union station los angeles tour

Home > Road Trip Itineraries > West Coast > California Road Trip Itineraries > California Coast > Los Angeles Travel Guide > Los Angeles Attractions > Los Angeles Buildings and Monuments > Visit Union Station in Los Angeles, the Last Great Train Station in the US

Visit Union Station in Los Angeles, the Last Great Train Station in the US

This site may contain affiliate links. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Fine marble and blooming gardens. Is this really a station? Union Station in Los Angeles is not only a train station but can be considered one of the historical buildings you should visit when in the City of Angels. Between 2014 and 2019, in view of the 75th anniversary of the station, a major five-year restoration was planned in order to make it shine. If you’re passing through Los Angeles, even if you don’t get there by train, be sure to stop by the station!

How to Get to Union Station, Los Angeles

Union station los angeles history, movies filmed at union station, art in union station, union station events, places to eat in union station, union station tours, where to stay near union station.

The main entrance to the station faces N Alameda St, enclosed between Santa Ana Fwy and East Cesar E Chavez Avenue. If you have a car  you can easily reach Union Station, but if you don’t want to deal with finding parking the best way to get there is in the most classic way to reach a station, that is, by train .

Of course, if you are already in the city, you won’t take a train to get to the station. Instead, you can use the metro . In fact, both the Red and Purple lines come through here, while the stops for the Gray and Orange lines are not too far away. Therefore, you can arrive easily by metro. Finally, there are also alternatives such as buses or Metrolink short-distance trains. On Union Station’s official website , you will find all the details, and we also have an article with many useful tips on how to get around Los Angeles .

Union Station was built in 1939 and is still the largest train station on the West Coast . Called today “The last of the great train stations”, it was intended to be the crossroads of the Southern Pacific, Union Pacific, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroads. The style of the building, designed by John and Donald Parkinson (father and son), is an example of Mission Moderne , or a mix of Spanish colonial architecture, Mission Revival, and Art Deco.

The design was intended to express how life in California was perceived , both eccentric and lavish. The enormous walnut ticket booth, giant brass-finished windows, Art Deco chandeliers, and inlaid marble floors are some of the examples of the style chosen to convey grandeur and affluence. It took about $11 million (which today would amount to $1.2 billion) to bring to life this railroad station that was inaugurated with three days of events attended by half a million citizens.

When Union Station first opened, there was a constant bustle of trains and people, with one hundred trains a day , loaded with troops, during World War II. Then, starting in the fifties, planes and cars began to dominate over trains and the train saw less and less traffic. In 1972, Union Station was designated as a historic-cultural monument and in 1980, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Why Visit Union Station

Union Station is not just a train station . It bears witness to a chapter of American history and does so with class. It is one of the most important historical buildings in the city of Los Angeles, but inside it also houses works of art and it is home to events and initiatives that make it an even more relevant place of interest.

Before delving into what we can see in Union Station, let’s ask ourselves: where have we seen this building before ? In fact, it looks familiar, there is a reason. Union Station has appeared several times on the movie screen. Many films set in Los Angeles include a scene in Union Station, at least in passing. There are 152 of them (at least as of 2021), some not so well known and others of great importance, such as Pearl Harbor (2001).

However, there are some movies that have scenes set right inside it, for example, Speed (1994), Drag Me to Hell (2009), and perhaps the most famous, Blade Runner (1982). In Blade Runner , the station is transformed into the waiting room of the police station. Moreover, in 2021, Union Station hosted none other than the Oscars ! How better to express the connection between this station and the world of cinema, than with the most important Hollywood awards ceremony?

Union Station deserves to be included in a tour of Los Angeles for its distinctive architectural features, such as the clock tower, the hand-painted tiles that decorate the interior, and the vintage seats in the waiting room. Over the years, however, so many other forms of art have been added , both in Union Station and in the nearby Subway building, making this place a sort of passing museum. One example is the multifaceted “City of Dreams, River of History” (1995) by May Sun and Richard Wyatt.  This large mural depicts early settlers and contemporary residents.

In the lobby of the metro station, on the other hand, we find the “Traveler” mural   (1993) by Terry Schoonhoven, which intertwines historical and contemporary references of travel to Los Angeles and creates the illusion that the station corridor continues into the artwork . The variety of art spans from paintings to benches, fountains to mosaics. You can see the main ones on this website . Every year the station also hosts temporary exhibitions , both art and photography, so anytime you go to Los Angeles you can find something new and breathtaking at Union Station.

Art is prevalent in Union Station, but it is not limited to artworks. In addition to exhibitions and displays, in fact, the premises of the station also open their doors to shows, concerts, and events of various kinds. On this website , you can check if there will be any public events you can attend while you’re in Los Angeles.

By now, you know that Union Station is much more than a station. From a major crossroads for local and national transport, it has become over time a container of various art forms, as described above, but that’s not all. Inside there are restaurants, bars, and meeting places that make it an ideal place to grab a bite to eat during your visit to the city.

If you are passing through, you may find it useful to know that here you can find places to have coffee, a snack, or a quick lunch . There are multiple Starbuck locations, Green Bowl 2 Go for salads and other light and quick dishes, Subway  or even Wetzel’s Pretzels for German doughnuts and other snacks. In terms of dining options, there are breweries or restaurants , such as Imperial Western Beer Co. and the Streamliner , which offers craft beers and American fare, or Traxx for elegant dining.

Metro Community Education offers free guided tours of the station for groups of 5 to 40 participants. These tours last about 30 minutes and require reservations at least one week in advance. Full details are available on the dedicated page . If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a walking tour that takes you to all of Los Angeles’ historic sites, including Union Station, here are a couple of interesting options:

Tours on Viator

GetYourGuide Tours

The best area to find accommodations in the vicinity of Union Station is definitely in the  Los Angeles downtown area, which I also recommend due to its strategic location with respect to other major Los Angeles attractions . You can find more specific tips for this and other neighborhoods in the city by clicking on the link below.

Our tips on where to stay in Los Angeles

Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.

Andrea Cuminatto

Journalist and traveler. I love seeing new places, but more than anything, I love to meet those who live there.

Related posts

Discover the Main Filming Locations of Top Gun and Maverick!

17-Mile Drive: Pebble Beach’s scenic road in California

Pigeon Point Light Station State Park, a fascinating lighthouse on the California Coast

How to Plan a Visit to the Historic Point Arena Lighthouse in Mendocino, California

Leave a comment cancel reply.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Glitterati Tours

Private Tours of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills

Los Angeles Tours from Union Station

Los Angeles tours from Union Station are possible with Glitterati Tours.  Let us pick you up directly at the train terminal and whisk you away into the best sightseeing in Hollywood and Beverly Hills.  This is a fantastic option for those coming up to the city for the day, especially from San Diego, Long Beach, or Orange County via train or Metro.

We’ve listed all of our tours, along with the rates on the Glitterati Tours website .  Because DTLA and Union Station is a bit farther from our home base, you’ll see 2 columns listed.  One with pickups from Hollywood and Beverly Hills, and one with Downtown Los Angeles. Downtown adds an hour to an hour and a half to the tours listed.  A great option is to take the Metro Red Line from Union Station up to Hollywood/Vine or to Hollywood/Highland .  This underground trip takes about 24 minutes, and you wouldn’t be paying hourly tour rates with us for the extra travel time.  You can get round-trip Metro tickets for about $6 or less, and we can start the tour from one of these better centered locations.

Hollywood and Vine

When at Union Station, enjoy this old school historic architectural landmark in Los Angeles.  It was built in 1939, and is the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States.  They’ve got a handful of great places to eat and drink while waiting for your trains.  Our favorite is Imperial Western Beer Company and Streamliner Bar.  Sit back in a comfortable booth and enjoy a great beer and fish & chips, or their signature burger.

Restaurants at Union Station LA

If you want to venture out from here a bit, Olvera Street , (the birthplace of Los Angeles, dating back to 1781) is just across the street.  Grab a delicious margarita and some Mexican food, and enjoy souvenir shopping at their many stalls and kiosks.

Philippe the Original DTLA

There’s also a very special place nearby called Philippe’s .  It’s been going strong since 1908, and it’s the home of the original French dip sandwich.  See!  Los Angeles really does have some history!

Recent Posts

Unveiling the Most Romantic Restaurants Los Angeles Has to Offer!

You may be surprised by all of the romantic restaurants Los Angeles has to offer. Known for its glitz and glamour, LA is also where hopeless romantics seek to ignite the flame of love. From rooftop escapes with … Read More...

Celebrate New Years Eve Los Angeles Style!

Whether it’s your first or 50th New Year's Eve in town, it's never too late to celebrate New Years Eve Los Angeles style! It's time to bid farewell to 2023 and welcome 2024 with open arms. What better way to do so than … Read More...

• Essential Los Angeles
• Essential L.A. + Downtown
• Whirlwind Los Angeles
• The Golden Age
• Celebrity Homes
• Underbelly L.A. – Fright Sights
• Coastal Access – Beach Cities
• Ultimate LA

Connect With Us

Glitterati Says

We Recommend a Tour of Los Angeles To Better Understand the Lay of the Land.

Think of Los Angeles as having 4 main quadrants, or areas. These are the places where most visitors prefer staying. We have Downtown L.A., Santa Monica, Hollywood, and West Hollywood/ Beverly Hills. All the areas have their own personalities and attractions.

Glitterati Tours recommends viewing a map of L.A. to chart out your interests before choosing a hotel. This will also help put the city into perspective should you take a tour of LA.

See our Schedule & Rates

Latest Tweets

Discover the best sports bars in la for football fever, have a haunting holiday at these halloween events in los angeles, have a celebrity sighting and iconic landmarks, read our reviews.

Content copyright © 2024 Glitterati Tours 310-659-2929 | [email protected] Privacy Policy

• Public Tours
• Private Tours

• Downtown LA
• 10:30 AM - Chinatown & Little Tokyo 10:30 AM - Chinatown & Olvera Street 10:30 AM - Downtown Architecture 11:00 AM - LA's Beginnings 12:30 PM - Filming Locations 1:00 PM - Arts District 1:30 PM - Old & New Downtown LA
• 10:00 AM - Hollywood History
• Santa Monica
• 1:00 PM - Santa Monica Downtown
• Venice Beach
• 10:00 AM - Venice Boardwalk & Canals
• Koreatown Little Tokyo

The Last Great Rail Station - Union Station, Los Angeles

Welcome to a story about Los Angeles’ Union Station, known as America’s “Last of the Great Rail Stations!” Have you visited this iconic building? If not, or if it’s been a while, hopefully this story will inspire you to visit soon. So, how did Union Station come to be? First, let’s examine the stations that preceded it. The first railroad to come to Southern California was the Los Angeles and San Pedro Railroad in 1869. Although this was primarily used to transport freight from the San Pedro ports into the city, it assisted in Los Angeles’ rapid growth from that point on. Not too much later, transcontinental passenger rail started entering the city with Southern Pacific Railroad in 1876, Santa Fe Railroad in 1887, and the Salt Lake Railroad (later called Union Pacific) in 1905. Each of these connected LA to various other parts of the country. In 1900 LA’s population passed 100,000, and by the 1920’s it was approaching one million – Los Angeles was booming!

By 1876 it was replaced by River Station, where today’s LA State Historic Park in Chinatown is located. The Southern Pacific Railroad operated from this station and was the first to connect LA to the United States via trains coming in from San Francisco. (to the left, River Station)

By 1888, River Station was replaced by the Arcade Station, which was located off Alameda Street between 5th and 6th Streets, and which became the new home for Southern Pacific. A fun fact about this station is that the oldest fan palm tree in Los Angeles was transplanted there from its original wild home in 1899! Situated in front of the train station, it greeted visitors and new settlers and confirmed expectations of Los Angeles as a magical land of sunshine. (to the right, Arcade Station)

Los Angeles Conservancy Walking Tour of Union Station

During this one-and-a-half to two-hour, docent-led tour, you’ll hear the backstory of one of L.A.’s most iconic gems and learn how it has been evolving over time.

The walk covers much of the station, from the famous Waiting Room—seen in countless movies—to the Art Deco-styled Traxx bar and restaurant, which has been serving cocktails and dinner at Union for more than two decades.

Built during the golden age of rail travel using Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco designs, beautiful Union Station continues to serve tens of thousands of travelers daily, including our own Metrolink riders! 

Other Los Angeles Conservancy Walking Tours: Even though the Union Station tour couldn’t be more convenient because of its location, you might find some of the Conservancy’s other walks equally fascinating, including the Art Deco, Modern Skyline and Historic Downtown tours.    Tours take place on Saturday or Sunday, and most start and end at Pershing Square, which you can reach from inside Union Station by taking the Metro B Line (Red) one stop to the Pershing Square station or by walking a little more than a mile.    All Conservancy tours require an advance reservation. The cost is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. 

Take any Metrolink line (except the IEOC line) to L.A. Union Station

Ride | Redeem | Repeat

Take a ride on Metrolink, earn points towards another. It’s easy and it’s free.

Metrolink Weekends

Kids ride free.

Free train rides for children 17 years old and younger on Saturdays and Sundays when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

$10 Weekends

Ride Metrolink with the $10 Weekend Day Pass. Valid system-wide on either Saturday or Sunday.

More Experiences

Explore more in Los Angeles County

The Front Yard

This bright, airy, all-day spot for shareable modern Californian fare and cocktails is located inside The Garland Hotel.

Molly O. Writer

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Get a glimpse into filmmaking magic with this tour of props, costumes, set pieces and more at the legendary Warner Bros. Studios!

Emerald M. Senior Train Control Systems Engineer

Pulchella Winery

Visit this hip wine tasting room and hangout spot in Santa Clarita's Old Town Newhall.

Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn

The Walt Disney Carolwood barn is a museum dedicated to showcasing Walt Disney's love of trains and model railroading in Griffith Park.

Alex D. Senior Manager, Government Relations

Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area

This 836-acre recreation space includes a 70-acre lake with year-round fishing.

Amber M. Corporate Partner Program Manager

Wildlife Learning Center

Experience the wonder of animals from around the world in this SoCal treasure nestled in a San Fernando Valley olive grove.

Blue Ribbon Garden

Frank Gehry designed this outdoor garden space, which sits atop the Walt Disney Concert Hall, home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic. *The Walt Disney Concert Hall and Blue Ribbon Garden tour are free to visit and self-guided; no reservation is required, though there are blackout dates due to the concert schedule. 

Grand Central Market

Since 1917, this historic food emporium has been hosting food vendors and florists, with events like game nights, movies and more.

Claremont Village

This quaint, lively village offers ample shopping and dining opportunities to explore (and some great student discounts at local businesses, since it's close to the Claremont Colleges!).

Gina M. Communications Supervisor

Howlin' Ray's

It's legendary Los Angeles hot chicken.

Little Tokyo

Los Angeles' Little Tokyo offers an authentic glimpse into Japanese culture through food, music, visual and fine arts.

Anh T. Railroad Civil Engineer II

Recommended by

Karen is a communications professional who has worked in the public transportation industry for two decades. Not content to simply encourage others to use transit, she is an avid bus and train rider, always choosing those options (or walking) over the car. In her spare time, Karen loves to travel, hike, read, go to the movies and check out local restaurants and museums. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and senior rescue dog and has two adult daughters.

Real experiences of the real Los Angeles

Inside la - the los angeles lowdown, union station: la’s great rail terminus.

Los Angeles Union Station is to LA what Grand Central Station is to New York. It’s our major rail terminus, designed and built to reflect the history and feel of the city back at us as we pass through. It opened in May 1939 with much fanfare, ironically just as the US was falling out of love with train travel, its head turned by those twin symbols of the twentieth century, the automobile and the plane. For many years Union Station was allowed to gently decline into genteel poverty, like Miss Havisham in a west coast version of  Great Expectations , largely forgotten by the city around her.

Now however, with the rebirth of public transport in Los Angeles over the last thirty years, Union Station is back! As the station becomes busier there are plans afoot to extend its rail lines over the freeway, which runs along one side of the station, and build a major new concourse below the platforms to allow for the millions of new passengers expected to use it.

So, in honor of her 85th anniversary this month, and with the luster of hosting the Oscars Ceremony in 2021 yet to fully wear off, I wanted to take a look back at the history of this much loved Los Angeles icon and look forward to what the future might hold for her.

First Stations in Los Angeles

At the turn of the last century there were two main train stations in downtown Los Angeles, the fabulous Moorish-styled La Grande Station and the Arcade Depot (which was replaced by Central Station in 1914). Both of these stations were in the heart of what’s now downtown (in those days downtown more or less was Los Angeles) and served the city suburbs and surrounding towns, as well as interstate trains.

However, as LA rapidly grew (the population doubled between 1890 and 1900, from 50,000 to 100,000 people and tripled between 1900 and 1910 to over 300,000 inhabitants), it was felt by the city leaders that one big terminus would be better. They decided that this station should be a symbol of Los Angeles’ progress and new status as an important and wealthy California city that was snapping at the heels of San Francisco.

Naturally the course of progress in a city such as LA never runs straight or smooth and this relatively simple proposal immediately became bogged down in a bitter turf war between the various different stakeholders. And then became caught up in a wider battle about the very nature of Los Angeles’ public-transit system and how to plan and build it. 

Needless to say it was a dispute that could only be settled in court and so it went all the way to the very top, the United States Supreme Court. Twice. Finally the road, or railroad, ahead was cleared and the city won the right to build the station against the wishes of the railroad companies.

However, that still left the question of what kind of suburban rail network would be best for Los Angeles.

In 1926 there was a ballot measure, asking Angelenos if they wanted Union Station or an elevated railway system (similar to the one in Chicago). The Los Angeles Times came out strongly against the elevated railroad idea, writing that the proposal would lead to:

miles of hideous, clattering, dusty, dirty, dangerous, street-darkening overhead trestles.

Funny, but people always love the elevated railways in Chicago. Nevertheless, voter turnout was 60%, one of the largest in the city’s history, and it was 61% to 39% in favor of the cheaper option of Union Station! Now the city could finally begin the construction of its long awaited terminus.

Or not. Because they still had to decide where to build it!

Early Proposals for Union Station

Originally the plan had been to build the station in the old Los Angeles Plaza, in front of Olvera Street. It was here that the city had been founded in 1781, as a tiny outpost in the vast Spanish Empire, and as such it was the birthplace of LA.

So why build the station there? Well, in 1876, when the transcontinental railroad reached Los Angeles, the city began its period of explosive growth. Most of the new settlers were Anglo in origin and as the city grew its center of gravity moved south to what’s now the Historic Core of downtown, leaving the dusty Pueblo to LA’s Mexican and Chinese immigrants.

Indeed the area east of the Pueblo, where the station is now, was the city’s original Chinatown . North of the Pueblo was Little Italy and the neighborhood around the plaza was known as Sonoratown, after the state in Mexico (which happened to be the region from which the founders of Los Angeles had come). 

Once again a spanner was about to be thrown into the Union Station works. The concept of historic preservation didn’t exist in the 1920’s, but a lady called  Christine Sterling , was strolling down Olvera Street in 1926 when she saw a demolition notice on the door of  the Avila Adobe . Outraged that the city was about to knock down its oldest building, she single-handedly started a campaign to save the Plaza neighborhood.

One person to support her campaign was Harry Chandler , who happened to be the owner of the Los Angeles Times and arguably LA’s most influential citizen. He donated $5,000 for the preservation of the Plaza, but his more important contribution was to put his newspaper behind her campaign. 

Ultimately the decision was made to move the site of the station from the Pueblo several hundred feet east to the heart of LA’s old Chinatown. City Hall liked the idea of building the station there anyway, since it meant the neighborhood, which it considered a crime-ridden slum (it wasn’t), could be razed as an act of “urban renewal”.

A New Location for the Station

In fact, the site of the new station had originally been the land of Jean Louis Vignes’ vineyard in the nineteenth century. The farm buildings were clustered around El Aliso, an ancient sycamore that grew on the property which had been the site of the main Tongva village, Yang-na, in the period before Spanish colonization.

Yang-na was located at the juncture of the Los Angeles coastal plain and the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, and it was a gathering place for Tongva from all over the region. Local leaders would travel from their villages to confer with their peers, under the shade of the tree’s mighty canopy. By the 1820’s though the Tongva way of life had largely ended as they were forced to convert to Catholicism and work the missions lands.

When Vignes arrived at the tiny pueblo of Los Angeles in 1831, bringing with him grape varietals for Bordeaux wine (the place where he grew up in France), he quickly realized the land to the east of the plaza was perfect for growing his vines, as it offered easy access to the Los Angeles River . With LA’s Mediterranean climate the vineyard thrived over the following decades, and became the center of the California wine industry.

Following the successful establishment of Vignes’ vineyard, El Aliso, other French immigrants followed, leading to the development of a thriving Frenchtown to the northwest of where Union Station sits today. They established the first hospital in Los Angeles there, in 1860. Vignes Street, behind the station, and Aliso Street, are both remnants of that era.

Nonetheless Christine Sterling’s vision of a revitalized Pueblo, which harked back to colonial Spanish and Mexican times, did come to pass and if you visit the area now you can still see it more or less exactly as when it reopened in 1930.

Chinatown was moved to the old Little Italy (most of the Italian immigrants having departed by that time) where it was reconstituted (again under the auspices of Christine Sterling) as ‘New Chinatown’. St Peter’s Italian Catholic Church, on North Broadway, dates back to when the neighborhood was still known as Little Italy.

Frenchtown too, alas, is no more, although Philippe’s French Dip Restaurant is a lovely throwback to that period.

Design and Construction

For the design of its grand new station the city went to its premier architects, the father and son duo of John and Donald Parkinson .

Given a brief to help promote Los Angeles’ as a tourist destination, they decided that the station should reference the city’s Spanish history, especially since it was adjacent to the Plaza. Therefore the design used healthy doses of  Mission Revival  and Spanish Colonial, a style that many movie stars were using for their houses. This was melded with Streamline Moderne, a development of Art Deco, which was in fashion at the time and was all about movement and modernity and therefore, it was felt, eminently suited to a station. 

Construction only finally began in 1933, thirty years after the station was first proposed, and by the time it opened in 1939 John Parkinson had died, but the station is a more than fitting legacy for his architectural genius. Every detail of the new Union Station (so named because it unified all the railroad companies then operating at one terminus) was considered and finessed.

Inside, the cavernous ticket concourse was lined with acoustic tiles so that the train announcements wouldn’t echo and be hard to make out, and it would naturally lead passengers into the waiting room and on to the trains. Only the best materials were used, travertine marble for the wainscoting on the walls, brass for the enormous chandeliers (which weigh as much as a car).

Outside, the gardens on either side of the station were designed to evoke a tropical Eden, with palm trees and bird of paradise flowers shading its benches (much of LA’s appeal in those days was thought to rest on it being seen as an exotic, tropical locale).

It was by far the largest station west of the Rockies and indeed Union Station is the last great terminus of the golden age of American rail to be built. The grand opening was celebrated with a three-day extravaganza, attended by nearly half a million excited Angelenos. 

Golden Age & Decline of Union Station

However, even as Los Angeles Union Station opened it seemed like its time had passed. That same year construction began on the Arroyo Parkway, now the 110 Freeway, which was the first freeway to be built in the U.S. It opened in 1940, and runs along the other side of Chinatown to the station and up to Pasadena. It was a sign of things to come.

Until its recent rebirth the station’s heyday was considered to be the 1940’s, when it had a very important role as the terminus for U.S. servicemen and women coming here to ship out to the Pacific theatre during World War Two, as well as being a great backdrop for Hollywood stars returning from war service or other trips abroad.

The heyday didn’t last long, as during the 1950’s, the vast streetcar network which criss-crossed Los Angeles was closed down, bit by bit, and more freeways were built. That left Union Station to be seen as something of a white elephant. At its nadir in the 1980’s only eleven trains a day would stop at the station.

One thing for which we can all be grateful for though, is that unlike Pennsylvania Station in New York or Euston Station in London, it wasn’t demolished – probably due to there being no economic or business imperative to develop the land on which it stood.

The reason for the lack of interest is because, in the 1950’s, the 101 (Hollywood) freeway slashed its way through downtown, separating Union Station from the main business and civic districts on the other side and leaving it somewhat isolated.

Ironically (and the station’s story is full of irony as you can see), the reason for putting the La Grande Station and Arcade Depot where they were was because the original station for the Southern Pacific transcontinental railroad was close to where Union Station is now, and too far away from the main activity in downtown. Somehow that fact was forgotten only a few years later, meaning that Union Station is not really in the heart of the city, but on the edge of DTLA.

Hollywood and Union Station

In April 2021 Union Station hosted the annual Oscars for the first (and likely only) time. Since then the Academy has returned the event to the Dolby Theatre, but I can’t think of a better venue than Union Station, with its intoxicating mix of old-school glamor, Los Angeles and California history, and beautiful lines (and great acoustics of course).

The station has been used many times as a location too, in movies as varied as Blade Runner , Catch Me If You Can and The Dark Knight Rises . Not to mention Union Station , which made extensive use of the station for location filming, although it was set in Chicago. The movie features a great early performance by William Holden.

Maybe the Academy should have created a special category for Union Station. Most adaptable movie location? It’s good for action, science fiction, drama and romantic films.

Los Angeles Union Station Today

Now rail is having a moment once again and trains and people are returning to Union Station. In 2011  Los Angeles Metro  bought the station , bringing it back under public ownership.

There is considerable interest in redesigning the neighborhood surrounding it, in order to knit the station back into the fabric of the city. Gardens in front, to replace the ubiquitous parking lots which cut the station off from the street, and a pedestrianized route leading from the station to the Pueblo.

With the 2028 Olympics coming to Los Angeles there is a big incentive to improve the station and its surrounding area, let’s see if that helps get these plans off the ground.

There are also plans to extend the railway tracks over the 101 Hollywood Freeway. The reason being that at the moment all the tracks (apart from those of the Metro L-Line) end at the station, meaning it takes much longer to get trains moving again and so limiting the station’s capacity.

By making Union Station a through station, as opposed to a terminus, its capacity can be vastly increased, which is crucially important in an era when we’re trying to get Angelenos out of their cars and onto eco-friendly modes of transportation.

Still, there seems to be something symbolic about the fact that trains will no longer end their journey at Union Station and that, having been cut off from the city by the freeway, it’s now the turn of the train to be prioritized, literally, over the car. 

Explore Union Station

Learn about LA’s great terminus, and even have lunch there, on our LA: Food + History + Design Tour , starts at Union Station. The tour operates every Sunday, at midday, and tickets are $85 pp (including food).

We also have a self-guided tour for Union Station and the LA Plaza, which you can find here , if you want to explore the area on your own.

If you have any feedback on Union Station: LA’s Great Rail Terminus please email us or reach out on social media, we’d love to hear from you.

– By Damien Blackshaw ( Twitter )

You must be logged in to post a comment.

The Perfect Self-Guided Downtown LA Walking Tour

By: Author Stefania Guglielmi

Posted on Last updated: January 1, 2023

Categories North America , USA

Planning to go on a Downtown LA walking tour? There’s no better way to discover the city! Check out this guide to make your self-guided walking tour a total success! 

Who says nobody walks in LA? Definitely not me! Walking around is one of the best things to do in Downtown Los Angeles, and in this post, I want to show you how to explore the area on foot with no other guide other than your GPS. Not bad, eh?

In other blog posts, I talked about the perfect 2 days in Los Angeles itinerary for first timers . I also offered tips on how to navigate Los Angeles without a car of your own, and how to explore Venice Beach and Santa Monica .

Now it’s time to tackle Downtown, a diverse LA neighborhood with so much to offer, no matter who you are. I’ve got great tips for foodies, architecture lovers, experienced joggers, first-time urban tourists, professional Instagrammers, you name it! This Downtown LA walking tour is definitely for you. 

Table of Contents

YOU’D RATHER GO ON A GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF LOS ANGELES?

If the self-guided Downtown LA walking tour sounds a bit daunting, you can always join a guided tour! Here are the best options to suit all tastes and help you make the most of this vibrant city. 

➤ The 2-hour Old and New Downtown Los Angeles Tour takes you through the historic part of Downtown LA like no other tour, and the small size of the group allows you to enjoy the guide’s insights in a personalized way. You’ll visit the finest sites from the city’s golden era and even get a Bradbury Building tour that will amaze architecture buffs. This is one of the best DTLA walking tours for first-time visitors and families. ➥ BOOK IT HERE 

➤ For the foodies out there, this Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour is calling your name. In this walking tour you’ll not only taste the best food in LA from six different eateries, bakeries and ethnic food shops, you’ll also learn about the dynamic food culture that’s emerging in Downtown LA. The small group will make the experience more intimate, and there are vegetarian options in all of the stops. You won’t be needing lunch after this 3-hour tour! ➥ BOOK IT HERE 

➤ Choose the Downtown Los Angeles Architecture Tour to marvel at LA’s magnificent buildings and monuments while you hear the history, architecture and symbolism of the city. LA’s tallest building, the Broadway Theatre District and Central Library are among the many places you’ll visit, and it’s definitely a must for architects, students and enthusiasts. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

DOWNTOWN LA WALKING TOUR ITINERARY

If you’re up to the challenge of doing the Los Angeles Downtown walking tour on your own, let’s begin!  

Union Station & Olvera Street

I recommend starting your DTLA walking tour from its northeastern corner, where famed Union Station sits since 1939 (address: 800 N Alameda St).

You can get here easily with a rideshare app, by train or metro (the Gold, Purple, and Red lines all stop here) or by bus. If you ride your own car, this is the moment to leave it behind (parking is available in the El Pueblo parking lots between Alameda St and Los Angeles St).

Once you’re here, make your way into the train station’s iconic interior, wander around, and sit on those comfy chairs. Remember the first Blade Runner ? The film’s police station is, in reality, Union Station’s waiting room. Yes, you read my mind, Los Angeles never fails to be an open-air film set.

Your next stop is right across the street from Union station: El Pueblo de Los Angeles . Established by a handful of European families in 1781 on the land originally occupied by the Gabrieleño/Kizh/Tongva native people, El Pueblo is the oldest part of LA and one of the top Downtown Los Angeles places to visit. 

🚶 The best way to get here from Union Station is to exit the transportation hub on Alameda St and take a right. Once Alameda St meets Caesar Chavez Ave, stop and turn to your left. You have arrived at Olvera St , namely, the entrance to this 9.5-acre historic district.

But don’t let history haunt you and dig in! While walking through Olvera St, you’ll have the chance to shop in the Mexican market for colorful clothing and leather goods as well as have your first snacks of the day (I don’t know about you, but I can rarely deny myself a steaming churro or an iced orchada ).

In between eating and browsing for souvenirs, take a peek into the Avila Adobe , family dwelling of LA mayor, Francisco José Avila between 1818 and 1868. It’s the oldest standing building in the whole city!

➤ Entrance is free, and you’ll be able to see how nineteenth-century rancheros cooked, shared living spaces, and entertained guests (opening hours: 9 AM to 4 PM). 

🚶 Now leave the shopping crowd and merchants of Olvera St behind you, pass through the circular square with the elegant, white Pico House on the left and the Our Lady Queen of Angels church on the right, and take Main St towards downtown (look at those skyscrapers!). When Main St crosses Arcadia St, take a left and start walking south.

A piece of advice: hop on the sidewalk closer to the highway, because a surprise is in store for you on the other side of that traffic artery! The street art piece entitled LA Freeway Kids will be visible on the opposite wall of the 101 Highway, eyeing at the ever-present cars as well as the youngest city dwellers. It’s one of the prettiest attractions in downtown LA!

🚶 When you have enough pics and selfies, take your Downtown Los Angeles sightseeing to Arcadia St and take a right on Los Angeles St. Walk on the bridge above the highway and go straight ahead for a few minutes. 

Reminder: For this Downtown LA walking tour, a map or GPS might come in handy, so don’t forget to use it to avoid getting lost! 

Little Tokyo

🚶 Once you’re in Temple St, say hello to the City Hall white tower to your right and take a left turn. Go straight until you glimpse on your left Molecule Man , a tall metal sculpture of four men walking into each other. Here, turn right on Aiso St and keep walking. You are in Little Tokyo ! From El Pueblo de Los Angeles, it shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes. 

In Little Tokyo , one of the best places to walk in Los Angeles, my absolute favorite spot is the Japanese Village Plaza , encased between 1st St and 2nd St, Central Ave and San Pedro St. It’s rich with shops for all tastes. On your way, make sure to stop by Fugetsu-Do (address: 315 E 1st St). This tiny, sweet shop sells hand-made mochi to die for; perks of doing this Downtown LA tour on your feet!

After exploring around the Plaza, if you’re ready to have a sit-down lunch, I cannot recommend enough the legendary sushi restaurant, Sushi Gen (oh, yes! There’s great food in store for you in this walking tour of Los Angeles). Despite being slightly out of the way, Sushi Gen is especially worth the stop at midday for their extra-tasty sushi and great lunch specials.

🚶 To get there, exit the Japanese Village Plaza on 2 nd St and take a left until the unassuming Honda Plaza will show up on your right. Sushi Gen is right there, at 422 E 2 nd St.

If, instead, you’re still full of energy from Japanese and Mexican snacks, continue this Los Angeles Downtown tour to see what’s in store next!

🚶 Exit the Japanese Village Plaza on 2nd St, take a selfie in front of the pink-pink-pink wall belonging to the Japanese Swordsmanship shop, Shinkendo on the other side of the street, and take a right. Walk on 2th St for a few minutes until you reach Spring St, then turn right. From Shinkendo, it’s approximately a 15-minute walk until the next destination on your LA walking tour: Grand Park .

This beautiful city park stretches through 3 full city blocks and is literally a breath of clean air in the midst of all the Downtown LA sites. I also love the pink chairs all over the place.

The benefit of starting your stroll on Grand Park coming from Little Tokyo and Spring St (with City Hall behind your back) is that what is coming next will slowly reveal itself in front of you. Grand Park indeed sits directly south of the LA center for live performances and the arts on Grand Ave, featuring concert halls, theaters, and museums. Architecture aficionados come along!

Walt Disney Concert Hall and Broad Museum

The Walt Disney Concert Hall , designed by Frank Gehry, and the Broad Museum , designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler, are an especially striking view, and one of the highlights of your Downtown Los Angeles walking tour. They are also next to each other (at 111 and 221 S Grand Ave, respectively) and a glance from outside is already worth it.

If you want to dedicate these architectural masterpieces more than a few minutes on the outside, you’re in luck, since The Broad Museum is free for all and the Disney Concert Hall offers self-guided tours at no charge . Definitely one of the best places to visit in Downtown LA, so don’t miss it!

🚶 Continue your walking tour on Grand Ave towards 3rd St, keeping The Broad Museum and the Disney Concert Hall to your right. Now it’s definitely past lunch time and your next stop is a real treat for foodies. In order to get there, here’s a great shortcut: as soon as you cross 3rd St, enter California Plaza to your left (address: 350 S Grand Ave), keep going until you see an orange, old-looking structure.

Angels Flight Railway & Grand Central Market

You’ve found the Angels Flight Railway , the shortest railway in the world, in operation since 1901 (opening hours: 6:30am-10pm). This quick ride is just $1, and it’ll bring you down the hill to your destination. While you’re at it, however, look at the green area to your right.

This hilly park is called Angel Knoll and is where the two characters in 500 Days of Summer meet up! There’s even a bench to commemorate the reference.

But enough with the distractions. The Angels Flight Railway will drop you off directly in front of the Grand Central Market , aka a food paradise! This centenary food market hosts at least 38 different vendors, where you can choose your food, have it cooked before you, and eat it on the spot (address: 317 S Broadway, with a side entrance on Hill St).

I always make sure to stop by Sarita’s Pupuseria for Salvadorian cuisine or by Eggslut for egg-based sandwiches. Spice lovers anybody? La Huerta and Chiles Secos will amaze you with their spice, dried fruit, mole, nut, and grain display. In the likely case that it’s a sunny day, I advise to take advantage of the open-air sitting areas either on Hill street or on Broadway. 

If you enjoy your meal sitting on Broadway, not only will you have the chance to do some good old people watching (Downtown LA is such a melting pot that you can never get bored), but you’ll also be positioned right in front of the Bradbury Building (address: 304 S Broadway).

This historical landmark is the oldest commercial building in the area and is yet again a treat for the eye, both outside and inside (fans of Blade Runner , don’t waste your opportunity here!)

If you feel that you have completed your share of architectural gems for the day, and perhaps have a shopping bug, look to the right. Ross Cutlery is the most complete cutlery store in the western United States and it’s been selling knives since 1930 (address: 324 S Broadway). Who wouldn’t want to see that?!

The Last Bookstore

🚶 Alternatively, take a right on Broadway and keep walking until 4 th St, where you’ll take a left turn. Once 4 th St meets Spring St, take another right. At the end of the block, two shops are worth your attention.

First is The Last Bookstore , which has become a top destination for LA tourists of all kinds. I can indeed testify to this bookstore’s incredible stock, since it carries a wide variety of both new additions and very old, used books. Do get lost in here (and make sure to check out the second floor, with book-made constructions that are perfect for an Insta post).

Gather DTLA is the second store I recommend. It’s situated at the back of The Last Bookstore and, quite surprisingly, is supply shop for knitting enthusiasts that also offers lessons. The address of this all-inclusive small shopping universe is 453 S Spring St, just 5 minutes away from Ross Cutlery. 

🚶You’ll probably find yourself on Spring and 5th St on an early evening. It’s happy hour time! Turn right on 5th Street and walk for two blocks, take a left turn on S Broadway till you see Mezcalero DTLA.

Happy Hour at Mezcalero DTLA

My advice is to spend the next hour (and a few bucks) at Mezcalero DTLA. I love this small and laid-back joint that offers chips and guacamole, tacos, and of course, specialty cocktails made with mezcal. Happy hour is daily from 4 to 7 PM.

How to perfectly end this self-guided tour of Downtown Los Angeles? I know the perfect place!

🚶From Mezcalero DTLA, keep walking down on S Broadway until you cross 7th St. Take a left on 7th St and keep walking for two blocks. The darkest ice cream shop sits right there, at the corner of 7ths St with Spring St.

End Your Tour with a Little Damage

Little Damage offers soft-serve ice cream in rotating flavors and unforgettable black cones, which are colored with activated charcoal (address: 700 S Spring St). It’s the gothic (Insta-perfect) dream you were looking for to conclude your Downtown LA wanderings!

🚶Lick along while you make your way back to your car by Union Station (ca. 30-minute walk) or hop on a metro train at the Pershing Square stop on 5 th and Hill St (serving both Red and Purple lines), just 8 minutes away from Little Damage. Otherwise, order another of those stunning black cones while you wait for your rideshare app of choice to drive you home. 

DIY DOWNTOWN LA WALKING TOUR FAQ

Yes! Downtown LA is walking-friendly; in fact, it’s likely one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

The Grand City Tour of Los Angeles is the best tour for exploring LA’s main neighborhoods and landmarks, and it’s ideal for first-time visitors or those with limited time in the city. Among the places you’ll visit are Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Griffith Park, from where you’ll get incredible views! The downtown historic center is one of the highlights of this tour, that will give you more than a glimpse of this magnificent city. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are included! 

The touristy areas of Los Angeles are generally safe, and so is Downtown LA during the day – at night you have to be a little more careful. That said, LA struggles with homelessness, and certain areas of the city, like Skid Row or Hyde Park, are worth avoiding. You’d want to avoid visiting China Town at night time as well.

There are countless fantastic things to do and see in Downtown LA. While this post covers all the best landmarks in the area, there’s always something else to do, like having a picnic at Grand Park, visiting the Grammy museum for some music history, or having your own La La Land moment at the Angels Flight Railway.

Stefania Guglielmi is the founder of Every Steph. Originally from Bologna, Italy, she's been traveling full-time since 2016 and has visited over 50 countries across 6 continents. She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. Stefania's advice and travel experiences have been featured in important publications such as Business Insider, Refinery29, and Yahoo Money.

Sign me up for the monthly newsletter!

Search the Site

Popular pages.

• Historic Places of Los Angeles
• Important Issues
• Events Calendar

Walking Tours

Experience L.A. architecture, art, and history with the Conservancy’s award-winning walking tours!

Redeeming a promotional walking tour voucher? Click here .

The Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, recognizing, and revitalizing cultural and architecturally significant historic places in Los Angeles. Through our tours, we bring people closer to the places important to the history of Los Angeles.

Recurring Walking Tours

Our weekend tours are only $18 for members and $25 for the general public. 

Thank you for your support! Your purchase directly supports the Conservancy’s mission to preserve the historic places in Los Angeles County.

Check out our tour options below!

Angelino Heights

Every first saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m..

Explore this hidden Victorian neighborhood east of Echo Park, L.A.’s oldest suburb.

Saturdays at 10:15 a.m.

Everyone knows that L.A. is a glamorous city. But few know that true Old Hollywood glamour lies in the streets of downtown L.A.!

The Biltmore Hotel

Sundays at 1:00 p.m. (currently unavailable).

Known in its early days as “The Host of the Coast, the Biltmore Hotel has a glittering history to tell.

Unfortunately, the Biltmore Hotel tour is unavailable at this time. We hope to bring it back soon.

Broadway Historic Theatre and Commercial District Walking Tour

Saturdays at 10:00 a.m..

Step inside a lavish movie palace and learn how Hollywood history began on downtown L.A.’s Broadway.

Historic Downtown

Saturdays at 9:45 a.m..

Get a great overview of downtown L.A. history and architecture, from the eighteenth century to the present on this Saturday walking tour.

Modern Skyline

Second saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m..

Think skyscrapers aren’t historic? Think again! After seeing how downtown L.A. has evolved over the past century, you’ll see our beloved skyline in a whole new way.

Past Meets Present

Fourth saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m..

Stroll down L.A.’s Spring Street, one of the oldest in the city, and see a vibrant neighborhood thriving against the backdrop of this historic downtown corridor.

Union Station

Saturdays at 11:00 a.m..

Learn the backstory of L.A.’s iconic Union Station. This extraordinary Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco monument was built to serve as the gateway to Los Angeles – a role which, in many ways, it continues to play today. It continues to serve tens of thousands of commuters daily.

Group Tours (Virtual/In-Person)

Rates start at $240 for 12 people.

Arrange a private in-person or virtual walking tour for your group.

Student Walking Tour Field Trips

Rates start at $10 per student/one chaperone free per 10 students.

Conservancy student field trips are great choices for students, Scouts, youth groups, homeschoolers, and more!

Walking Tours FAQs

Learn more about our Walking Tour Program, including important policies and information.

How do I redeem a promotional Walking Tour voucher?

Walking Tour vouchers are valid only for the Conservancy’s recurring weekend tours (Angelino Heights, Art Deco, Broadway Historic Theatre District, Historic Downtown, Modern Skyline, Past Meets Present, and Union Station). The voucher does not apply to Featured Tours. Please select your tour option and email us at [email protected] to schedule it.

Who gives the Walking Tours?

Los Angeles Conservancy-trained volunteer tour guides primarily lead tours.

Who are the Los Angeles Conservancy Tour Guides?

Los Angeles Conservancy tour guides are highly trained individuals, passionate about sharing their love of  Los Angeles, history, architecture, and preservation with others. They come to the Conservancy with unique backgrounds and experiences, but they all have the same goal—to share the story of Los Angeles’ places with others and to inspire a love for its historic buildings.

Tour Guide Training

All tour guides are volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and knowledge to serve as the face of the Los Angeles Conservancy’s Walking Tour Program. Each guide undergoes a rigorous six-week training course that consists of in-class and on-the-street training. They learn about architectural styles, the history of downtown and its diverse communities, and about preservation and the work of the Los Angeles Conservancy. They learn one to two different walking tours using scripts created by Conservancy staff and train under fellow Conservancy tour guides. Educational and safety workshops are held throughout the year that enable guides to continue their training and meet Conservancy walking tours’ high standards.

Please visit our volunteers page for information about becoming a Los Angeles Conservancy volunteer tour guide .

Reservations Required

Advanced registration is required for walking tours. At this time, we are not accepting walk-ups.

Prices and Policies

Tours cost $18 for Los Angeles Conservancy members and youth seventeen and under; $25 for the general public.

Conservancy members can make  four adult reservations  at the member rate per tour.

All sales are final — no refunds.  You may change your reservation date if you contact us at least 24 hours before the tour date on your original reservation.

Please, no pets. Strollers are not recommended.

Please see our information about group tours for groups of twelve or more people.

Registration typically closes  2 hours before the tour .

Responsibility and Release

All participants in the Los Angeles Conservancy-sponsored Walking Tours knowingly and freely accept and assume all risks, both known and unknown ,  including contracting and/or transmitting COVID-19 and any other communicable diseases ,  and AGREE TO RELEASE, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, NOT SUE, AND HOLD HARMLESS the Los Angeles Conservancy, its principals, officers, employees, volunteers, sponsors, agents and other participants from any and all claims, damages (including medical expenses and attorneys’ fees), injuries and expenses arising out of, or resulting from your voluntary attendance/participation in Walking Tours, including contracting and/or transmitting COVID-19 and any other communicable diseases and any and all other injury, illness, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property.  All participants expressly waive the benefits of California Civil Code 1542 , which provides that: “A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.”

Check out what people are saying about our tours!

We are grateful for the kind support of our walking tours sponsor!

Major funding for the Los Angeles Conservancy’s educational programs is provided by the LaFetra Foundation and the Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation.

Help Preserve Historic Places in Los Angeles

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Art tours at union station.

Free Metro Art tours explore the art and architecture at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. Tours provide insights into the artworks, artists and art-making processes.  

• Tours are approximately 90% walking; there are elevators and escalators at Union Station.     
• Public restrooms are available.   

  To learn about upcoming tours and other Metro Art news, sign up for our  Art and Cultural Events  email list.  

Become a Docent with Metro Art  

The Metro Art Docent Council is a dedicated group of volunteers committed to increasing awareness of the broad range of public art in the Metro Rail system through tours that provide insights into the art, the artists , their processes and the surrounding communities they enhance .

To schedule a tour at Union Station or f or more information about the Metro Art Docent Council Program, email [email protected] .

Calendar of Events

On view: journeys continued: la communities through the eyes of artists, on view: where you stand: chinatown 1880 to 1939 (你所處的位置: 唐人街 1880 年至 1939 年), metro art x leimert park threads, metro art presents the last repair shop.

Los Angeles Union Station Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour

• The scavenger hunt leads you on a walking tour of Los Angeles, near Union Station in Downtown. See beautiful artwork, historic buildings, and discover some of the fascinating history of the world famous city of angels.
• You and your team solve 21 fun puzzles and challenges along the way.
• Starts and ends at the Union Station at 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 .
• Great for families, couples, or corporate team building.
• Takes about 90 minutes to complete with about 2 miles of walking.
• $49 covers your whole team (2 to 6 people recommended)
• More than 6 people? Buy one scavenger hunt per team – still just $49 per team of up to 6. Race each other to the finish, or for the highest score.

Points of Interest Along the Way

• Little Tokyo
• Olvera Street
• El Pueblo de Los Angeles
• LA Times Building
• Los Angeles City Hall

What People are Saying About It

How to Play

• Add this scavenger hunt to your cart and complete checkout.
• When you’re ready to begin the scavenger hunt, start at Union Station at 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 . We recommend paying for parking at Parking Lot B of Union Station. Get more info on the station here .
• Once you’re at the starting location, log in to your account using the email address and password you entered when buying the scavenger hunt.
• The scavenger hunt content will be available on this page, and under the My Account section on the menu.
• If you’re playing with more than 5 or 6 people, we recommend having a captain of each team complete these steps to create their account for the team.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Los Angeles Union Station Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour

It’s a fun guided scavenger hunt and walking tour through an interesting location. You follow a series of instructions on your mobile phone, look for clues, find answers to questions, and solve puzzles and riddles. Along the way you’ll see interesting sights, learn interesting facts, and test your problem solving skills. Oh, and you’ll have a blast doing it!

Got a prepaid ticket or voucher? Awesome! To redeem it, just add the scavenger hunt to your cart, then tap the link to ‘add coupon code’, enter your ticket or voucher number and the discount will be applied. Then complete checkout and you’re all set to play!

No reservations are required. You can play any day or time that fits your schedule. Just purchase the scavenger hunt you want, then head to the starting location when you are ready to play. Log in on your smartphone, access your scavenger hunt under the My Account section and tap the scavenger hunt to start playing!

If your plans change, there’s nothing you need to do and no rescheduling is needed! After you complete checkout on our website, simply log in to the My Account section when you’re ready to play.

The price covers the whole group – we recommend 2 to 5 people for optimum fun for everyone in the group, and have designed the questions and puzzles to require a bit of teamwork in most cases.

Absolutely! Bring as many as you want. Please note: with more than 5 or 6 in a group, each person will have less opportunity to contribute, and probably have a little less fun. To keep it fun for everyone, we recommend splitting larger groups in to 5 or 6 people maximum, buying one scavenger hunt per group, and competing against the other groups to get the highest score. That way everyone gets to participate and have fun.

Definitely! Split your group into teams of 5 to 6 people. Send one Gift Certificate to a captain for each team. Each team captain uses the Gift Certificate to register their team. Then have the teams stagger their start times by about 5 minutes. Then have a blast competing for the high score!

Purchase the scavenger hunt on our website. If you already have a booking, ticket, or prepaid voucher, redeem it by adding the scavenger hunt to your cart, then tap the link that says “Have a coupon? Click here to enter your code”. Enter your ticket or booking or voucher number and click the Apply Coupon button. The prepaid ticket will be applied. Then complete checkout. Once that’s done, you can log in to the My Account section of our website and begin the scavenger hunt any time!

We think so! It’s a fun way to get outside and explore, work together, and see the sights in a new way. We recommend taking all the time you want to stop and explore any of the cool sights, shops, or restaurants you find along the way..

Buy one scavenger hunt per team. Teams should be between 1 and 6 people.

Definitely! All our content is family friendly. Kids enjoy reading the questions to the group, and helping the group solve challenges. Even if your kids are too young to read the questions, they’ll enjoy listening to you read the questions out loud and helping you find clues and solve puzzles.

Yes! All our scavenger hunt locations (except for the Sacramento Capitol Building) are completely outdoors and pet-friendly.

There’s no app to install! Once you purchase a scavenger hunt on our site, you’ll create an account on our website. Then you can use your account to log in and access all the scavenger hunts you have purchased and play any day or time.

Ready to give it a try?

Username or Email Address

Remember Me

Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.

Metro Transportation News and Reviews

The Los Angeles Train Festival 2023 arrives in Union Station this weekend!

Share the Source:

• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Are you a train enthusiast? A history aficionado? A transportation professional? A rider?

If so, mark your calendars –– Los Angeles Union Station Train Festival 2023: A Celebration of Past, Present, and Future –– happens this weekend!

Presented by Los Angeles Union Station along with presenting partners Metro, Amtrak, and Metrolink, Train Festival is a deep dive into all things rail history with a nod to architecture, art, culture, and so much more. From the world-renowned Steam Locomotive Santa Fe 3751 of the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society (SBRHS) –– which pulled the first named passenger train into Union Station in 1939 –– to modern day passenger and freight equipment, attendees are invited to experience the history of our railways and technological advances spanning more than 100 years.

Did we also mention there will also be tours, immersive displays, music, merch, food, and giveaways?

We’re excited to see you there.

When: Saturday, Sept 9 – Sept 10 from 10am – 6pm daily

Where: Union Station

Cost: Free. No tickets required.

Want to learn more? Check out our website

Discover more from The Source

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Type your email…

Join the Conversation

Train event was great. Brought two young kids and they had a lot of fun. Metro pop-up shop was a good idea and had some cool stuff. Thank you to all the staff from different agencies that made it happen.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Leave a comment

• Transportation
• Venue Rentals

Where You Stand: Chinatown 1880-1939

(你所處的位置: 唐人街 1880 年至 1939 年).

Waiting Room Gallery

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ongoing

Union Station stands at the site of Los Angeles’ original Chinatown. This once vibrant community of families, businesses, and associations with roots going back to the middle of the 19th century was a place where residents persisted, grew rapidly, and thrived. Where You Stand: Chinatown 1880 to 1939 invites participants into the center of the vibrant community through a multi-dimensional experience.

Installed in the  Union Station Waiting Room Gallery , view the exhibits’ historic photographs, listen to oral history recordings, and use augmented reality to see artifact materials superimposed within locations around Union Station. Audiences can explore the site’s historic layers, formerly a collection of alleyways, streets, and buildings, and home to thousands of Chinese residents in the late 19th to early 20th century Los Angeles.

This temporary exhibition is part of a wider collaboration among Metro Art,  The Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West , the  Chinese Historical Society of Southern California ,  USC Cinema , and the  Huntington Library  that will culminate in an augmented reality (AR) experience and associated project website made possible in part with the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For related content please visit our partner websites.

The translations and additional elements of the exhibit are accessible using QR codes with your mobile device or by visiting  Where You Stand .

Receive Exclusive Updates

Be the first to know about events, happenings and more at Union Station!

We will never share your information with third parties. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy