A Traveler's Guide to Downtown Los Angeles: History, Art, and Culture
Los Angeles is a sprawling, vibrant metropolitan area filled with a diverse array of amazing attractions and activities. The best way to truly experience the city's unique character is to start with a walking tour through its historic downtown core and surrounding areas. From there, you can hop on one of the convenient Metro lines to easily reach destinations farther away.
The ideal starting point for this urban adventure is Union Station, a magnificent transportation hub that connects LA with major cities across California via Metrolink and the entire nation via Amtrak.
Union Station
If you're arriving in LA by train, a stop at Union Station is an absolute must. As the central hub for all trains, metro, light rail, and buses, it’s a transportation marvel. Built in 1939 as a consolidation of several terminals, it holds the distinction of being the largest station in the Western United States. Its main building is also a registered National Historic Place.
Upon arrival, you'll disembark into a long hallway connecting the West and East portals. Signs will guide you to your next ride, whether it's the underground metro rail lines or the connecting trains on the upper level.
Interesting Fact: Union Station's stunning mix of Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco architecture has made it a popular filming location for many movies and TV shows, including the classic film Blade Runner and The Dark Knight Rises.
Book your Los Angeles Adventure here.
But before you jump on your next tram, take a moment to explore. You might want to take a break and grab a meal at one of the restaurants or snack shops located at either the East or West portals. You can also grab a bike from the "Bike Share" program and explore the city at your leisure. Pricing for bike rentals is $3.50 for 30 minutes, but you can get a discount if you purchase a monthly or annual pass.
Traveler Tip: If you plan on taking several trips on the metro system, save money and time by buying a 1-day or 7-day pass. It works for all rail lines and buses.
See a useful station map here.
El Pueblo de Los Angeles and Olvera St
From Union Station's Alameda Street exit, it's a short walk to the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument and the famous Olvera Street (Calle Olvera). This historic district was first established in 1781 and served as the center of Los Angeles during Spanish and Mexican rule. It is now home to many historical buildings and statues.
On Olvera Street, you can stroll along a narrow, bustling street and enjoy shopping at the colorful street vendors or grab a bite of authentic Mexican food. During my visit, I had lunch at El Paseo Inn and enjoyed some very tasty enchiladas while watching people from their patio overlooking the street. The service was excellent and friendly.
The Plaza at the center of this district hosts many events throughout the year. For a listing of events, go here.
Just off a side alley from Olvera Street, you will find a sign for the Avila Adobe, the longest-standing structure in LA. This historic house was built in 1818 and is open to the public for a free tour. The tour takes you through the various rooms in the house, which also features a well-kept cactus garden in the courtyard.
Traveler Tip: Olvera Street typically opens at 10 am, so if you arrive early at Union Station, consider coming back to this lively place for a delicious lunch or dinner.
Civic Center
After spending some time at Olvera Street and El Pueblo de Los Angeles, take a pedestrian path from the plaza that leads you between two historical buildings: "Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church" and "LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes." This path will bring you onto North Spring Street, which takes you past several government buildings and courthouses, culminating at the impressive LA City Hall.
LA City Hall was built in 1928 and remains in use by the city government today. Its iconic architecture has made it a popular backdrop for many TV shows and movies, such as Superman, Dragnet, and V (the series). As you cross between the two buildings, be sure to notice the lovely garden with a wooden dog statue. It was created as a tribute to the many difficulties faced by people who journeyed from their homes, hoping to find a better life in the United States.
Visitor Comment: "Walking through the Civic Center, you really feel the history of the city. The City Hall is so grand, and it's amazing to think about all the events that have taken place there. It was a highlight of my trip!" - Sarah M., TripAdvisor Review
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Grand Park
Just across the street from City Hall, Grand Park offers a welcome oasis in the city's center. It features beautiful fountains, vibrant pink-colored benches, and convenient snack shops.
During the summer months, the park hosts free concerts and events. Kids especially love the interactive splash pads and the new play area. The park welcomes visitors with a sign written in many different languages, celebrating the city's diverse population.
Traveler Tip: If you're bringing kids to play in the fountains, be prepared! They will definitely get wet, so a change of clothes is highly recommended.
The park is a long promenade that connects The Music Center on one end and the historic LA City Hall building on the other. Take a relaxing stroll through the park, catch a concert, or grab drinks and snacks from Starbucks before heading to your next destination.
The Music Center
Continue your walk from Grand Park by crossing Grand Avenue to reach The Music Center, one of the largest performing arts centers in the country, located right in downtown Los Angeles. Officially known as the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County, The Music Center is home to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theater, Mark Taper Forum, Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theatre, and the world-renowned Walt Disney Concert Hall.
If you have a love for classical music, ballet, opera, or theater, this is the place to be. The area around this large complex is highly walkable and features a nearby metro station, a beautiful park, restaurants, and coffee shops. The Jerry Moss Plaza is a 35,000-square-foot outdoor urban oasis connecting three of the venues at the center. Visitors are greeted by beautiful fountains, sculptures, and trees on their way to a show. The center also offers free or inexpensive events throughout the year, including the Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration, a cherished Christmas Eve tradition.
Interesting Fact: The Music Center was a dream of Dorothy Buffum Chandler, a philanthropist and wife of former Los Angeles Times publisher Norman Chandler. Her efforts, along with many others, led to the creation of this cultural landmark, which first opened its doors in 1964.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
After admiring The Music Center and taking in the views from the plaza, continue along Grand Avenue to the Walt Disney Concert Hall. This iconic part of the music center was added in 2003 and is now home to the LA Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
The exterior of the building is an architectural marvel, featuring a riot of stainless-steel curves and reflective surfaces. At night, multicolored lights transform it into a shining jewel in the middle of downtown. Inside, the floors, walls, and ceilings flow into each other, continuing the sense of delightful architectural freedom.
Interesting Fact: The Walt Disney Concert Hall was designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. The building's unique design was inspired by the movement of music and the sails of a ship, creating its signature fluid, sculptural form.
Read more about the Music Center here.
The Broad Museum
Continue from the Music Center on Grand Avenue to this unique museum, located right next to the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Broad Museum houses a 2,000-piece collection of contemporary art that sometimes defies comprehension. Some pieces resemble a child's impulsive painting, while others are truly worth a second look.
I was most impressed by Yayoi Kusama’s "Infinity Mirrored Room - The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away," a mirror-lined chamber housing a dazzling and seemingly endless LED light display. The oversized dining set also made me feel like a midget in the land of giants.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Immediately after you pass The Broad Museum, a pedestrian walkway across Grand Avenue leads you to a pedestrian-only area between hotels and apartments, featuring a beautiful infinity pool and fountains. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) will be on your right.
This museum has a unique collection of modern sculptures, photography, and paintings. Entry is free, but you must reserve a time slot in advance.
California Plaza
The area that includes the pedestrian walkway, MOCA, the Omni hotel, and the two Plaza towers is known as the California Plaza. The plaza is a lovely place to relax, shop, and even attend a free concert if you time your walk right. The amphitheater and fountains make this a beautiful place to visit in the middle of the concrete jungle.
It also sits at a high point in Downtown LA on Bunker Hill, offering great views of the skyscrapers below. From here, a funicular helps you navigate the steep climb down to Hill Street and your next destination.
Angels Flight
Angels Flight is a historic funicular that connects the low end at South Hill Street with the high end at California Plaza and Grand Avenue. A one-dollar ride will take you on this short, steep incline. It's only a two-minute ride, but it allows you to avoid the adjacent stairs and experience a small piece of history.
The original funicular was built in 1901. It began at the west corner of Hill Street at Third and ran for two blocks uphill to its Olive Street terminus. You can read more about its history here.
Interesting Fact: Angels Flight is famously featured in the Oscar-winning film La La Land. The movie's scenes helped revive interest in the funicular and its historic role in connecting different parts of downtown.
Grand Central Market
Across the street from Angels Flight, you can visit the Grand Central Market for a bite to eat or a little shopping. Established in 1917, this market offers an incredible array of shops and ethnic foods from around the world.
Some of the many cuisines represented here are Japanese, German, Mexican, Chinese, Texas BBQ, Italian, Korean, and Indian. You can see a full list here.
Traveler Tip: The market is a great place to grab a quick, affordable lunch. With so many options, everyone in your group is sure to find something they love, from gourmet cheese to authentic tacos.
Pershing Square
Pershing Square is just a few steps away from California Plaza and Grand Central Market. The square was recently renovated with beautiful landscaping, modern art, fountains, and a kids' play area. This small sanctuary in the middle of town offers excellent views of both the old and new Downtown LA and provides easy access to other great nearby places.
There is always something happening here. During the winter months, an Ice Rink is set up for skating. It is also home to the DTLA Proud Festival and various live performances.
A few steps away from the square, you will find an interesting place called The Last Bookstore. Even if you are not a book lover, this place is worth a visit. The store has a vast collection of books in every category. The second floor features even more books, along with some art and craft shops. Sofas and benches are available everywhere, so you can find a quiet corner to sit with an interesting book.
FigAt7th, LA Live, and Staples Center
You can take the Red Line to the 7th Street station or simply walk to your next destination. The FigAt7th mall is one of the newest shopping centers downtown, where you can find stores like H&M, Victoria's Secret, and Target. It also features a food court with dining places like California Pizza Kitchen, George's Greek Grill, and Starbucks.
A few blocks from the station, you will find LA Live and the Grammy Museum. LA Live is a massive entertainment complex with several live music venues, movie theaters, and restaurants. It is also home to the Grammy Museum. If you're a music fan, you must visit this place to learn about the history and winners of the Grammys. And while you are here, you can't miss the Staples Center, home of the Lakers and Clippers and host to many touring concerts and events.
7th Street Metro Hub
The 7th Street Metro Station is a critical hub for several rail lines that branch out in different directions. From here, you can take the Purple Line to Wilshire Center and Koreatown. Alternatively, you can take the Expo Line to connect to USC, the Science Center, and other museums, as well as Culver City and Santa Monica.
The Red Line continues west to North Hollywood and Universal Studios. The Blue Line heads south toward downtown Long Beach. This line also connects to the Green Line, which can take you to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Traveler Tip: Use the LA Metro's Trip Planner app to easily navigate the system. It can help you find the fastest route, real-time train arrivals, and connections to buses, making your travels around the city seamless.
You can find a very informative map here.