Downtown Los Angeles: History and Architecture Tour

Discover the rich history and stunning architecture of downtown Los Angeles on this engaging and informative tour. Explore the Historic Core, Little Tokyo, the Civic Center, and Bunker Hill, and indulge in traditional Japanese sweets from a legendary confectioner. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to truly understand and appreciate the heart of LA!

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Angels Flight Railway - Start the tour by learning about the shortest train in the world! We will discuss Angels Flight and its connection to Bunker Hill. The tour will end by riding Angels Flight down to our meeting point.
  • Pershing Square - The architecture deep dive begins at Pershing Square. The historic core in DTLA is home to some of the best art deco, beaux arts, and modern architecture in the world!
  • The Last Bookstore - Go inside one of LA’s coolest hangouts! The Last Bookstore is a readers paradise, but it is also full of great spots to take an amazing photo. You’ll head upstairs and discover that the building used to be a bank for the wealthy in downtown.
  • Bradbury Building - The Bradbury is one of the most magnificent buildings in the world. Discover the incredible story behind this 1893 masterpiece!
  • Little Tokyo - The Japanese communities have shaped California in an incredible way, and LA especially. One of the oldest bakeries still open today is a Japanese candy store from 1903! The tour includes mochi from this one of a kind stop. The tour will break here for about 20 minutes for the bathrooms and snacks.
  • City Hall - Back to architecture and civic history! The tour is beginning to wind down with a visit to the political heart of LA. You’ll walk right through Grand Park and discover how LA morphed from a town of just 44 into a city of millions.
  • Walt Disney Concert Hall - Discover some of LA’s incredible modern architecture and the struggles to develop one of LA’s most striking buildings.
  • Grand Central Market - This foodie destination is a treat for locals and visitors alike. This historic food hall has been operating for over 100 years now and shows no signs of slowing down!
What's Included
  • Complimentary snacks
Additional Information

If you want to truly understand LA, you need to visit downtown. This is where it all began! Over 3 hours, you’ll learn so much about LA and the downtown area. We’ll discuss history, architecture, food, city planning, shopping, art, and more! Guests frequently walk away from the tour amazed by how much they underestimated downtown LA.

This tour focuses on a few major parts of DTLA. We will cover the Historic Core, Little Tokyo, the Civic Center, and Bunker Hill. These areas will give you a deeper understanding of how much variety there is in downtown. Every block in downtown has its own unique feel.

In Little Tokyo, you’ll get to try traditional Japanese sweets from a family owned confectioner that has been around since 1903! This is the only tour in LA that visits this legendary institution.

See LA in a Day offers the best walking tours in LA, heavily researched and delivered by guides with a passion for sharing the city they call home. See you on the tour!

Location
341 S Hill St
South Hill Street
We meet at the BOTTOM of the Angels Flight trolley. This is right across from Grand Central Market. Your guide will be standing off to the side, near the stairs.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(37 Ratings)
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Ellen_b
Aug 8, 2024
Great Tour - Chris was an incredible guide. He is very knowledgeable and interjects humor and a few personal details of various architects and their buildings. We learned a lot about the history of Los Angeles.
Review provided by Viator
Mikenicolucci
Jul 24, 2024
Very worthwhile tour of downtown LA - A thorough and enthusiastic tour of the evolution and architecture of downtown Los Angeles!! Chris is a very knowledgeable and very gracious guide.
Review provided by Viator
Angela_w
Jun 22, 2024
Stories behind Downtown Los Angeles - Great walking tour! Chris, the tour guide & owner, is very knowledgeable about Los Angeles. He loves LA and he is an open encyclopedia. Chris is very accommodating with his customers. My family enjoyed the walking tour! Thank you Chris!
Review provided by Viator
Trina_s
Jun 18, 2024
A Fun Way to Learn More about L.A. - Chris was a fantastic tour guide! His knowledge of architecture and the history of Los Angeles was so informative. I learned so many interesting facts. I recommend this tour to anyone who loves to learn about Los Angeles; the real stuff. You can take this tour even if you are not a tourist. It was fun to learn more things about this city.
Review provided by Viator
Serge
Jun 10, 2024
For Visitors and Locals - Chris was a fantastic tour guide and had tons of knowledge about some really interesting LA buildings and neighborhoods. I’m an LA local and not even I knew most of what he shared with my group. I highly recommend the tour to visitors and locals alike!
Review provided by Viator
Patrick_w
Jun 3, 2024
Exceeding expectations - Incredible insights with our impressive, knowledgeable, and fun guide, Chris! Hope to book another tour before too long.
Review provided by Viator
Helenc2015xxx
May 23, 2024
I really enjoyed this tour! - Our guide, Chris, was very friendly and knowledgeable and kept a good pace. I wondered if 3 hours would seem too long but the time went quickly and we were able to see a lot. I worked in downtown LA for 6 years back in the 90’s and never thought of it as a place to tour but it is. I would recommend this tour to locals, not just tourists.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chloebc7741uw
May 19, 2024
Funny and Engrossing! - Such an interesting tour that turned my perception of DTLA on its head, and showed that Los Angeles truly does have walkable pockets that are worth exploring. Chris’s stories about the buildings, their architects, workers, inhabitants and the land that they’re built on, made them come alive. Great way to see DTLA and spend a few hours learning about the city, whether you’re a tourist or a local!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laura_m
May 6, 2024
Amazing!!! Highly recommended. Lots of walking - Fantastic tour. Just the right length of time and sightseeing. Highly recommend if you want a quick glance of downtown LA (DTLA) highlighting the most beautiful buildings and eclectic areas. I do caution people that there are lots of stairs. Maybe not the most convenient for strollers or wheelchairs, but could be done.
Review provided by Viator
Rachel_b
Apr 19, 2024
Chris was an outstanding... - Chris was an outstanding guide!! Chris was very personable and has a wealth of knowledge. He was able to adapt his talk to meet the interests of the group. HIs delivery of facts mingled with humor made for a very interesting and fun walk! Highly recommend this walk.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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