Latino Communities in East LA

Huntington Park and South Gate enjoy a reputation as one of LA’s centers of Latino culture, a rich and lively community steeped in history and tradition. It offers Californians the opportunity to sample a little of the Latin culture, without having to travel too far. The Latino communities in East LA add a unique flavor to the area, and it is an eclectic mix of the modern and the traditional. The famous Pacific Boulevard, the third highest grossing commercial district in the county, is also the scene of the world famous Carnaval Primavera and the Christmas Lane Parade.

Surrounded by resorts such as Redondo Bay and Manhattan Beach, not to mention the famous attractions around Hollywood, Huntington Park is not a well-known tourism destination, spread across airport billboards or in the adverts of magazines. Despite this low–key approach, the area has a steady influx of visitors, wishing to sample the authentic Latino culture. The area is more than just a place to eat a tortilla, and has a wealth of cultural and artistic attractions.

Huntington Park is filled with the sights and sounds of Latin America, and the famous Pacific Avenue has been reborn as a thriving retail area. Alongside Penney’s and Woolworths, there are Mexican jewelry stores and delicatessens. The signs on the stores are in Spanish, further adding to the feel of being immersed in a different culture. The weekends see a huge influx of visitors, mixing a day’s shopping with the chance to enjoy a laid-back coffee and a good conversation.

The colorful farmer’s market, on Bissell St., offers visitors the chance to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the area and sample the unique flavors of this colorful corner of LA. The market specializes on Mexican ingredients, and is a great place for buying fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as the divine Mexican honey. This market is rumored to sell the best chilies in LA, so is well worth a visit for that alone. If you are weighed down with groceries, catching a Huntington Park Taxi back home is easy, and allows you to return home without having to negotiate the crowded Metro.

For eating out, Huntington Park offers some of the best authentic Mexican food in California, and offers the chance to offer fine food, music and great conversation in one of the many top quality restaurants crammed along Pacific Avenue. Of course, if you want to wash your meal down with a glass of fine Californian wine, then you can leave the car at home and catch a taxi, avoiding the risk of being caught driving under the influence, or worse.

Both South Gate and Huntington are home to a pulsating and vibrant nightlife, based upon the infamous Latin rhythms. Whether you want to dance to modern music, in one of the many nightclubs, or watch traditional Mexican live music, the Latino Communities in LA offer plenty of options. Instead of walking home in the small hours of the morning, South Gate taxis provide a safe and comfortable way to travel, and accept credit cards if you spent all of your money sampling the nightlife.

The area is blessed with some unique cultural riches, and possesses two museums documenting the history of some of the unsung public servants who helped to build LA. Huntington Park possesses one of the few police museums in the UnitedState, a must see for those who are interested in the long and proud history of the force. The museum contains a wide range of police paraphernalia from all across the globe, allowing the visitor to see how the police forces, in different countries, developed. South Gate possesses the City of Los Angeles Fire Museum, a must see for anybody wanting to see how the famous firefighters of Southern California developed over the years. It contains over forty antique fire engines, amongst a host of other paraphernalia, although it is only open at certain times of the year.

Sport and leisure is not forgotten in the area, and both Huntington Park and South Gate are well provided with parks and open spaces, offering relief from the hustle and bustle of the city. The parks are not just a place to sit and enjoy the view, but are well equipped with recreational and athletic facilities for the Latino communities of East LA.Huntington Park has a skate park, and South Gate has a small nine-hole golf course, offering a round of golf without the hassle and expense of paying for exclusive memberships.

Kids enjoy bowling, and the Gage Bowl allows them to spend a night with their friends. Gage Bowl runs youth leagues, alongside the adult competition, and has a range of special deals and theme nights.  The center, as well as offering the chance to bowl at a great price, also has a bar and live DJ’s, providing the opportunity for a great family night out.

The South Gate and Huntington Park area is also home to the largest single piece of folk art in the world. The Watts Towers are a local landmark, built by Simon Rodia, who painstakingly constructed the towers with his own hands. They remain as a testament to the perseverance and doggedness of their creator. For a cultured night out, the Teatro Los Pinos serves as the hub of a vibrant artistic culture in South Gate, and offers Spanish plays and comedies all year round.     

Whilst there are many things to see and do in Huntington Park and South Gate, the area is also home to a large number of Hispanic people, giving the area its character and unique appeal. In recent years, the area has seen many improvements and developments. The metro light transit serves the Latino communities of East LA, and integrates with the transit buses and the Huntington Park and South Gate Taxis.  The integrated transport options have made the area into a commuter area for those working in LA or further afield.

Whilst English is widely spoken, there are many older residents and recent immigrants fro whom Spanish is the only language. Whilst most shops have signs in Spanish, and bilingual staff, other services are often unavailable to these residents, and they can become trapped in their own homes. For many, even ordering a taxi is difficult, and they may not want to navigate the public transport system or walk great distances. Fortunately, Huntington Park taxi companies employ fully bilingual drivers, providing a great on demand transport network for those needing to get from A to B.

The growing reliance upon taxis in the area, fuelled by relaxed laws about hailing cabs in the street, ensures that tourists and residents alike can benefit from door to door transportation. South Gate taxis offer a wide range of services, from airport journeys to discounts for seniors. Taxis can be booked online and also accept credit cards, providing a great flexibility of service at a low rate. The Latino communities of LA are well served by the integrated transportation network, allowing them to maintain their unique culture whilst integrating with the rest of the metropolis