The Great Los Angeles Walk

Monday, September 22, 2025

The Great Los Angeles Walk Turns 20 -- And Returns to Where It All Began, Wilshire Blvd., On Nov. 22, 2025!

Here's where it all began, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving in 2006. That's when I decided to walk the length of Wilshire Boulevard to celebrate my 10th year living in Los Angeles. Inspired by the book "Wilshire Boulevard: Grand Concourse of Los Angeles" (by Kevin Roderick and J. Eric Lynxwiler), I asked the readers of my blog Franklin Avenue to come join me for a day-long stroll across the city.

A few dozen showed up, and we had a thrilling day exploring Los Angeles on foot (and even sneaking into a few buildings!) For that first year, I called it "The Great Wilshire Walk." But it soon became apparent that this wouldn't be a one-year deal, as attendees quickly asked me where we'd be walking the following year.

And so The Great Los Angeles Walk was born. In 2007, for the encore, I chose another downtown-to-the-ocean route: Pico Boulevard. The 2008 Walk took on Santa Monica Blvd. In 2009, the event kicked off in the historic West Adams district and walked to Venice Beach via Adams and Washington. In 2010, for its fifth edition, the Great Los Angeles Walk reprised its original Wilshire journey. In 2011, participants marched to the ocean via Hollywood Boulevard. In 2012, the Walk traveled across Melrose Avenue; in 2013, Sunset Boulevard; in 2014, the Walk traveled across the San Fernando Valley via Ventura Boulevard; in 2015, the Walk took on Olympic Boulevard.

In 2016, the Walk returned to Pico; in 2017, it tackled Beverly Boulevard; in 2018, in honor of Jonathan Gold, we walked on 6th Street, including through Koreatown; in 2019, we walked down Colorado Blvd. from Arcadia and Pasadena, and then through Highland Park to downtown via Figueroa; in 2020, the socially distanced edition returned to Wilshire; in 2021, the event retraced the steps of L.A.’s first settlers (Los Pobladores) from San Gabriel Mission to downtown; in 2022, it once again explored West Adams on the way to Venice; in 2023, the Walk went in a square, beginning and ending in Griffith Park; and in 2024, we walked from USC to UCLA.

This year, we're going back to where it all started: Wilshire Boulevard. As always, the Walk will take place the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which this year is Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Details to come on where we will gather, our food options during the day and more.

If you're not familiar with the Walk, please go read this wonderful feature in the Los Angeles Times, which perfectly encapsulated what we're all about:

L.A. isn’t a walking city? The man behind Great Los Angeles Walk would like a word

Below, here are the pioneers, the original Walkers at the end of the very first event in 2006. And below that, a view of 2024's attendees at the start of last year's Great Los Angeles Walk. Yes, we've grown a bit, but our goal is still the same: To serve as a grassroots, completely free way for Angelenos to get together and explore their community and share it with others. Stay tuned and make sure to email us at greatlawalk@mail.com to get on our email list!

Sunday, November 24, 2024

The Great Los Angeles Walk 2024 Recap: Plenty of Unexpected Delights As Hundreds Hike From USC to UCLA

It was our biggest walk yet. Thanks to the recent Los Angeles Times feature on the Great Los Angeles Walk, hundreds of Angelenos joined us on Saturday morning, Nov. 23, at Exposition Park (and at the oldest palm tree in Los Angeles) to kick off the 19th annual Great Los Angeles Walk. This year, we were inspired by the day's USC vs. UCLA game (as well as my son at UCLA and nephew at USC) to walk from USC to UCLA — about 13 and a half miles.

And it was a beautiful day for a walk. The temperature was mild (not too cold, not too hot) and the rain stayed away (other then a bit of a mist, particularly by the end of the walk -- but it was a welcome, refreshing mist!). There was plenty of serendipity along the way too, as walkers were treated to all sorts of extra experiences along the way. That started with free copies of the L.A. Times' walking issue, as well as free hats and water bottles from the folks at Noom.

After a few words, I introduced L.A. Times' Wellness editor Alyssa Bereznak to say a few words about the issue. I shouted out Cat and Steve Whalen, the now-married couple who first met a few years ago on the walk, and gave everyone the rundown on the day. And then we were off!

First thing, we checked out check out the Natural History Museum's new NHM Commons wing, featuring Gnatalie the dinosaur and Barbara Carrasco's recently installed landmark mural “LA History: A Mexican Perspective.

After the NHM Commons, we started heading north on Vermont and then moved west on 24th street, checking out some of the historic homes as we made our way to Normandie — where we headed back north.

At Washington, we ducked into the Angelus Rosedale Cemetery, where the old, turn-of-the-century gravestones are fascinating to see. Also as we kicked off on Washington, there was a special treat: The "Meeting of Styles" event, featuring street/graffiti artists from all over the world, creating new designs in alleys and in various places. Different hubs also featured music, vendors and other cool things.

That included the new art for the Hungarian Cultural Center. And there was event some tribute to Ray Charles, whose memorial library, Ray Charles Square, recording studio and even post office were in the area.

This may have been the most art-intensive street; besides the "Meeting of Styles" street art, there were murals throughout Washington Blvd. There's also arts institutions like the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center and many, many art galleries.

Later, a lucky handful of us hit the 7th Ave. Garden just as creator/founder David Horvitz was there to open the gate and allow us explore. See, serendipity!

Mid way through, walkers found plenty of places to eat. The Pacific French Bakery offered walkers a deal (their famous french roll, free with purchase of a treat), while plenty of folks discovered Re/creation cafe. And Roscoe's Chicken n Waffles (where a bunch of us had lunch) is always a hit.

Making our way to Culver City, we visited the Helms Bakery complex, the Culver Steps, the Culver Hotel, City Hall, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Veterans Memorial Park. We then headed north on Overland (got to see the "Crapi Apartments") and then turned west on Pico, in time for the Apple Pan.

Heading north on Westwood, there were plenty more sights to see, including the UCLA Nimoy Theatre and later, the free Hammer museum. We ended our day at the Broxton Brewery & Public House, right next to the Broxton Plaza Holiday Market — were the tree was lit and Santa was in full force.

What a day! Thanks to everyone who made all of the trek, some of it, or even just helped give rides to their friends. Check out The Great Los Angeles Walk's Instagram feed for more pics, and the hashtags #glaw and #greatlawalk for more as well.

But here are just a few highlights from the day:

At the Natural History Museum's new NHM Commons entrance: Barbara Carrasco's recently installed landmark mural “LA History: A Mexican Perspective"

Walkers checking out the brand-new NHM Commons wing

Also in the new NHM Commons wing: Gnatalie the dinosaur!

Looks to be a pretty harmless prank on game day: Someone spelling "UCLA" out in from of the USC campus in... baby powder?

At the Bird's Nest Cafe, one of the businesses we may have overwhelmed today

I mean, when you're playing the Lotto, this can't hurt, right?

Walkers check out the West Adams homes on 24th street.

Street art under way as part of "Meeting of Styles"

With Steve and Cat Whalen, our Great LA Walk marriage success story! Let us know if there are any more!

SCOOP: We found where those delivery robots live!

Fantastic new Ray Charles mural

The Hungarian Cultural Center gets a glow-up

7th Avenue Garden creator David Horvitz happened to be at the gate, about to show some people who want to hold an event there, when we showed up. It was total luck of the draw that we got to see it.