Stop number 2 on this Los Angeles Metro Tour is Union Station. We will explore the city's beautiful 1930's train station, walk across the street to the historic Olvera Street and Avila Adobe, and offer great dining options including the best churros in the city (I'm NOT kidding) and get brainwashed by Phillipe's Famous French Dip Sandwiches (the best in LA since 1908!), stop by a historic Catholic Church and see an exhibit at the Chinese American Museum.
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UNION STATION - is the transportation hub for Amtrak, Amtrak California, Metrolink commuter trains and the Metro Red, Purple and Gold lines, and several bus services, including the Flyaway, a non-stop bus to Los Angeles International Airport. It is also one of the most beautiful train stations in the United States! Opened in 1939, this Dutch Colonial Revival / Mission Revival / (some say Art Deco or Streamline Moderne-style) building offers lush enclosed garden patios on both sides of the grand waiting room. The interior of the station has travertine marble on portions of the walls, terra cotta tiles with a central strip of inlaid marble that runs the length of the waiting room, grand floor to ceiling windows, beautiful chandeliers and an amazingly beautiful wood ceiling. Union Station has also been featured in numerous films including: Blade Runner, Silver Streak, Speed, Pearl Harbor, The Italian Job, Quantum Leap and the TV series 24. Exit the station on the Alvarado side and cross the street heading toward Olvera Street.
OLVERA STREET - is the oldest part of Downtown Los Angeles, founded in 1911, and offers an immense amount of Mexican culture, incredible mariachis, festivals, shopping, 17 historic buildings and amazing food! As you make your way thru the various shopping stalls, look down and notice the zigzag brick pattern walkways that represent the original path of the Zanja Madre, the original aqueduct that brought water to the Pueblo de Los Angeles from the Porciuncula River (The Los Angeles River) in the 1860's.
Make your way to the
AVILA ADOBE, the oldest standing residence in Los Angeles, built in 1919 by Francisco Avila. The walls of the Avila adobe are 2-1/2 to 3 feet thick and are built from sun baked adobe bricks. It is an amazing piece of history that can't be missed.
The next stop is
MR. CHURRO where you can get a great variety of pastries, drinks, and of course, churros. You can get the churros plain, rolled in cinnamon goodness, or filled with a variety of goodies including custard or caramel. You won't be sorry you stopped here, trust me!
Next is the food... There are several great places to eat at Olvera Street where you'll find great Mexican food. Here are a few options:
Luz del Dia features handmade tortillas,
Casa De Sousa for Mexican hot chocolate, and taquitos at
Cielito Lindo. Exit Olvera Street on the Caesar Chavez side, cross the street and walk north on Alameda for two blocks until you come to Phillippe's.
PHILIPPE'S - is the one of the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles, established 1908, and is by far, one of the best! It's simple. In 1918,
Philippe accidentally dropped the sliced French roll into a juice filled roasting pan and the rest is history. Pick your meat, pick your cheese and say "double dipped" for both sides of the roll to be blessed with love. They also serve great deserts, potato and macaroni salads, legendary cole slaw, beer in bottles and pickled eggs. For the caffeine fiends out there COFFEE FOR $.09! No joke! And really good lemonade for $.75. I've been brain washed by Philippe's because I can't drive by here without stopping, even if I'm not hungry! ...must...have... cole....slaw... and...and...bowl... of...chili-with-onions-and-cheese....and...double-dipped-roast-beef-with-bleu-cheese, thank you!
Return to Olvera Street and walk across Main Street to the Catholic Church.
Nuestra Senora Reina de Los Angeles - (The Church of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels) is a Catholic church founded in 1814 and completed in the early 1820's. It was designated the 144th California Historical Landmark. It is a beautiful building with a great courtyard and beautiful art.
Located in Olvera Street's courtyard is our next stop. Cross Main Street and walk into the small alley located between the brick buildings.
CHINESE AMERICAN MUSEUM - has great exhibits featuring the
cultural history of the Chinese through early immigration to settlement in America. The building is the OLDEST and most significant Chinese building in the state of California because the original buildings in the Chinese community in San Francisco were destroyed by the earthquake of 1906.
Here is a great photo from the building's heyday.
After you've had your fill of Mexican food and shopping in Olvera Street, chomped on a churro filled with love, been brain washed by the sandwiches dipped in love, said a prayer, seen a great Chinese art exhibit in a historic building, walk back to Union Station for stop #3 on our tour. More to come....
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OLVERA STREET - is the oldest part of Downtown Los Angeles, founded in 1911, and offers an immense amount of Mexican culture, incredible mariachis, festivals, shopping, 17 historic buildings and amazing food! As you make your way thru the various shopping stalls, look down and notice the zigzag brick pattern walkways that represent the original path of the Zanja Madre, the original aqueduct that brought water to the Pueblo de Los Angeles from the Porciuncula River (The Los Angeles River) in the 1860's.
