Avila Adobe
Avila Adobe
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Constructed in 1818, this oldest residence in Los Angeles has been restored as an example of the life style in California during the 1840s.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Central L.A
How to get there
- Union Station • 3 min walk
- East LA Civic Center • 9 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
112 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
61
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Chris F
San Francisco, CA1,819 contributions
Feb 2020
Located on Olvera Street in the middle of a large Mexican market area is Avila Adobe. Avila Adobe is a 1970’s rebuilt replica of an 1820 home that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1971. There is a lot of interesting information on early Los Angeles and California history. The walk through took less than a half hour and showed what life was like in the 1820-40 time period. The attraction is free and worth a pass through if you are on Olvera Street.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline L
Los Angeles, CA2,637 contributions
Mar 2012 • Family
There aren't many free things in LA, but the Avila Adobe is free to browse. This historic place was the first home in Los Angeles and is worthy of a look. There is much history here and there is usually a volunteer nearby to answer any questions. I've taken my kids and they too have enjoyed it.
Written December 31, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie L
Cullman, AL19 contributions
Feb 2012 • Friends
If you happen to be on Olvera Street, then don't leave without stopping here! It will only take 15-30 minutes of your time, and free of charge. I thought this going to be boring, but I was really wrong. The house is fully decorated and furnished, so that it looks like people from the 1800's still live there today. I was amazed at how beautiful it was. I would go back again with my friends.
Written May 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Destination35600
torrance,Ca1 contribution
Well I have been there more then 15 times and it never gets old my mom and dad love it too. It makes feel good. It shows you what the past was like, and theres not alot of old mexican history anywhere and there it tells you everything its great for school who want to know about any history of late 1800's and how peole lived. I wish the don't ever take it down it's something my parents showed me and its something I want to show my kids. Its a great for family trip. All in all its great I loved it and anyone who goes will too.
Written May 18, 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marilyn A
Kitchener, Canada569 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We toured here as part of Olvera Street sightseeing. It was interesting but requires you to read the panels. It is a tranquil spot and indicative of an earlier era.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SPENCER R
1 contribution
Dec 2018 • Family
When i went last year for a spanish field trip there was a lady on drugs talking to a bush in the middle of this place, tbh i was pretty sketched out after that. As a matter of fact there was like 2-3 people tweakin out all through olvera street
Written December 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
geotech522
5,304 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
This is a real hidden gem that can be easily lost in Olvera Street that is part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. Best of all, it is FREE to visit. The Avila Adobe was constructed in 1811 and constructed with sun-baked adobe bricks that are 2.5 to 3 feet thick. The house is in the third location of the original Spanish settlement of El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles sobre el Río Porciúncula; the first two locations were destroyed by flooding of the Río Porciúncula (Los Angeles River). The adobe has exhibits that showed how the Avila family lived and the furniture, although not original, are typical of the time for the more affluent Spanish settlers in Southern California. Very nice displays and well worth the visit among the touristy shops along Olvera Street. It is too easy to miss and not well enough publicized. That's too bad.
Written September 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barb W
Sacramento, CA108 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
Maybe Olvera Street is not that "historic," but the Avila Adobe is. They have some items here which represent the culture and which you don't see anywhere else. Have you ever wondered why there are no fireplaces in adobes like this? Because they used braziers for heating, which you will see a couple of, in the main rooms. Want to see the kind of "manton de Manila," or Chinese shawl, that the ladies danced the fandango in and even threw on the floor to dance on top of? There is one in the main room. They have made an attempt to exhibit the 1830s, while most adobes' furniture is from the 1890s or later. Then sit in the courtyard, and cool off, you can feel why they put the adobe on this bluff as the breeze comes up.
Written November 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TOM-C--LIVERPOOL
United Kingdom688 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
Not many things in LA are almost 200 years old, but this gem is easily missed. It sits behind the market in the Los Angeles Plaza in the downtown district and is the oldest house in LA. You can only imagine the area when it was first built. Entry is free. Well worth the effort to go there.
Written October 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J Lee S
Los Angeles, CA847 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
The Avila Adobe is the oldest existing residence in L.A. It was built in 1818 when California was still a Mexican province under Spanish colonial rule. Don't miss this place when you're in Olvera Street. Entrance is free and its interior and peaceful courtyard will definitely transport you to the time of the Californios.
As a side note, the Art Deco Union Station and a local favorite, the historic Philippe's restaurant, which claims to be the originator of the French Dip sandwich, are just a block away.
As a side note, the Art Deco Union Station and a local favorite, the historic Philippe's restaurant, which claims to be the originator of the French Dip sandwich, are just a block away.
Written June 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What would it take for a photo shoot here? It will be 4 of us plus our friend who will be taking our picture.
Written November 20, 2017
The staff, from the groundskeeper to the docent, is super helpful. I think you'll have no problem with any group of 5 taking photos. It's a fascinating place to visit and don't overlook the grape arbor in the entry.
Written November 21, 2017
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