Avila Adobe on Olvera Street: What to Know Before Visiting the Oldest House in Los Angeles

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Located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles on Olvera Street lies the Avila Adobe, also known as the oldest house in Los Angeles. You can easily visit the Avila home on a trip to Olvera Street, explore the courtyard, see the inner rooms with 1840s period pieces, and step away from the hustle of downtown.

After growing up in Los Angeles and returning often, I’ve been to Olvera Street a number of times and Avila Adobe is always a great place to stop by! Let’s check it out.

Avila Adobe History

This historic home holds the record as the oldest home in Los Angeles and was built in 1818 by  Francisco José Avila, a native of Sinaloa, Mexico, who was mayor of Los Angeles in 1810!

Despite Avila’s death in 1832, the home stayed in his family until 1868 when his grandchildren moved to Anaheim. Then, the Avila Adobe was used as a restaurant and boarding house, but was often vacant and somewhat abandoned.

The City of Los Angeles Health Department condemned the building in the 1920s, but a public campaign successfully spared the home.

The home suffered greatly because of an earthquake in 1971, but it was restored to the original early 1800s style.

Now, visitors and locals alike can visit the Avila Adobe.

Where is the Avila Adobe in Los Angeles?

You’ll find it on the pedestrian-only Olvera Street, which is a historic Mexican Marketplace in the heart of DTLA also known as the birthplace of Los Angeles.

In fact, this whole area is full of small museums, many of which are free to visit. The Avila Adobe is one of those!

The entrance is located on the southeast side of Olvera Street.

Map of the Avila Adobe and Olvera Street

How to get to the Avila Adobe

Finding the Avila Adobe is simple once you get to Olvera Street, however parking nearby can be tricky as it so often is in Los Angeles.

There are four parking lots near Olvera Street, where the closest to Avila Adobe are Parking Lots 2 and 3, which you’ll find along North Main Street and Alameda Street, respectively.

Parking Lot 1 is on the corner of North Main Street and Arcadia Street, which borders the 101 freeway. Parking Lot 4 is on the corner of North Los Angeles Street and Arcadia Street.

I recommend budgeting $10+ for parking here and pretty much always when planning your travel budget for Los Angeles.

Once you are parked, navigate to Olvera Street and look out for the Avila Adobe on the southeast side of the street, where the entrance looks like an arched gated alleyway.

To get there via public transportation, the closest stop is on the Metro’s bus line that stops at Cesar E Chavez/Alameda. You can take Bus 78 or 40 and both will stop there.

You can also take the Metro to Union Station, which is right across the street. Simply cross North Alameda Street toward the northwest and you’ll see Olvera Street on your left.

For a full look at all public transportation options, I like the travel tool Rome2Rio or check out LA’s Metro site here.

How much does the Avila Adobe cost?

It’s free! Yahoo!

And don’t worry, Olvera Street is free to visit, too. The only costs you’ll need to budget for are parking or transportation and other activities/food.

What to see at Avila Adobe

When you first enter, you’ll be in the main courtyard. Here you’ll see native California desert plants and examples of architecture and innovation that allowed residents to stay cool in the Los Angeles heat.

You’re able to explore the rooms on a self-guided tour. You’ll see a bedroom and living space complete with antiques and period pieces from the 1840s including clothing, furniture, instruments, tools, and décor.

The rooms are situated outside and around the courtyard so you can move through and once done, you’ll pop back out in the courtyard.

If you have questions about the history or any pieces inside the home, there is a docent inside happy to help!

How long does it take to visit Adobe Avila?

You can explore it fully in about 20 minutes if you take the time to read the signs and learn more about the house. There’s no time limit though, so you can relax in the courtyard for as long as you like.

Things to do nearby

There are plenty of fun things to do in downtown LA like Grand Central Market, Little Tokyo, and Angel’s Flight Railway.

Even closer, be sure to explore Olvera Street to the fullest. Shop for Mexican candy (my favorite!), taste some of the incredible taquitos from Cielito Lindo, enjoy live music, and explore one of the other small, but mighty museums surrounding the street, like the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, Chinese American Museum, and American Tropical Interpretive Center with an incredible mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros.

Tours of Avila Adobe and Olvera Street

While you certainly can tour Avila Adobe and Olvera Street on your own, a tour can be a great way to learn more and see more. So whether you’re visiting Los Angeles for a day or spending 5 days in the City of Angels, consider a longer city tour that includes a stop at Olvera Street where you can explore the Avila Adobe.

Where to stay near Olvera Street and the Avila Adobe

While it may seem tempting to stay in downtown Los Angeles, it’s actually best to steer clear. Los Angeles has a very well known unhoused population and downtown can feel unsafe to many travelers who may be unfamiliar with navigating these challenges.

Instead, I recommend staying just 15 minutes away in Silver Lake or Echo Park. Both neighborhoods are beautiful, a bit hipster in a good way, and nearby to all the main attractions including Dodgers Stadium and Koreatown.

Quick Details

Address: 10 Olvera St, Los Angeles, 90012

Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily

Cost: free

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