Explore Los Angeles’ vibrant past and glamorous downtown on a walking tour through the heart of the city. See the murals and vaulted ceiling at Union Station, browse souvenirs as you stroll historic Olvera Street, then visit the concert halls, cathedral, and park that have reenergized Downtown L.A. See the site of the Angels' Flight funicular, which once ferried Los Angeles’ elite into the city’s most sought after neighborhood.

Guided walking tour of downtown L.A.
See the city with a local guide
Experience California's vivid history
Perfect first-time overview of downtown

What's Included

Local guide

Departure & Return

Departure Point

800 N Alameda St
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.

Departure Time

11:00 AM

Return Details

351 S Hill St
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.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
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.
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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.

about cancellations.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

31 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 31 reviews

Phil is the best

bruce_c, Jun 2022

Phil’s knowledge of our stops and history knowledge of California, personably too, he included everyone

We highly recommend this tour!

Ellen_L, May 2022

Phil was an excellent guide. We really felt like we got a true feel for the history of Los Angeles through Phil’s tour and discussion of the city. We appreciate his knowledge and ability to deliver an engaging explanation of the growth of this beautiful city.

Great tour guide

Christopher_C, Apr 2022

Tour guide was great had lots of interesting facts. We enjoyed hearing about the beginnings of the city.

Great tour!

William_K, Feb 2022

Great tour with great commentary! Our tour guide “LA Phil” was wonderful, knowledgeable and well prepared. Was able to answer all of our questions on history and architecture. We highly recommend!

listening to the beginning of L.A, on all the Buidings and Churches .

Char_K, Feb 2020

This was a family affair, what aa charming gentleman who conducted the tour and so much information from the beginning to the end. We all loved the tour and our handsome guide. I most certainly will recommend this walking tour as we all are Seniors and had no problem at all with the walking. Thank you very much.

An excellent walking tour of downtown...

Andrew B, Apr 2018

An excellent walking tour of downtown LA. Not too long a journey and a very friendly guide!

Very knowledgeable and professional...

Val M, Mar 2018

Very knowledgeable and professional guide, covered a lot of distance in a two hour tour. Could of slowed once in awhile when clients wanted to take photos.

Excellent tour! Aaron was a great...

Karen W, Jun 2017

Excellent tour! Aaron was a great guide! Interesting and informative. Saw a variety of sites and learned a lot about local history. Even though it was hot, found shade in each location as we walked.

Great overview of the down town...

Liani_S, May 2017

Great overview of the down town area, informative and very interesting. Our guide was great with offering advice on things to do and see around the area. Recommend this tour for repeat visitors to see a different side of Los Angeles.

After spending my entire life...

Joye M, Jul 2016

After spending my entire life avoiding downtown Los Angeles, I was amazed at its vitality and revitalization. Our guide was excellent, walked a little fast, but we did cover lots of ground. He knew the area and had the stories. We enjoyed.

I'm sorry to say this trip did not...

DIANNA M, May 2016

I'm sorry to say this trip did not meet my expectations. The tour guide was eager and informed about his subject, but still the subject matter was too limited. I wanted to hear stories about real people and their experiences such as one would hear at the New York Tentement Museum. Instead I got a whirl of dates without meaningful context.

Our guide was knowledgable and give us...

Beverley B, Apr 2016

Our guide was knowledgable and give us interesting tipbits of the history of LA

It was a very nice experience...

liliana c, Oct 2015

It was a very nice experience, better than i expected. Neel, the guide was very knowladgeble, and fun. I will take other tours with him in the future. Highly recomMend this trip.

We saw more than expected and the guide...

John C, Aug 2015

We saw more than expected and the guide was informative and engaging.

I visited downtown Los Angeles for...

Jackie, Jul 2015

I visited downtown Los Angeles for work and I stayed at the LA Live JW Marriott. One of the days, I woke up and realized that I had some spare time. I googled tours for downtown LA and came across Neel's Downtown LA Walking Tours site. I booked two of his tours back-to-back. It was the best decision I made because these two tours were amazing. Neel not only shows you sites in downtown, but he gives you the stories behind each site and how downtown has gradually become a thriving part of town. The Beginnings Tour is wonderful because you learn and see how LA was founded. Neel even helps you imagine what downtown LA looked like all those years ago. Definitely check out this tour!!

Super visite à pied avec Nikki qui...

Charlotte D, Aug 2017

Super visite à pied avec Nikki qui se démène pour nous montrer les différents hauts lieux qui composent le Downtown avec beaucoup de détails, l'histoire et l'évolution des lieux sont trés intéressants à suivre ! la liste des lieux est respectée et s'achève face au Grand Market qui est parfait pour finir la visite sur une promenade gourmande. Attention cependant il y a des lieux saints ! il serait souhaitable de l'annoncer plus clairement de façon à prévoir une tenue adéquate :/

Questions?

Product code: 7304P1

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Los Angeles Beginnings Walking Tour

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