Los Angeles' Oldest Businesses & Attractions

Joe Chevalier established his iconic bookstore in 1940, making it the longest running shop of its kind. Chevalier's Books specializes in bringing literature that isn't on the NYT bestseller list. Each pick o...

Highland Park Bowl opened in 1927 at the same time the television was first invented. It would take the cathode ray box to make an appearance in family homes so pastimes like bowling were safe for decades. A...

The last remaining business from the original historic area that was once called "The Pike," Outer Limits Tattoo & Museum is the oldest continuously operated tattoo parlor in the entire USA, open since 1927....

More comfy than upscale, Golden Gopher is downtown L.A.'s oldest bar. It has remained open since 1905 - a place where the regular folks of the city look to have a relaxed conversation with friends without th...

Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church or "La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles" in Spanish was first founded in 1814 by a Franciscan priest. The structure was first completed in 1822 but r...

Canterbury Records established in 1956 has outlived the greatest record giants of all time - Virgin Megastore and Tower Records to name a couple. Perhaps the family-owned store's secret is that it caters to ...

Galco's Old World Grocery is an Italian-style deli and grocery shop famous for its selection of more than 700 bottled sodas - many of them small batch hard-to-find brands from Europe and North America. There...

Clifton's Cafeteria is the oldest cafeteria-style restaurant in L.A. and the largest in the world. Here you can get those comfortably familiar Jell-O cups with whipped cream. Don't expect cafeteria prices - ...

The Palace Theater once known as the Orpheum is where Michael Jackson and his video girlfriend watch Vincent Price's "Thriller" right before the singer turns into one of the undead. In real life the theater ...

Alhambra Cocktail Lounge first opened in 1904 and has existed as you see it today since 1936. If you're looking for a no-frills experience which hasn't been updated since the 1930s, head here. Don't let the ...

The Galley is the oldest restaurant in Santa Monica. Although it does not have a waterfront view the atmosphere will make you believe you're in the middle of the ocean. Fashioned like its name - a ship's gal...

Evergreen Cemetery was first established in 1877. Like many old cemeteries it contains an eclectic mixture of gravestones and markers as well as more elaborate statue monuments. It's no Forest Lawn or Pierce...

The Musso & Frank Grill is century-old restaurant that brings the flavors of New York City to Hollywood. Opened in 1919, this is the oldest eatery in Hollywood, often called Tinseltown's genesis. Not much ha...

Big Dean's Oceanfront Cafe opened as Laring's Lunch Room in 1902. Since then, it has been a favorite with locals and visitors, surviving and thriving in times such as the Great Depression, multiple recession...

A couple of decades after Prohibition was repealed the Tonga Hut came into existence. The year was 1958 when brothers Ace and Ed Libby created their tropical escape in the dry heat of the San Fernando Valley...

As well as being the oldest palm in the city, it's probably the most often transported palm as well. The Historic Palm Tree of Los Angeles was first uprooted and moved to San Pedro Street in the 1850s. It wa...

Also dubbed "El Cholo Spanish Cafe," the Original El Cholo has been serving Angelenos Mexican food since 1923. It's also credited with introducing the time-tested burrito to the United States. It's been fami...

Any time of the year is a great time to visit Fosselman's Ice Cream Co., the oldest of its kind in L.A. Year-round perfect weather means ice cream can be an daily treat. Old-fashioned soda fountain beverages...

In 1903 Fugetsu-Do Confectionery opened its doors and introduced Angelenos to the world of Japanese sweets. They are known for their homemade mochi in a rainbow of colors - the best to be found for miles aro...

Kip's Toyland has been delighting kids and adults since 1945. For a city that goes through trends like people go through undergarments that's quite a feat. The Kipper family still owns and operates the toy s...

In Chinatown L.A.'s oldest bakery whips up sweet and savory delights. Phoenix Bakery specializes in airy baked confections as well as Chinese treats. Strawberry cream cakes, mochi, steamed buns, and traditio...

L.A., as a relatively young city, doesn't have many buildings that are more than 200 years old. Avila Adobe built in 1818 is one of those rarities, a complete anachronism in a vibrant metropolis. It was buil...

Don't let the small counter at Bob's Coffee & Doughnuts fool you; this Farmers' Market installation has been serving up a great selection of donuts, sugary pastries, and coffee beverages since 1947. Although...