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Introduction

Los Angeles has gotten a bad rap in the past. Sure, it’s sprawling, traffic-choked, and smoggy. But the air continues to clear—you can see the mountains now!—and LA’s public-transit options are growing like no other US city’s. There’s a public push and political will to make the city more walkable and bikeable. The backlog of crumpled sidewalks is being addressed, hundreds of miles of bike lanes are being added, and residents have taxed themselves to raise money for more trains.

So while LA has been a great place to walk for a while now, you can see it’s only getting better. Really, it is—don’t be deterred by our maze of freeways and pervasive car culture. No, you won’t be able to traverse the greater metro area in a day, or even in a weekend, but take it in smaller doses and you’ll be rewarded with a deeper understanding of this city’s unique blend of culture, architecture, and topography.

Like the previous update, the third edition of this book continues to adapt to the changes Los Angeles is experiencing. We cut some walks and added others that we find to be especially charming or up-and-coming, such as Frogtown and the Downtown Arts District. This edition is also bound in a smaller format, so it’s easier to carry around as you explore these rich neighborhoods. Finally, we hope the maps in this edition will be easier to use. Points of interest are now labeled on the map with the corresponding number found in the text and summary list.

The purpose of this book is to show that walking in LA can be an immensely rewarding experience, opening your eyes to hidden pockets that you never knew existed. These walks reflect the many faces of this fascinating city, and we hope that the discoveries you’ll make as you explore the vibrant neighborhoods dotting its hills, valleys, and flatlands will encourage you to dust off your sneakers and leave the car in the garage at every opportunity.