The city of Los Angeles continues to evolve, and the culturally vibrant community of East Los Angeles is a testament to this growth. “The Chicano culture here has changed over time as the demographics of the city change,” says Mario Coral, Library Assistant at the Chicano Resource Center located in town. “And as the demographics change, the cultures blend well together in this cross-cultural exchange.” This diversity can be seen through the historic street murals to the variance of culinary offerings. With multiple highways running through the area, it’s easy to get around. “Downtown L.A. is just down the street,” says Fabian Garcia, a local and Realtor at Century 21 Realty with over 2 decades of experience in the area. “Go a few miles in any direction, and you’ll find something to do.”
A taste of Latino culture
A culinary hotspot, the heart of East Los Angeles beats to the rhythm of tantalizing Mexican cuisine. “There’s a big food culture here, which is bringing a lot of foodies into East L.A.,” Coral says. El Sabroso is known for their carnitas and chicharron, while La Azteca Tortilleria’s chile relleno burrito is a staple. Folks can get a sense of the culture when they take Angel’s L.A. Taco Food Crawl, which visits some community murals and East Los Angeles’ self-proclaimed best tacos in the world. For a more upscale dining experience, patrons can eat at Tamayo Restaurant and Art Gallery while admiring the Latin American art that adorns the walls. Whittier Boulevard, the district’s main artery, is a bustling hub of commerce where family-owned shops offer an eclectic array of goods from hand-embroidered clothing and artisanal jewelry to fresh local produce and traditional Mexican pastries. El Mercadito features dozens of vendors selling crafts, apparel and food. A few local markets are conveniently peppered throughout the community, but when residents need a bigger grocery haul, they can head to Ralphs.
You can find the best voted Chile Relleno burrito at La Azteca in East Los Angeles.
Get a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine at El Mercadito a indoor market off 1st street.
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Celebrating the Chicano Civil Rights Movement
Annual festivals, like the spirited Cinco de Mayo celebration and the grand East L.A. Mexican Independence Day Parade, embody the community's proud cultural heritage. The Chicano Resource Center offers a specific collection of Chicano materials. “We started back in 1976 to provide educational material that was lacking in the community,” Coral says. “A lot of people come in who are looking for a connection to their own cultural identity. The library’s location is part of the flashpoint of the Chicano Civil Rights Movement of the late ‘70s.” Street art also illustrates the area’s history, with stories told through the lens of its Mexican muralist. Residents might attend Spanish Mass at St Lucy’s Catholic Church, which can be easily identified by the colorful front facade depicting Saint Lucy.
Enjoy murals scattered throughout East Los Angeles.
The Chicano Resource Center is located in The East Los Angeles Library.
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Spanish bungalows and multifamily complexes
The housing inventory in East Los Angeles is made up of quaint Spanish villas and classic bungalows, each home telling its own story. Single-family dwellings range in size from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, the smaller houses starting around $550,000 and the more spacious properties with back patios growing to $950,000. adorned with detailed woodwork. Because of the area’s continued growth and prime location, there are also several lots, developments and multifamily complexes for sale. These complexes with 2 to 6 units can cost anywhere from $600,000 to $3 million.
Spanish style bungalows are amongst one of the more popular style of homes in East Los Angeles.
You can find multi family homes all around East Los Angeles.
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Fresh air at Belvedere Park
When residents in East Los Angeles want to stretch their legs, they can take a trip to the 30-acre Belvedere Park. Athletes might join games on the outdoor courts and fields while kids beeline to the playground and community pool. Eugene A. Obregon Park is a smaller park offering similar amenities, without the fitness center and pool.
Take a nap in the shade at Belvedere park in East Los Angeles.
During the summer the swimming pool in Belvedere Park is a great stop to beat the heat.
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Public schools and Netflix’s ELAC
Students can begin at Belvedere Elementary, which receives a C Niche grade and advance to Belvedere Middle, which receives a C-plus – both of which support dual language immersion in class materials. James A. Garfield Senior High, which Niche grades a B-minus, is the alma mater of comedian Carlos Mencia and Olympic gold medalist Oscar De La Hoya. East Los Angeles College is the largest community college in California and is the go-to for local entertainment, featuring performances by the ELAC Jazz Ensemble and live sporting events. The school's basketball team was the focus of Season 2 of the Netflix show, Last Chance U: Basketball.
James A. Garfield Senior High School is a Public High School in East Los Angeles.
East Los Angeles College or ELAC is a main college in East Los Angeles.
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Cruising into L.A. on I-5 and the Metro
Interstate 710 cuts through the center of East Los Angeles, while Interstate 5 takes residents to downtown Los Angeles in about 6 miles. Passengers can catch the Metro light rail at one of the stations lining East 3rd Street or the Metro bus at any of the several stops throughout town. The Los Angeles Community Hospital is conveniently located on the western side.
Crime in East L.A.
According to the CAP Index, East Los Angeles receives a score of 5 out of a possible 10. This is an average crime score in comparison to the country’s 4 out of 10.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
