Photo by Larry Underhill

Past Meets Present Walking Tour

Past Meets Present + Downtown Art Walk, second Thursday of the month.

Key Information

Limited numbers of tickets available.

Time: Tour starts at 5:30pm

Length: 1.5 hours

Walking Difficulty: Route covers about six city blocks; includes some stairs

Wheelchair accessible: Yes

Cost: $15 general public, $10 Conservancy members and youth seventeen and under

Meeting location: Meeting information will be provided with your reservation confirmation.

No pets

Strollers not recommended

Past Meets Present Walking Tour

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About the Event
Getting There

The Past Meets Present walking tour coincides with the Downtown Art Walk on the second Thursday of each month!

This tour explores how the historic sites of Los Angeles' past are shaping its future. As you stroll through artist stalls and past performance artists, our wonderful docents will show you how architectural treasures of the past became a unique location for nightlife and a growing urban population.

Spend an evening in downtown and learn about how a former bank became the world-famous Last Bookstore, an abandoned streetcar terminal was transformed into a luxury apartment complex, and other pre-1930s office buildings became popular bars, clubs, and restaurants.

Tour of the old Financial District is also available as a private group tour.

Reservations Required. Meeting information will be provided with your reservation confirmation.

Important Policies

Tour will run rain or shine.
No refunds. You can change your reservation date if you contact us at info@laconservancy.org at least 24 hours before your original reservation date.
No pets.
This tour not recommended for young children.
Strollers not recommended.
If a member of your party is in a wheelchair, please let us know in advance by emailing info@laconservancy.org.

All participants in the Los Angeles Conservancy-sponsored Walking Tours knowingly and freely accept and assume all risks, both known and unknown, and AGREE TO RELEASE, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, NOT SUE, AND HOLD HARMLESS the Los Angeles Conservancy, its principals, officers, employees, volunteers, sponsors, agents and other participants from any and all claims, damages (including medical expenses and attorneys’ fees), injuries and expenses arising out of, or resulting from your voluntary attendance/participation in Walking Tours.

Featured Location(s)

Photo by Annie Laskey/L.A. Conservancy

John Parkinson

Continental Building

Known as the first skyscraper in downtown L.A., the lavishly decorated 1904 Beaux-Arts style tower remained the city's tallest office building until the late 1950s.

Photo from Conservancy archives

Morgan & Walls

Farmers and Merchants Bank and Annexes

A magnificent example of one of Southern California’s famed "temples of finance," fortunately much of the original 1905 banking room remains.

Photo courtesy Big Orange Landmarks

John Parkinson

Alexandria Hotel

Constructed in 1906 at the then almost unheard of cost of $2 million, the hotel then added a large addition in 1911. The addition included a beautiful banquet hall with a spectacular stained-glass ceiling, now known as the Palm Court.

Photo from Conservancy archives

Alfred F. Rosenheim

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

Built in 1903 and the largest individual investment for an office building in Los Angeles at the time, the building was acquired and renovated in 1976 making it the first major step in revitalizing Spring Street.