One of Los Angeles' oldest communities, this area features converging cultures and artistic expression.  The San Antonio Winery is a LA must-see.  Formerly a large brewing company, the Brewery Arts Complex is a rich hub of artists and creative professionals.

Enjoy the richness of the area's Latino culture at the Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center and on Broadway, check out the 100 years of Chicano history crafted in the “Chicano Timetrip” mural. 

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To get to the start of the tour:
Use the Metro Trip Planner

Important Note: Please make sure to always check times and schedules for transportation, destinations and events.

This tour includes the following stops:

North Main/Lamar
Main/Griffin
Lincoln Park/ N. Broadway
Avenue 26/Workman
Avenue 20/Main

East Los Angeles is accessible from several points in Downtown Los Angeles. Please note, the Lincoln Heights/Chinatown DASH runs Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM, with no service on Sunday and certain holidays.

The most convenient source of transportation is to board the Lincoln Heights/Chinatown DASH. From the Union Station/Gateway Transit Center Metro station (Red Line), exit the building at Alameda Street and walk north on Alameda to Cesar Chavez Avenue. At the southeast corner, board the Lincoln Heights/Chinatown DASH heading east on Cesar Chavez Avenue. Depart the DASH at North Main and Lamar streets. Walk south on Lamar Street to the San Antonio Winery.

The  San Antonio Winery (737 Lamar St.; 323/223-1401) is the last remaining winery in the city of Los Angeles. Founded in 1917, the winery reflects Lincoln Heights' history as the center of winemaking, beer making and baking during 19th century Los Angeles. Owned by the Roboli family, the winery offers free tours, a restaurant and live jazz on the weekend. Stop by the gift shop to pick up gourmet foods or a bottle of wine with a personalized label. Stay for lunch at the Maddalena Restaurant (323/223-1401), which features Italian and California cuisine.
Return to N. Main Street and turn right.

If you’re in the mood for a quick bite, grab a deli sandwich at the  Lanza Brothers Market (1803 N. Main St.; 323/225-8977), a family operated market that has served the area for over 75 years.

Walk two blocks east on Main Street and you will encounter Los Angeles' largest artists colony at the  Brewery Arts Complex (2100 N. Main St., enter on Moulton Avenue). This historic 21-building complex opened in 1888 as the Los Angeles Brewing Company and now houses almost 500 artists and other creative professionals. Call 323/342-0717 to find out about the next Artwalk or stop by one of the public galleries in the complex: I-5 Gallery (2100 N. Main St.;323/342-0717). Between galleries, stop at  Barbara's at the Brewery (620 Moulton Ave., #110; 323/221-9204), the Brewery's own bistro.

 Main/Griffin bus stop (Lincoln Heights/ Chinatown DASH)

Re-board the DASH on Main Street, just a few steps past Moulton Avenue. Ride the DASH to Main Street and Griffin Avenue and depart. Walk east on Main Street to the intersection of Main Street and Mission Road.

Adjacent to Lincoln Park,  Parque de Mexico (corner of Main Street, Valley Boulevard and Mission Road) was established to recognize and reinforce the historic and cultural ties between residents of Lincoln Heights and Mexico. The cultural heritage of Mexico is commemorated each year in February, when Aztec dance groups from across Southern California converge at the park to honor Cuantemoc, the last Aztec ruler. Sixteen works of public art memorialize Emiliano Zapata, Father Hidalgo and other important Mexican national figures.

 Lincoln Park (corner of Main Street and Mission Road) has long been a major recreational facility in Los Angeles. Founded as East Los Angeles Park in 1874, Lincoln Park contributed to the area's reputation as a major amusement center in the early 20th century. The area was once home to a conservatory, gardens, an ostrich farm, carousel, and even an alligator farm. Currently, Lincoln Park is home to a new generation of cultural assets, in addition to tennis courts, a senior center, and many youth programs.

Located in Lincoln Park along Mission Boulevard,  Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center for Arts and Education (3540 N. Mission Rd.; 323/223-2475) was established in 1970, and provides classes in the performing and visual arts to area youth, with a focus on forms that reflect the Latino heritage of the area's residents. Plaza de la Raza's summer concert series,Con Sabor Latino, and its resident theater group, the Latino Theatre Company, make this center an important part of the Los Angeles arts and culture scene. The center's facilities include a gallery and La Tiendita, a gift shop that features work by artisans and artists. 

 Lincoln Park/North Broadway bus stop (Lincoln Heights / Chinatown DASH) 

Re-board the DASH at the southwest corner of North Main Street and Griffin Avenue. Depart at Lincoln Park Avenue and North Broadway. 

Abraham Lincoln High School (3501 N. Broadway) is an example of WPA construction from the 1930s designed by architect Albert C. Martin. The auditorium features beautiful Art Deco styling and a 1990 exterior mural by Roberto Delgado that commemorates the 20th anniversary of MEChA, a nation-wide Mexican-American student group. Famous graduates of Lincoln High School include actor Robert Young, director Frank Capra and architect Gregory Ain. 

 Avenue 26/Workman bus stop (Lincoln Heights/ Chinatown DASH)

Re-board the DASH at the northwest corner of Lincoln Park Avenue and North Broadway. Depart at Avenue 26 and Workman Street. Cross the street and walk a few steps south along Workman Street. 

Walk one block south to the North Broadway commercial district (intersection of North Broadway and Daly Street) where you can experience the sights, sounds and scents of one of Los Angeles' oldest business districts. North Broadway has been the commercial heart of this community since the first electric streetlight was installed at Avenue 22 and North Broadway in 1890. Today, a variety of commercial architectural styles exist side by side. Vivid signs in several languages grace the many stores and restaurants offering delights from Asian and Latino culture.

Walk west from Workman Street on North Broadway to  Frieden's Department Store (2619 N. Broadway; 323/225-0713). Serving the community for the last 75 years, this may possibly be the last family-owned independent department store in Los Angeles.

Continuing a few steps west on North Broadway is the perfect spot to view the  "Chicano Timetrip" Mural (East-West Bank, 2601 N. Broadway, corner of Daly Street). The work of muralists Wayne Healy and David Botello, known as the Los Dos Streetscapers, documents one hundred years of Chicano history in Los Angeles.

Across the street, the  Water and Power Building (2417 Daly St.), constructed in the early 1930s, stands as a monument to the Art Deco style used by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) for its district offices. S. Charles Lee, the noted Los Angeles architect who also designed the Los Angeles Theater and the Tower Theater on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, remodeled this building.

Walking west on North Broadway will lead you to the Broadway Street Clock (2400 block of N. Broadway). Erected in 1910, it is one of the few remaining street clocks in Los Angeles. Also from this era, the  Federal Bank Building (2201 North Broadway) was designed in 1910 by Neher & Skiling, a Los Angeles architectural firm. Built in the Italian Renaissance style, this building now houses an El Pollo Loco restaurant.

 Avenue 20/Main bus stop (Lincoln Heights/ Chinatown DASH)

At the intersection of North Broadway and Daly Street, re-board the DASH on the northwest corner. Depart the DASH at Avenue 20 and North Main Street. Walk west on North Main Street to Avenue 19 and make a right. Continue for a few blocks to the Bilingual Foundation for the Arts. 

The  Bilingual Foundation for the Arts (BFA) (421 N. Avenue 19; 323/225-4044) was founded in 1973 by award-winning Mexican American actress Carmen Zapata, Margarita Galban and Estela Scarlata. BFA provides training for Latino theater artists, translates the works of contemporary Latino playwrights, brings bilingual theater to school children and presents three main stage productions annually. Located on the fifth floor, the Los Angeles Youth Athletic Club (421 N. Avenue 19; 213/485-3217) is a project of the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. The Club, one of the oldest boxing gyms in the City, hosts matches regularly.