Los Angeles Art Deco & Beaux Art Architecture: Walking Tour

Marble columns, a Greek temple remodeled, the Bradbury Building, and a library saved from the wrecking ball

A private walking tour of downtown Los Angeles exploring Art Deco and Beaux Art architecture across eight landmarks, led by a live guide in English. You'll see the Bradbury Building, Los Angeles Central Library (saved from demolition in 1978), the CalEdison building with its marble interior, and the Eastern Columbia Building's iconic clock tower, ending at Santee Alley market. The tour runs three hours and includes plenty of time to photograph each stop. Wheelchair accessible with public transit nearby.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Downtown LA Art Deco Buildings

• Begin tour at Los Angeles City Hall
• Visit LA Courthouse Art Moderne style
• Admire Bradbury Building Beau-Arts architecture
• Walk to Title Guarantee Building
• Explore Pershing Square and Biltmore hotel
• Discover CalEdison building marble details
• See Los Angeles Central Library Art Deco
• Admire Oviatt Building and PacMutual temple
• End tour at Eastern Columbia Building

The experience

You start at Los Angeles City Hall, the eclectic building that has stood in countless films, then move to the LA Courthouse to see Art Moderne in practice. From there the route takes you to the Bradbury Building, one of downtown's oldest surviving Beaux-Arts structures, and the Title Guarantee Building from 1930, where Art Deco verticality shaped the design of what are now loft-style apartments. Your guide walks you through Pershing Square to explain the difference between Beaux Art and Art Deco, pointing out the 1925 Biltmore hotel as an example of the earlier style.

The CalEdison building from 1931 sits on a prominent corner. You may be able to step inside to see the marble floor and columns that define the period. Los Angeles Central Library, built in 1926 and saved from demolition by the Los Angeles Conservancy, shows Art Deco in its early form. The Oviatt Building mixes Romanesque Revival with Art Deco elements added after its owner visited the 1925 Paris exposition, while the PacMutual building, originally a Greek temple from 1908, was remodeled in the 1930s to match the Art Deco aesthetic. The tour ends at the Eastern Columbia Building, a former department store with its distinctive greenish terra cotta and iconic clock tower, now luxury condominiums.

Your guide is a source for food recommendations in downtown, so ask about where to eat after the tour ends. The jewellery district is part of the route, and you'll walk through Santee Alley market before the tour concludes. Plenty of time is built in for photographs at each stop, and the pace is set for a moderate level of physical fitness.

What’s included

• A private guide in English for your own group.
• plenty of time to photograph each landmark and building facade.
• access to the jewellery district and Santee Alley market as part of the route.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearby

Operated by Travel Curious

Is this one for you?Three hours leaves your afternoon or morning free depending on when you book, so you can pair this with lunch in the district your guide recommends or explore the market at the end without rushing. The private format means your guide adjusts the pace and focus to what interests your group most.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Bradbury Building and why does the tour stop there?

The Bradbury Building is one of downtown Los Angeles's oldest surviving Beaux-Arts architecture landmarks, and it's a recognized example of the architectural period the tour focuses on. You'll see it as part of the route through the city's historic core.

Can I actually go inside the buildings on this tour, or do I just walk past them?

Most stops are exterior views and walks around the buildings. The CalEdison building from 1931 may allow you to step inside to see the marble floor and columns, depending on access that day. Your guide will let you know what's open when you arrive.

What happened to Los Angeles Central Library, and why is it on the tour?

Los Angeles Central Library, built in 1926, was saved from demolition in 1978 by the Los Angeles Conservancy. It's an example of early Art Deco style and shows how the city preserved one of its most important buildings from that era.

How long does the tour take, and will I have time to shop or eat afterward?

The tour runs three hours. It ends at Santee Alley market, so you have the rest of your day free to explore the area, eat, or shop in the jewellery district your guide has walked you through.

Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them. The route involves walking and standing to view buildings, so you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

Will the guide give me food recommendations for downtown?

Yes. Your guide is a source for food advice in downtown Los Angeles, so ask about spots for a culinary adventure in the area once the tour ends.