Spanning nearly sixteen miles from downtown to the ocean, Wilshire Boulevard is the symbolic spine of Los Angeles.

It crosses three cities, includes the most dense and ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Los Angeles, reflects nearly every major architectural style of the twentieth century, and embodies the role of the automobile in the growth of Southern California. 

The story of Wilshire is the story of Los Angeles. Visit these pages to learn more, and explore 30,000 years of history on the timeline below.

Birth of the Boulevard - how Wilshire began

Life in the Fast Lane - our love affair with the automobile

Wilshire Today - new communities adding their own layers of history

Preserving Wilshire's History - how the boulevard reflects the need for, and value of, preservation

Neighborhoods - overviews of eight neighborhoods from downtown to the ocean

There are so many great resources out there for even more information about Wilshire, including the great book Wilshire Boulevard: Grand Concourse of Los Angeles. If you have other suggestions, let us know.