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Los Angeles Tours
Los Angeles Beginnings Walking Tour
5

Los Angeles Beginnings Walking Tour

By LA Walking Tours
Recommended by 100% of travelers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
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Though numerous tours whisk you quickly around Los Angeles, to unpack the history of this storied city travelers shouldn't miss the chance to slow down on this guided walking tour. Stroll through Downtown Los Angeles to enjoy the top area sights, including Union Station and the Angels' Flight funicular. Along the way, be ready with your camera, since you get great views of the city.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 20 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • First-time visitors explore Downtown Los Angeles on a guided walking tour
  • Stroll Olvera Street, visit Grand Park, and see nearby cultural institutions
  • Enjoy a more personal experience, with a tour that's capped at 20 guests
  • Don't worry about finding your tour, with easy meet-up outside Union Station

  • Local guide
What's not included
  • Entry/Admission - Los Angeles
  • Entry/Admission - The Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Entry/Admission - Angels Flight Railway


Start:
  • 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
    We meet at the Information booth next to Traxx restaurant inside LA Union Station (800 N. Alameda Street 90012). Nearest Metro Rail station - Union Station off the Metro Red, Purple or Gold Lines. Parking - Underground of Union Station by entering the garage off Vignes street. Rate is $8.
End:
  • 351 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA
    The tour ends at Angels Flight Railway (351 S. Hill Street 90013), which is a 25 minute walk or a two stop Metro Rail ride back to the starting point. Rail fare is not included with price of tour. The guide can point you in the direction.

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 7304P1

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • The tour ends at Angels Flight Railway (351 S. Hill Street 90013), which is a 25 minute walk or a two stop Metro Rail ride back to the starting point. Rail fare is not included with price of tour. The guide can point you in the direction.
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 7304P1

From
$38.00
per adult
Select date and travelers

Similar experiences

Itinerary
  • 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
    We meet at the Information booth next to Traxx restaurant inside LA Union Station (800 N. Alameda Street 90012). Nearest Metro Rail station - Union Station off the Metro Red, Purple or Gold Lines. Parking - Underground of Union Station by entering the garage off Vignes street. Rate is $8.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
    Pass by
    Hall of Justice
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
    Pass by
    Colburn School
  • 8
  • 9
  • 351 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA
    The tour ends at Angels Flight Railway (351 S. Hill Street 90013), which is a 25 minute walk or a two stop Metro Rail ride back to the starting point. Rail fare is not included with price of tour. The guide can point you in the direction.
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
  • LA Walking Tours
    373
    Los Angeles, California
    Joined in May 2014
  • Nate080411
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Insightful and fun way to spend an afternoon
    The walking tour with Phil was great. He was such a pleasant and knowledgeable guide. Taking 2 hours to learn more about downtown LA and how the city grew was very fascinating. He was able to answer all of our questions and had a great delivery. I don’t think people think about downtown LA that much compared to the Hollywood side of the city, but it is well worth the time. You will see some cool little spots and get a few steps along the way. The tour pick up and drop off are very close to each other making your logistics easy. I would highly recommend the tour and anything that Phil is guiding.
    Written November 27, 2024
  • dianajP6187OG
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great experience
    A very informative and enjoyable tour with our guide, Phil! He was incredibly patient and took the time to show us many aspects of downtown LA, sharing fascinating details along the way. His knowledge and enthusiasm made the experience truly memorable. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting DTLA!
    Written November 17, 2024
  • ollyolsen5
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Downtown LA Walking Tour
    The tour was great. Our guide, Phil, was so informative about everything on the walk tour. So many interesting buildings & historical hotels & theatres. I would certainly recommend this tour. Small walking group, stopping frequently. Good for most ages. Cheers & thank you Phil👏😃 Mark & Kerry
    Written November 6, 2024
  • 80annien
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Take this Interesting LA Tour
    Our trip was enlightening about LA. I saw and learned about things that I would not have seen if I had been touring on my own. Phil was very knowledgeable and patient. He was considerate to all the participants and genuinely shared his love for the city. Highly recommend.
    Written November 6, 2024
  • JaneVGS
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great tour and guide
    We really enjoyed the tour, Rich was an excellent guide, knowledgeable, articulate and engaging with so much knowledge of the district. He clearly enjoys the tours and loves the city which definitely comes through to customers. Highly recommend
    Written October 29, 2024
  • DougJ25
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must-do Tour in DTLA
    Outstanding experience with our leader, Phil! I live in New York but used to live in LA, 25 years ago. Back then, you didn’t really visit downtown LA, so imagine my surprise to take an amazing walking tour during a recent visit. The tour is about 2 hours in duration and you meet the guide at the bottom of Angel’s Flight on Hill Street. Try to return to it at the end of the tour (you’ll be two blocks south at Pershing Square) for a ride up the hill. Highlights of the tour include touring inside the Bradbury Building (an historic office building), Grand Central food market and the tour guide’s history lessons. The Bradbury Building, 304 S Broadway, is a charming office building with a 5-story atrium, amazing wood work / iron works and an old elevator run by a building employee with old/time gates / doors. It is non descrip on the outside, due to different architects designing the inside. At the end of the tour, you’re in Pershing Square (largely under construction when I visited in October 2024) but close to the historic Biltmore Hotel (now the Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles). The tour guide said due to the group size, he isn’t allowed to take the tour inside, but he encouraged us to visit. It’s a must-see, for the entry, lobby, lobby bar. Gorgeous old-time photos in the main second floor hallway, too. The cost of the tour at $38 is a good value, and you book directly via TripAdvisor. Highly recommend this tour.
    Written October 13, 2024
  • Carol253
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    So worthwhile!
    Phil opened our eyes to the history around downtown LA. He was a great guide, and answered all our questions with interesting information. If you want insight into LA past and present, book this tour!
    Written September 19, 2024
  • arcbridge2
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A no fault tour
    A perfectly paced tour. (and on one of LA's hottest days). Phil was a superb, knowledgeable and friendly guide. We learned so much about downtown LA. As far as walking tours go, this was one of the best we have been on.
    Written September 14, 2024
  • 377helenw
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great and interesting tour
    Great tour. Phil was very knowledgable and gave us lots of interesting information about the city and the stops. Would totally recommend the tour
    Written August 13, 2024
  • Helen G
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must Do in Los Angeles
    First, Phil is the man with the facts. Great tour for Old Los Angeles, get there early and do Angels Flight and give yourself 10-30 minutes to see Bunker Hill and surrounding before descending to Hill St. Don't forget your LA LA Land spirit for that one minute. Enjoy!!
    Written July 30, 2024
  • 491michaelab
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent tour
    Phil was a great tour guide. We learned so much about the area. He took the time to answer our questions, and if he didn’t know the answer, he was honest. Money well spent!
    Written July 8, 2024
  • Internationaljames
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Chinatown -- A Cultural Experience
    Very good educational and cultural experience. Many shopping and dining options. There a many parking areas throughout Chinatown. Easy safe walk on Broadway. Great day activity for the family.
    Written June 14, 2024
  • samsonw199
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great tour guide
    The tour guide was wonderful. He had great knowledge and an enthusiastic personality. We felt that he was fully engaged and made great recommendations for after the tour.
    Written May 26, 2024
  • 158garyn
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Exploring the side streets and alleys of the Arts District
    Fun and informative walking tour in a vibrant artistic section of Los Angeles and grabbing a meal too Out tour guide was Richard who was very attentive and provided history regarding the area and art works
    Written May 26, 2024
  • MK2009Manhattan
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great tour with Philip
    My partner and I recently did this tour with Philip, who was great. He was very friendly and knowledgeable. He had a polished presentation and was open to answering our questions. We learned a lot about LA and would recommend this tour.
    Written March 24, 2024
See all 373 reviews
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles16 reviews
Excellent
16
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0
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0
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Renee R
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Friends were visiting from Maryland and we decided this would be a great way to learn a little about LA history and see some LA landmarks. Michael was a very good tour guide and we recommend this intro to Los Angeles.
Written February 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nick B
Charlestown, RI36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2018 • Solo
I went to LA to do a research for my novel about the events and places in the beginning of XX Century.
Besides the work at the Central Library, it was the tour with Neil, Downtown LA Walking Tours, that provided me with the volumes of interesting facts related to the period.
I was impressed with easiness and flexibility of the captivating presentation. It was not a fossilized script but a live interaction with the participants.
Neil is a remarkable guide with a charming personality. I am sure you will enjoy your walking tour with him to learn about LA as much as I did. Highly recommend.
Nick B. Rhode Island
Written March 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sonomom3
20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2017 • Family
This was a terrific tour! It's super easy to book a reservation, and you don't pay until you are at the tour. Our guide, Phil, was wonderful. He's knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. There were 7 of us and it was interesting for everyone. I have lived here over 45 years, and learned so much. We all thought it was fantastic and hope to do more of the tours they offer.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND this tour for anyone living or visiting in Los Angeles county.
Written December 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sharon S
Austin, TX1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
Angela went above and beyond as my tour guide. She was extremely knowledgeable and personable. I would recommend her for any tour of Los Angeles.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HelenHendley
Derby, UK25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019 • Family
We had a great 2 hours with Phil. He kept me, my husband and 15 year old daughter interested and engaged throughout the tour. Saw some fabulous places, union station, the cathedral of our lady, the angel flight, Walt Disney concert hall. We (I) asked tonnes of questions and Phil was happy to answer them all. Thoroughly recommend this tour. Thanks for the great start to our holiday!
Written August 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Connector539784
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
Such great information! Our tour guide, Angela, was amazing. My kids and I all learned something new about our city!
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Esther K
Brooklyn, New York, United States2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Couples
We had a great time and the tour guide was amazing, informative, and a lot of fun. Would definitely recommend.
Written December 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jeriray
Claremont, CA22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
So glad we did this! I'm a native Southern Californian and I learned a lot. Angela is a great tour guide, we saw some beautiful historical and new sites. I plan to do the Hollywood and Pasadena tours soon.
Written November 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lynn B
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Couples
This walking tour is a great way to see downtown LA and learn about its history.
Highly recommend this tour for locals as well as out of town visitors.
This is the second time we have done a tour with DTLA and both times the guides were outstanding!
Written January 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rachel F
San Diego, CA8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Family
A fact-filled walk from Union Station to Angels Flight - highly recommended both for locals and visitors! I have lived here for a few months and learned so much about the history of the area, and gained some great tips for future visits to local museums and theaters. Thank you to our excellent tour guide, Chris!
Written December 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

Los Angeles Beginnings Walking Tour provided by LA Walking Tours

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