Pacific Boulevard (Huntington Park, California)

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This popular street in downtown Huntington Park is well known, especially by Hispanics, for having many shops and restaurants. It has become famous throughout Los Angeles for hosting the two largest street carnivals in the south east, one in the Spring and one in the Fall. It also hosts a Christmas Parade that has been a city institution for over half a century. In its heyday in the 1920's, 30's and 40's, the street was renowned for its movie palaces as well as its buildings which featured architectural designs that mirrored the "art treasure" buildings of downtown Los Angeles. Unfortunately, many of these buildings, notably the Warner movie palace, as well as many others, are in danger of being demolished or already have disapeared. This street used to be a popular "cruising" destination for car culture enthusiasts, gang members, and bored teens in the 80's, but now streets are subject to night curfews and "cruisers" are made to leave. Pacific Blvd. is infamous for its rowdy gatherings, especially in the 90's, but on occation to the present. Usually, the street will become inundated with soccer fans when the Mexican national soccer team wins any game, especially a World Cup game. Sometimes these celebrations get out of control and the local police will call it a "riot", close the street, and forceably clear any "rioters". Violence is sometimes seen at these "riots", although it is not common. This street is the economic, cultural, and historical heart of Huntington Park.