just looked for them really quick. So cute!

69 Elaine Twitter: elainea August 31, 2011 at 10:47 am

We live 20 minutes of the Tabasco plant/factory. The one that makes ALL the Tabasco in the entire world. It’s actually pretty cool to see. Plus the gift shop has some “hot” ice cream!

70 Anne Twitter: anne_hogan August 31, 2011 at 11:14 am