Downtown Los Angeles walking tour: The rise, fall and revitalisation of LA

(49 reviews)

Los Angeles, California audio tour: Downtown Los Angeles walking tour: The rise, fall and revitalisation of LA

This is a 2.5mi walking tour

It takes an average of 120 mins to complete.

Los Angeles, California

The United States

$14.99

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About the Tour

Hear about the rise, fall and revitalisation of Downtown Los Angeles on a walking tour through the city’s Historic Core.

Your tour begins at the oldest park in the city, Pershing Square. A brief history lesson later, you’ll find yourself in front of the original home of the Oscars, the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. While hearing about the hotel’s connection to the Beatles and Al Capone, you’ll stroll over to PacMutual, which is actually three buildings cobbled together.

From there, I’ll show you the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Bradbury Building and a few other notable skyscrapers like the Standard Downtown LA. Our tour ends with a visit to the Grand Central Market, the largest public market in the city where you can enjoy delicious local eats. While you make your way there, I’ll share the story behind the Los Angeles Central Library’s fiery fate, and tell you about the world’s shortest railway, Angels Flight.

Other highlights on this tour include:

Walking up Bunker Hill Steps, modeled after the famous Spanish Steps in Rome
Gawking at the bold design of contemporary art museum, The Broad, and the steely complexion of Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall
Spotting the Hollywood sign, and possibly the grave of Gregory Peck
Enjoying the perfect view of City Hall from Grand Park
Passing by the second largest Catholic church in the States, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

By the end of this tour, you’ll know the answers to questions like:

What happens if California breaks away from the USA?
Are there really 11 miles of tunnels under Downtown LA?
Why did Downtown experience such a drop in population?
Where was the Black Dahlia last seen alive?
What are some of the free things to do downtown?

By the end of this 90-minute tour, you’ll know the city’s Historic Core better than most locals!

Tour Producer

Phil Biedron

17 tours

Hello I'm Phil. A Chicagoan by way of Los Angeles and now in Atlanta. In addition to hosting tours, I am also a working actor; probably on some shows you have seen!

Preview Location

Location 4

Millennium Biltmore Hotel

Stop here please in front of the hotel.

Due to the pandemic, some locations that normally are open to the public might be closed. I apologize for the inconvenience. Normally the Biltmore is open to everyone, and you can explore the atrium and the lobby on the second floo... Stop here please in front of the hotel.

Due to the pandemic, some locations that normally are open to the public might be closed. I apologize for the inconvenience. Normally the Biltmore is open to everyone, and you can explore the atrium and the lobby on the second floor as well as walk through the historic corridor. You would see first hand where they filmed Ghostbusters and caught a glimpse of what Pershing Square Plaza looked like 80 years ago. If you can enter, do so while I narrate. If not, sadly you'll have to admire it the front entrance.

Welcome to the Biltmore Hotel which was established in 1923 in the popular Beaux Arts Style. This architectural design was heavily influenced by the French in the late 1800s. Decorations are ornate and flourishing, with almost no empty walls or spaces without some Neo-classical murals or bas reliefs.

Fun fact, this hotel could have been the largest in the city, if only they...Built More! Ba-dum tsss!

This hotel was one of Los Angeles' first opportunities to show off its' opulence and wealth. New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles were in a race to legitimize which coastal city would be synonymous with the greatest city in America. LA most likely wasn't the winner here, but in the 1920s, it was giving New York and Chicago a run for their money.

When you're ready, facing the hotel, turn left and walk back down the street and pass Pershing Square.

Lots of history can be discovered at this historic hotel. The British supergroup The Beatles would fly in via helicopter on the roof to avoid the mobs below. Also, famed gangster, Al Capone was a frequent guest and ran liquor through hidden walls within the building's labyrinth. Saddle up inside the Gallery Bar and you'll experience a Prohibition-style lavish lounge.

The biggest claim to fame is that this hotel was the original host of the Oscars. Rumor has it that production designer Cedric Gibbons sketched the “Oscar” figurine on a cocktail napkin in the bar inside. That Oscar design grew to represent the most prestigious awards in film to this day. If you're able to access the second floor of the hotel, there is a hallway to your left on the right hand side with lots of historic photos.

Keep going straight. Read More

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Major Landmarks

Historic Core
Downtown Los Angeles
Millenium Biltmore Historic Hotel
The Standard
Los Angeles Central Library
Library Steps / Bunker Hill Steps
Angels Flight Railway
The Broad
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Gloria Molina Grand Park
Pershing Square
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Grand Central Market
Bradbury Building
The Museum of Contemporary Art

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
532 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA
Total distance

4km
Final location
305 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA
Distance back to start location

514.66m

Directions to Starting Point

The starting location is on the corner of Hill and 6th street, at the base of the steps leading into Pershing Square. You will be surrounded by jewelry shops. A large white with black windowed building should be across the street from you. Since the park is large, make sure you are on the right corner!

Parking is extremely expensive here. If you are driving, I would suggest parking at the Gas Company Tower located at 555 West 5th Street; Los Angeles, California. As of the time of this recording, it's $10 for 2 hours and a five-minute walk to your start location.

Alternatively, you can make use of the metro. From the red or purple line, exit Pershing Square stop, which will leave you at 5th and Hill Street. From there, the start location is simply one block away, or a 3 minute walk. Metro fare is $1.75.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

You should take Angels Flight, just for the novelty of it. When the tour ends at Grand Central Market, exit the north side of the market and you'll be right at the bottom of the train.

The Last Bookstore is not too far away. It's a hidden treasure and they have lots to see and explore for my bibliophiles.

Philippe the Original is home to the French Dipped sandwich. Cheap and tasty food!

The Broad for sure and second street tunnel which is featured in more film locations than I can even mention.

The underground tunnels. At your own risk!

Best time of day

This tour is year round, I would recommend doing the tour in the daytime; downtown empties out at night and is less safe. Given how warm the weather in LA is, should be pleasant year round.

Precautions

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles county may still have strict measures for face masks and vaccination status. Some locations may be unable to enter for these reasons. If you have a vaccination card, I recommend you bring it.

Bring a pair of sunglasses and sunblock in the summer.

There are many homeless persons in downtown that might ask for money. I suggest you politely decline.

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