Our Trekking LA tours are led by our Neighborhood Docents, an amazing cadre of local leaders and guides who provide ongoing opportunities for exploring Los Angeles’ most interesting neighborhoods, using their knowledge to introduce Tour goers to the hidden gems lurking around every street corner. Join us as a tour participant or docent.
We introduced Trekking LA in 2006, providing visitors from other parts of Los Angeles, and tourists from outside the region, with the chance to discover and experience our community art projects, as well as the authentic food, music, festivals and rich cultural history of often overlooked destinations like Highland Park, Leimert Park and East Hollywood. From sampling barbecue in these and other neighborhoods across Los Angeles, to listening to jazz and dancing to music from around the world, these tours connect people to the great diversity of Los Angeles.
This summer, Trekking LA 2013 tours will highlight the opportunity to dance your way around the city by featuring neighborhood activities that encourage moving to the music along with sampling food and cultural discoveries that define our tours.
This program is made possible in part by funding from the California Arts Council and Goldhirsh Foundation.
Metro Discount: Show your valid TAP card, Metro Employee ID, or LA County Employee ID to your tour guide and save $2 on Tour Tickets. Book tickets online and use promo code “GOMETRO” to get $4 off up to 4 adult tickets.
Go Metro: Trekking LA tours often meet within walking distance of a Metro Station. The exact location is given upon ticket purchase. Plan your best route using the Trip Planner.
Upcoming Tours
Explore East Hollywood’s diverse cuisines with Elson Trinidad
Saturday, October 13th
11am-2:00pm
Elson introduces participants to East Hollywood through a multi-cultural food tour of East Hollywood along the Santa Monica Blvd corridor. Sample dishes, snacks and desserts from El Salvador, Armenia, Thailand and The Philippines! Arrive hungry – bring your appetites!
In between stops, we’ll also be learning about the history of the neighborhood and how it changed from an agricultural area to the big city.
Meet at the Metro Red Line Vermont/Santa Monica Station at the southwest corner of Santa Monica Blvd and Vermont Avenue (LA, 90029) at 11 a.m. The tour ends at the Metro Red Line Vermont/Sunset Station, and consists of approximately 1 mile of walking flat terrain.
It is highly recommended to take public transit (Metro Red Line) to Vermont/Santa Monica. A $5 Day Pass TAP card gets you unlimited rides on Metro trains and buses all day. You can also find metered street parking nearby on Willow Brook Avenue, west of Vermont Ave. Bring change in case there are meters. Arrive early to allow for parking.
Explore East Hollywood with Elson Trinidad
Saturday, October 6th
1pm-3:30pm
Elson introduces participants to East Hollywood through a multi-sensory, multi-cultural tour of the Other Hollywood Blvd, from Western to Vermont Avenue. Experience Thailand to Armenia and Aline Barnsdall’s Roaring ‘20s era to today; while tantalizing your palate with samples of Thai desserts and Armenian baked goods. Meet at the Metro Red Line Hollywood/Western Station at the southeast corner of Hollywood and Western (LA, 90027) at 1pm. The tour ends at the Metro Red Line Vermont/Sunset Station, and consists of approximately 1 ½ miles of walking mostly flat terrain, however, there is a 140 foot stair climb to access the top of Barnsdall Park.
Explore Koreatown with Foodie Namju Cho
Saturday, September 15th & 22nd
11am-1pm
Namju’s “Eat Your Way Through K-Town: From Kimchi Spam Stew to Kimchi Pasta” takes you on a culinary trip through one of the most popular restaurant rows in Koreatown on 6th Street by joining food enthusiast and blogger Namju Cho. She will give you the lowdown on where to find the best warm beef broth to sip while eating cold buckwheat noodles (don’t ask, just join us!) and why kimchi pasta is actually a good idea.
This tour will meet at 6th Street and Berendo Street (the northwest corner by Dansungsa, 3317 W. 6th Street, 90020) at 11am. The tour consists of a flat walk of approximately 10 cuisine filled blocks with multiple stops and will end at 6th Street and Serrano Ave. at around 1pm. Bring a hat, comfortable walking shoes and an empty stomach! If you still find yourself hungry after the tour, stay for lunch. There is street parking and it is near the Wilshire/Western Red Line Metro stop.
Buy tickets here for September 15th
Buy tickets here for Sepember 22nd
Explore Boyle Heights with Malissa Strong
Saturday, September 15th
10am-12pm
Malissa’s final summer tour will introduce participants to Boyle Heights’s rich historic corridor, and will look at how the historic past of Boyle heights translates to the community today. Malissa is a past president of the Boyle heights Historical Society, and can offer unique insight into this diverse and unique neighborhood. This tour will meet at the Mariachi Plaza Kiosk (near Libro Schmibros) at 1711 East First Street, Los Angeles 90003 at 10am. The tour consists of a flat walk of approximately 1/2 mile and will end again at Mariachi Plaza at around 12pm. Bring comfortable shoes, a hat and some water as this tour is held outside. Stay to get lunch or a smoothie after the tour.
Culture & Commerce: The Prosperous Persian Community
Explore Little Tehran with Liane Schirmer
Saturday, September 9th
3pm-5:30pm
Since the 70′s, L.A.’s “Little Tehran” has been home to a growing segment of Iran’s emigrant population, which now has the largest Persian population outside of Iran. The intellect and creativity of our Iranian neighbors in business, art, architecture and lifestyle have had an undeniably positive influence on our city. Take a walk through the heart of Persian Square and discover how Commerce & Culture interact to form a thriving, multi-generational community whose impact is felt not only in their new home, but in the country they left behind. Share the challenges and triumphs of generations old and new as L.A.’s Persian pioneers share their stories of immigration and assimilation.
Meet Liane at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on Ohio and Westwood Blvd. Bring hat, sunglasses, water, and comfortable shoes. Street parking within 1-3 blocks. Bring some money to spend on delicious treats along the way!
Explore Westwood’s Little Tehran
Sunday, August 19th
11am-2pm
Embark on a pilgrimage to discover the myriad of faith traditions embraced by L.A.’s vibrant and prosperous Persian community. From Yahweh to Zoroaster, we will discover how Judaism, Islam, Zoroastrianism and Christianity converge in this soulful and deeply spiritual culture. This tour will be held from 11am-2pm.
LA Waterfront: Navy Weekend
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Angela’s final summer tour “LA Waterfront: Navy Weekend” invites you to get up close and personal with the Port of Los Angeles. Watch it work while you hear the story of a marshland that grew to become the busiest container port in the nation. You’ll ride the historic red cars and get introduced to San Pedro’s newest attractions, the USS Iowa and Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles.
Explore Boyle Heights’ Rich Historic Corridor
Saturday August 11th 2012
10am-12pm
Malissa’s tour will introduce participants to Boyle Heights’ rich historic corridor. Meet at Mariachi Plaza Kiosk (near Libros Schmibros), 1711 east First Street, Los Angeles, 90033 at 10am. The Tour consists of a flat walk of approximately ½ mile and will end again at Mariachi Plaza. Bring comfortable shoes, a hat and some water. Stay to get lunch or a smoothie after the tour.
The Other Hollywood Boulevard
Saturday August 11th, 2012
11am-2:00pm
Elson introduces participants to East Hollywood through a multi-sensory, multi-cultural tour of theOther Hollywood Boulevard, from Western to Vermont Avenue. Go from Thailand to Armenia and from Aline Barnsdall’s Roaring ’20s era to today. Meet at the Metro Red Line Hollywood/Western Station at the southeast corner of Hollywood and Western (LA, 90027) at 11:00am. The tour will end at 2:00pm at the Metro Red Line Vermont/Sunset Station and consist of approximately 1 1/2 miles of walking mostly flat terrain, however, there is a 140 foot stair climb to access the top of Barnsdall Park.
Buy tickets here
Energetic Activities, Performing Arts; Ho! MacArthur Park
Sunday August 12th, 2012
4:10pm-7:15pm
Edgar’s third tour to MacArthur Park/Westlake area will have a specific focus on Performing Arts. We will learn how our new members of the community are adapting to a new environment and how they are shaping the community through performances so don’t miss it! We will have the opportunity to watch a play and we will learn many new things. The play will be in Spanish!
Buy tickets here