Your TL;DR Guide to the 5 Asian-American Preserve America Neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
TL;DR: Los Angeles is full of diverse communities. In 2008, 5 Los Angeles neighborhoods were granted “Preserve America” status as a way to celebrate and support their unique heritages. Read on to learn more about L.A.’s Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Koreatown, Historic Filipinotown, and Thai Town.
- What is a Preserve America Neighborhood?
- Chinatown
- Little Tokyo
- Koreatown
- Historic Filipinotown
- Thai Town
- From the blog
Happy May everyone! Southern California looks like it has finally seen the end of the intense winter rain. It’s beginning to feel like Spring has truly arrived! With the roads clear of stormy water and the skies bright, now is the perfect time to head out for an adventure in Los Angeles. And since May is AANHPI heritage month, I wanted to spotlight a few Los Angeles neighborhoods to explore.
If you’ve been following along with my adventures these past few months, then you’ll know I spent a lot of time recently running around Los Angeles. During that time, I had the privilege of getting to know 5 historically and culturally significant neighborhoods in the city. And today, I get to share a little bit about them with you all!
Here are 5 Preserve America neighborhoods you should visit this AANHPI month!
What is a Preserve America Neighborhood?
First, before we take a virtual drive around Los Angeles, we should probably start by discussing what it means to be a Preserve America neighborhood. Beginning in 2003, the Preserve America initiative was launched as way to support the country’s cultural heritage. Since its inception, over 900 communities have been given the Preserve America status, which also opens these communities up to receiving additional grant funding. Through recognition of Preserve America neighborhoods, communities across the nation can honor their heritage, foster tourism, and build-up a sense of local pride.
Several communities in California have been awarded this special status, including 5 neighborhoods in L.A. These 5 Asian-American neighborhoods hold important significance to the region’s development as well as highlight the many communities that immigrated to and built California into what it is today.
Chinatown
L.A.’s Chinatown is a vibrant and colorful neighborhood located in Downtown central Los Angeles. On its third iteration, this current Chinatown is filled with beautiful architecture, various vendors, and amazing cuisine. Although officially established in 1938, the area has been home to the Chinese-American community and Chinese immigrants since the 1800s. Many visitors say that this neighborhood has a quieter feel and toned-down vibe compared to other Chinatowns. However, although this Chinatown is smaller than that of San Francisco or New York, there is a lively, local community that has a rich and beautiful story of resilience, strength, and enduring spirit to share. Chinatown stands as a living tribute to the enduring legacy of Chinese culture in the heart of Los Angeles.
Read more about this beautiful neighborhood in my guide to Chinatown here! You can also find even more information about Chinatown from the folks over at Chinatownla.com.
Little Tokyo
The largest of its kind, L.A.’s Little Tokyo puts the rich heritage of the Japanese-American community on full display. A beautiful tapestry of tradition and modernity, Little Tokyo offers visitors a glimpse into the beauty of Japanese culture. With family businesses dating back to the early 1900s still in operation, Little Tokyo continues to preserve the community’s culture. Unfortunately, like many other neighborhoods of its kind, the area had had to fight to protect the historic businesses in the area – with some closing down despite protests from the community. In fact, the neighborhood was recently classified as “endangered” by the National Trust for historic preservation. Consider stopping by to learn about the area’s history and support the local businesses!
Explore more of Little Tokyo in my guide here! You can also visit the Little Tokyo Community Council here for more information.
Koreatown
Also the largest of its kind, LA’s Koreatown is a thriving cultural and commercial hub that reflects the legacy of the Korean-American community. Officially designated in 1982, Koreatown has continued to evolve as a vibrant neighborhood since the early 1900s. Filled with diverse businesses, Koreatown is a delight for foodies, K-Pop enthusiasts, and history lovers.
Visiting Koreatown? Read what shopping centers to visit in K-Town here. There is also an amazing blog dedicated to Koreatown, which you can read more about here.
Historic Filipinotown
Officially recognized in 2002, Historic Filiipinotown (aka HiFi) has been a focal point for Filipino heritage, traditions, and community life in Los Angeles. However, while the area didn’t receive official recognition until the twenty-first century, the community had been living and working in the area for over a century. Unlike the first three neighborhoods on this list, there isn’t a distinct architectural difference when you enter HiFi. However, recently, the community has worked to install more celebratory signage (like the Eastern Gateway) and murals in honor of the community’s vibrant culture and resilience.
While visiting HiFi, be sure to check-out the iconic Eastern Gateway.
Learn more about the work the Pilipino Workers Center, an important community group, is doing here.
Thai Town
As the only officially-recognized Thai Town in the U.S.A, L.A.’s Thai Town has a rich historic background rooted in the convergence of Thai immigrants who began settling in the area in the 1960s. The establishment of Thai Town in 1999 marked a pivotal point in the preservation and promotion of Thai heritage in the United States.
Mostly known for its food scene by tourists today, there is still so much to discover in the area. Learn more about this growing community and how you can support local initiatives by visiting the Thai CDC here.
These 5 Preserve America neighborhoods of Los Angeles stand as vibrant testaments to the rich cultural tapestry woven by the AANHPI community. These historic neighborhoods not only showcase the enduring legacy of diverse Asian-American cultures but also serve as vital hubs that reflect the resilience, traditions, and spirit of the communities. I did my best to link blogs or websites focused on each community, but please feel free to share other resources in the comment section!
Have you visited any of these neighborhoods in L.A.? Let me know what your experience was like!
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