Experience the great los angeles walk: a unique journey through la’s cultural heart

The Great Los Angeles Walk, an annual event that has become a tradition for nearly two decades, will occur on November 23, 2024. This year’s trek spans about 14.5 miles, commencing at Exposition Park close to the University of Southern California (USC) and wrapping up at the Bruin statue on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) grounds. This path not only celebrates the renowned USC-UCLA football rivalry but also provides walkers with the unique chance to explore Los Angeles’s vibrant neighborhoods by foot.

The event kicks off at 9 a.m. beside the city’s oldest palm tree on Exposition Park Drive, just off Figueroa Street. With origins tracing back to the 1850s and transplantation to Exposition Park in 1914, this palm serves as a symbolic launch point for the adventure. Participants will navigate Exposition Park, head north on Vermont Avenue, cut west on Washington Boulevard towards Culver City, continue north via Overland Avenue, move through Pico Boulevard, and conclude the journey on Westwood Boulevard at UCLA.

Exploring Los Angeles: A Community Experience

The Great Los Angeles Walk offers more than a mere physical trek; it’s a tribute to exploration and community bonding. Started by Michael Schneider, a journalist and blogger who launched the event in 2006, the walk has expanded from a modest assembly to a grand event welcoming hundreds each year. Schneider’s inspiration stemmed from Kevin Roderick’s book, “Wilshire Boulevard: Grand Concourse of Los Angeles,” prompting him to trek Wilshire Boulevard’s full length and sparking the idea for this yearly event.

Participants are prompted to walk at their preferred speed, with freedom to pause and visit landmarks, dining spots, and stores along the way. It’s not a race or guided journey, rather a chance for individuals to view the city from a fresh outlook. According to Schneider, “You can walk as much or as little as you want.” The event’s flexible nature allows walkers to dive into Los Angeles’s rich cultural fabric, from Exposition Park’s historic structures to Westwood’s bustling streets.

Highlights and Landmarks Along the Route

The plotted course of the Great Los Angeles Walk is crafted to present some of the city’s most captivating sights and landmarks. Originating at the historic palm tree, walkers pass by the BMO Stadium and the Memorial Coliseum, famed venues that have witnessed countless concerts and sporting fixtures. While passing through Culver City, participants encounter dynamic neighborhoods with numerous local commercials and food establishments providing a slice of LA’s culinary variety.

Along Westwood Boulevard, walkers can take in the energetic vibe of Westwood Village, bustling with an array of shops, eateries, and cultural environments. The stroll culminates at the Bruin statue atop the UCLA campus, an endpoint befitting the event’s connection to the city’s educational and cultural lineage.

Our Advice on the City

Joining the Great Los Angeles Walk requires appropriate planning, best exemplified by donning comfy walking shoes and carrying a reusable water bottle, as the event shuns single-use plastics. Walkers are advised to explore local dining and shopping places along the route, often featuring exclusive offers and deals for participants.

For seasoned wanderers, the walk offers an enriching prospect of steeping themselves in the city’s rich cultural tapestry. Consider making stops by lesser-known landmarks and hidden treasures, like the historic Wattles Mansion and Gardens Park or boutique outlets in Westwood Village.

In the aggregate, the Great Los Angeles Walk epitomizes community spirit, exploration, and the vibrant intricacy of Los Angeles. An invitation is extended to locals and visitors alike to partake in this one-of-a-kind event and observe the city in a notably meaningful dimension. As individuals venture through LA’s distinct neighborhoods, they’re urged to contemplate the city’s expansive history and rich cultural spectrum, discerning the myriad contributions that shape its unique urban essence.