LA River & Elysian Park E-Bike Tour: Dodger Stadium & Hidden LA





Description
Seeking the secret key to unlock an alternative, authentic, Los Angeles experience like no other? We'll give you a taste of why the eastside of Los Angeles is such a magnificent smorgasbord. From the wide, sweeping palm tree-lined Elysian Park with its birds eye views of Dodger Stadium, to an art-deco jail that once housed Al Capone. Threading through it all is the LA River, lifeblood of Los Angeles.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our local guide will meet you at our dedicated bike bungalow in adorable Atwater Village, an easy walkable neighborhood known for its cafe scene and artisanal shopping. We'll introduce you to your ebike and get you acquainted (yes all the ebikes have names!) and fitted with safety gear.
We head off into quiet residential streets for the LA River.
We enter the river at the new car-free "Red Car Bridge", so named after the legendary Red Car Rail Trolleys that rumbled over the L.A. River at the same spot more than 60 years ago. The new metal bridge, with red stripes running down its sides, is for pedestrians and cyclists only. We'll also learn about our beloved LA River, the lifeblood of Los Angeles. Heading south we'll then stop at the Taylor Yard Bridge. This bright orange bridge (400ft long x 18ft wide and opened in 2022 for only cyclists and pedestrians), offers two cantilevered lookouts with expansive north and south views of the adjacent communities and natural surroundings of the Glendale Narrows section of the river.
The birthplace of modern LA where river, rail and road all meet.
Elysian Valley, known as Frogtown, is a progressive, pocket community of artists, architects, light industrial and multi-generational residential. Standing sentry is the new Taylor Yard Bridge. This new, bright orange, bike-walk bridge with its distinctive open frame box style is located in the eight-mile-long, relatively natural Glendale Narrows stretch of the river. Measuring 400 ft long, 20 foot wide it features two cantilevered viewing platforms - called belvederes - with expansive north and south views and is designed exclusively for pedestrians and bicyclists, connecting the Elysian Valley and Cypress Park neighborhoods. Taylor Yard Bikeway and Pedestrian Bridge is one of three pedestrian crossings recently erected along the LA.
This Art Deco Lincoln Heights Jail (decommissioned in 1965) once held such bold-faced names as Al Capone and people arrested during the Zoot Suit Riots and Watts Riots. Sadly it also had a separate wing to house its high numbers of gay inmates. From 1979 to 2014, the building housed the Bilingual Foundation for the Arts. It has also been used as a filming location and for sports tournaments.
Rolilng back in Elysian Park we'll sweep through the famous palm-lined drive up past the Reservoir to some fantastic views at the Elysian Park Helipad, and one of the best lookout spot to see skyline views of Downtown Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Mountains.
Did you know the entire Dodgers Stadium complex was designed to look like a catcher's mitt? Well you can see for yourself from this birds eye view. Then, pivoting from the best to worst, we then swing by one of LA's ugliest sculptures.
We’ll start our big downhill run,, back into Frogtown, past beloved neighborhood cafes Just What I Kneaded (vegan cafe), Wax Paper (all sandwiches are named after NPR radio hosts), La Colombe coffee.
Back onto the River Bike Path, past iconic Spoke Bicycle Cafe, up to Love Lock Bridge in North Atwater Village.
Rolling back past equestrian stables and into Atwater Village's quiet residential streets we’ll pay our respects to a designated “national champion” - a huge avocado tree over 100 years old that is the largest of its kind in the nation.
Home Sweet Home - Congratulations on an epic ride!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(2)
As an architecture and urban design professor, this e-bike tour gave my students and I an entirely unique view of the city. We started up close with river history and ecology, visited project highlights along the way, then climbed the hills of Elysian Park for a bird’s eye view - Dodger Stadium, Mt Washington, Taylor Yards bridge, all the way to downtown. Though we had varying skill levels among the class, everyone managed the e-bikes just fine. I never could’ve made that route without the nice assist these bikes offer. We were lucky enough to have two guides, too. Gavin brings so much excitement and humor, with an appreciated eye on safety and an eye for detail and a touch of flair (love the bandanas!). Nic joined us later in the tour and really connected with the students. The time flew by. I would absolutely do it again and encourage my friends - visitors and locals alike - to take a tour. So much fun and what a great way to see one of the city’s truly special public spaces.
Wow, Linda! Your review is like a beautifully designed blueprint for the perfect e-bike adventure—we might have to frame it! It was an absolute privilege to take you and your students on an architectural and urban design deep dive through LA’s eastside. The river, the bridges, the parks, and those skyline views—there’s no better way to experience the layers of this city than from the seat of an e-bike. Gavin will be thrilled to know his signature bandana flair didn’t go unnoticed (he takes his accessorizing as seriously as his safety briefings), and Nic had a blast connecting with your students. We love that our e-bikes made those Elysian Park climbs a breeze for everyone, letting you focus on the cityscape rather than the sweat factor. We’d be honored to roll with you again anytime—whether for another student adventure or a ride with friends. Thanks for laying the foundation for such a thoughtful review and for bringing your expertise and enthusiasm to the ride! 🚲✨
I had THE BEST time on this E-Bike LA tour! I had been to LA a couple of times before but only really explored the typical hot spots so this tour was SO different and so much fun! Our guide Gavin was really accommodating and enthusiastic and had a lot of local knowledge about these cool pockets of LA that we rode through. It was a totally unique experience. Also, I personally can only stand riding a regular bike for a short while before I get too uncomfortable or tired from peddling, but the E-bikes are awesome! Having the bike take over when you are tired of peddling was a game changer. Thankfully, Gavin kept the pace at a reasonable speed for us so I was able to enjoy the route and soak in the sights and not have to think about much other than that! It was a great way to see a completely different side of LA. I am definitely coming back for another tour and bringing friends! Thumbs UP!
Trent - thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear you had the best time exploring LA’s hidden gems on our Eastside Express Tour. It sounds like Gavin’s enthusiasm and insights really enhanced your experience, and we’re glad the e-bikes made your ride more comfortable and enjoyable. We look forward to welcoming you and your friends on another adventure soon. Thanks again for the thumbs up—see you next time! 🚴♂️✨



