History and Architecture of Echo Park

Welcome to Echo park! This incredible neighborhood is one of LA's most historic and fascinating. With an incredible collection of Victorian homes, quick access to Dodger Stadium, and beautiful views of the Downtown LA skyline, this tour will cover a wide variety of subjects. By the end of the tour, you'll know more about Echo Park than your own hometown! You will find your guide right by the Echo Park sign at the corner of Glendale Blvd and Park Ave.

The tour will begin with a leisurely walk around a section of the Echo Park reservoir. We will discuss the creation of the reservoir, how it became a beloved park, and how it contributes to LA's water system today. Along the way, you'll see historic art deco sculptures, see where to rent a silly swan boat, and find one Echo Park's oldest buildings hiding in plain sight!

Architecture fans and film buffs won't want to miss this. Angeleno Heights is LA's best collection of Victorian homes. Beautiful Queen Anne and Eastlake style houses line the streets of LA's "first suburb." You'll be transported back to a pre-automobile Los Angeles and see where some of LA's oldest homes have survived over a century of development. The homes have been used in a number of TV shows, movies, and music videos. I'll show you some clips of the houses in action!

We will cross on LA's most famous streets a couple of times during the tour. We will use secret stairs to find out way from the serenity of Angeleno heights to the chaos of busy Sunset Blvd. I'll show you some of the best bars and restaurants along this stretch.

We will have a brief walk through a section of Elysian Park. The oldest city park in LA might not be as famous or large as Griffith Park, but there are amazing views of LA and Dodger Stadium is in the park. As we walk, you'll hear about the development of the park itself and the tumultuous history behind the building of Dodger Stadium.

We will have a view of Dodger Stadium from our tour route. The tour does NOT go to the actual stadium!

Everyone knows that there's the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Blvd for movie and TV stars. But, did you know that there is something similar for athletes along Sunset Blvd in Echo Park? Almost no one knows about the Avenue of Athletes, but I'll show you where to find plaques for athletes like Jackie Robinson and others!

Uncover the history of one of America's first ever "mega-churches" and its controversial founder; Aimee Semple McPherson.

We have made it back to the park and our meeting point! You'll have seen so much by this point and walked for a couple of hours, so you may be hungry. I'll make some last minute recommendations and give you the final tips you need to have the best trip in LA!