Downtown is the birthplace of Los Angeles; where LA began with just 44 people and eventually grew into the city we see today. The history of LA and downtown are inseparable.
My name is Chris, and I'll be your guide to Downtown. I've led tours for KTLA, Spectrum News1, and NHK Japan. There's a chance you've come across my other 5 star experiences, like the Sunset Strip True Crime tour. When you book with me, you're guaranteed to get the tour creator as your guide - not a person reading from a script.
We begin the tour with a ride on historic Angels Flight. This 1901 funicular has appeared in numerous TV shows and movies. From Bosch to La La Land, there is a good chance you have seen Angels Flight - and I'll pay for your ticket as a part of the tour! Once we get to the top, we will discuss the history of Bunker Hill and the community that once relied on Angels Flight.
As we make our way through Bunker Hill, you will see some of LA's most impressive museums, performing arts venues, and governmental buildings. We will dive deep into the development of The Walt Disney Concert Hall, Broad Museum, and Music Center. Fans of architecture will love our route, as it features several buildings by Pritzker Prize winning architects like Frank Gehry and Arata Isozaki.
The tour will continue and take us through the Civic Center. No building defines Los Angeles like City Hall. Batman, Superman, War of the Worlds, Lincoln Lawyer, Rookie, Dragnet, and so many more movies and TV shows have prominently featured City Hall. And, the building itself is just as impressive as its IMDb page. I'll also show you where celebrities go to court for their civil and criminal issues!
Once we have learned all about the Civic Center, the tour continues into Little Tokyo. A fan favorite part of the tour, Little Tokyo is where most guests want to rush back to for the incredible shopping and restaurants. This section of downtown is so much fun, but has gone through many ups and downs throughout its history. We will support Little Tokyo by visiting a 1903 confectionery and sampling their mochi.
Before you know it, the tour is entering its final stretch as we explore the Historic Core. There are a few true showstoppers in this section of the tour. Stepping into the Bradbury Building is like going back in time… or forward, since the building was a huge part of the sci-fi classic Blade Runner! You won't want to miss this or The Last Bookstore, which is LA's largest new and used bookstore, set inside of a 1915 bank! Finally, I'll give you my recommendations for where to get the best meal in Grand Central Market.
