Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in Los Angeles
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. This isn't your average walking tour. Over 3 hours, you will dive deep into the history, architecture, and landmarks of Downtown Los Angeles! Our tour starts with a ride on historic Angels Flight. Your ticket for this 1901 train from La La Land and Bosch is included as a part of the experience! You'll see famous LA buildings, like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Bradbury Building, and City Hall. We will discuss their film history, architects, and styles. From Art Deco to postmodern, there's amazing variety along our walk. We will also visit Little Tokyo for sample from LA's oldest candy store and explore the history of this fascinating part of Los Angeles.
Start the tour by learning about the shortest train ride in the world! We will discuss Angels Flight and its connection to the Victorian community of Bunker Hill. The tour will start with a ride on Angels Flight! (Cost of Angels Flight is included with the tour.)
Learn what happened to the Victorian homes of old Los Angeles and how the modern financial district was established. See famous LA skyscrapers from movies like Independence Day!
Bunker Hill is home to two amazing free art museums. The first of the museums we will see is the Museum of Contemporary Art. We will discuss the Pritzker prize winning architect behind this building and his early architectural struggles.
The second free museum is the Broad (take the tour to learn the correct pronunciation!) The stunning architecture of the museum is only surpassed by the quality of the Pop Art collection in the gallery. There are big plans for the Broad, you'll hear all about them and the ambitious additions.
The Walt Disney Concert Hall is an architectural wonder from a master starchitect at the top of his game. Frank Gehry has been called the "most important architect of our age" and buildings like the WDCH are proof of his abilities. The story behind the making of the Concert Hall is just as fascinating as the building itself!
More architecture and civic history! The tour is now getting into 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.
The Japanese communities have shaped California in an incredible way, and LA is no exception. I will point out the legacy businesses, best restaurants, historic markers, and make sure that you leave Little Tokyo impressed by this vibrant section of downtown.
Running a small business can be hard. Running a small business through 2 world wars, the Great Depression, and 120+ years of life's ups and downs is nearly impossible. Yet, that is exactly what the Kito family in LA have been doing since opening their family business in 1903. Our tour will stop by this legendary establishment and sample their incredible mochi!
The oldest building along our tour route is St. Vibiana's Cathedral from 1876. This cathedral was built at a time when nearly 1/5th on LA's entire population could fit in the building!
Broadway in Downtown LA is home to the largest collection of historic "Movie Palaces" left in the United States. The grand theatres of Broadway hosted the premieres of Hollywood legends, like Charlie Chaplin. The Million Dollar Theatre is one of the most grandiose of the still standing theatres.
The Bradbury is one of the most magnificent buildings in the world. Discover the incredible story behind this 1893 masterpiece!
The architecture of LA's old bank district reflects the vast wealth and ambition of LA at the start of the 20th century. As we progress down Spring St., our buildings progress in styles and materials. Iron, steel, Beaux Arts to Art Deco, walking along Spring St. is an architectural timeline of what was once "The Wall Street of the West."
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 will learn about the original bank building and learn the secrets of the original vault.
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!
The History and Architecture of Downtown Los Angeles lasts about 1 hour. The itinerary has 14 stops.
Prices start at $49 per person for this Los Angeles experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is 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.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Chris did a fantastic job leading the tour. He was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful throughout the experience. He also offered great recommendations and tips for places to visit afterward. We learned so much about the area’s history—details we definitely would have missed without his guidance. Highly recommended!
Chris is one of the coolest and most knowledgeable tour guides I have encountered. We had a bad experience with a different tour the previous day, and weren't vibing with LA, but Chris' tour really turned our frowns upside down and made us feel like our time in LA was worthwhile. From extensive knowledge on the history of the area, to detailed insight on the architecture that makes up the city, he really knows it all. If we ever make it back to the west coast, we will absolutely book with him again. Chris is the guy you want showing you around town, no contest.
We had a fantastic family tour of Downtown LA, including our 12-year-old, who really enjoyed it too. The meeting point was easy to find, and Chris made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Chris was incredibly knowledgeable and did an excellent job keeping us comfortable on a very warm day. We learned so much more than we would have by exploring on our own, including uncovering several hidden gems tucked away in corners we would have otherwise walked right past. The treats along the way were a delightful, thoughtful touch—little moments of sweetness that broke up the warm sunlit stroll and added even more joy to the experience. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to truly get to know Downtown LA in just a few hours!
I had the pleasure of taking Chris's Downtown Los Angeles History & Architecture walking tour this past Saturday, and it was one of the highlights of my trip. Going in, I honestly didn't know what to expect. I've been to Los Angeles many times throughout my life, but if I've ever spent any meaningful time downtown, I certainly don't remember it. Chris completely changed the way I see the city. His knowledge of Los Angeles history, architecture, urban development, and the people who shaped the city is truly remarkable. Even more impressive is his ability to tell the story in a way that's engaging, easy to follow, and genuinely fascinating. Every stop added another layer of appreciation for how Los Angeles evolved from a small agricultural community into one of the world's great cities. By the end of the tour, I had an entirely new perspective on downtown LA and a much deeper appreciation for its rich history and incredible architecture. It wasn't just a sightseeing tour—it was a masterclass in how a city grows, reinvents itself, and becomes what it is today. If you're visiting Los Angeles—or even if you've lived here for years—don't miss this tour. Chris is an outstanding guide, and I can say without hesitation that he exceeded every expectation I had. I would recommend this experience to anyone looking to discover a side of Los Angeles that most visitors never get to see.
This is a must do experience. Both Chris and the tour content totally exceeded our expectations. Chris has an incredible depth of knowledge and his enthusiasm for the subject matter is unmatched and contagious. Despite multiple trips to Los Angeles over the years, we were shown areas and things of interest we have never seen before and would not have seen but for this interesting tour.
One has to be prepared to walk. But it’s worth it. One gets a good overview of downtown, historic buildings, modern buildings designed by well-known architects, and the history of Los Angeles from its humble beginnings of some 44 settlers in 1781 to the present.
Chris was a superb host. The tour was brilliant and informative and a great way for a solo traveller to explore downtown. Highly recommend.
Chris, was our tour guide and he was very knowledgeable and entertaining. I highly recommend this experience.
It was a great tour. Chris, the guide, is extremely knowledgeable, helpful helping navigate the heat and personable. The tour starts and ends at the Grand Central Market and gives a very interesting experience looking at the city architecture (older and newer) and connecting it with Los Angeles rich history. It is a perfect tour to do early on your LA visit as it gives you good tips on what to visit in depth in terms of museums and venues
Engaging guide, fascinating buildings and stories, excellent recommendations. So glad we booked this tour!
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The History and Architecture of Downtown Los Angeles | 1 hour | 5.0 (146) | $49 | |
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