L.A.’s Beginnings        (return to top)

"A tour of Union Station, El Pueblo, Cathedral of our Lady of Angels, Walt Disney Concert Hall and Angels Flight"

We start the journey at Union Station, opened in 1939, is known as “America’s last great rail station”. A koi pond located in the courtyard serves as a reminder of the former Chinatown that previously occupied the area until construction started on the station. Thereafter, we’ll walk across the street to El Pueblo, which is the birthplace of Los Angeles. The oldest house in the city resides here, which was built in 1818. Before leaving El Pueblo, we’ll enjoy the picturesque view of the beautiful El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora, which was the city’s central church during the early years. Now, we’ll stroll over to the Civic Center district and step into the city’s largest Catholic church, the Cathedral of our Lady of Angels. Opened in 2002, it takes a modernistic art approach to Catholic shrines across the globe.

Next, we’ll walk along Grand Avenue bypassing the LA Philharmonic and the Music Center, until we arrive at the world-renowned Walt Disney Concert Hall. After taking in the amazing view, we’ll step upstairs into the hidden garden of the Concert Hall, which will give you the highest viewpoint of L.A. during the tour. After the gorgeous view, we’ll learn the history of Bunker Hill, L.A.’s first suburb, and then take a ride on the shortest railway in the world, Angels Flight, towards the Grand Central Market. In order to get you back to the starting point, we’ll take a ride on the youngest subway system in the USA, the LA Metro rail. Please register here                                  

 

 

 

 

 

Old and New Downtown L.A        (return to top)

"A tour of the Grand Central Market, Broadway, the Old Bank District and the Historic Core;

The guided walking tour begins at Angels Knoll Park at the corner of 4th and Hill streets near the Pershing Square Metro rail station entrance. After gathering, we’ll make a move through the Grand Central Market, serving a wide range of diverse cultural foods in L.A. since 1917. Next, we’ll stop inside the Bradbury building to see its magnificent interior architecture filled with iron and cage elevators. It’s a building known for many Hollywood film shoots. We’ll then walk over to what was previously known as the “Wall street of the West”, which has now been transformed into the “Old Bank District”, and learn about the recent residential explosion happening in the Historic Core and witness the new urban vibe.

Thereafter, we’ll move over to Broadway, home to 12 large-scale theaters, and a busy shopping thoroughfare. While on Broadway, we’ll visit St. Vincent’s Court, Clifton’s Cafeteria, and gaze at the amazing architecture of the former movie palaces. We’ll step off of Broadway and marvel at the beauty of the Millenium Biltmore Hotel, where Presidents and dignitaries would stay overnight. Lastly, we’ll do a contrasting view of the Old and New of Downtown L.A. by standing in the center of Pershing Square and comparing the historic east to the modernistic west. After taking in the final views, we’ll head back to where we started at Angels Knoll Park. Please register here             
                                  

 

 

 

 

 

The Holiday Walk        (return to top)

"Winter Wonderland in the City"

It's the winter festivities in downtown L.A. and what better way to enjoy the celebration than a walk through the heart of the City. We begin the Holiday Walk by meeting in front of the Traxx restaurant in Union Station at 7:15 pm. Starting from the décor at Union Station, you'll visit "Los Pasados" at Olvera Street, the City's Christmas tree at City Hall, icicle sheets and red ribbons in the Old Bank District, the Pershing Square ice rink and lighting, "Angels in the Plaza" at 7th and Fig, and end off with a 9 pm showing of "Light of the Angels" holiday spectacular at LA Live!.

Metro rail will get you back safely and conveniently to Union Station. Please register here