Metrolink Weekend Adventures
Decisions, Decisions…
Chinatown or Olvera Street?
Ride Metrolink to Get a Taste of LA Culture & Fun
Experiencing the cultural delights of Olvera Street and Chinatown in Los Angeles is just a train ride away, thanks to Metrolink’s weekend service.
Travelers with plenty of stamina may want to visit both destinations in a single day. Less intrepid explorers should plan to go to Olvera Street and Chinatown separately.
To begin the journey, board the train from any San Bernardino County or eastern Los Angeles County station and ride to Union Station in the heart of historic LA.
First Stop: Olvera Street
- To reach Olvera Street, walk through the station and cross Alameda Street to “El Pueblo de Los Angeles.”
- Olvera Street is one of the shortest streets in LA and one of the few where cars are totally prohibited. Originally called Wine Street, in 1887 the street was extended and renamed in honor of Agustin Olvera, who owned a home at the end of the street. Olvera was the first county judge of Los Angeles. The street is lined with historic buildings, including one of the most famous – the Avila Adobe – built in 1818, and the oldest residence in the city. The Avila Adobe was the home of Los Angeles’s former mayor, Francisco Avila. Other points of interest include the Pico House, built in 1887, and statues of Felipe de Neve and King Carlos III of Spain, two pivotal figures in the founding of Los Angeles.
- The street is dotted with souvenir stands and many Mexican eateries.
- Hungry visitors may want to stop at La Golondrina Cafe, which first opened its doors in 1924 and still serves authentic Mexican cuisine. The café is located within the Pelanconi House, the city’s first brick building (built around 1855-1857). Originally called Casa La Golondrina, the “House of Swallows,” it is considered the first Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles. Try a margarita followed by one of the house specialty dishes, such as Enchiladas de Mariscos – two soft corn tortillas filled with snow crab and shrimp and topped with fresh tomatillo sauce, avocado, rice and beans.
Next Stop: Chinatown
- Adventurers who aren’t too full from their meal can continue the fun by walking to Chinatown from the north end of Olvera Street at Cesar Chavez Avenue. Turn left and walk two blocks to Broadway and head north. (Travelers who want to limit their walking can return to Union Station from Olvera Street and catch the Gold Line train, just a few dozen steps from the Metrolink train. Gold Line trains run every 16 minutes on weekends and are free to those with a valid Metrolink ticket. Exit at the next stop – the Chinatown Station.
- Visitors can explore Chinese art galleries, antique stores, temples, herbal shops and dining. There are numerous restaurants, such as Yang Chow on Broadway, known for serving “slippery shrimp” and other favorites.
- Explorers who get an early start may wish to take the “Undiscovered Chinatown Tour,” a 2.5-hour walking tour offered the first Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. by the Chinatown Business Association. The cost is $20 per person. Upcoming tours are offered September 1, October 6 and November 3. For reservations or more information, call (213) 680-0243 or email info@chinatownla.com.
- Return to Union Station on foot or by the Gold Line Chinatown station located on Alameda Street. Remember, riding the Gold Line is free with a paid Metrolink fare.
For More Info...
Check these web sites for more information about Chinatown, Olvera Street, and Metrolink.
- Chinatown LA: www.chinatownla.com
This site has a map, history, and calendar of events. Some of the events listed are dated, but the rest of the information is still good. - Old Chinatown: oldchinatownla.com
Learn about the history of Chinatown in Los Angeles - one of the first "Chinatowns" planned from the ground up by the local Chinese. This site also has a map and list of merchants. - Experience LA: Chinatown
This site has a map, and list of day-trip adventures in the area accessible by the Metro Gold Line.
- Olvera Street: www.olvera-street.com
Although nothing remains of the original pueblo built by founders of Los Angeles in 1781, there are 27 historic buildings at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Park, eleven of which are open to the public. Everything you want to know about Olvera Street is on this comprehensive site—even a list of Fiestas. - Experience LA: Olvera Street
This site offers a walking map listing sites of interest, a brief history of Olvera Street, and Metro Connections to and from the area.
- Metrolink: www.metrolinktrains.com
This is the official Metrolink web site where you can find weekend train schedules, special offers, and other interesting information.
Train-Riding Basics
No matter where you want to go, follow these steps for a pleasant experience onboard Metrolink.
- Find your station. Choose your starting and ending station.
- Check the train schedule and arrive at your station 15 minutes before departure. A list of train schedules and stations is available at www.metrolinktrains.com or by calling 1-800-371-LINK (5465).
- Select your ticket type. Ticket vending machines at each station offer one-way and round-trip tickets. One-way tickets are valid for a single trip from the station where purchased to the destination station. These tickets are valid for three hours from the time of purchase. Round-trip tickets are valid for one trip to and from the station where purchased and the selected destination. Travel must begin within three hours from the time of purchase and end the same day. There is a $1 discount on round-trip tickets, compared to one-way tickets.
- Buy your ticket from the station vending machine. Tickets are not sold onboard the train, so you must have a valid ticket before boarding. The vending machines accept cash, debit cards and credit cards.
- Board the train and enjoy the view from large picture windows. An electronic sign in the window of each passenger car indicates the final station stop for that train.
- Catch a free connection. Use your Metrolink ticket to ride most connecting buses or rail lines at no cost.
- Watch for discounted rates. On weekends, there is a 25% discount; seniors get a 50% discount at all times; children 5 and younger ride free.
- Have a snack while you ride. Passengers may bring food and non-alcoholic beverages on the train. Restrooms and drinking fountains are available for passenger use.