Where the Murals Are

A Walking Tour of Downtown LA's Arts District

Is the Arts District the best spot to see art in LA? Duh! We’re talking the brand-new Institute of Contemporary Art, edgy murals, murals in progress, and surprises around every corner in this 2.5-mile DTLA urban art walk.

Park on the street near Arts District Brewing Company and gain traction on Traction Ave., passing lofts famous as the New Girl apartment façade and the first of many impressive murals—the red, white, and black Heartship. Continue right on Merrick St., followed by an immediate left onto the 4th Street Bridge, where you’ll encounter lovers sharing an intimate moment.

Oh, wait, that’s a mural! So is the big wall full of zany, exaggerated LA characters. The dog park you just passed has, natch, a mural of its own. Look for murals in progress as you make a sharp right onto 4th Place, followed by a left onto Mateo, where Blue Bottle Coffee offers a fix for those in need. After 0.5 mile, turn right onto 7th Street, but not before passing more murals, including a collab between David Choe and Aryz that meshes their different graffiti styles. Heading west on 7th Street, you come to the just-opened Institute of Contemporary Art, a free museum with a colorful mural in its front yard. Then head right onto Alameda Street and in five blocks right onto Palmetto Street. Here, bounded by Seaton, Hewitt, and 4th Streets, is a two-square-block area with murals, mini museums, and shops: the Arts District Co-op, the Architecture and Design Museum, Urth Caffe, and the Container Yard. Then head to the intersection of 4th and Hewitt, making a left onto 4th Place and crossing right onto Hewitt Street at Art Share LA’s brightly colored digs.

You’ll pass a mural of a Navajo woman next to Wurstküche as you head left on Traction Ave. Make an immediate left onto 3rd Street, passing two black-and-white murals, one of rebel art legend Ai Wei Wei and the other of elephants. Look up to see a new mural portrait of LA art icon Ed Ruscha before visiting the parking lot across the street to see the giant new work Bloom. Muraled out? No worries. Angel City Brewery has an IPA (and, well, a few more murals!) waiting for you.

To get to Arts District Brewing Co. from the west, take the Alameda St. exit off the I-10. Turn left onto Alameda and go north for 1 mile, then turn right onto Traction Ave. for 0.2 mile. From the east, exit 4th St. off the 1-10 and turn right onto 4th, taking it west for 1 mile. Turn right onto Molino St., which immediately becomes Merrick St. and veers left into Traction Ave. Arts District Brewing Co. will be on your left after one block. Dog-friendly, though not in museum and only outside at Arts District Brewing Co.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Screaming Good Garden

    Combine a classic scary movie backdrop and life-size elephant garden sculptures in beautiful downtown Sonoma.

    View
  3. A Hike to the Past

    This 5.2-mile redwoods hike through El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space combines a relaxing stroll with unique geologic formations and historical artifacts.

    View
  4. Golden Mile

    Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax. See Naga, the recent new addition here, an impressive sea serpent art installation at Golden Gate Park's Rainbow

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Chase Fall Colors & Family Fun in Reno Tahoe

    Ready to Reno? We’re so with you! Reno Tahoe is the ultimate urban basecamp for gathering family and friends for all kinds of fall fun and festivities.

    View
  2. Welcome to the Ice Age

    Only in LA can you stumble upon a lake of bubbling black goo right in the middle of the city—complete with a life-size family of mammoths frozen in time. Take a whiff and you’ll catch the unmistakable scent of asphalt: Yep, you’ve made it to the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Mulholland's Most Majestic

    Take a leisurely drive along Mulholland Drive to discover beautiful urban scenery and unexpected wild beauty, right in the middle of the city. 

    View