Copa de oro is Spanish for “cup of gold”. One might think such a symbol of opulence is a no-brainer for a Bel-Air street name, but there’s a good chance that Copa de Oro Road was actually inspired by a flower. But which? Cursory research finds at least three different flower species nicknamed Cup of Gold and/or Copa de Oro – including, most relevantly, the California poppy. Copa de Oro Road was likely named by Minnewa Bell, wife of Bel-Air founder Alphonzo Bell; she’s said to have coined most of Bel-Air’s roadways and favored French, Italian, and Spanish names. This street, named in 1923, baffled the Los Angeles City Directory editors, who spelled it “Capa del Ora” and “Copadel Ora” – anything but “Copa de Oro”.
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