There Is A Tiny European Village Hiding In The Middle Of The City In Southern California
By Natasha Kayes|Published June 26, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
Have you ever been to an old city like Frankfurt or Florence and found yourself wandering down little brick or cobblestone side streets and alleyways? Those are always my favorite parts of any city, colorful little treasure troves of tiny local shops and hole-in-the-wall family-owned eateries. Did you know that we have just such a lane in Southern California, a hidden village in Los Angeles?
In the busy jewelry district in the heart of downtown LA is a little lane that will make you feel as if you have been transported to the middle of an old European city.
I am willing to bet that people walk by St. Vincent Court every day without even noticing this quaint alleyway. There is a little street sign and a sign on the building over the entrance.
The alley was once used by the huge department store, Bullock’s, which occupied the building and used it to send and receive deliveries. People ended up meeting and gathering in the area and the store began to lease the space to small businesses, such as coffee bars and Italian restaurants.
In 1957, the plain walls of the buildings were enhanced with plaster facades and the street was paved with brick, making it look like an old side street in a Italy, France, or Switzerland.
St. Vincent Court owes its name to St. Vincent’s College, which was the original owner. Today, you will find a coffee shop, delis, a barber shop, French and Persian restaurants, and a couple of other businesses.
Along the alley, between cafes and storefronts, there are multiple entrances to the St. Vincent Jewelry Center that occupies the building, so you can shop for something special at the largest jewelry center in the world.
Walking around this unique dead-end alley still feels very much like strolling down a lane in an old European city like Florence or Paris. You almost expect to see Vespas zooming by!
Especially in the summer and on the weekends, when the businesses open and become sort of sidewalk cafes with bistro tables, chairs, and umbrellas, St. Vincent Court feels like a laid-back but lively “small town” escape from the bustling city around it.
St. Vincent Court is certainly a one-of-a-kind place that feels almost like a Hollywood set. Did you know that this hidden European-like village was here in the middle of the city? Have you ever been here? We would love to know what you think. There is another secret in the alley… If you are visiting LA, or want to take a little staycation, check out the St. Vincent Lofts rental apartments.
