"Downtown L.A. #1" a Los Angeles Travel Page by cheap_tourist

For this tour of Downtown L.A., we will follow Route B of the DASH Shuttle Bus.

Our tour starts at the Bunker Hill Steps on 5th Street, between Grand and Flower Streets. The 103 steps are divided by a cascading water channel that ends in a small waterfall at the bottom (see picture).

If you want to go up the hill, you can take either the steps or the nearby escalator.

Just across the street from the Bunker Hill Steps is the Central Public Library. Although it looks small from the outside, it is actually a big library--several of its levels are underground.

Aside from its extensive collections of books, the library regularly holds exhibits on Los Angeles history and on other topics of general interest.

Like other great cities, Los Angeles has numerous sculptures, fountains, waterfalls, murals, and gardens that add to the city's charm and make it a delight.

The strange artwork shown in the picture depicts the businessman who "lost his head" in pursuit of the corporate dream. It's found at the corner of 7th and Figueroa Streets.

Macy's, located at 7th and Flower Streets, is a quiet mall which makes it a very nice place to shop, dine, or just relax. It is very accessible to public transportation--in front of it is a bus stop and across the street is the subway station for Red and Blue Line trains.

Pershing Square is a plaza named after WWI General John Pershing. The artwork seen in the picture is a 120-foot high, purple campanile. Pershing Square is located on Olive Street, between 5th and 6th Streets. Across Olive Street is L.A.'s version of Waldorf Astoria, the Regal Biltmore Hotel.

The Wells Fargo History Museum showcases the role of Wells Fargo in the development of the Old West. Numerous items from the period, including the stagecoach shown in the picture, are on permanent display.

The museum is located at 333 South Grand Street. Admission to the museum is free.

The Watercourt has fountains and cascading waters that offer a refreshing break from the surrounding concrete and steel architecture. You can eat lunch by the pool or you can just watch the world go by.

The Watercourt is located at 350 South Grand Street.

MOCA has an impressive building. Note the red Indian sandstone skin and the pyramidal skylights. It focuses on contemporary art and some of its exhibits may challenge your concept on what is art.

MOCA is located beside the Watercourt. Admission is free every Thursday.