Dad needed to go to the Los Angeles Union Train Station to fix something for our train trip in October. Grandpa, Jason, Robin and I decided to tag along. We arrived at the Fullerton station at 9:30 in the morning to catch an Amtrak train for the 30 minute trip to the LA station. After Dad got everything fixed, we decided to go across the street to historic Olvera Street.
Olvera Street is the oldest street in Los Angeles (it is known as the birthplace of Los Angeles). It was first settled in 1781 by 44 Mexican settlers. Olvera Street is one block long filled with many shops selling handcrafted souvenirs and clothing and 27 historic buildings. There were also many authentic Mexican Restaurants. We had lunch at restaurant that opened in 1924. The food was SOOOOOO GOOD!!! The weather was also very nice. For the past 3 days it has been 103-105 but today it had cooled down to 72. It was perfect weather to spend the day outside and walk around the old street.
As we were waiting for the train to go back to Fullerton, we had time to walk around the Union Station. The Los Angeles Union Station opened on May 7, 1939 (it will celebrate it's 70th birthday in a few weeks). The interior of the Station was breathtaking!!!! The ceilings were 50 high with beautiful wood carvings. The 30 old ticket booths also had intricate wood carvings. Grandpa told us that in the 1940's and 50's the station was always busy!!! Many celebraties could be found walking around and getting on and off trains. The Station is HUGE with more then 20 tracks coming into it. We all had a wonderful time!!!! We are planning to go to Chinatown (also by train) which is about a block away from Olvera Street.
This is the Fullerton Train Station, about 10 miles from our house
This is the Los Angeles Union Train Station.
A flower cart announcing you are on Olvera Street
A view of Olvera Street
Another view of Olvera Street
The 4 of us eating lunch
a view inside the LA Union Station
another view inside the station
the last view inside the station
