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L.A. Is a Ghost Town: Photos From Desolate Streets and Abandoned Landmarks

By Ben Camacho

3:49 PM PDT on April 7, 2020

110 Freeway & Wilshire Boulevard. 03/29 12:30PM

Union Station is only allowing travelers into the station. Here is a look into the only window a non-traveler can get close to due to the added security measures and guards. 03/29. 2:37 PM

On Broadway in Chinatown, small businesses are closed indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak. 03/29. 2:54 PM

Placita Olvera, the birthplace of Los Angeles, empty during the pandemic. On a Sunday afternoon, people from all over the world can usually be seen enjoying their time here. 03/29. 2:44 PM

Vendor booths, Olvera Street. 03/29. 2:23 PM

Historic Olvera Street has shut down for the most part amidst the outbreak. On any Sunday afternoon, the popular space would be packed with people. Now, only a security guard and a few homeless Angelinos stay in the area. 03/29. 2:22 PM

Olvera Street vendor booth closed until further notice. 03/29. 2:19 PM

Espacio 1839, a community shop and creative space, let people know they would be closed until further notice. Las Palomas, a business serving food and drinks for the community, has also closed its security gates due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Mariachi Plaza, Boyle Heights. 03/29. 1:49 PM

Storefronts in Boyle Heights sit closed due to the city order to close non-essential businesses. 03/29. 1:48 PM

Mariachi Plaza on a Sunday afternoon would normally be busy with community members, from musicians, visitors, families, and city workers. This plaza is famous for the community coming together. It is barren on this afternoon. 03/29. 1:47 PM

A retail store, like those found in 'Los Callejones,' closed down due to the pandemic. Only the food workers can be heard talking as few people come and go from the Alameda swap meet.

A popular shop in the Alameda swap meet for the Catholic community in Vernon and surrounding areas, closed down. 03/29. 1:19 PM

The entrance to the interior of the Alameda Swap Meet closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Only the restaurants can serve take-out food at the swap meet. 03/29. 1:13 PM

110 Freeway & Wilshire Boulevard. 03/29. 12:30 PM

The popular swap mall at MacArthur Park closed down due to the coronavirus outbreak. 03/29. 12:05 PM

Another portion of The Santee Alley, completely empty of people. 03/29. 11:21 AM

A closed shop in the Santee Alley. A small wind through the alley is the only sound that can be heard. 03/29. 11:16 AM

The iconic Santee Alley, known for being open 365 days a year, is closed and empty except for two security guards. Thousands would normally walk through here on any given weekend looking for clothes at a bargain. 03/29. 11:12 AM

Santee Street during would-have-been peak hour. 03/29. 11:08 AM

Colorful awnings hang above the closed stores in 'Los Callejones' during what would have been a peak time for business owners and shoppers. 03/29. 10:56 AM

Security gates signaling closure, an open parking meter. Sunday morning, March 29th. 10:52 AM

A portion of 'Los Callejones,' completely devoid of humans on a Sunday morning. 03/29. 10:47 AM

Wall Street and 4th Street, extremely quiet except for the convenience store clerk's movement as he restocks his shelves. Sunday, March 29. 10:37 AM

Storefronts in 'Los Callejones' with their messages regarding closure due to the coronavirus outbreak. Only cars driving on the main street blocks away can be heard here. 03/29. 10:23 AM

On Winston Street and Los Angeles Street, The T-Shirt Guys and Salud y Belleza are closed down with their COVID-19 notices taped up. Normally an extremely popular retail shopping area, the blocks of stores are completely shut down. 03/29. 10:22 AM.

One of Hollywood's most iconic landmarks, TCL Chinese Theater, is closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Onlookers are few and far between as Hollywood's most famous area lays barren of visitors. Only police and homeless people can be seen on the normally-bustling boulevard. 03/28. 2:58 PM

Hollywood and Highland, a destination known around the world for its view of the Hollywood sign, empty. 03/28. 2:51 PM

Looking down Wilshire Boulevard on a Saturday afternoon, no cars or people can be seen out. 03/28. 2:20 PM

The famed "Urban Lights" public art piece, more commonly known as the LACMA Lights, sits without any kind of visitor. 03/28. 2:20 PM

Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade, a go-to location for locals and tourists every day of the week, lays empty with only a few small business restaurants accepting take out orders. 03/28. 1:37 PM

The ultra-popular Venice Beach Skatepark is taped off, closed due to the Safer at Home city order. Saturday, March 28. 12:33 PM

Looking north on Venice Beach, the popular hangout spot is barren due to the coronavirus outbreak. Saturday, March 28. 12:31 PM

An iconic section of the Venice Beach boardwalk, empty. Above, a police helicopter threatens to arrest those who are on the beach. Homeless Angelenos are told by Venice Beach Police to leave the beach.

Santa Monica pier empty, aside from police officers, closed down due to the coronavirus outbreak. 03/28 11:47AM

The farthest point on the pier would normally have musicians, fishermen, restaurant-goers, and tourists taking selfies on a Saturday morning. Only two city vehicles are there now. 03/28. 11:32 AM

Santa Monica pier looking towards the city. This stretch is where the majority of people would have been in pre-pandemic times. 03/28 11:29 AM

The rear area of the closed Santa Monica pier. Only four police officers, a small security team, and the Pacific Park manager are on the pier now. 03/28 11:19 AM

Santa Monica Beach city workers enforce the beach closure, only a tiny fraction of the number of people that are usually here on a Saturday morning can be seen in the far distance. Saturday, March 28. 11:14 AM

The Santa Monica Pier and the beach were ordered to close by the City of Los Angeles. Pacific Park, the amusement park on the pier, normally holds 2,500 people on busy days such as Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, March 28. 11:13 AM.

Hill Street as seen from the 110 south. On any given morning, this street is bustling with traffic, both car and pedestrian. The Safer at Home order by the city keeps most people from leaving their homes. Saturday, March 28. 10:25 AM

A stretch of Saigon Plaza, Chinatown. Tuesday, March 17. 10:52 AM

Lisa's Fashion & Gift closed down due to the coronavirus outbreak. Businesses in Chinatown have found it extremely difficult to stay open since they have experienced a drastic drop in foot traffic since word of the virus originating in China hit the US. Tuesday, March 17th. 10:51 AM

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Ben Camacho

Ben Camacho is a photojournalist, visual storyteller and community organizer from Santa Ana, California. When not telling stories, he enjoys film photography, exploring new places, ideas, and perspectives.

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