Centred around an outlet shopping mall and a bustling railway station, Commerce lies along the Los Angeles River south-east of the city centre. It was established as an industrial area in the 1880s on the site of Rancho San Antonio and was named the “City of Commerce” to reflect its goals.
Things to do in Commerce
For a retail fix, head to the Citadel Outlets, which occupies the former site of the Samson Tire and Rubber Factory. Admire the mall’s Exotic Revival-style architecture before stepping inside to shop for luxury brand names at heavily discounted prices. In addition to Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste and Under Armour, the mall is home to a Disney Store and fast-food eateries.
Nearby is Rosewood Park, a popular recreational area with sporting courts, a children’s playground and picnic facilities. You can enjoy a run around on the baseball diamond and soccer field or coincide your visit with one of the arts and crafts programs at the on-site community centre. Adjacent are the heated indoor pools of the Brenda Villa Aquatic Center.
Commerce makes an excellent base for visiting the Vincent Price Art Museum, which is located on the campus of East Los Angeles College. During the 1950s, the actor regularly visited the college and donated a portion of his personal collection to the institution. Since that time, the museum’s collection has grown to include more than 9,000 pieces. In addition to Impressionist paintings and Japanese prints, the museum showcases solo exhibitions of Los Angeles-based artists.
Getting around Commerce
Commerce is around 25 minutes’ drive from the centre of Los Angeles and an hour from Los Angeles International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Orange County Line trains connect to the Commerce railway station while buses travel throughout the city.