Join us for the first CicLAvia of the 2025 season—and our 58th event since 2010! CicLAvia—West Adams meets University Park is on Sunday, February 23rd, from 9am-3pm.
We’ll celebrate over 4 miles of open streets connecting West Adams, Jefferson Park, and University Park. Enjoy this edition of our Local Gems blog featuring a few of the MANY things to see and do along Jefferson Blvd and Vermont Ave. Thanks to everybody who contributed their local gems on social media and be sure to also use the CicLAvia Interactive Digital Map to plan out your day!
West Adams, Jefferson Park, and University Park all hold a rich, unique legacy in Los Angeles history. Connecting the three neighborhoods for this route are some of the longest streets in the region, Jefferson Blvd and Vermont Ave. In addition to West Adams being one of LA’s oldest neighborhoods, many important figures and movements have begun and grown right here in these very neighborhoods. Join us as we learn more about some of the past, present, and future landmarks and cultural spots of the area.
spcaLA Pet Adoption Center
5026 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Looking for a lifelong furry friend? The spcaLA Pet Adoption center is a shelter that has been in the area since 1949! During the event, spcaLA will offer giveaways, info about adopting, and pet adoption specials. Stop by and meet your friend for life!
A Place for Youth
4901 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
A Place for Youth is a center which offers programs, services, and resources to students for no cost. Stop by their place for complimentary beverages and snacks under a shaded seating area. They will also have outdoor games, music, and interactive crafts focused on Bike & Road Safety, Black History Month, and STEAM Learning. Learn more about their programs, services, and upcoming community events.
Thinkspace Gallery
4217 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Thinkspace Gallery, founded in 2005, is an internationally recognized art gallery which displays many exceptional pieces of art relating to the New Contemporary Art Movement. Check out their website to see the next upcoming exhibitions they’ll be showcasing.
Reparations Club
3054 S Victoria Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Reparations Club is a black-owned, woman-owned, bookstore and creative space open to all. Stay up-to-date on book clubs, signings, events, and screenings, on their socials.
Brainstormers mural by @sanoizm
3417 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
Alongside the ISANA Nascent Academy wall is the Brainstormers mural done by @sanoizm. This mural is fitting on the school wall as it depicts children’s minds connected in a brainstorm while reading books.
POT Gardens
3228 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
POT Gardens is one of the first pottery studios run by people of color. They are known for their amazing hospitality, talented staff, and affordable prices when it comes to pottery classes in LA. Never wheel thrown before? Sign up for one of their drop-in wheel classes! During the event, stop by their sidewalk activation for free air-dry clay activities, a pottery sale featuring work by local artists, and a chance for you to check out Black Is... Black Ain’t, their latest group exhibition. Look for the inflatable cactus at Jefferson Blvd. and 12th Ave!
Little Pot
3220 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
Adjacent to POT Gardens is their separate location, Little Pot. It serves as, “A space for socially conscious brands and local artisans to celebrate and share [their] work.”
To Protect and Serve mural by Noni Olabisi
3030 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
To Protect and Serve is an eye-catching mural completed in 1996 by the late Noni Olabisi with great assistance from the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC). Despite the backlash and political resistance, the mural stands tall today and portrays many important Black figures such as: Huey Newton, Angela Davis, and Bobby Seale. Since then, the mural has undergone natural deterioration and fading but has luckily been restored and can be easily seen as you ride east along the route.
Share Club
2502 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
Share Club is a second hand store, community space, and retail shop specializing in women’s and children’s clothing. If you’re looking for child's clothing, events, or even occasional childcare services – check out their socials for more information.
Radical Hood Library
2304 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
Radical Hood Library is a black-owned library by the @nonamereads book club. Since 2021 this space has showcased Black, Indigenous, and authors of color through their book clubs, open mics, screenings, and more. The Radical Hood Library will be offering free books and library card registration on event day! Visit their website for more information on future events.
Black Seeds mural
2301 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
Black Seeds, completed in 1991, is a mural done by David Mosley, Eddie Or, Norman Maxwell, Micheal McKenzie, and Marvin Hunt. It was conceptualized by Vietnam veteran and neighborhood activist, Gus Harris. He recalled how little he was taught about African American history growing up in school and decided that having a public mural dedicated to the many heroic Black figures would be the perfect way to inspire the youth in the area.
Former Jefferson Drill Site
1375 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Behind a short wall and shrubs is the empty lot of the former Jefferson Drill Site by Freeport-McMoRan and the Union Oil Company. Here these companies had 36 active oil wells just a couple of feet from residents, children, and families. Because of this close proximity, many residents suffered major health issues from the nearby oil well operations. In 2017, after a long battle and community action, the company closed down and moved operations elsewhere. The community is now envisioning a new future for the lot with either a community center, affordable housing, or green space. Watch the Redeemer Community Partnership's short documentary for a more detailed look into the community's victory.
Lux’s Bicycle Shop
1305 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Lux’s Bicycle Shop is a local spot many residents gather for repairs and community bike rides. Additionally, the Lux’s Bicycle crew will be offering FREE basic bike repairs at CicLAvia at the University Park Hub!
There's so much more history to share about this area so we connected with local writers, Militant Angeleno and Laura Meyers, to bring more historical information to you.
First up are a few gems from Militant Angeleno’s Epic CicLAvia Tour LVIII. The Militant Angeleno is a native Angeleno that writes about LA's history and his adventures in the city.
Marvin Gaye U.S. Post Office
3585 S. Vermont Avenue, University Park
A post office named after a Motown legend, you ask? Well here's what's goin' on:
Originally built in 1972 as the Dockweiler Station Post Office (named after native Angeleno lawyer and politician Isidore Dockweiler, who also had a beach named after him), this postal facility processes mail for both the 90007 and 90089 (USC campus) ZIP codes, because it takes two baby.
The Militant heard it through the grapevine that in June 2019 it was re-dedicated as the Marvin Gaye Post Office after the legendary soul singer and songwriter in honor of what would have been his 80th birthday.
Historic Koreatown
1368 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Though Koreans have been in Los Angeles since the 1900s, it's here along Jefferson, west of Vermont, where the largest concentration of Korean immigrants in the US first emerged in the late 1920s. … The Korean Independence Memorial Building on 1368 Jefferson, an unmistakable white edifice with the South Korean and US flags flying in front, was built in 1938 to house the Korean National Association, the Korean Women's Patriotic League and the Sin Han Min Bo/The New Korea community newspaper. After Imperialist Japan's occupation ended following World War II, the building served as a community and cultural center for Korean Americans in Los Angeles. … Just a few blocks to the southeast is the former home of Hung Sa Dahn/Young Korean Academy (1929-1979) on 3421 Catalina Street, founded by Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, a major Korean independence activist who lived in Los Angeles. It was saved from demolition in 2021 and became a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2023.
New Orleans Corridor
Jefferson Blvd between Western and 10th Avenues
This strip of Jefferson Boulevard between Western and 10th Avenue was informally dubbed the "Creole Corridor" for decades, but its history wasn't formally recognized until recently. Black/Creole migration to California from Louisiana began in 1883 with the opening of the Southern Pacific Railroad's Sunset Route providing a direct train ride from New Orleans to Los Angeles. Many of the migrants settled in the Jefferson Park/Sugar Hill (obliterated by the 10 Freeway)/West Adams/Mid-City neighborhoods to work in the then-nearby agricultural areas, followed by successive waves in the 20th century that primarily worked in SoCal's manufacturing industry, the most recent after the end of World War II. Many businesses, restaurants and cultural institutions of Black/Creole Louisiana heritage were established in the area, most notably Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church on Jefferson and Cimarron (founded 1921) and Harold & Belle's restaurant on Jefferson and 10th Avenue (founded 1969). The New Orleans Corridor was officially designated in June 2023 with a New Orleans-style Second Line procession down Jefferson (complete with brass band) and a street festival.
Next up are some gems from Laura Meyers, a longtime resident and the VP of the United Neighborhoods Neighborhood Council (UNNC). Check out the West Adams Heritage Association (WAHA) Strolls: A Stroll Along Historic Jefferson Blvd. for a full list of gems along the route!
Korean United Presbyterian Church
1374 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
The Korean United Presbyterian Church is one of the oldest Korean-American congregations in all of Los Angeles. The church was constructed and established at its current location in 1938 and has been thriving since. In addition to weekly church services, the congregation also offers Korean language classes.
Hidden History Museum
2131 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
The Hidden History Museum tells the diverse, untold stories of Black people in America. The founder, filmmaker and activist Tariq Nasheed, believed in the importance of spotlighting Black history. The museum showcases these extensive stories through immersive exhibits, historical documents, and oral histories.
We can't wait to see you all at CicLAvia—West Adams meets University Park on February 23! Don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list so you don’t miss out on updates and information, future programs, and to be the first to hear about future events!
These events are made possible by contributions from people like you. To support more open streets, consider making a tax-deductible donation here today!
Photos courtesy of: Jon Endow, @spcala, @thinkspace_art, @reparations.club, @sanoizm, @pot_studio_la, @cr0wdpleas3r, @shareclubla, @radicalhoodlibrary, @therealdavidmosley, @neighborhoodlandtrust, @luxbicycleshop, Militant Angeleno, and @raychang502.
