Skip to Content
L.A. TACO home
L.A. TACO logo
Log In
We want you to become a member!
Featured

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

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
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
On Braodway in Chinatowm, small businesses are closed indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak. 03/29 2:54PM
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
Placita Olvera, empty during the pandemic. On a Sunday afternoon, people from all over the world, as well as from LA, can be seen enjoying their time here. 03/29 2:44PM
Vendor booths, Olvera Street. 03/29. 2:23 PM
Vendor booths, Olvera Street. 03/29 2:23PM
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
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 2:22PM
Olvera Street vendor booth closed until further notice. 03/29. 2:19 PM
Olvera Street vendor booth, closed until further notice. 03/29 2:19PM
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.
Espacio 1839, a community shop and space for a radio show, let people know they would be closing until further notice. Las Palomas, a business serving food and drinks for the community, has closed their security gates due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Mariachi Plaza, Boyle Heights. 03/29. 1:49 PM
Mariachi Plaza, Boyle Heights. 03/29 1:49PM
Storefronts in Boyle Heights sit closed due to the city order to close non-essential businesses. 03/29. 1:48 PM
Storefronts in Boyle Heights sit closed due to the city order to close non-essential businesses. 03/29 1:48PM
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
Mariachi Plaza on a Sunday afternoon would normally be busy with community members doing various things. From musicians, visitors, families, and city workers, this plaza is famous for the community coming together. It is barren on this afternoon. 03/29 1:47PM
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 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 swapmeet.
A popular shop in the Alameda swap meet for the Catholic community in Vernon and surrounding areas, closed down. 03/29. 1:19 PM
A popular shop in the Alameda swap meet for the Catholic community in Vernon and surrounding areas, closed down. 03/29 1:19PM
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
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 1:13PM
110 Freeway & Wilshire Boulevard. 03/29. 12:30 PM
110 Freeway & Wilshire Boulevard. 03/29 12:30PM
The popular swap mall at MacArthur Park closed down due to the coronavirus outbreak. 03/29. 12:05 PM
The popular swap mall at MacArthur Park closed down due to the coronavirus outbreak. 03/29 12:05PM
Another portion of The Santee Alley, completely empty of people. 03/29. 11:21 AM
Another portion of The Santee Alley, completely empty of people. 03/29 11:21AM
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
A closed shop in the Santee Alley. A small wind through the alley is the only sound that can be heard. 03/29 11:16AM
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
The iconic Santee Alley, known for being open 365 days a year, is closed and empty except for 2 security guards. Thousands would normally walk through here on any given weekend. 03/29 11:12AM
Santee Street during would-have-been peak hour. 03/29. 11:08 AM
Santee Street during would-have-been peak hour. 03/29 11:08AM
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
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 10:56AM
Security gates signaling closure, an open parking meter. Sunday morning, March 29th. 10:52 AM
Security gates signaling closure, an open parking meter. Sunday morning, March 29th. 10:52AM
A portion of 'Los Callejones,' completely devoid of humans on a Sunday morning. 03/29. 10:47 AM
A portion of Los Callejones, completely void of humans on a Sunday morning. 03/29 10:47AM
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
Wall Street and 4th, extremely quiet except for the convenience store clerk's movement as he restocks his shelves. Sunday, March 29. 10:37AM
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
Storefronts in Los Callejones of LA 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 10:23AM
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.
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 10:22AM
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
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 2:58PM
Hollywood and Highland, a destination known around the world for its view of the Hollywood sign, empty. 03/28. 2:51 PM
Hollywood and Highland, a destination known around the world for its view of the Hollywood sign, empty. 03/28 2:51PM
Looking down Wilshire Boulevard on a Saturday afternoon, no cars or people can be seen out. 03/28. 2:20 PM
Looking down Wilshire Boulevard on a Saturday afternoon, no cars or people can be seen out. 03/28 2:20PM
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
The famed "Urban Lights" public art piece, more commonly known as the LACMA Lights, sits without any kind of visitor. 03/28 2:20PM
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
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 1:37PM
The ultra-popular Venice Beach Skatepark is taped off, closed due to the Safer at Home city order. Saturday, March 28. 12:33 PM
The ultra-popular Venice Beach Skatepark is taped off, closed due to the Safer at Home city order. Saturday, March 28. 12:33PM
Looking north on Venice Beach, the popular hangout spot is barren due to the coronavirus outbreak. Saturday, March 28. 12:31 PM
Looking north on Venice Beach, the popular hangout spot is barren due to the coronavirus outbreak. Saturday, March 28. 12:31PM
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.
An iconic section of the Venice Beach boardwalk, empty and on orders to close. Above, a police helicopter threatens to arrest those are on the beach. Homeless angelinos 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
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
The farthest point on the pier would normally have musicians, people fishing, restaurant-goers and tourists on a Saturday morning. Only two city vehicles are there now. 03/28 11:32AM
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
Santa Monica pier looking towards the city. This stretch is where the majority of people would have been in pre-pandemic times. 03/28 11:29AM
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
The rear area of the closed Santa Monica pier. Only 4 police officers, a small security team, and the Pacific Park manager are on the pier now. 03/28 11:19AM
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
Santa Monica Beach city workers enforce the beach closure, only a tiny fraction of the amount of people that are usually here on a Saturday morning can be seen in the far distance. Saturday, March 28. 11:14AM
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.
Saturday, March 28 at 11:13AM. The Santa Monica Pier and beach was 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.
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
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. 10:25AM
A stretch of Saigon Plaza, Chinatown. Tuesday, March 17. 10:52 AM
A stretch of Saigon Plaza, Chinatown. Tuesday, March 17 10:52AM
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
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 10:51AM

Share the taco:

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.

Read More:

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Taco Members Only

What To Eat In L.A. This Weekend: Parisian Hot Dogs, Steak-Stuffed Eggrolls, and a New Nicaraguan Fritanga

Plus a beautiful shawarma sandwich in Sherman Oaks and a weekend-long celebration of a Chicano brewery in La Puente.

July 26, 2024
Featured

Street Vendors Successfully Sue City to Remove Illegal ‘No Vending’ Signs And Won

L.A. will also have to reimburse the street vendors for their past fines relating to this controversial sign. However, this does not include any other fines related to equipment restrictions or lack of permits. This also means that while a vendor can’t be cited for vending in areas like the Hollywood Walk of Fame anymore, they can still get cited for other city regulations. 

July 25, 2024
Tacos

Empathy Through Tacos: Meet the Skid Row Taqueros Giving Away Free Food Every Friday to Downtown’s Homeless Community 

One of the taqueros who organizes the weekly pop-ups used to be homeless himself and broke out of poverty by selling breakfast burritos in front of a courthouse in Van Nuys. Now, he is sober and pays it forward every week. The group uses TikTok to raise funds and donate up to 1,500 tacos and more a week.

July 24, 2024
Taco Members Only

Open Thread: What’s The Best Live Show You’ve Ever Seen In L.A.?

Was your life changed by a Circle Jerks show at Blackie's? Chaka Khan dropping in on Snoop and Too Short at the Palladium? Dudamel with a special guest at Disney Hall? Chime in!

July 24, 2024
See all posts