Fire Department Museum

Firehouse No. 1 Gastropub is a vibrant dining destination located in Downtown San Jose, offering a menu focused on perfectly prepared premium cuts of steak, chops, and seafood. The establishment prides itself on crafting classic cocktails with precision, ensuring a quality experience for its guests. In addition to its exceptional food and drink offerings, Firehouse No. 1 also provides an inviting space for special events, accommodating groups of 15 to 250 guests in the lively San Pedro Square area. This gastropub has become a popular choice for those seeking a memorable dining experience in a dynamic atmosphere. Generated from the website

Built in 1818, the Avila Adobe at 10 Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles is the city's oldest standing residence, and a must-see for history buffs. It has been restored and furnished to look as it did when the family of long-ago L.A. Mayor Francisco Avila lived there in the 1840s.Best and worst time to go to Avila AdobeThe best times to visit are afternoons during the fall and spring. The worst times are during August, when it's hot and crowded with tourists, and weekday mornings during the school year, when it's popular with students on field trips.Must see/do at Avila AdobeVisitors will find it easy to imagine they have taken a trip back in time over 200 years, thanks to period furnishings such as the unique 1881 Steinway square grand piano in the living room.The house is small, but visitors should take their time and read the information provided about each room.Check out the replica "carreta" wood cart in the courtyard, which was used for transportation in L.A. centuries before freeways existed.Admission to Avila AdobeAdmission to Avila Adobe is free. Donations are accepted.Parking and public transportation to Avila AdobeThe Avila Adobe is located in the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, which has five parking lots. Lots 4 and 5 are the least expensive, with flat rates ranging from about $5 to $8.It is also easily accessible via light rail; visitors can take the Metro Gold Line to Union Station, just a five-minute walk away.Food at Avila AdobeFood is not served at the adobe, but there are several Mexican restaurants nearby on Olvera Street.Insider tip for visitors to Avila AdobeThe friendly docents are happy to give visitors a free guided tour of the adobe.Author's bio: Laura Goldman is a freelance writer and lifelong Angeleno. Follow her on Twitter and visit her blog, i Still Love Dogs.