Grand Central Circuit

Urban Hike With Art and Food Highlights in Los Angeles

Urban art and food hike in Los Angeles

If ever there was a time to take up meditation, it’s now. At the very least, try a few deep breaths under a beautiful fig tree next to a Buddhist Temple as part of this 2.5-mile city walk that transcends the urban jungle of downtown LA. 

Park near the Little Tokyo Village Plaza (street parking or paid lot available). 1st Street is home to many Japanese eateries and boutique shops too (Daikokuya for ramen or Fugetsu-do for mochi). Walk to the north end of the Japanese American National Museum. You’ll pass the Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple before reaching the Aoyama Tree, a 60 foot by 70 foot massive Moreton Bay fig. 

The tree now sits next to a beautiful mural, the Geffen at MOCA, and a humbling WWII Memorial for Japanese-American soldiers. It was first planted in 1920 at the former site of Koyasan Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the city. 

MOCA Los Angeles

After finding your zen, head northwest on 1st street for 4 blocks, reaching LA City Hall. Here, at Circle Park, find more Moreton Bay figs to marvel at. Continue to Hill Street and turn right to reach Grand Park, a 12-acre park that features drought-tolerant plants, an interpretive tree walk, a fountain, and a court of flags. Next, walk south on Hill Street for 3 blocks to 3rd Street.

Angels Flight funicular railway in Los Angeles

Angels Flight is a historic funicular railway that’s been operating since 1901. It’s a short $1 trip to hop on it and make a detour, and you should: The views at the top of this Los Angeles Historical-Cultural Monument are amazing. After returning down, walk across the street to Grand Central Market’s food arcade, operating since 1917! Arrive hungry! There’s something for everyone here, including established eateries like Donut Man and Golden Road Brewery, and everything from pasta to pupusas to PB&J.

Grand Central Market Los Angeles

Afterward, walk it off southeast on 3rd Street, passing the famous Bradbury Building, the city’s oldest designated landmark building.

When you reach San Pedro Street, head north and stop at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center Plaza to see another famous tree—Sunny the Grapefruit Tree (read about both trees on this hike in a new Sustainable Little Tokyo Art Initiative, including the Little Tokyo Regional Forest). Turn right at 2nd Street and then left at Little Tokyo Village Plaza to end your adventure. 

To get to the Aoyama Tree and Little Tokyo Village Plaza, take the US-101 to the Los Angeles St. exit and head south. After two blocks, you reach 1st St. Find street parking or turn left and enter the pay-to-park lot on your immediate right. Dog-friendly (except for Grand Central Market and Angels Flight)!

Story and photos by Matt Pawlik, @mattitudehikes

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Two women at the entrance of the Lavender Labyrinth at Bees N Blooms in Santa Rosa

    Lavender Labyrinth

    Labyrinths are meditative meanders. Add fragrant organic lavender and you're at Bees N Blooms at the foot of Taylor Mountain near Santa Rosa, experiencing their “ancient pathway of peace” and more.

    View
  2. Can't Top This

    San Francisco’s Presidio was already a fantastic place to hang out for the afternoon, a beautiful site within the largest urban national park in the United States (the Golden Gate National Recreation Area). And the new Presidio Tunnel Tops is like a cherry on top. Tunnel Tops is just as it sounds: a park on top of tunnels! Presidio Parkway tunnels to be precise.

    View
  3. You Know Kehoe?

    Hiking with your dog in a national park? Almost unheard of! But Point Reyes National Seashore has an easy and short hiking trail to a stunning beach that’s dog-friendly on its north side. Kehoe Beach is a beautiful place to hang out even if you don’t have a dog.

    View
  4. Little Hike in the Big Woods

    Redwoods, river crossings, waterfalls, and wildflowers—the South Bay’s Portola Redwoods State Park packs a lot of nature’s best features. Enjoy them hiking this 2.5-mile loop.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Flavors of Fillmore

    Fill up on Fillmore! This picturesque city in the Santa Clara River Valley is an ideal day trip for finding good nature and delicious locally grown food. Explore it all via a 5-mile out-and-back walk or bike ride.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Sea It All This Spring!

    Go deeper on your next adventure! Monterey Bay Aquarium allows you to go Into the Deep. Be mesmerized by the flashy, iridescent, and adorable creatures in the ever-evolving, fully bilingual exhibit

    View
  3. Peak a-’bu

    Summiting Sandstone Peak is a premier 6-mile (round-trip) classic adventure delivering a dramatic, ever-changing landscape and some of Southern California’s most cinematic views.

    View
  4. Do it Yourself Walking Tour of Solvang

    Solvang has long been described as a “little slice of Denmark in Southern California." Experience the historic village on a 3-mile walk that explores the architecture, food, wine, and green space.

    View