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Flowers Galore at the Los Angeles Flower District
Plan on an early morning wake-up in order to visit the largest flower market in the country, the famous Downtown LA Flower District, in the heart of downtown Los Angles.
Late each night, arriving by air and by truck, shipments of flowers from around the world are delivered to the 6-square city blocks that make up the flower district. Starting at 4:00 am, the 200+ wholesalers housed in the 8 buildings that comprise the market open their booths to area florists. Phone orders also start to arrive from many of the 20,000 flower shops around the country. By placing their orders early, retailers get the best selections of the day.
The public is also invited to shop the huge variety of flowers at deeply discounted retail prices, just later in the morning. Even if you’re not shopping for flowers, the market’s wide selection, countless colors and vibrant scents provide a visual and sensory delight, as well as excellent photo opportunity.
Besides the tens of thousands of fresh-cut flowers, beautiful arrangements are on display ranging from delicate Zen-inspired single orchids to huge wedding centerpieces and funeral wreaths. Do-it-yourselfers can also find floral supplies, vases and baskets, potted plants, trees, balloons, and more for creating the perfect arrangement.
Some shops specialize in one type of flower, such as exquisite and rare orchids, tulips or the dozens of varieties of the classic red rose. Other shops might create nothing but stunning floral arrangements.
Just over two-thirds of the flowers sold in the United States are imported, with 60% originating from Columbia. The remaining third are grown in the US, with more than 3 out of 4 domestic flowers grown in California. And a large percentage of both make they way through the LA flower market.
The two most popular and oldest flower markets, dating back to 1913 and 1921, are the Los Angeles Flower Market at 242 Wall Street and the Southern California (“Japanese Market”) Flower Market at 775 Maple Street. Both markets open their doors daily to the public at 8:00 am (entrance fee applies), but you can also get into some of the other building as early as 6:00 am with no admission fee charged.
The first flower market in Los Angeles was opened in 1905 by a local carnation farmer just blocks from the current flower district. Soon, other markets sprung up as Southern California flower growers, mostly European and Japanese-American immigrant brought their flowers from the nearby farming valleys and fields to Los Angeles.
Today, the huge selection available allows visitors to see bucket after bucket of virtually every type of flower, from the simplest daisy to the most exotic and rare tropicals. During your visit, keep an eye open for some of the sky-reaching 5-6 foot tall red roses from Ecuador and the more exotic orchids seen only in jungle rain forests.
Here are my top 5 flower buying tips:
- Arrive early and shop around to get the best quality and prices at several shops or stands.
- Don’t hesitate to bargain, so ask “Will you take…?” and name your price.
- Later in the day, sellers tend to lower prices to get rid of their remaining (limited lifespan) inventory for the day.
- Paying with cash often gets you a lower price.
- Around $10 should get you 2 dozen roses, or 50 carnations, 15 tulips, or a dozen lilies. Expect to pay no more than 50% of retail for most flowers, and save upwards of 80% on some varieties, plus you’ll be getting the freshest flowers available in all of Southern California.
After your flower district tour, grab a seat in a classic red leather booth or sit at the 40-foot mahogany bar at Cole’s for lunch. It’s Los Angeles’ oldest public house located just blocks from the flower market at 118 E. 6th St., between Main and Los Angeles Streets (map), and claims to have originated the French Dip sandwich. Locals love Cole’s “original” beef, turkey, lamb, or pastrami French Dip sandwiches priced at $6.38 each. Pair it with an order of spicy garlic fries ($3.19) and you’ll have a meal to remember.
And if you’re up for even more shopping, LA’s Fashion District (travel guide), the 90-square block hub of the apparel industry on the West Coast, is just blocks away.
LA Flower District & Markets — between S. San Pedro Avenue and Wall St. from 7th to 9th Streets, Los Angeles, California (travel guide)
The major flower markets include:
- LA Flower Market – 242 Wall St.
- Southern California Flower Market – 755 Maple Ave.
- California Flower Mall – 825 San Pedro St.
- LA Flower Mall – 720 San Pedro St.
- Market City Flowers – 804 San Pedro St.
- Downtown Flower Mart – 715 E. 8th St.
- San Julian Flower Market – 744 S. San Julian St.
Dates and Hours – Daily except Sundays, public hours vary by building and market, most open to the public from 6:00 am until noon, and many shops stay open until 4:00 pm. A couple markets are open to Trade Only before 8:00 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and form 6:00 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The California Flower Mall is the only market also open on Sundays.
Admission – Most of the markets/buildings offer free admission. The LA Flower Market and So. California Flower Market charge $2.00 admission on weekdays and $1.00 on Saturdays.
Parking – Paid lot parking is available including lots at Wall, Maple and 8th Streets ($5.00), 7th and San Julian ($4.00) plus limited metered street parking ($1.50 per hour.) Additional parking above the LA Flower Market and the Southern California Flower Market buildings (enter on San Julian St. or Maple St. between 7th and 8th Streets.) Additional parking in other area lots and buildings is available, some free with purchase.
Photo credit: Both via flickr. Salim Virji (tulips); Glenn Wilson (bird of paradise)
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