Previously known as Belvedere Gardens, East Los Angeles is home to a largely Latino community in one of Los Angeles’ oldest neighbourhoods. It boasts a rich cultural history and vibrant traditions that are exhibited in its unique stores and restaurants. It’s also home to the Latino Walk of Fame created in honour of those making a difference.
Things to do in East Los Angeles
Explore one of the many recreational spaces in East Los Angeles, such as the Belvedere Community Regional Park or Eugene A. Obregon Park. At the heart of the district is the Home of Peace Memorial Park, a tranquil Jewish cemetery that lies adjacent to the historic chapel of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
Soak up the sights, sounds and smells of El Mercado de Los Angeles, which exudes the atmosphere of a traditional Latin American marketplace. It’s a great place for feasting on authentic Mexican food and listening to live mariachi music, with its colourful laneways radiating from a spacious interior courtyard. Take note of the mosaic tile mural by Jose-Luis Gonzalez on the first floor, which features abstract representations of the ancient Mayan rain god.
If you’re interested in the history of East Los Angeles, make a point of visiting the Chicano Resource Center, which forms part of the LA County Library service. Its multimedia collection highlights Latin American immigration to the United States and prominent individuals in the Chicano Movement, as well as traditional Mexican folklore and art.
Getting around East Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport is the main gateway to the city and around 40 minutes’ drive from East Los Angeles while the Downtown area is 15 minutes away. Several bus routes travel throughout the neighbourhood and connect to surrounding suburbs. The Montebello/Commerce train station lies on the district’s south-east corner and Cal State LA station is north.