Historic Tour in Downtown LA Olvera Street and Little Tokyo

Historic Tour in Downtown LA Olvera Street and Little Tokyo

Dive deep into two of Los Angeles’s most historic and flamboyant neighborhoods on this 2-hour Union Station, Olvera Street and Little Tokyo historic walking tour. From the great US railway station to a timeless mochi shop, you’ll discover both popular and little-known treasures in these bustling districts with your friendly local guide.

See iconic landmarks like El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes and indulge your sweet tooth with Japanese traditional delicacies before concluding your tour at the Go For Broke Monument and Japanese American National Museum.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Union Station, 800 N Alameda St Downtown, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2177

Meet your guide 10.00 am at Union Station, in front of Starbucks.

10.00 am Take a walk back in time as you explore lavish and opulent interiors of the Union Station, the major transportation hub of LA and greatest railroad passenger terminal in the Western US.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Olvera Street, Main and Alameda streets 125 Paseo de la Plaza 90012, Los Angeles, CA 90012

10.20 Next, head to Olverita’s village, family-owned retail store for more than 25 years catering a great variety of Mexican traditional outfits, fabulous handmade bijouterie and accessories. As you wander vivid and lively Olvera Street, listen to informative commentary from your local guide highlighting history, culture and present-day authenticity of the district. Soak up the Mexican vibes, sample delicious street tacos, enjoy looking at numerous colorful souvenir stalls and relish traditional mariachi songs.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Avila Adobe, 10 Olvera St, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2921

10.40 Check out America Tropical Mural, huge provocative fresco designed by renowned Mexican social realist painter David Alfaro Siqueiros and take a glance at the life of early LA inhabitants in the early 20th century walking by Victorian style Sepulveda House Museum. Next, venture to outstanding Avila Adobe, the oldest residential edifice in LA.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Pico House, 430 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2827

Take a look at Pico House, once the most luxury hotel in Southern California, and Chinese American Museum, the most ancient Chinese construction in the area.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: La Plaza de Cultura Y Artes, 501 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2828

11.00 From there continue to LA Plaza Park, home to world famous el Pueblo de Los Angeles historical monument. This is where Los Angeles officially was founded in 1781. Your next stop is the LA Plaza de Culturas y Artes. Take your time to amble around and explore local life in action. Do not miss prominent Old Plaza Firehouse.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Little Tokyo, Downtown Southeast of the Civic Center; bounded by 1st, Los Angeles, CA

11.40 Meander down historic First Street, feast your eyes at Home is Little Tokyo Mural, an impressive wall painting depicting the vibrant history of ethnic neighborhood, and then, pop into timeless Fugetsu-Do Mochi bakery shop. You can sample delicious Japanese rice cakes mochi and manju (not included in tour) as your guide tells you stories about different epochs of this historic 114-year old confectionery store.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: James Irvine Garden, 244 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012-3856

Stroll through kitschy Japanese Village Plaza and don’t forget to add your wish written in colorful slip of paper to the stunning “Wishing Tree”. Have a look at Koyasan Buddhist Temple. Take a selfie with Public Art "Oomo Cube".

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Little Tokyo, Downtown Southeast of the Civic Center; bounded by 1st, Los Angeles, CA

11.20 Your tour will continue in Little Tokyo, eclectic Japanese neighborhood thronged with delightful traditional restaurants, bakeries, cafes and quirky shops where you’ll find everything from authentic clothing and decorations to unique gifts and collectibles to Japanese video games and anime.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Go For Broke NEC, 355 E 1st St #200, Los Angeles, CA 90012-3901

12.00 Your tour will finish at the plaza near Go for Broke Monument and Japanese American National Museum which you can explore on your own after the tour.
*Timing and the itinerary are subject to change.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Japanese American National Museum, 369 E 1st St Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA 90012-3901

You can explore the museum after the tour, at your own comfortable pace

Duration: 5 minutes