Experiencing L.A. at the Grand Central Market

The Grand Central Market downtown has been part of Los Angeles since 1917. With 40 different stalls and food stands, it has something for everyone.

photo credit: blogs.uscannenberg.org

Here's a look at the outside.

It's a HUGE open market occupying the length of a city block, with large entrances at Broadway and at Hill Street.


Yes - it really is a market and - yes - you really can get something to eat there.


It really reminds me of the kind of place my grandmother (born in Warsaw, Poland) would have felt comfortable with. Definitely "old school" - with a vibe and feel reminscent of New York City or Europe.


I ended up trying a pupusa at the Sorita's Salvadorian Food. Mmm, yummy.

On an related note, next week I'll actually be in El Salvador with a group of students from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. As a Christian, I like to think that the years my family and I spent living in Los Angeles gave us all a bit of a "heads up" in terms of interacting and working with other people and cultures.


These photos are from May 2010, when we took a group of ten kids (!) and parents there as part of a tour of downtown Los Angeles.

We were pretty much able to find something for everyone (sorry, no McDonalds - which was a good thing). There is also an ice cream stand near the Hill Street entrance, which - of course - was a huge hit with everyone.


Looking out to Hill Street (yes, there really is a hill) with the office towers of Bunker Hill clearly visible. If you look carefully, you'll also notice one of the bright orange cars from Angels Flight.

Grand Central Market: my wife and kids and I.

Heading out the Hill Street entrance - next stop on our tour, the world-famous Angels Flightfunicular, another downtown treasure. Here's a link to a previous blog post on it.

View Grand Central Market, Los Angeles in a larger map

© 2012 www.experiencingla.com - originally posted 3/13/2011

Angels Flight

Last week I took a group of westside homeschool families on a tour of downtown Los Angeles. One of our many stops ways the recently re-opened Angels Flight funicular railroad.

Originally built at the turn of the last century, Angels Flight operated from 1901-1969. It was then moved to it's present location, and (finally) reopened in 1996. A fatal accident caused Angels Flight to close in 2001. It once again opened in March of this year.


Our group of four families had just finished lunch at the historic Grand Central Market.


While waiting to cross Hill Street I shot a quick series of photos of the two cars going up and down the hill.


You see how they actually cross each other.


As a funicular, the cars act as counter weights, similar to an elevator.


Angles Flight claims to be "The Shortest Railway in the World." At 350 feet - just a bit longer than a football field - that's probably correct.



We crossed Hill Street (pictured above, looking south) and got on board. The fare is just 25 cents - you pay at the top.

Here's the view looking up. Needless to say, both the kids and adults thought it was a fun little ride!


At the top of the hill, "Bunker Hill," is the large "California Plaza" office and hotel complex.


Turning around, you can see the historic office and ticket office. This is where you pay.


A final look down the hill with the distinctive orange and black cars waiting to make yet another run.

Here's a link to their website: www.angelsflight.com