With the LA Metro GoPass recently offered by the school, LBCC students can visit several of LA’s historic landmarks, such as Olvera Street.
The GoPass offers free unlimited rides through Long Beach Transit and all of Los Angeles County Transit.
Olvera Street, also known as the “Placita Olvera” or “Calle Olvera” in the present day. It was originally referred to as Calle de los Vignes, Vine Street, and Wine Street.
In order to get there, take the Metro A line (Blue) on 7th Street/metro Center Station for 19 stops to the Metro D Line (Purple), where you would arrive at Union Station. Directly across Alameda Street would be Olvera Street which is only a 3-minute walk.
The advantage of traveling on the Metro Pass to Olvera Street is it only takes one hour and 15 minutes to arrive via the metro. It could take more time in your own personal vehicle on an average day driving through LA traffic.
The time difference is a fair deal considering today’s inflated gas prices and a parking price tag of $20-$30 dollars you will have to pay upon your arrival, that is if you are lucky enough to even find a parking space.
Those who have visited Olvera Street would attest to the rich Mexican culture, history and traditions that still live today. There is a wide variety of the traditional Mexican foods, gift shops and entertainment.
This historical monument has been around since the early 1820’s in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles.
Gina Rodriguez, a proud family business owner of Mr. Churro, Hecho con Carino, Casa Rodriguez, Marta’s Imports, Catalina’s imports and Gina’s has a family business legacy of over one hundred years.
Rodriguez’s great grandmother Catalina Cruz Delgadillo from Nayarit, Mexico envisioned and set a foundation of this dream since 1920 that still lives on today.
“I am so happy to see all walks of life visiting here,” Rodriguez said.
“Kids, especially, bring so much great energy. You can see it in their eyes of how happy they are. It fills my heart with so much joy,” Rodriguez said.
Not only will you find the traditional gift shops and great dining, but if you get lucky and plan accordingly, you can take advantage of great traditional Mexican music, such as live female mariachi.
“I love coming here to drink and eat carnitas tacos. I was raised in Los Angeles, and I feel more Mexican-American, though I am half Chinese and Ecuadorian,” Antonio Sanchez, a local resident said.
Olvera Street has great dining, such as La Luz del Día, El Paseo and Cielito Lindo.
And for those who are within the legal drinking age, you can get home safely without having to worry about having a designated driver.